Wasp Barcode WaspLabeler +2D Getting Started - Manual (Page 5)

Wasp Labeler User Manual
1.3 Getting Started - What is a Barcode?
A barcode is a graphical representation of a set of numeric or alphanumeric characters that can be read
by a barcode scanner.
1234 becomes: .
Whse1 becomes: .
Assigning a permanent barcode to each site, location, item, supplier and customer creates an
environment where a mobile device can be used to easily keep track of inventory movements and
alleviates the problem of data-entry errors.
Barcodes get wider with the amount of numbers and characters you want represented by them. In
other words, the width is determined by the amount of numbers or characters represented by the
barcode. Some barcode scanners have a limited width that they can read. If you have very long item
numbers or location numbers you may need to reconsider the numbering scheme or the scanner you
are using. Also be aware that many of the less expensive barcode readers do not read barcodes that
are bent, at an angle, are too small or are damaged. Consider the possible disposition of your
barcodes before choosing a scanner.
There are many different barcode formats or symbologies. The different symbologies can be thought of
as different fonts. The same characters are represented by different symbologies in different ways. For
example, the two symbologies below represent the same information (Whse1).
These different formats exist to provide ways to compress more data into a smaller space, to represent
a different set of characters or to enable scanning at different angles or distances.
When using Wasp Labeler, barcodes should be printed using a high quality laser or ink jet printer, or a
thermal label printer. You want the barcode label to be high quality because low quality barcodes are
harder to scan and usually do not last long. Wasp Labeler can print to a regular printer or a barcode
printer.
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