6.21.2015

Common Features Of Barcode Tracking Software

By Jeanie Bailey


For small businesses and large companies alike, keeping track of assets and inventory is a critical business function. Barcode Tracking Software is designed with a standard set of features to help meet this need. These features can be found with nearly all programs either as included sets or add-on items for additional expense. The main items are inventory control, asset management, multiple site controls, scanner and printer integration, and finally inclusion of export formats to be used with other software systems.

Keeping track of the products a company has on hand is the basic premise of inventory control. In the past, employees would be required to track everything on paper which slows the process and is very costly. In order to keep up with the fast paced global economy, companies have to keep better track of products in order to fulfill orders for customers in a timely fashion.

Asset management typically includes keeping track of non-product items. Work computers, printers, office furniture, and vehicles are examples of company owned items that are tracked using asset management features. Not only can the assets be tracked, but when used with other programs the value can be tracked. This is important for tax purposes as well as controlling company expenses.

Many companies have several different locations to store, sell, and ship products. Often, retail stores need to track what they have on hand rather than being included with a single inventory location. Warehouses also ship or trade products within a company by shifting inventory to better meet customer needs. Being able to track where the products are located helps when deciding when each site needs to order or if a site simply needs to have products replenished from another one that has an abundance of the item.

There are many different types of scanners. The wireless version is useful for doing a regular inventory count. The employee simply walks through the warehouse and scans each item. This information is sent to the main system and the count is updated. Using wired or desktop type scanners helps warehouses track items being received or shipped. These help eliminate costly data entry mistakes.

Specialized printers have been around for years that print the barcodes. They often use a type of paper that can be peeled off the paper and placed onto the product. Using these printers increases the speed of inventory and allows companies to place their own codes on the products. The programs can also print the codes on regular sheet fed printers as well.

Integrating the data with other software programs provides greater flexibility. Being able to transport the date electronically through an export process means the information will not be lost or changed when being imported into financial software, spreadsheets, or even via the Internet. Most will include the more popular data formats for export.

Companies must keep track of both inventory and assets in order to compete in today's global economy. The standard features of tracking software provide an efficient and effective way of handling this process. The systems reduce employee time and mistakes that could be very costly to a company trying to grow and compete. Using these systems ensures nearly immediate and perfectly accurate access to company inventory data which allows for better management decisions.




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