| Supply chain management is the system of managing | | | | ready. The use of barcodes would ensure detailed |
| the entire set of interconnected businesses including | | | | and correct information, which helps in cutting costs |
| the storage and movement of raw materials, | | | | incurred in maintaining high inventory levels for |
| inventory and the whole range of finished goods | | | | customer products. If barcodes are used then |
| from their starting point to the final point of | | | | inventory levels can be maintained at low levels and |
| consumption. Thus, in a typical business it involves the | | | | replenished only when the need arises. Barcodes |
| management of all related activities including sourcing, | | | | provide accuracy and speed that no other system |
| conversion, procurement of supplies and logistics. It | | | | can match, and help in reducing expenses incurred to |
| also encompasses activities with intermediate | | | | rectify errors made by manual oversight or faulty |
| associates, suppliers, service providers and the final | | | | data entry. |
| customers. | | | | Barcode systems include mobile devices that can be |
| Supply chain management is easily manageable | | | | used at every point due to their ease of use and |
| through specialized software, which makes integration | | | | time saving advantages. Once a product enters the |
| of businesses easier. The process becomes even | | | | materials inventory, barcodes help in product |
| simpler with the aid of barcodes. Barcode technology | | | | identification, its location and tracking its movement. |
| helps to identify and track products and services | | | | They help in product line applications, and newer |
| since it is an effective identification tool. | | | | manufacturing processes. Barcodes facilitate quality |
| Barcodes have been incorporated into supply chain | | | | control and the handling of complaints, and finally in |
| management for decades since they first identify | | | | shipping at the right time to the right place and the |
| products, trace their movement and sale right till the | | | | right customer. |
| time they have to be transported to customers. | | | | In short barcodes assist effective supply chain |
| While their usage in the retail realm remains | | | | management in the following ways: |
| unparalleled they have also proved to be effective in | | | | • Time saving by reducing data entry and |
| every other aspect of the business. | | | | processing times |
| The most important aspect of supply chain | | | | • Cost efficiency |
| management is the need for facts and figures. | | | | • Improved quality of data |
| Information is believed to hold the key to a | | | | • Reduced paper work |
| successful business venture, and companies lacking in | | | | • Access to accurate information |
| keeping track of information now find themselves at | | | | • Timely action |
| a distinct disadvantage. Barcode technology helps | | | | • Improved efficiency levels in all business |
| keep track of products and services that they | | | | aspects |
| identify, and hence provide all the necessary | | | | • Higher returns on investment |
| information about them. Every point of the supply | | | | Companies providing barcode solutions for supply |
| chain involves vendors and suppliers who must be | | | | chain management include Zebra, Naxtor |
| able to provide all details when asked. Their inability | | | | Technologies, Lawson Mobile and hundreds of other |
| to do so will mean being left behind and their job | | | | companies. |
| assigned to a competitor who has his information | | | | |