As you may know by now, QR codes, enhanced with GS1 standards, are set to replace traditional barcodes, revolutionising product identification and information access.
QR codes can store significantly more information than barcodes, including details about a product’s origin, expiration, and even promotional content. GS1 standards ensure that QR codes are globally unique, interoperable, and secure, which is crucial for maintaining consistency across supply chains.
This transition will enable consumers to access detailed product information through a simple scan, enhancing transparency and trust. The shift from barcodes to QR codes represents a major advancement in retail and logistics, promising improved efficiency and consumer engagement. For manufacturers it will enhance the traceability of their products across the supply chain, reducing risks and simplifying inventory and recall management.
What do manufacturers need to do now to prepare?
• Determine the product information to encode.
• Define the labelling strategy.
• Meet code quality standards.
• Choose a partner to help with the transition.
Where can AIS help?
Printing of 2d codes
• Ensuring top-tier print quality and high readability at the point-of-sale (POS) is essential. The use of online variable data coding printers and lasers—built to apply real-time codes on products at full packaging line speeds—is vital for success. See our range of industrial inkjet printers as well as laser printers. A range of automatic print and apply solutions are also available. We can support you with the printing technologies and software to configure and print GS1 2D codes on your products.
Barcode Scanning and Verification
• Once printed, making sure that 2D barcodes are scanned, read, and interpreted correctly is key for systems that will depend on 2D barcodes. Our range of barcode grading and barcode verifier tools can help with this. The Cognex Dataman 290 can read 1d and 2d barcodes at the same time on a high speed line. Complying with GS1 and ISO standards, and with AI powered decoding, the DM290 can help boost traceability and accuracy – easily track parts and packages throughout a facility.
Machine Vision
• New quality steps must be put in place to address this new process – which is where machine vision-based automated inspection comes in. Manufacturers can leverage the technology available to verify code accuracy and compliance efficiently. We offer advanced solutions from our partner Cognex to streamline the transition to 2D barcodes, ensuring seamless integration into manufacturing processes.
If you need any assistance with this transition to upgrade your production lines to get ready for this new era, contact us and we can arrange a site visit.
Sources:
https://www.gs1ie.org/blog/2024/transition-to-qr-codes-gs1-press-release.html
https://www.cognex.com/blogs/machine-vision/preparing-for-the-gs1-sunrise-2027-initiative-shifting-to-2d-barcodes