Barcodes have become the de facto labelling standard for suppliers and shippers of goods. However, incorrect barcodes can have a seriously negative impact on business, resulting in inefficiencies, loss of productivity and even financial penalties. It is thus imperative that suppliers use barcode verifiers to ensure their barcodes are readable.
This is the word from Rodney Bartman, CEO at The Printer Distribution Company (PDC).
He explains: "Making use of a barcode validator is gaining importance in the local market as fines are being imposed on goods suppliers and manufacturers by retailers where barcodes on goods are unreadable - which undermines business performance and profits. Moreover, validation of barcodes is especially relevant when exporting goods to international markets. Containers sent overseas are sometimes returned if the barcodes are unreadable, forcing the supplier to absorb the cost of the additional shipping, not to mention the inconvenience."
Printronix offer a series of highly developed barcode validators through its RJS Division. The RJS validators work in conjunction with a printer and barcode application to ensure barcodes are valid and readable. "This optimises efficiency, improves quality and avoids unnecessary costs within the organisation and supply chain," says Bartman.
RJS verifiers are available in two versions: online and portable. The online verification system features two models, the Printronix Online Data Validation (ODV) verifier that is designed to work with the Printronix T5000r thermal printer and the RJS SV series that are designed to work with most barcode printing applications.
Says Holger Steer, South Africa area sales manager at Printronix: "The advantages of the ODV verifier are numerous in combination with the Printronix T5000r printers. The industrial strength T5000r is equipped with the unique feature of two-ribbon drive motors so if the barcode fails to validate, the entire label can be retracted and a grid is printed over the 'bad' barcode and the entire label, ensuring the label cannot reach the product logistic cycle. The printer can also be set to ensure a continuous printing process that does not require physically stopping the print job to correct errors, unless for example the exchange of a print-head is required."
The RJS SV series of scanners and verifiers offer online and fixed position scanning using the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) method of verification. While the scanners and verifiers will work with other makes of barcode printers, users will have to employ a Printronix printer to take advantage of the 'retract, grid print and reprint' function.
Portable verification solution
The RJS Portable Verification Series comprises the Inspector D4000, 3000 and 2000 and is ideal for 'mobile' scanning. The D4000 is the most sophisticated of these models and caters for dual mode verification - offering the ANSI method and/or "point-and-shoot" mode. It is ideal for verifying barcodes on shiny, curved or uneven surfaces, as well as wet ink. This verifier can be attached to conveyor belts and can also verify barcodes printed directly to cartons.
The Inspector 3000 is an economical ANSI method verifier and features a scan profile analysis from the printer or communications port. The Inspector 2000 is a cost efficient portable verifier that offers only the traditional method of verification.
Share
Editorial contacts