 Barcoding
Symbologies
Barcoding is the best known of the AIDC (Automatic Identification and
Data Capture) technologies. Barcode symbologies are the types of barcode
with which data is encoded to be
optically read.
Bar code technology includes the printing technologies that produce machine-readable
symbols, the scanners and decoders that capture visual images of the
symbologies and convert them to computer-compatible digital data, and the
verifiers that validate barcode quality.
BARCODES - 1D (1-Dimensional)
 EAN-13 - European Article Numbering
Used with consumer products internationally, it conveys 13 decimal digits. The code consists of a 2 to 3 digit number system that identifies a numbering authority, a manufacturer and product code, and a single check digit.
 UPC-A - Universal Product Code
(An EAN-13 subset)
Used in consumer products in the US and Canada. These are 12 digit codes with number systems start with “0”. There
are also a few UPC-A sub formats such as UPC coupons.
JAN-13 - Japanese Article Numbering
(An EAN-13 subset)
Used in consumer products in Japan.
 EAN-8
Short version of the EAN-13 symbology, it conveys 8 decimal digits including a check digit.
UPC-E
Short version of the UPC-A symbology, it conveys 8 digits including a check digit. Its data is a compressed from of a full
UPC-A code.
ISBN a.k.a. Bookland
(An EAN-13 subset)
International Standard Book Numbering.
ISMN
(An EAN-13 subset)
International Standard Music Number.
ISSN
(An EAN-13 subset)
International Standard Serial Number for magazines and newspapers.
 Code 39
Variable length alpha-numeric symbology with no enforced check digit. The characters 0 through 9, A through Z, six symbols (-,., *,$,+,%), and a
space are available.
 Code 128
High density and variable length symbology that includes a check digit. This symbology is capable of conveying a large set of characters and used extensively worldwide.
 Code 93
Higher density variant of Code 39. This code always includes a check digit.
UCC/EAN128
This encoding system lives on top of the Code 128 symbology. This standard is used to convey a wide range of common data including package dimensions, weights, expiration dates, coupons and more.
Vehicle Identification Number
This encoding system lives on top of the Code 39 symbology. It consists of 17 alphanumerical characters that convey the manufacturer’s identification (WMI), a descriptor of the vehicle’s configuration (VDS), a check digit, the year it was built, the manufacturer’s plant identification and the vehicle’s serial number.
 Interleaved 2 of 5
Variable length decimal symbology with no enforced check digit.
UPC 2-digit supplemental
Conveys 2 additional decimal digits following an EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A or UPC-E barcode. This information is typically intended to identify the issue number of the product.
UPC 5-digit supplemental
Conveys 5 additional decimal digits following an EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A or UPC-E barcode. This information is typically intended to convey pricing information.
Codabar
Variable length symbology with no enforced check digit. It may encode 16 different characters, plus an additional 4 start/stop characters. This symbology is used by U.S. blood banks, photo labs, and on FedEx airbills.
Patch Codes
Set of 6 distinct barcode patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and T) that are typically used as document separators.
BARCODES - 2D (2-Dimensional)
 PDF 417
PDF417 is a stacked symbology. PDF stands for Portable Data File, and the symbology consists of 17 modules each containing 4 bars and spaces (thus the number "417"). The code is in the public domain.
The structure of the code allows for between 1000 to 2000 characters per symbol with an information density of between 100 and 340 characters. Each symbol has a start and stop bar group that extends the height of the symbol.
Micro PDF417
MicroPDF417 is derived from PDF417. The code has a limited set of symbol sizes and a fixed level of error correction for each symbol size. Module dimensions are user-specified so that the symbol may be printed with a variety of printers. The symbology allows up to 150 bytes, 250 alphanumeric characters, or 366 numeric digits to be stored. This is done by specifying one of three compaction modes: data, text or numeric. Text Compaction mode permits all printable ASCII characters to be encoded (values 32 to 126 inclusive) as well as selected control characters. Byte Compaction mode permits all 256 possible 8-bit byte values to be encoded. This includes all ASCII characters value 0 to 127 inclusive and provides for international character set support
MicroPDF417 is designed for applications where the symbol must be smaller than PDF417 will allow.
QR Code
QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a matrix code and is in the public domain. QR Code symbols are square in shape and can easily be identified by their finder pattern of nested alternating dark and light squares at three corners of the symbol. Maximum symbol size is 177 modules square, capable of encoding 7366 numeric characters, or 4464 alpha numeric characters. One important feature of the symbology is its ability to encode directly Japanese Kanji and Kana characters. QR Code is designed for rapid reading using CCD array cameras and image processing technology because of the layout of the finder pattern.
Data Matrix
Data Matrix is a 2-D matrix code designed to pack a lot of information in a very small space. A Data Matrix symbol can store between one and 500 characters. The symbol is also scalable between a 1-mil square to a 14-inch square.
Barcode label printers print high
quality bar-coded labels on a variety of media including paper and
synthetic materials.
Zebra manufacture different barcode printer lines to meet the needs of any
user. The printers vary from the industrial-duty Xi Series,
to the Stripe and Desktop lines, suitable for any office desktop. Zebra also provide
RFiD (radio frequency identification)
label printers. Zebra offer desktop
label printers and mobile
label printers
Labels and Media.
We supply speciality ribbons and media supplies which encompass a wide variety of paper and synthetic materials, from tear-proof
Tyvek to UL Recognised polyester and scratch resistant Z-Ultimate
facestocks.
Zebra labels and ribbons, when combined with the superb printing
capabilities of the Zebra printers, produce consistently durable labels,
tags and tickets for all your marking and tracking needs.
Zebra barcode label printers are suitable for use with Alliance
PaperChase records
management.
 
Mobile Computing with Pocket PC-based
terminals from Motorola-Symbol Technologies and Opticon combine the strengths of
Pocket PC mobile computers with productivity-enhancing features that include barcode scanning.
Portable barcoding with Baracoda RoadRunner bluetooth barcode 1D or 2D scanners.
Roadrunners are designed to answer the most demanding cordless data capture
requirements for mobile environments.
Motorola-Symbol and Opticon handheld scanners provide a reliable barcoding
solution. Scanners are available for
long-range scanning, 1D barcode scanning, 2D barcode scanning and for scanning
poor-quality barcodes.
Barcode verifiers are a Quality Control tool. Rather than simply reading
the barcode like a barcode scanner, they measure various parameters and metrics of
the barcode against international standards to ensure that your barcode can be easily read at all stages as it moves through
your system.
RFiD is Radio Frequency
IDentification. It is an automatic identification technology where
digital data encoded in an RFiD tag or “smart label” is captured by a reader
(or scanner) using radio waves. An RFiD smart label is a paper label with an
embedded RFiD chip which can be programmed to hold data.
RFID glossary
Barcode Glossary
Barcode Scanners
Barcode Label Printers
Barcode scanners are suitable for use with Alliance
PaperChase records
management system.
Mobile Computing, barcode and RFiD solutions
from Motorola Symbol, Opticon, Baracoda and Zebra.
| 
