Updated 2/11/2000

Barcodes can be used to track all kinds of information: inventory/asset management, employee ID badges, time cards, document/file tracking, mailroom applications, and so much more. In fact, if your business has to manage any kind of inventory, you’ve probably thought about barcoding at time or another. Until quite recently, barcode solutions have been costly. We’ve recently put together an inexpensive barcode solution that will get you started tracking barcoded data with a minimal investment and startup time. Here’s what you need:

Barcode Scanner. We’re highly recommending the Barcode Anything wand or gun-type CCD wedge scanners from Zebra Corp. They’re called “wedge” scanners because they’re “wedged” between your keyboard and your computer. When you scan a barcode, the characters are sent to the computer just as if they were typed in from the keyboard. This means that there is no special software that you have to buy to read in barcodes. The scanner reads all popular barcode formats (Code 39, UPC, and many more) so you can enter in serial numbers and UPC codes into your existing software application or accounting system right now without any modifications or enhancements. Cost: at the time of this writing, the wand scanner sells for $149, and the gun scanner is $249.

Barcode Fonts. Now, if you want to print your own barcode labels, you’ll need to purchase a separate font package that includes the fonts you want to use. We recommend the Carolina Barcode Fonts from Carolina Barcode. It’s an inexpensive barcode font package that only costs $29. It allows you to incorporate barcode fonts into your documents (like the one above) or you can print barcode labels using Microsoft Word or Access.

Training. And, of course, you’ll want some training in how to put all this together. That’s why you buy from Amicron. We have a special barcoding class (call for dates and times) in which we show you how to use the scanner with both QuickBooks and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and a little Access), and we’ll teach you how to print out your own barcode labels in Word. The cost for this class is $59 with the purchase of a scanner, or we can come to your office for $78.

Custom Solution. Now, one of the reasons we chose this particular barcode solution is because it is highly customizable. Since there are no special software applications or drivers required, you can custom tailor this barcode solution to do just about anything. We’re currently working on a generic order-entry and inventory-control database using Microsoft Access with this barcode solution. We’re planning for a summer 2000 release date (no promises, though). In the mean time, however, if you need a custom database with a barcode solution developed for your business, just give us a call.

On a personal note, we needed a barcode solution for our in-house product tracking. All of the components that we purchase to build our computers are generally barcoded from the manufacturers. When parts come in, we scan all of them into our inventory database (a custom database we built in Microsoft Access for in-house purposes). Then, when a computer is built, or a part is sold, they’re scanned out. This way, we can also track what parts, by serial number, are in which computers, and to which customers they have gone out to. We’re also planning on creating employee ID badges with employee photos and barcodes on them, so when an employee checks parts in or out, the first thing he does is scan his name badge, so we can track who’s doing what. We can also use this with a time-clock, if need be. The possibilities are endless.

Richard Rost

President/CEO