GS1 Bar Codes
A barcode is a series of vertical bars and spaces carrying information about the object to which it is attached in a machine readable format. This property of a barcode enables its use as an effective tool for automatic identification and data capture. As opposed to manual data entry, which is tedious and prone to inaccuracies, barcodes enable automatic data capture with 100% accuracy.
GS1 BarCodes, encoding GS1 identifiers, are a globally accepted barcoding system that enables unique and universal identification of products, assets, logistics units etc. because of four key features:
- Open : Used by organizations across industry throughout the world.
- Available in standard formats: Standard formats facilitate data updation and modification.
- Accurate : Low error rates – one error for millions of characters – and even these errors can be trapped by using a ‘check digit’ technique.
- Quick : Quicker data capture, as the simplest of scanners can read a barcode printed as per GS1 specification at one go.
As an example, an item incorporating a GS1 BarCode would have a product code with prefix number ‘890’ (allocated to GS1 India by GS1 Global Office) signifying ownership by an Indian organisation.
