Barcodes – the present and future of this simple invention
The history of barcodes is a long and interesting one. It started with a simple idea of a one-dimensional image in the shape of a bullseye, drawn into the sand on a beach in Miami, and since then, the technology has progressed further and further. This original idea has since been developed into the traditional rectangular shape that we know today. What does the future hold for this simple invention? Where will technology take us?
At Barcode Solutions, we have witnessed over the years the ever evolving world of barcodes, with its many and increasing uses in all aspects of business and everyday life. Barcode Solutions is an official South African barcode reseller supplying a wide range of registered barcodes for all businesses, large and small.
Barcodes are all around us
Barcodes have entered into every sphere of our lives, yet we barely pay attention to them on a day-to-day basis. Innovative businesses are becoming more and more creative in coming up with new barcode standards as well as new ways of using the standards currently out there. There is no limit to where the future can take us. More complex two-dimensional codes such as Quick Response (QR) codes are becoming more and more popular over the simple, one-dimensional codes such as the EAN and UPC found on most if not all products you buy at the shops.
QR codes are two-dimensional codes that have taken the world by storm in the last decade or so. They are able to store more information and, when scanned, can redirect you to a website or application. More and more companies are investing in these versatile codes for various purposes. They are used extensively in mobile payment applications, such as Snapscan, where they allow clients to pay for their products with their smartphone. They are also used in marketing, such as to redirect potential clients to a business’s website. In this way, QR code can be placed around the store, on store windows or on billboards, or other marketing platforms. Curious customers can scan these codes in order to find out more about the business and what it can offer them. In this way, the business’s publicity is enhanced through greater brand awareness and presence.
Barcodes in hospitals
Barcodes have also spread to the medical industry. They are being used in hospitals and clinics throughout the world in order to streamline the whole process from the moment a patient is admitted right up to the time when they are discharged. For example, many hospitals give patients a wristband with a barcode on it. When this code is scanned, it can immediately tell the nurse or doctor all the client’s information, dietary needs, blood type, required medication and any other vital information that is required. Everything the personnel needs to know about the patient can be stored and accessed via this code. This enhances communication between the doctors and nurses within hospitals, thereby boosting the efficiency of patient care.
Barcodes are also used to regulate and control the dispensing of medication and medical equipment within hospitals. It is crucial that the correct medication is given to the correct patient, and that it is not stolen or abused in any way. Barcodes give the staff a very effective way of monitoring medication and equipment, thus making sure no errors are made. For example, barcodes are used to regulate the blood bank within hospitals – it is critical that the right blood type is given to the right patient.
Barcodes in travelling
Barcodes have also revolutionised the way that we travel. For example, in airports around the world, barcodes are being used to streamline the entire process from when passengers check in to when they disembark at their destination. It is standard for passengers to be issued with a boarding pass that has a barcode on it. This system is called the Barcoded Boarding Pass (BCBP). This code can be scanned in order for the airport personnel to be able to access all the required information they need to know about the passenger, including their contact details, next of kin, as well as whether or not they are boarding the correct flight. Using barcodes in this way saves both time and money and helps to ensure that the process of flying is as smooth and effortless as possible. Nobody wants to stand in long queues or waste time waiting to board a plane. More recently, the BCBP has become digital and can even be sent to passengers on their mobile phones, which can then be scanned much like a physical boarding pass.
QR codes are also being used in airports, train stations as well as other tourist destinations in order to provide information and directions to clients. At Cape Point Nature Reserve, you can scan a QR code to find a map of the nature reserve showing all that it has to offer. This helps visitors to make the most of their experience.
No one knows where the future of barcodes will take us. However, what is clear is that the future is very bright and exciting. Barcode Solutions is very excited to be part of this ongoing technological revolution. We supply a full range of barcode types and our service is quick, reliable and friendly. As an official barcodes reseller, we source all our barcodes from the international barcode database, where all UPC and EAN barcodes originated. Don’t hesitate to contact us for all your barcoding needs – we’ve been through it all!