What exactly is a codigo de barras

A codigo de barras is a way of communicating a set of data to a computer. It has a visual representation, usually in a corner of the back of a product. It can also be scanned without being psychically attached to the product and it will display the same information. Although the background color might differ from white to red, all codigos de barras have the same design: thick and thin black bars. They convey information by using Morse code type communication. Most people mistakenly think that when scanning a codigo de barras the black lines are what the device is reading but the blank (white or red) space in between them is read.

Long way to success

Even if this technology is now standard it has not always been like this. The concept of managing stock by using codigos de barras was created and registered in the United States in the year 1951 by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver and was not a home-run from the start. There was some mildly successful try with the Association of American Railroads that started in the late 1960’s but this ended after around ten years. The reason was the system being inaccurate after a long period of use.

Barcodes started catching up popularity in mid 70’s for being used in supermarket checkouts. The most popular way of them being used to this day. Now they are a low cost and efficient technology. There are over 30 types depending on the country or utility. Some use lines and numbers and others just lines.

In the modern era, a new type of code appeared: the QR code. It has lots of uses but it is widely used in the environment of mobile devices. Smartphones can instantly scan and send them to applications or other types of content. One of the most interesting uses is in entertainment. Some codes contain augmented reality models that can be rendered in full 3D. This technology also can be used in education to display learning models that would be too dangerous in real life or to minimize waste. For example a render of a lion.

Helping companies grow

Everybody who creates a product and wants to sell it can buy and create a barcode. This should make it more appealing when trying to collaborate with distributors as some of them will not accept it without one.

One of the most important things to think about is speeding up the process. If it weren’t for this technology, companies would have to manually count stock and store information. In today’s environment, this would be so time-consuming that it would make anyone’s business downgrade in scope. Having less time spent entering prices manually and waiting in long lines at the checkout makes everything smoother. If a client wants a certain number of items of the same type the clerk can scan one barcode and enter the total needed quantity instead of counting manually. This has also led to the existence of self-checkouts. This concept eliminated the clerk entirely because the client can scan, by itself, all the products. The result is even smaller waiting ques.

Regarding their services, companies would suffer quality-wise too. This is because they would be prone to human mistakes which happen a lot more often than machine mistakes.

Other important uses

Fortunately, barcodes also have other great uses. They range from sending and receiving parcels to medical use. For example:
• Identifying patient data in healthcare settings. With just a short scan a doctor or a nurse can be up to date with all the medical background of a person that needs medical attention.
• Tracking of animals for study purpose
• Tracking personal belongings while flying
• Stocking AWBs (Air Waybill) on parcels. This way any parcel scanned can show sender and receiver information and also price information if it’s the case.
• Redirecting to a web page. Some barcodes might have links attached so by scanning them a device can be redirected to the said website.


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