Archive for November, 2009

GS1 postponed DataBar sunrise to 2011

Nov 23rd

Posted by accelotech in Barcode News

1 comment

GS1 postponed DataBar sunrise date from Jan 1st, 2010 to Jan 1st, 2011, when all the retailers should adopt dataBar barcode at their POS and coupon processing. Altough it becomes mandatory in 2014, but retailers will start sooner than later. Adopting databar might be easy for manufacturers, but for retailers it will be hectic and time and resource consuming. They have to replace their cheap scanners with expensive dataBar scannable scanners, which can add up to their total expense. They also have to update the current software in their POS systems. Given the current economic situation, it might be the worst time to roll out new technology like this.

In contrary, new dataBar can also boost retailers and manufacturers sales and help them to grow. New coupon code can be an ideal situation. Everyone from manufacturers to retailers are drawing customers attentions by using coupons, and new coupon codes can help them encode more data and apply coupon in many different ways. Manufacturers can give coupons to end customers in many different ways without the interaction of retailers. Retailers will also avoid hassles with coupon processing.

Besides coupon, fresh food industries are also rolling out GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked barcode to encode more data in a single barcode. Fresh food can be labeled as organic or processed and production date, weight, expiration date, production place, etc can easily be placed in one single barcode. Small products like chewing gum, and lipstick can also get advantage of smaller dataBar Omni directional barcode.

With all these great features with DataBar, its just a matter of time when dataBar becomes the official barcode in retail industry. As for coupon, people are already using Interim DataBar Couopn and will continue to use it until 2014.

GS1 DataBar Explained (Part 1)

Nov 23rd

Posted by accelotech in DataBar Barcode

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DataBar Barcode is a type of linear barcode symbol which started its journey as RSS (Reduced Space Symbology) Barcode. As the name indicates, RSS (now dataBar) is a space constrained barcode intended to comply with both GS1 (Formerly EAN International (EAN) and Uniform Code Council Inc ) guidelines. The term RSS conflicts with “Really Simple Syndication (RSS)”, an internet documenting technology and creates ambiguity. To eliminate this confusion, GS1 decided to rename RSS barcode to DataBar.

DataBar Stacked from Accelotech.com

GS1 DataBar barcode can encode 14 digits GTIN (Global Trade Identification Number) Numbers, which is more data than what EAN and UPC can encode. GS1 DataBar is also smaller than EAN or UPC, specially truncated version. Moreover, DataBar barcode can be stackable in second row, and that way barcode will look more like square than wide rectangle, and in many packaging it is very useful. DataBar can also be linked to 2D component and hence encode more data in the barcode. Another form of DataBar Barcode can be expanded to encode up to 74 digits or 41 character sets, which is helpful to encode additional information like expiration date, weight, etc.

Advantage:

Using DataBar Barcode is definitely forward thinking.  It has many advantages:

  • Space saver:

Although for big packaging, quarter of an inch of free space does not make much difference, but small items like chewing gum box, lipstick case, medicine pack, will definitely use that extra space.  It creates even more space by allowing barcode stackable in DataBar Stack Omni Directional  format.

  • Encodes more Data:

DataBar encodes 14 digit GTIN number, and additionally up to 74 digits in DataBarExpnaded format.

  • Expnadable with 2D:

DataBar can easily be linked with 2D barcode, specially MicroPDF barcde with linkage character. When linkage character is turned on, scanner will read both barcode one after another.

  • Separate Data Aggregation:

DataBar Barcode with 2D barcode can be printed separately in different location. For example, linear 14 digit DataBar part of a pharmaceutical barcode for a medicine can be printed during mass packaging, but Lot number and expiration date can be added in 2D part separately when medicine is poured  in to package. At the pharmacy counter all data can be read at once.

  • Vertical Space Accommodation:

Linear barcode like EAN or UPC,  GS1 128, code 39 etc, can grow horizontally which may not be acceptable in small to medium packaging. With DataBar Expandd stacked, we can make taller barcode stacking each layer.

  • Encode Application Identifier:

It is now possible to encode different Data with DataBar Expanded Barcode besides 14 digits GTIN number. We can add dxpiration date, product weight, lot number,  etc with its own Identifier (AI) separated by function character.

Disadvantages:

Although GS1 DataBar Barcode has its many advantages, but like many other new technologies, it has its toll on implementing cost. New DataBar barcode symbol requires new improved scanners, which are at least twice as expensive as old UPC/ EAN scanners. Right now, a DataBar scanner will cost you about $300. Also old system will require software upgrade to work with new symbols. Therefore adopting this new symbol at the point of sales (POS) systems worldwide will be a huge task financially. In this barren economic condition, this will definitely be an issue. Probably, for that reason, GS1 decided to postpone DataBar sunrise timeline for another year, until 2011. No matter what, DataBar will replace the current barcode at the POS along with many other industries.

To Be Continued …