Wireless Barcode Scanning Offers Companies a Cost-effective Means to Maximise Their ROI

Maximising ROI With Wireless Barcode Scanning Systems

The transition to wireless barcode scanning can improve accuracy, efficiency, and integration with existing systems, leading to maximum ROI for businesses. Anyone who shops at one of South Africa’s supermarket chains and can still recall the days when prices were printed on each item and entered into the till manually will appreciate how barcodes and scanners have sped up the once lengthy checkout process.

In practice, the first such system was designed in 1948. It was composed of concentric circles, resembling a bullseye and aimed to improve inventory management and the store checkout operation. While the idea was sound, beyond the laboratory, there was no effective technology to support the system. Linear barcodes first appeared in the 60s, when they were used to track railway cars with a refrigerator-sized scanner. In 1974, a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum became the first commercial product with a laser-scannable linear barcode.

However, the uses of this versatile technology are far more widespread and extend into areas of which most customers are unaware. The versatility of wireless barcode scanning offers multiple benefits for store managers, their staff, clients and the supply chain. We examine some of these behind-the-scenes activities in more detail.

Some Lesser-known Roles of Wireless Barcode Scanning

Numerous manual tasks can be simplified, sped up or made more efficient, whether in a giant warehouse and distribution centre or a moderately-sized retail stock room. The solution, of course, is to automate them, and the most cost-effective way to achieve this is to leverage barcode technology. Here’s a list of some of the tasks for which this system has proved to be invaluable:

  • Receiving and Storing Goods:Laser scanning offers a rapid and accurate means to monitor incoming goods and ensure each item is stored in its appropriate location.
  • Order Picking: Barcodes can contain all the relevant data for a given product, including its name, price, mass and best-before date, where applicable. Scanning provides personnel with accurate, up-to-date information regarding the quantity and location of items for picking.
  • Inventory Management: Manual stocktakes are time-consuming, labour-intensive and subject to human error. By contrast, wireless barcode scanning can track and record stock levels accurately and in a fraction of the time.
  • Quality Control: Ensuring that the correct products are shipped reduces the risk of customer complaints and returns and guarantees that your quality control standards are met. A barcode-checking system offers the fastest and most accurate means to maintain those standards.
  • Tracking Equipment: During peak activity periods, it can be essential to know the precise location of equipment, such as pallet jacks and forklifts. Attaching a barcode enables a business to maximise its use of these crucial resources and to keep a closer tally on preventative maintenance schedules.
  • Automate the Re-ordering Process: Each POS record updates the number of the relevant SKU. When that figure reaches a preset minimum, the system can automatically generate an order, ensuring adequate stocks are maintained while avoiding overstocking.

A wireless barcode scanning system offers a cost-effective means to improve efficiency and maximise the ROI of your business. Why not contact an expert at FenyaSoft and start benefitting without further delay?

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