Advancements in online barcode verification technology are enabling manufacturers and distributors of hardgoods, apparel, and softgoods to meet retailers' tough compliance requirements without suffering lags in material handling throughput.
Retailers' barcode compliance labeling requirements are driving the need for high-speed barcode verification and more efficient barcode label production across broad segments of the vendor community. Until recently, the speed at which barcode verification devices could accurately and reliably scan barcodes was considerably slower than other packaging line equipment, such as automatic labeling systems. The result: a bottleneck situation in packaging lines at the point of barcode verification. You might say that verification was 'the slow link in the supply chain.'
That deficiency is now being addressed by advancements in verification technology. New online verification devices, such as the Avery Dennison Online Verifier, are on the market that can keep pace with virtually any print/apply labeling system in a packaging line or any benchtop label printer for applications where labels are produced away from packaging lines. The verifier's appearance is particularly timely when you consider that new high-speed 64-bit print/apply labeling systems are now on the market. These include the new 64-bit cornerwrap labeling system, which yields literally twice the productivity of conventional dual tamp two-side print/apply technology. We're seeing more applications where companies are achieving packaging line throughput of 50-60 items per minute. This means that materials handling managers need to either increase the speed of barcode verification systems or slow production rates to let older verifiers keep up.
Ultimately, it's all about compliance. Goods supplied to retailers must be compliant with a retailer's particular set of specifications. These might include multiple types of barcodes. A breech of compliance can result in fines -- or worse, loss of goodwill with the retailer customer. This provides a huge incentive for companies to upgrade their verification systems.
The compliance issue will continue to grow in importance for all suppliers. Because of the tremendous costs involved in compliance, failure is not an option. Companies need to be sure that no unscannable barcodes make their way through the supply chain and into the hands of retailers.
