The Supply Chain Implementation Series, Guide #1: Using Industry-Compliant Bar Codes

Introduction

Anything worth doing must start with a plan.  The purpose of an Implementation Plan is to ensure:

• That all bar code-related compliance issues are clearly understood.

• That your computer system is capable of using the bar code information.

• That the bar code applications that serve as the foundation for widespread use are fully understood and considered -- even existing warehouse management systems (WMS) and manufacturing execution systems (MES).

• That the sources of all bar codes are identified, whether they are for product, employee, or location identification.

• That an effective program is put in place to get all items received by and flowing through your facilities bar-coded by your vendors.

In this implementation guide, we will identify trends and what they mean to your company and your customers.  Then we will talk about the technology that supports the trend.  Finally, we will lay out an implementation path.  The goal is to help you decide if a trend holds promise for your company and to let you know what is involved if you want to participate.  Among the Support Materials at the end of this guide, you will find a wealth of checklists and “see and do” forms to help you get things started!

From our point of view, a trend in technology is simply the recognition of a technical solution to an identified problem or opportunity.  A trend toward the use of a given technology also implies the recognition of the problem it solves or the opportunity that it creates.  If you don’t recognize the problem or the opportunity, you will not understand why the technology is used.

[Home] [Introduction] [The Trend: What and Why] [What This Could Mean for Your Company] [What You Must Do] [Implementation Path] [Support Materials]