You may have noticed that coupons have been going through some updates the past few years.  In addition to the standard UPC-A bar code that manufacturers have been using on coupons for decades, GS1 DataBar has also been added.  The use of both bar codes is part of the transition phase to a DataBar-only coupon system.  June 30th marked the date that the Joint Industry Coupon Committee (JICC), set to completely transition to the new GS1 DataBar bar code.  However, because DataBar is a voluntary standard you will see that some manufacturers postpone the switch to later this year.

Manufacturers will see numerous benefits when they make the switch though.  GS1 DataBar is a robust bar code that holds much more information than the UPC-A and enables:

• Automatic expiration date checking
• Validation of specific offers and purchase requirements
• Reduced fraud due to improved validation

Retailers will also realize the benefits of improved scan rates, faster checkouts and a reduction in the need for cashier intervention.  Retailers will need to ensure that their bar code scanners and POS software support the new code in order to realize these benefits.  Are you ready?

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoitn Systems, Inc. for additional information about bar code scanners and POS software that support GS1 DataBar.

In our April 18th post I provided information about Microsoft Tags and the new opportunities they’re providing businesses to interact with customers.  Today I’d like to share this great video that provides an overview of Microsoft Tag and examples of ways that retailers and other businesses are utilizing the technology to connect customers to product information and more on their smartphones.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about customer-facing applications that enhance the shopping experience.

It’s time again to take a closer look at a bar code symbology.  MaxiCode is a 2D matrix bar code symbology used to encode address and specific customer data on shipping packages and is ideal for packages scanned on high-speed conveyors.  MaxiCode symbols encode two types of messages.  The first message usually encodes the postal code, country code and class of service.  The second message encodes the address data and can also encode other types of customer data as well.  MaxiCode has a bulls-eye finder pattern in the center and two levels of error correction so it can be read even when slightly damaged.  A  linear imager scanner is necessary to read a 2D symbol such as MaxiCode.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about 2D bar code imagers that can read MaxiCode.

In past posts we’ve provided information about how retailers are using QR codes to enhance the shopping experience.  Another 2D code that is being used to drive customer satisfaction and product awareness is the Microsoft Tag.  These High Capacity Color Barcodes (HCCB) use a cluster of colored triangles instead of the typical square pixels associated with 2D bar codes.  As you can see from the example at right, Microsoft Tags are quite different looking from the popular QR code.  Although they may look different, both codes are providing retailers with new opportunities to interact with customers.  With the click of a smartphone button, customers can access product information, websites and more. 

Microsoft Tags can encode a large amount of information in a small space—up to 3,500 characters can be embedded in a square inch.  Microsoft Tags are free to create and use and can be added to almost any surface, making them ideal for interactive marketing.  One of the unique features of Microsoft Tags is that unlike other 2D codes you have the ability to create completely custom tags that better represent your brand.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about mobile solutions that enhance the shopping experience and empower customers.

It’s been awhile since we took a closer look at a bar code symbology, so today I’m going to provide information about code 128.  Code 128 is a high-density alphanumeric symbology that is capable of encoding the entire ASCII character set from ASCII 0 to ASCII 128.  Much like Code 39, Code 128 is capable of encoding a wide selection of characters, but is much more compact.  Code 128 is designed to use the least amount of space for data with 6 characters or more of any 1D bar code.  This makes Code 128 ideal for industries where label size is an important factor, such as the shipping and packaging industries.

Code 128 has three different subsets that are indicated by three separate start characters.  Subset A is capable of encoding alphanumeric characters, control characters and special characters.  Subset B allows encoding of all standard alphanumeric characters, plus the lower case alphabet and special characters.  And finally, Subset C compresses two digits into each character creating a much denser symbol.

Most bar code scanners easily scan code 128 by default and this symbology is a standard on nearly all varieties of barcode printing software.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about bar code scanners that read Code 128 and ideal applications for this bar code.

In our November 15th post I shared a little bit of information about QR codes and how they’re being used to enhance the shopping experience.  QR codes have been an everyday part of life for consumers in Japan for several years and are used extensively as a marketing tool.  It appears interest in this popular 2D bar code is growing in the U.S. and many consumers are using their smartphones to capture the QR codes to receive product information, coupons and more.  Check out the video below from Cleveland news station WEWS that discusses the codes popping up in their local businesses and the benefits they’re providing retailers.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about customer-facing mobile applications that utilize QR codes.

In our February 3rd post we provided information about mobile bar code considerations and the challenges associated with generating mobile bar codes compared to traditional printed bar codes.  Today I’d like to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about this topic by downloading the Motorola white paper “Creating Quality Bar Codes for Your Mobile Application.”  This white paper takes a closer look at printed bar codes vs. mobile bar codes and provides specific bar code design examples.

In order to take advantage of new applications that utilize mobile bar codes, it is important to have a detailed understanding of bar code specifications, bar code readers and display characteristics.  For many, the best choice may be to rely on the experts to ensure bar code quality and readability.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about mobile bar code applications and bar code imagers that read 1D and 2D bar codes from Smartphone displays.

In our April 30th post I provided information about the bar code symbology GS1 Databar (Formerly Reduced Space Symbology).  Today I’d like to take a look at some of the retail applications that can benefit from the use of this symbol.  Because GS1 Databar has the ability to supply identification data such as manufacturer, expiration date and can encode more data in a smaller area, this symbol provides increased visibility into products and promotes traceability.  This new symbology will impact retail applications for:

• Loose produce-small GS1 stickers will include the full Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN) to identify the item as well as the supplier.
• Small items-items that are too small for the larger UPC/EAN bar code require truncated or limited-information UPC and EAN symbols , with GS1 Databar the full GTIN number can be encoded in less space.
• Variable measure items-GS1 Databar Expanded codes can provide information about price, as well as manufacturer, weight and sell-by date for variable measure items such as meat and bakery goods.
• Coupons-GS1 Databar increases the amount of information a coupon can hold, including the coupon issuer as well as detailed offer information.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about implementing GS1 Databar symbols and the laser bar code scanners and imagers that support the entire family of GS1 Databar symbols.

QR Codes, or Quick Response Codes are a type of 2D bar code symbology that is designed to be scanned by the camera on a mobile phone.  You may have seen these popping up in advertisements or even during shopping trips.  QR codes are gaining popularity because they provide consumers with the ability to instantly access information about products, visit websites and learn more about sales/promotions.

According to a recent InsightExpress study, 82% of consumers already use their mobile phones during shopping trips.  This offers retailers a new way to enhance the shopping experience and interact with their customers.  DecisionPoint Systems has the experience and proven strategies to help you take advantage of this emerging trend.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about customer-facing applications that tie into your loyalty programs and empower your customers.

In our March 11th post I briefly described the two types of 2D bar codes—stacked and matrix.  Today I’d like to provide some additional information about stacked 2D symbols.

Stacked symbols started as 1D linear codes such as Code 39 and Code 128 that were then stacked in layers to create multi-row symbols.  These first symbols included Code 49 and Code 16K.  Stacked symbols later evolved to include PDF417 which provided features to increase data capacity, improve data density and strengthen reading reliability.  PDF417 also incorporated error detection and correcting techniques.  Another type of 2D stacked symbology is SuperCode, this code breaks data into smaller packets and can be used to create symbols in a variety of different shapes.  2D stacked codes are used in a variety of industries and applications, such as:

• Healthcare
• Identification cards
• Inventory management

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about bar code scanners and label software that support 2D stacked bar codes.