Are you having visions for your company to have its own barcode labeled inventory system? Do you want to be able to scan your products in and out for a more efficient and reliable inventory count? If so, here is a blueprint for you to turn those visions into realities.

First, you need to identify all the equipment and supplies that a successful inventory system requires. The most important thing to do is find a supplier that can provide and help implement ALL of the appropriate equipment. After you have identified your supplier and explained your application, they will be able to recommend the appropriate inventory software. Your software will hold all of your product part numbers and inventory quantities. This software will also allow you to produce and print a barcode that contains a human readable description of your product name and part number along with a barcode that you can scan in or out of inventory. There are many price ranges for inventory software and it is all based on how extensive the software needs to be with your existing system.

The second thing you will need in this process is a barcode scanner that is compatible with your software. This scanner will be used to scan the barcode label that has been applied to the product that is going to enter or leave your facility. You will add or remove this product from your inventory by scanning it with your new scanner. Your supplier will determine what scanner is right for you after examining your particular application. Choices will be between wireless or tethered scanners. If wireless is the choice, then there is a decision between live wireless or batch wireless devises based on whether the data needs to be live or not.

A barcode label printer will be the next piece of equipment that you will need. You will need to connect this printer to the particular network that includes your inventory software to be able to print inventory labels. This can be done via Ethernet (wirelessly) or by cable. Again, your supplier will be able to help you determine what type of printer is right for your application. There are desk-top printers, table top printers, and print engines for print and apply machines to choose from.

Printer media is now going to be your focus. You must determine what size of label you want to put on your products. Does this label need to be weather resistant? Is it going to be exposed to harsh environments such as chemical exposure or physical abuse? Does it need to be preprinted with a company logo? After you have answers to these questions, your equipment supplier will be able to recommend the appropriate material for your labels. A thermal transfer label will require a ribbon to be used in your printer. In case you’re wondering, a thermal transfer label relies on the heat from the print head to melt the wax from a ribbon that must be installed into your printer. A direct thermal label relies on the heat from the print head to apply the heat directly to the label and burn the image into the label itself. Direct thermal labels are more expensive because they don’t require a ribbon but they tend to fade and discolor over time when exposed to warmer conditions. Thermal transfer barcode labels are less expensive but requires the purchase of ribbon to be used in the printer.

One accessory that is not vital but may turn out handy is a label rewinder. A label rewinder is used to rewind and roll the labels onto a core as they come out of the printer. If you will be printing thousands of labels, a label rewinder would be a valued asset to your application because it would organize all of your labels onto a roll until you are ready to use them. This is also a piece of equipment that your supplier can provide. Label rewinders come set up for three inch cores, one inch cores, or can be found with an adjustable core holder that allows the most flexibility.

In conclusion, this is a basic blueprint on how to turn an inventory system vision into a reality. By following these simple steps, your company can enjoy all the benefits of a properly functioning inventory system that will save valuable time and in this day and age, time is money!!!!!