The best way of keeping a check on stock levels is to have a quick and efficient system that records the arrival and dispatch of goods into and out of a warehouse, or work premises. In a constantly evolving digital world of ecommerce there are computer-based technologies that can assist with this. In particular, the Barcode Scanner on which inventory scanner text is seen and recorded. This information is then retained as an inventory log of all the business’s stock in the warehouse. This allows a business to know at any point in time just how much stock they have and therefore how much needs to be ordered for the next day or week. Information is power in the warehouse business. To lose track of your stock is to lose track of your business.
What Types of Items Can Be Scanned In?
Primarily, any box or item containing a barcode can be scanned on arrival and then again on departure. This will initially identify the item and record it as stock to later dispatch it as a sale. To scan the items is far quicker than to physically make a handwritten list of them. Items could include building materials, tools, electronic goods, food stuffs. The list is endless. Whatever area your business is into, your stock can be efficiently managed so that at no time are you without the essential supplies that you need to conduct business. Whether it is a construction business needing the supplies for a particular job, or a wholesaler selling goods on to a retailer.
What is a Barcode Scanner?
The technology behind Barcode Scanners or Barcode Readers dates as far back as 1951, when it was invented and patented in the US by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver. They were able to demonstrate that 2D barcodes could be read, or rather deconstructed, using application software on mobile devices such as those with inbuilt cameras. This allowed for the item containing the barcode to be identified from its deconstruction of 0s and 1s. Today’s smartphones are more than capable of achieving it with their app technology.
Principally, a Barcode Scanner works when its sensor detects reflected light from its illumination system or red light, which then generates an analogue signal that is sent to the decoder. This decoder then interprets the signal, validates the barcode using its check digit function, and then converts this into text. It is this text that is then recorded in its internal system to keep a check on the items that the Barcode Reader has scanned. These are the items that are now in stock. Items that are now known about. Items ready to be scanned out again.
By clicking on information entitled Barcode Readers, you can read more about these devices that read and scan barcodes.
How Does a Barcode Scanner Manage Stock Levels More Efficiently?
The main advantage digital scanning of barcodes has over the manual recording of items is in how much time can be saved. It is far quicker to scan boxes than to first work out what is inside the box before finding its contents against a long list of items expected. Purely for the fact that you need to quickly establish what is inside, perhaps a large box, which is being viewed. In addition, there is no chance of illegible writing or numbers on the part of the warehouseperson being misread or misunderstood. This would be disastrous in an environment where it is important to know just what stock is held. An efficient system is only as efficient as those operating it and a device that makes this all the easier in turn makes the whole system more manageable. The time saved can also result in lower wage bills due to the time saved from the whole process of recording stock.
So, it is certainly worth considering a Barcode Scanner that will record for you and maintain a real-time figure as to how much movement of stock will need to take place in a single day to restore stock levels. It is good for the business using the scanner and all its customers along the supply chain who are expecting a continual supply of goods or supplies.
