Introduction

With the advent of liberalization and globalization of the Indian economy since the last decade, working to global standards and matching them has become a necessity for the Indian industry. All over the developed world work is done by minimum number of people and in an efficient manner without errors. This they achieve by the use of automation techniques. In automation the bedrock is accurate and efficient data capturing. In automatic data capture the various technologies available are Electronic vision. Magnetic Stripe, Magnetic Character Recognition, Optical Character Recognition, Voice Data Entry, Radio Frequency, Infrared, Biometric Identification and Barcodes. The technology most economical and most popular is barcode technology.

The Technology :- BARCODE 

Barcodes are used to capture data quickly and accurately into a computer. Used properly, barcodes can replace or enhance paper based tracking and data collection. In today’s fast paced business world bar coding is becoming a necessity, not an option. Any company’s future may soon depend upon the implementation of such a system.

A wide variety of bar-code printing and scanning solutions capable of handling most complex needs are available. With the implementation of data collection system the need for keying and re-keying is totally eliminated. Since the data is read and written by machine, possibilities of human error is avoided, shop floor paperwork is almost eliminated, thus decreasing worker time for clerical functions. Tum-around time is reduced with the availability of data/information via the local departmental computer. Better co-ordination of material, machine, tool and labour result in faster total through put and less wait time for jobs.

The focus of the barcode solutions is to bring about the following desired results for the industry.

Reduced costs

> Warehouse process and labour

> Manufacturing process and labour

> Elimination of errors

> Inventory counting

> Reduced inventory

> Optimum use of physical space

Time saving

> Customer service
> Service maintenance
> Inspection
> Satellite operation
> Data entry
> Management

Increased sales/Customer service

> Higher quality
> Differentiation in the competitive market
> Optimum use of resources
Some of the solutions being used by the industry are :

Material tracking system

A high-tech material tracking system enhances employee productivity. These system integrates bar codes and a sophisticated customized software package that enables users to monitor and manage material movement within warehouses, manufacturing, distribution and utility facilities in real time. These systems are modular and can be used for receiving, storage, picking, transporting and inventory control. Each of these systems can be used independently or integrated to form a comprehensive material tracking system.

Employee time and attendance solutions

Employee time and attendance systems, are successfully deployed at various offices and manufacturing facilities. The system uses a bar code swipe reader with inbuilt memory, which is placed at the entrance and transfers the time and attendance data on-line or off-line to the main computer system of the complex. Customized software package is used to integrate the system with the existing computer network to provide instant reports like late coming, early leaving, leave status, current attendance strength, complete employee record, etc. Furthermore the system can be integrated to provide complete payroll of employee including statutory requirements as PF, ESI, etc.

Capital asset management

All organization have a number of assets-small and large-like computers, printers, fax machines, telephones, tables, chairs, etc. In order to ensure proper and optimal usage of these assets it is desirable to have a proper maintenance to stocks with respect to time of issue, person to whom it has been issued, readly available information of assets at any given time and its present location.
Normally this task is carried out manually leading to delays, errors and ultimately to mismatch between actual stocks and book stocks. Barcodes offer the best and most convenient solution for accurate and online data handling of all assets along with their present location.

Library automation solution

A fully barcode integrated Library Management Software can provide not only Issue/Return through barcodes but also the stocktaking and dynamic location tagging can be done through barcodes. This provides complete control over library functions. Bar codes assist in easy and efficient tracking of books while reducing data errors.
An important feature of the software is its On Line Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). This system facilitates search of a book using various criteria like title, author’s name, publisher’s name, subject, ISBN, class number, etc. OPAC has a multi feature advance search function which enables the user to find out the exact location of the book he needs (even if the book is in a wrong location) and also whether the book is available or issued out. It even provides information on when the book is expected back.

Other applications of barcodes

> Work in progress
> Inventory and warehouse management
> Access control system
> On-Line identification and labeling system
> Error trapping and production monitoring system
> Export labeling solution

Barcodes, the most advanced automatic identification technology available has been used successfully in most parts of the world for over 25 years. Its purpose is the repeated identification for industrial & commercial purposes.

The great acceptance of these systems is due to their accuracy, precision and reliability in collecting printed data automatically & systematically and to their capacity for establishing unique communication & exchange links between manufacturing & distributors of products.