Several industries worldwide use barcode scanners nowadays to improve accuracy, efficiency, and productivity. For a long time, barcode scanners have been able to automate data collection and data processing successfully by scanning barcodes on products, assets, and documents. So, manual entry is eliminated which, in turn, reduces the risk of errors. We have listed the top industrial applications of barcode scanners to help you know how this device can help you say goodbye to errors.
Related: Best Barcode Scanner in UAE – Expert Reviews [2023]
Barcode Scanners: Top Industrial Applications
Retail Industry
In the retail industry, barcode scanners are used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of a variety of tasks, including:
- Inventory management: Barcode scanners can be used to track the movement of inventory throughout the supply chain, from the warehouse to the store floor. This helps retailers to ensure that they have the right products in stock at the right time, and to prevent overstocking and understocking.
- Point-of-sale (POS): Barcode scanners are used to scan barcodes on products at the POS to ring up sales and calculate prices. This eliminates the need for cashiers to manually enter product codes, which can save time and reduce errors.
- Customer loyalty programs: Barcode scanners can be used to scan customer loyalty cards to track customer purchases and award rewards. This helps retailers to build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business.
- Asset tracking: Barcode scanners can be used to track the location and status of assets, such as equipment, merchandise, and displays. This helps retailers to prevent theft and loss, and to optimize asset utilization.
Manufacturing Industry
In the manufacturing industry, barcode scanners are used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of a variety of tasks, including:
- Quality control: Barcode scanners can be used to scan barcodes on products to verify that they meet quality standards. This helps manufacturers to identify and remove defective products from the production process, and to ensure that customers receive high-quality products.
- Work-in-progress (WIP) tracking: Barcode scanners can be used to track the movement of WIP through the production process, ensuring that products are assembled and finished correctly. This helps manufacturers to identify and address bottlenecks early on, and to ensure that products meet quality standards.
- Shipping and receiving: Barcode scanners can be used to scan barcodes on shipments to ensure that the correct products are being shipped and received. This helps to prevent errors and ensure the timely delivery of products to customers.
- Inventory management: Barcode scanners can be used to track the inventory of raw materials, finished goods, and spare parts. This helps manufacturers to ensure that they have the materials and supplies they need to produce products on time and avoid stockouts.
Healthcare Industry
In the healthcare industry, barcode scanners are used to improve the safety and efficiency of a variety of tasks, including:
- Blood transfusions: Barcode scanners can be used to scan barcodes on blood bags to verify blood type and compatibility. This helps to prevent blood transfusion errors, which can be fatal.
- Patient identification: Barcode scanners can be used to scan barcodes on patient wristbands to verify patient identity and access medical records. This helps to prevent patient misidentification, which can lead to serious medical errors.
- Asset tracking: Barcode scanners can be used to track the location and status of assets, such as medical equipment, supplies, and patient records. This helps to ensure that assets are available when they are needed, and to prevent theft and loss.
- Medication administration: Barcode scanners can be used to scan barcodes on medications to ensure that the correct medications are being administered to the correct patients. This helps to prevent medication errors, which can have serious consequences for patient safety.
Transportation Industry
In the transportation industry, barcode scanners are used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of a variety of tasks, including:
- Vehicle tracking: Barcode scanners can be used to track the location and status of vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and trains. This helps transportation companies to dispatch vehicles efficiently and to provide real-time updates to customers.
- Package tracking: Barcode scanners can be used to scan barcodes on packages to track their movement through the shipping process. This helps customers to track the status of their packages and to estimate delivery times.
- Freight management: Barcode scanners can be used to track the movement of freight through the supply chain, from the warehouse to the shipping dock. This helps transportation companies to optimize their operations and to ensure that freight is delivered to customers on time.
- Passenger boarding: Barcode scanners can be used to scan barcodes on boarding passes to verify passenger identity and grant access to vehicles. This helps to ensure the security of passengers and to expedite the boarding process.
