Blog 1: Sabarcodes.co.za
PURCHASING BARCODES Barcodes are the identity of a product the same way your social security number is for you. A manufacturing facility only produces products; they have yet to be given an identity which will help other connected businesses in handling these products. This identity is required in order to maintain and manage the inventory of manufacturers, stockers and sellers. Barcodes requirement depends on what course the manufactured product will be taking after coming into being. If it is only a part that will fit into a bigger device or machine or product, then you may not need to purchase any barcode for it. However, if it is to go out into the market, then you should purchase barcodes for it. Barcodes are available online for purchase in simple steps. First of all, you will need to join the GS1 US community, which is the Council that handles everything related to barcoding. You should verse yourself well with the rules and regulations, the terms and conditions. Then you can purchase barcode numbers for your products. When you are purchasing the codes, make sure that they are GS1 compliant. If you need barcodes for only one or two products, then directly purchasing them online will be of benefit to you. If there is a bulk requirement, then you may start looking at big dealers online that also do barcode reselling. When you have received the barcode, you can test it with a scanner. Remember to always check whether or not your barcodes are compliant with latest standards.