Since its introduction more than 50 years ago, the simple barcode has revolutionised the supply chains of countless industries. However, the adoption of more powerful two-dimensional (2D) barcodes has gradually become more prevalent, with popular examples like the QR code becoming commonplace and instantly recognisable. Given the enhanced traceability, control and data collection offered by these newer innovations, could the original barcode be on its last legs? If so, how will this affect your supply chain?
The original 1D barcodes, or linear barcodes, only display data horizontally as vertical bars. In contrast, 2D barcodes display information along both the horizontal and vertical axis, typically in a unique arrangement of square pixels, meaning they have a much higher capacity for data storage.
The non-profit organisation GS1, which maintains international barcode standards, is leading the push to phase out traditional barcodes. The company has established a clear deadline of 2027, at which point 2D barcodes must be accepted at point-of-sale, in a project dubbed Sunrise 2027. GS1 says this change can enable ‘improved inventory management, enhanced recall readiness, greater sustainability and ethical sourcing, better product authentication’ and ‘greater brand trust’. The obvious question is how?
Whether you operate a warehouse, distribution or manufacturing site, efficiency is key. The benefit of having more data available instantly cannot be overstated, especially in pharmaceutical, electronic and medical sectors, where lots of information needs to fit into a finite space. Having all necessary data available with a single scan of a barcode can improve the speed and accuracy of onsite activity, helping to limit mistakes and downtime from human or labelling errors. This can be especially useful for stock and quality control processes, with users able to quickly identify faults, assess expiry dates, review inventory and instigate a recall.
With the transition from 1D to 2D barcodes a question of when, not if, companies which fail to adapt quickly may struggle to match the competition. The most impactful strategy for most organisations is to adopt a versatile mobile solution for the supply chain. There is no guarantee that existing solutions will automatically cope with this change, so it is important to do your research and partner with a provider that has a product that can cater for future changes both in the industry and your business.
Innovative solutions specialists can help you benefit from this change in barcode protocol, rather than just withstanding it. By implementing a flexible mobile solution which can be easily customised and reconfigured, you can integrate new and innovative processes into your supply chain. For example, our mobile solution for the SAP supply chain, PreBilt™, not only caters for 2D barcodes, but can also drive further scanning efficiencies through the latest scanning technology such as batch scanning, augmented reality and optical character recognition, helping you pivot and capitalise on this inevitable industry shift.
Take a closer look at how PreBilt can future-proof your SAP supply chain.