February 1, 2019 • 10 min read

Optimizing Barcode Scanning and Validation for UPC and EAN Codes

When integrating scanning technology, it’s crucial to select the right tools for efficient UPC and EAN barcode scanning and validation. Here, we explore the innovative Smart Scan technology designed for touch computers, smartphones, and tablets to enhance accuracy and streamline operations.

Attendance Tracking

Access Control

Contact Tracing

SOCIAL SHARE

[fusion_sharing social_share_links=”” layout_medium=”” layout_small=”stacked” layout=”floated” tagline_visibility=”hide” tagline=”Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!” title=”” link=”” description=”” tooltip_placement=”” pinterest_image=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”0″ margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”0″ wrapper_padding_top=”0″ wrapper_padding_right=”” wrapper_padding_bottom=”” wrapper_padding_left=”0″ backgroundcolor=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” border_top=”” border_right=”” border_bottom=”” border_left=”” border_color=”#cccccc” tagline_color=”” stacked_align_medium=”” stacked_align_small=”center” stacked_align=”flex-start” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”space-between” alignment=”flex-start” icons_boxed=”yes” icons_boxed_radius=”” icon_size=”” color_type=”custom” icon_colors=”#ffffff” box_colors=”#1a1a1a” pinterest_image_id=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” icon_taglines=”” tagline_placement=”after” tagline_text_size=”” icon_tagline_color=”” icon_tagline_color_hover=”” separator_border_sizes=”0″ separator_border_color=”#cccccc” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” /]

Understanding Smart Scan Technology

Think of a touch computer, smartphone, or tablet as a magic wand auto-capturing the right barcode.

Validating Barcodes Against Your Database

Whether connected to the internet or not, Smart Scan checks each scanned barcode against a preset database of UPC and EAN codes. This step ensures that all captured data—such as quantity, condition, and other specifics—are accurate and relevant to your inventory needs. This validation process is essential for maintaining accurate and reliable inventory records, critical for tasks like Inventory Audits.

Selecting the Correct Barcode Scanner Modes

Smart Scan also offers various Barcode Scanner Modes that aid users in targeting specific barcodes, enhancing the productivity of your workforce. These modes are pre-configured and tailored based on contextual rules, which help in filtering and selecting the correct barcode format necessary for your operations.

Configuring Scanner Settings for Optimal Performance

To cater to different needs, such as scanning smaller UPC-E or EAN-8 barcodes, it’s important to optimize scanner settings accordingly. For instance, if an 8-digit UPC-E barcode is scanned but your database recognizes only 12-digit UPC-A formats, the Smart Scan technology can expand the UPC-E to match the UPC-A format, ensuring the data is correctly logged and validated.

What are the most common EAN Barcode formats?

EAN-13 (13-digits)
EAN-13 2CHAR ADDENDA (13-digits plus 2-digits), and EAN-13 5CHAR ADDENDA (13-digits plus 5-digits)
EAN-13-ISBN (13-digits)
EAN-8 (8-digits)
EAN-8 2CHAR ADDENDA, and EAN-8 5CHAR ADDENDA

What are the most common UPC Barcode formats?

UPC-A (12-digits)
UPC-A 2CHAR ADDENDA (12-digits plus 2-digits), and UPC-A 5CHAR ADDENDA (12-digits plus 5-digits)
UPC-E (8-digits), and UPC-E EXPAND (converts 8-digit UPC-E to 12-digit UPC-A)
UPC-E 2CHAR ADDENDA (8-digits plus 2-digits), and UPC-E 5CHAR ADDENDA (8-digits plus 5-digits)
UPC-E0 (8-digits starting with 0)
UPC-E1 (8-digits starting with 1)

Why is UPC-E special?

UPC-E is a shortened version of UPC-A commonly used for shelf labels and items needing barcodes with a smaller imprint. If your database only includes UPC-A barcodes but you also need to scan UPC-E barcodes, use the setting “UPC-E EXPAND” which will reformat the 8-digits to 12 digits and be validated accordingly.

What does ADDENDA mean?

UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, and EAN-8 sometimes have an extra barcode to the right of the main barcode typically used to encode additional information for newspapers, books, and other periodicals. They are referred to as 2CHAR or 5CHAR ADDENDA.

What does ISBN refer to?

It stands for “International Standard Book Number” which is a numeric commercial book identifier. The setting “EAN-13-ISBN” covers books assigned with an ISBN on or after 1 January 2007. For books prior to that time, you would need to use our Alter Scan Value feature if you need to validate against a database.

By leveraging Smart Scan technology and configuring your devices correctly, you can enhance your scanning and validation processes, ensuring that every barcode scan is accurate, efficient, and optimized for your business needs. Whether dealing with high-volume transactions or detailed inventory management, these tools are indispensable for modern operations.