March 3, 2021
Inventory management involves having a code attached to each product, where you scan that
code and the product information gets logged into an inventory management software. This
process provides a myriad of benefits, including improved product tracking, a better view of
your sales, and efficiency when it comes to moving your products. Overall, this process of
tracking your inventory all starts with the code itself. In the past, barcodes were the only
options for scanning products into inventory - that, or counting the products by hand and
logging them in a notepad or software manually.
oday, the QR code has gained prominence because of its flexibility, support on mobile
devices, and ability to scan horizontally and vertically. Since both barcodes and QR codes
are both commonly used in inventory tracking, we want to compare both, bringing light to the
QR code vs barcode debate.
Keep reading to get a clear view of the pros and cons of QR codes and barcodes, with analysis ranging from how each type of code works to the efficiency they have when put into action.
Let’s start with QR codes. Short for “quick response” codes, QR codes change the way regular scannable codes work by offering multi-dimensional scanning. In short, that means that you can walk up to a QR code and try to scan it without having to worry about whether it’s situated horizontally or vertically; the QR code should scan regardless of the orientation.
The QR code was invented in 1994, but gained more prevalence as smartphones became popular
and high-speed scanning was provided as an option within the functionality of those phones.
Overall, device manufacturers began including QR code scanning as one of the features for
phone cameras. You’ll also find QR code scanners and generators within many other types of
phone apps.
A QR code usually looks like a square, but it can be modified to appear like other shapes.
They are generated by the combination of smaller black and white squares and other shapes,
compiling the necessary information within the shapes.
QR codes differ from barcodes in physicality because barcodes consist of longer black lines
and white spaces.
A QR code inventory management system works when someone with a QR scanner (likely a phone
or tablet) scans the code to pull up information about a product and log it into a specific
software. QR codes are also commonly used to share social media information, specific
websites, or any online data that can be logged within the code.
Barcodes, as mentioned, have long black and white lines, typically running vertically. Those
lines tend to create somewhat of a square shape, and they offer one-dimensional scanning,
meaning that you must make the scan close to perfect in order to pull the data from the
barcode.
Portable scanner hardware can read both QR codes and barcodes. Some barcodes are supported
by mobile devices as well.
In general, a barcode typically stores data like a product SKU and price, as we have
traditionally used the barcodes in retail and inventory management. You can find them on
just about every type of product, from items at the grocery store to books at the library.
QR codes and barcodes have plenty of similarities and differences, so we want to compare the two and show the pros and cons of both. Keep reading to get a taste of why barcodes or QR codes might be right for your inventory management.
Here are the major advantages of QR codes:
Overall, the world is trending more towards QR codes for inventory management. They’re more secure, easier to use, and most devices scan the codes. However, barcodes don’t seem to be going anywhere because of their simplicity and affordability. Therefore, you should expect to use both in your inventory management process.
Checkout the Britecheck QR code system for inventory management to expedite the scanning process and log your products with the click of a button. Britecheck offers a simple and sleek QR code inventory scanner that you use on your device. It also provides handy software for management of every aspect of your inventory process. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to test out Britecheck.