Sabtu, 09 November 2013

General Information Regarding Product Numbering Schemes

By Keren Kipfer


Virtually all trade items made and sold in the market today have a set of numbering on them that are used for recording and tracking purposes. These codes usually are found on a products' packaging. They can sometimes be found on the item itself especially in the case of electronic appliances and gadgets. While consumers don't generally pay much attention to these numbers, for a manufacturer, it is vital that you have a solid understanding of what these numbers mean and how they are crucial for your business. Keep in mind that this system was established for a reason. The following details are general information about some of these numbers on placed on products.

Whenever the term numbers on products are mentioned, it often refers to the strip of black bars found on product labels. This strip of black bars is what we call a bar code which is a scannable piece of data that can be interpreted using a specialized device and computer program. They are usually used at retail shops and grocery stores as a way to identify the price of a specific item. It is important to note that there are different types of product coding systems today. The most widely implemented product numbering systems used by major brands in the world are the Universal Product Code and the Electronic Product Code.

UPC or the Universal Product Code is a specific type of barcode commonly used in countries such as Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking products delivered on stores and other retail outlets. The UPC is a 12 digit number that is unique for each product. Every UPC barcode is composed of strips of black vertical bars and white spaces that can be scanned. Each bar and space corresponds to a specific number. A theoretical maximum number of one trillion unique barcodes can be made using the UPC system.

The second widely used product numbering system is created to serve as a universal identifier. The EPC or Electronic Product Code system creates a unique ID number for all material items manufactured in the whole world. They are often used on RFID systems but can also be made to work with the usual barcode programs. This particular number coding scheme was initially created to be flexible enough to cater the needs of various businesses in all industries. EPC is compatible with other number coding systems and has the ability to come up with new code styles if needed.

There are also special codes that manufacturers place on their products in addition to UPCs and EPCs such as serial numbers and dates of expiration. This specifically applies on medicines, beverages and food items. For this reason, a special piece of equipment known as an ID coder is needed for printing these important numbers onto your products. There are several brands that offer this equipment. Some of the best known names are VideoJet coders, Altima coders or brands such as Domino, Maxima and Imaje.

While you can buy a new CIJ coder or DOD coder, second-hand ID coders are also available for much less. These refurbished coders are sold by special product id companies that cater to businesses that need use these types of printers. Generic inks can be used instead of original coder inks and they still deliver high quality printing. You can purchase generic inks, such as generic Domino ink, from a product id company and save a good amount of money.




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