Datalinx AWMS200 uses barcodes to record and trace product movements into and around the warehouse, to provide traceability for batch and serial tracked items and to use this to efficiently and quickly pick, pack and despatch items against sales orders.
Unlike many wms applications Datalinx is able to read different types of barcode at the same time. Allowing our users to utilse existing barcodes on item packaging/cartons or print custom labels if additional traceability is required to meet industry legislation, or if product arrives without labels or with damaged labels. Every subsequent product movement in the warehouse is recorded and Sage automatically updated
Most commonly Datalinx customers use GS1-128 barcodes to meet their traceability needs when they have more complex requirements that code 39 barcodes are unable to meet.
When used for retail, outside of the warehouse, industry standard, unique GS1-128 barcodes can be ‘purchased’ and recorded from the GS1-UK website. However, if they are only being used within the warehouse to record complex information, including batch/serials number the business can easily generate them in-house.
GS1-128 within the warehouse...
GS1-128 Barcodes can carry all of the GS1 Identification keys beyond just the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) . These include Global Location Numbers (GLNs) for identifying parties and locations, Serialized Shipping Container Code (SSCC) to identify logistic units such as cases, pallets, or shipping containers, and GS1 asset Identifiers, and more. Working together, they help identify your products as they travel throughout the supply chain.
The elements of a GS1-128 barcode
The GS1-128 barcode is a variant of the Code 128 symbology, incorporating a flagging character known as Function Code 1 (FNC1). These barcodes can also convey information using Application Identifiers (AIs), which specify the type of data that follows, its format (letters, numbers, special characters), its length, and whether it is of fixed or variable length. For instance, the AI (01) signals to the scanning system that a 14-digit GTIN will follow. Application Identifiers are encoded within the barcode and displayed below it in a human-readable format.
Learn more about other barcode types for your business or get started with GS1 US
Reading from left to right, the GS1-128 barcode contains:
- Left Quiet Zone
- The double character start pattern
- :A start character (A, B, or C)
- The Function 1 Symbol Character (FNC1)
- Data (including the GS1 Application Identifier represented in character set A, B, or C).
- A symbol check character.
- The stop character.
- Right Quiet Zone.
GS1-128 barcodes in retail
The usage of the GS1-128 barcode varies based on factors like your industry’s best practices and the nature of the items being shipped. There are many Application Identifier Values that can define how a GS1-128 barcode may look. This food service industry example shows the various applicators that should be used for best practice.
AI (01) for your Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) – The GTIN is used by a company to uniquely identify all its trade items. GS1 defines trade items as products or services that are priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the supply chain. When the GTIN is encoded in a GS1-128 barcode, it must be in a 14-digit format preceded by the AI (01).
AI (11) for production date – The production date is the production or assembly date determined by the manufacturer. The date may refer to the trade item itself or items contained. The format for the production date is YYMMDD encoded in the GS1-128 barcode and shown in the text under the barcode.
AI (10) for batch/lot number – The batch/lot number associates an item with information that the manufacturer considers relevant for traceability of the trade item. The batch/lot number is a variable length number consisting of 1-20 characters. Examples of batch/lot numbers could be a production lot number, a shift number, a machine number, a time, or an internal production code, etc.
For other examples of GS1-128 barcodes, please review the GS1 UK website - General Specifications document, which includes specific guidance on the application of all GS1 Standards.
GS1-128 barcode shipping label
The GS1-128 barcode is typically included in a GS1 Logistic Label, which is accepted by most major retailers and marketplaces across the globe. The GS1 Logistic Label information may be grouped into separate segments for the supplier, customer, and carrier. The types of data needed for different stops along the supply chain can be expressed in different sections (also called building blocks) in the label.
The label should contain two essential elements: information to be used by people (human readable text and) and information designed for data capture by a machine (barcodes).