Buying Barcodes Online – Their Application In The Retail Industry

For the last few decades, barcode numbers and related technology has been transforming the way our markets operate. Just like the internet changed the way people shop, barcode technology has completely altered inventory management and product tracking for the betterment of everyone involved. Whether you are a customer who hates waiting in line at the checkout counter of your local grocery store or the manager of a large manufacturing unit who need to track each and every product that goes out of his facility, a barcode number is all that is necessary to manage it all with minimum hassle.

Let us look at the journey that a manufacturer will have to take in order to get his products barcoded and shipped to retail locations. You will be happy to know that the internet has come to play a major role in this function as well!

You see, the journey begins when the manufacturer first considers barcode registration – usually after the products he manufactured have been fully finished and are ready to be packaged and shipped to desired distribution channels. This is when the owner will usually get a nasty surprise - "We can't sell your product without a valid EAN or UPC barcode."

Following the chain of references, a product manufacturer eventually reaches a company called GS1 - the global distributor and regulator of barcode numbers throughout the world. They are the body that are in charge of distributing unique 12 and 13 digit numbers that can then be translated into images (vertical bars with different sizes and spaces), be linked to specific products and finally be able to be scanned at retail stores - all with the purpose of speeding up the shopping experience. This barcode number is then printed on the product packaging so that they reach retailers and distributors in a ready-for-sale format.

With the advent of the internet, it is now possible to buy barcodes online through a number of different resellers who operate in specific territories or countries and legally sell "standardized, pre-owned and unused but unique" registration numbers which will be applicable and accepted all over the world. There will usually be at least one reseller for every country that will run as per the mandates of the international barcode legislations as well as the GS1 company they are affiliated with.

If you are a small business who is looking to get a unique barcode number registered for your product, the easiest way to go will be to run a small search online for the most trusted barcode company or reseller in your country. This will allow you to get an idea of the options you have and the kind of services you can get from a provider. Look for categories that are similar to your product and study the registration process in detail. With the help and guidance of the right barcode company, your products will be ready-to-sell in no time at all!

To know more about barcodes in South Africa, visit Sabarcodes.co.za

About The Author

Dave Hawkins is an expert when it comes to new age barcode technology. He also likes to write many interesting articles and blogs on the topic, helping people understand the basics of these systems and adapt them in their business/professional life. For barcode registration and other information, he recommends Sabarcodes.co.za as the most trustworthy website.

Jennifer Greene is a post-graduate student in Business Management, who specializes in logistics, inventory, procurement and sales. She has written many articles on inventory management, and believes www.sabarcodes.co.za to be a very good source