How Barcodes Can Save Your Distribution Center

What are barcode scanners?

Barcode scanning is one such technology that has remained popular. Warehouses must manage various duties such as shipping, receiving, replenishment, picking, and packing that often occur at the same time. Barcodes provide a unique identifier for each rack, container, or item, making it easy to move goods between different locations and maintain organization inside and outside a warehouse. Motion Automation Intelligence offers a barcode-scanning solution that can maximize productivity and throughput and enhance safety and ergonomics while being easy to install and deploy.

When people envision scanners, they picture clunky, inaccurate handheld scanners. With the addition of hands-free barcode readers, scans can be done painlessly, negating the need to pick up and put down handheld readers. According to Cognex, hands-free barcode readers enable workers to process more items per day due to ease of use and high read rates, decreasing manual package processing times by 60%. Not only is this solution faster, but it’s also safer. With the implementation of hands-free scanners, companies have seen associated safety risks decrease by nearly 50%. In addition, these easily mounted scanners can be installed quickly and are placed overhead to conserve space. Hands-free scanners are also proven to last longer, avoiding the wear and tear of handheld use. Motion Automation Intelligence strives to provide full-scale automation solutions for every link in the supply chain.

Why should you implement barcodes in your warehouse?

The old method of using spreadsheets and manual data entry for inventory can lead to human error and impede staff from quickly adapting to sudden changes. Implementing barcode labels on each warehouse location, rack, and pallet/container allows them to be easily scanned at any time. This improved organization helps perform semi-automated cycle counts and transfer inventory between departments and locations. Barcode labels can even provide important item information all in one easy-to-read area. In addition to automated scanning, barcodes offer several unique advantages essential for warehouse operations, such as quicker order processing speed, lower operating costs, fewer mistakes, and greater inventory and cycle count accuracy.

How can Motion Automation Intelligence help?

Motion Automation Intelligence customizes its solutions based on the needs of our consumers, using machine vision to help them every step of the way. First, the warehouse layout must be reviewed. This is an essential step in creating a personalized barcode solution. Things like products on higher shelves may seem like an issue, but solutions such as long-range scanners can quickly and safely solve this. Next, Motion Automation Intelligence examines the product supply chain. If a warehouse also does fulfillment, it’s essential to differentiate between bulk and individual items. Lastly, Motion Automation Intelligence will analyze existing warehouse control systems. Maximizing efficiency is the core benefit of a barcode system. Reviewing current methods can reveal opportunities to incorporate barcode technology efficiently.