Barcodes are simply an arrangement of bars and spaces specifically designed to code information into an easily readable format. There is no "secret" information in barcodes. There is an ongoing myth that the price is in the product barcode in a supermarket. This is partly true but only in the deli types products which are weighed and priced for you. Other supermarket lines only have the product code (which is usually directly under the barcode). The computer system looks up the price when it is scanned. There are a lot of different barcode types but the common ones are below with there most common uses. [↑]

	EAN13 European Article Numbering System Product codes for supermarkets etc.
	EAN8 European Article Numbering System Product codes for supermarkets etc.
	UPC-A Universal Product Code Product codes for supermarkets etc, that are printed for the US market.
	UPC-C Universal Product Code Product codes for supermarkets etc, that are printed for the US market.
	Code39 Full ASCII Code 39 Libraries, video stores, membership cards.
	Code128 Same uses as Code39 but has a built-in check number and is less dense. EAN128 Used in carton packaging of supermarket products.
	MSI Used on supermarket shelves.
	Codabar Medical applications.

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2D barcodes have a place in some applications. The most common one in Australia is the Australia Post 4 State barcode. This is used by organisations which send out lots of mail as they are cheaper to send. Another area where you will see a 2D barcode in in the freight industry. The big advantage with a 2D barcode is that you can put lots of information in them (much more than a standard 1D barcode). The downside is often the cost of the 2D barcode reader which is much more expensive than a standard reader. [↑]

RFID has been around for many years. It has been used commercially since the mid eighties in Access Control Systems. More recently it has been in the media as the death knell of barcodes. This is some time off. The reality is that RFID tags are still too expensive for mass use and they have no backup system if they don't read. For example if you have a trolley full of products and a reader reads the whole trolley at once then what happens if a tag is broken? Unless a weighing system or similar is utilised then it would be missed entirely. RFID is in use in specialised warehouse situations and also in a lot of industrial uses but it will be a long time before it comes to the "supermarket near you". [↑]

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This tutorial is copyright Gripon Mobile Solutions Pty Ltd. You are free to distribute this or publish this to others provided it is distributed without changes and complete. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, no warranty whether implied or stated is given as to the information's accuracy or suitability. As we are not aware of your exact situation the content is used at your own risk entirely. [↑]

Ces Luscombe has worked in the Barcode and POS industry since 1995. Ces is the founder of The Barcode Approach (later to become Gripon Mobile Solutions) and is also the founder of Grabba International Pty Ltd. Grabba International was formed as a result of a spinoff from Gripon Mobile Solutions Pty Ltd after the successful worldwide launch of the Grabba PDA Data Capture attachments in San Jose, California in 2002. [↑]

Gripon Mobile Solutions is one of the leading suppliers of barcode and POS equipment in Australia. As a leading distributor/supplier for the major brands in the industry Gripon Mobile Solutions can help you with any hardware requirements. Gripon Mobile Solutions also has specialists in the Mobile Data Capture and Communications areas. For information on products or advice on suitability contact us on 1800 242548. [↑]