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We see it everyday. Millions of
retailers are using bar codes and scanners to check out customers and enter
inventory. Even small stores find that bar coding is practical because it
speeds up checkout, tracks stock, and assures pricing accuracy.
Unfortunately, not everyone uses bar coding technology properly. And they
don't reap as many benefits as they could.
Utilizing bar codes with your POS software will allow you to…
Serve customers faster and improve service by quickly scanning bar codes at
the point of sale (POS) instead of typing a SKU.
Reduce pricing and inventory errors. Scanning bar codes at the POS is much
more accurate than typing a SKU. The typical error rate for human data entry
is 1 error per 300 characters. Barcode scanners can be as good as 1 error in
36 trillion characters depending on the type of barcode used.
Save time and improve efficiency. If all your merchandise is bar coded you
can save time by checking out customers faster, instantly implementing mark
downs and eliminating the problem of price tag switching.
Quickly count your inventory at any time. If you purchase a PDT (portable
data terminal) you can count and enter your inventory by scanning each item
with a PDT. The PDT will store your inventory count so you can quickly
upload it into your POS software.
Reduce costs. If you have UPCs on your merchandise then you don't have to
put the price tag on the product itself, which saves time and reduces
handling costs.
Improve the accuracy of your inventory. One of the biggest cost savings and
benefits is maintaining a more accurate inventory. Bar coding reduces errors
at receiving and at the point of sale so your inventory stays accurate.
So what is a bar code and how does it work?
First of all, a bar code is a series of narrow and wide lines printed on a
label or tag. Each bar on the label represents a character for a "bar code
reader" to interpret.
You can scan the bar code with a bar code reader which uses a photosensor to
convert the bar code into an electrical signal as it moves across the bars.
The scanner then measures the relative widths of the bars and spaces,
translates the different patterns back into regular characters, and sends
them on to a computer or portable terminal.
Most bar codes look similar but they can have different symbologies or
standards. The symbology defines the width of the bars and the technical
details of a particular type of barcode.
For example, the UPC (Universal Product Code) is seen on almost all retail
products in the USA and Canada. And EAN-13 is a common code used on European
retail products. Your bar code reader and inventory software will need to be
setup properly to read the "symbology" that you use.
Here's how YOU can start using bar codes and scanners in YOUR store.
First, you'll need the following items to start using bar coding...
POS - Inventory Software that supports bar code scanning at the point of
sale.
A bar code scanner that's compatible with your POS software.
Merchandise that's properly labeled with bar code symbologies that your POS
software and scanners can handle.
A bar code printer (if all your merchandise comes with UPC codes you won't
need this).
Here's exactly how to get started:
Step 1 - Decide if you need a bar code printer. If ALL of your products
already have UPC codes then you can probably use those. Otherwise you'll
have to buy a "bar code printer" and create your own bar code labels.
Step 2 - Contact your POS - Inventory Software Vendor to find out which
scanners and bar code printers they support. You'll need to purchase a bar
code scanner and possibly a bar code printer.
Step 3 - Ask your software vendor how to setup your POS - Inventory Software
to handle your bar code printer and scanner. Then get your software ready to
print labels and scan items at the point of sale.
Step 4 - Get ALL of your merchandise bar coded and entered into your POS
software. You'll need to use your POS software to print bar code labels for
ALL merchandise that doesn't have a UPC code. (Once you get everything
labeled you can print and label new merchandise at receiving.)
You'll also need to make sure that the inventory in your POS software has
the appropriate UPC code associated with each item. Some of your suppliers
might be able to provide "electronic price files" which can be loaded into
your POS software. The price file would include SKUs, prices and UPC
numbers. Otherwise you'll have to manually associate a UPC number with each
inventory item. Again, you'll need to contact your software vendor to learn
how to do this.
Step 5 - Make sure your POS software has accurate pricing and each inventory
item has bar coding configured.
Step 6 - Now all you have to do is scan items at the register instead of
entering the SKU. The SKU and price should get entered into the POS system
automatically.
If used properly, bar coding technology can help you check out customers 20%
to 50% faster and lower error rates by almost 4%. Not only does this
dramatically improve your customer service but it saves time and lowers your
overhead.
If you need help getting started with bar coding, it's best to contact your
POS software provider. If you don't have POS software then The POS Software
Guide can help you find a good POS system.
All the best,
Jeff Haefner
www.possoftwareguide.com
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Jeff Haefner is a POS Consultant and the author of "The POS Software Buyers
Guide". It will teach you how to quickly find and choose reliable POS
software that will dramatically boost efficiency and increase profits. Click
here to learn more: POS Software
Guide
