An introduction to creating and using QR codes
Having been created to track car production in the manufacturing industry, it is no surprise that globalization and people gaining access to quick response codes and blockchain technology are being used increasingly to track inventory by warehouses of different industries. To have information about one’s assets and analyze them is sort of a must for businesses- it’s a priority to have this information at hand. A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode including black and white rectangles, and it can accommodate much more data than barcodes.
Benefits of using QR codes for inventory tagging
Speeds up the process
Cloud connectivity with QR code-based software helps on-the-floor workers update records in real-time and even speed up the data entry process. As soon as the data entry process is sped up, it also logically follows that decision making will also be sped up at an equal rate. It cuts down the time required to process inventory management details and the space needed to fit in the codes. Because of how the scanning process is fast, the management process is quicker and given the nature of the regulations. It is also tamper-proof.
Customizable
Especially in businesses that cater to many different kinds of products, QR codes can help identify and distinguish different types of products. This allows the warehouses’ ground staff to label and organizes the products even before the whole scanning process starts. QR codes can also be customized to suit the necessities of one’s product. Logos can be added to the background, the colour can be changed etc., and in this way, there is minimum confusion concerning the location and amount of units stored. Categorization and classification always help in inventory management.
Damage resistance
QR codes are resistant to damage. Unlike barcodes, QR codes have a 30% tolerance level, meaning that the code can be scanned effectively even with 30% damage. For products that have to go through a lot of processing, shipping and movement, there is an excellent possibility that the embedded codes could be destroyed. Different types of transportations and climate conditions have other effects on products, and efficient inventory of all these is of utmost importance. It is, therefore, useful to have codes that can take a lot of wear and tear. The warehouse staff would otherwise require the extra time to process and scan barcodes and correct the errors. The error correction feature of QR codes can help staff scan and avoid mistakes immediately.
Agility to integrate with the current system
The most appreciated quality of QR codes is that they can easily be made a part of the system without changing much about the already existing infrastructure. Most software for inventory management allows the incorporation of QR codes into their system. To integrate quick response codes with the existing product inventory system, one can scan the UPC barcode and print a QR code out of the inventory system. Since then, the generated QR code is attached to the product till it reaches the retail location that it is shipped to. The consumer can scan the code to read up on the online version of the product reviews, availability, and other specifications.
Real-time asset tracking
Team members need not move physically to the warehouse every time they need to find out about the location of a particular asset. By scanning QR codes, they can address problems like errors because of inaccurate documentation of assets. Inventory management which uses QR code software, can also reduce duplication errors, overstocking and understocking. Instead of traditional methods like spreadsheets and manual entry systems, QR codes will also allow you to include additional information like image pictures and GPS locations. These sort of additions help team members track inventory and remove confusions.
Easy to use
QR codes are prevalent because of how they can be scanned by anyone and everyone with the help of a smartphone- a device almost everyone owns today. The accessibility and ease of use are some influential points favouring using QR codes for inventory management. QR code scanners do their job very quickly, even when the code is misaligned. On top of the minimum expertise level required, the versatility of a QR code also makes it an excellent option for various uses. These can store information like URLs, PDF links, GPS coordinates, business credentials and the like. This technology makes work much more accessible and convenient for the warehouse ground staff.
Cloud technology
Administrators can connect the information about the products in a warehouse in the cloud, and all employees can then access the database stored on the cloud. This doesn’t limit the team members and allow them to do their job more freely and even remotely if required. A cloud-based system eliminated the need to keep going back to the offices to update records. Managers can upload the information to the cloud at any time. Some companies could choose to connect the QR code to a webpage that enables the warehouse staff to update, track and edit their inventory.
Easy collection of feedback
A QR code is a tool for market research. It’s a quick and straightforward way to collect feedback from both customers and employees, both of which are extremely important for any business to function. With a simple scan, people can submit information about projects they are working on and offer feedback about the process. Customers can use QR codes on products to leave feedback for the enterprise. Armed with feedback, companies can make swift decisions about how to go about doing inventory management in the future.
Conclusion
Creating a QR code is simple and easy- start by deciding what you need to encode. This can be an asset serial number or inventory SKU number. After selecting the type of code that we want, we need to visit a website that generates QR codes and then enter the data corresponding to the unique code.