Attach codes and barcodes to products

In the era of 4.0 technology, consumers can easily look up product information through codes and barcodes printed on product packaging. In addition, businesses and suppliers can also easily manage product sources and quality when the product has a barcode.

Attach codes and barcodes to products Go! Thanh Hoa Supermarket staff use barcode scanning application on product packaging.

The barcode of a product includes a code for identification and a barcode part reserved for computers and scanners to enter into the management system. In Vietnam, most are applying the EAN barcode standard with 13 digits, divided into 4 groups with the first 3 numbers being the national code, the next 4 numbers being the business code, the next 5 numbers being the product code, and the last number being the inspection number. The barcode is considered the "ID card" of the goods to circulate on the market, helping consumers easily distinguish the exact types of goods they need. Because when scanning the barcode, all information from the origin, name of the manufacturing enterprise, batch, registered quality standards, information about product size... appear. Printing codes and barcodes on product packaging also helps businesses and distributors manage products more effectively. From classifying each item separately, tracking product quantity to inventory to grasp information about revenue and customer consumption trends. In addition, barcodes also help prevent product counterfeiting, thereby improving the quality and reputation of the product right from the input stage.

According to Ms. Pham Hai Ha, owner of Hiep Ha clean food store, Nguyen Trai street (Thanh Hoa city): "Previously, every time new goods arrived, we had to spend hours, sometimes days to import goods, check inventory and set prices for each product manually such as: Recording books, checking goods, checking books and then checking from top to bottom... There were times when there were mistakes in data and goods, having to check again from the beginning, which was very time-consuming. However, after applying barcode scanners to every stage from storing product information, classifying goods to checking inventory... all stages were simplified, optimizing time. Currently, the store is using KiotViet software, goods are always updated with accurate sales quantity, price, inventory index, helping the store avoid confusion, loss and be more proactive in management. The fact that goods are managed by barcode system also makes it more convenient for sales staff when they want to search for goods according to customer requirements. From there, the store's sales process becomes fast and modern, bringing optimal satisfaction to customers when making purchases."

For consumers, scanning product barcodes has shortened all steps of finding out about the origin, product information... to just one second of scanning. However, there are many barcode lookup software on the market, some applications work well but some applications have errors such as not scanning the code or if it does, it has the wrong product name, wrong place of manufacture... From this situation, in May 2019, the General Department of Standards and Quality Measurement ( Ministry of Science and Technology ) announced the Scan and Check barcode scanning software that can be used on phones with Android and IOS operating systems, allowing checking the legality and origin of goods. This is also the first official national software announced to provide information about the brand owner and product declared by the manufacturer. With this software, state management agencies can easily check the validity of the national code and barcode attached to the product. Businesses can use codes and barcodes starting with 893 (country code) to publicize product information and promote brand image in domestic and foreign markets.

According to Mr. Nguyen Manh Hop, Head of Thanh Hoa Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality (Department of Science and Technology): "The application of codes and barcodes in consumer activities and product management has its own benefits. Consumers can easily grasp information about the products they buy and use. Enterprises can manage more conveniently, update circulation information, inventory large quantities of goods, and clearly know the status of the shipment to which distribution center or where it is in the warehouse. From there, it is possible to modernize the business management process; at the same time, it contributes to improving the consumer civilization of the people".

Article and photos: Chi Pham

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