| Barcodes have helped businesses streamline their | | | | Matrix codes are made up of a pattern of cells that |
| business processes, improve workforce productivity, | | | | can be square, hexagonal, or circular in shape and are |
| and achieve greater operational efficiency. Barcodes | | | | similar in appearance to checkerboards. Data Matrix |
| have been successfully integrated in business | | | | and MaxiCode are two commonly used matrix |
| processes across various industries to increase their | | | | barcodes. |
| effectiveness, speed, and accuracy for better a | | | | Store data in horizontal and vertical direction |
| customer experience. Barcodes are mainly | | | | Two-dimensional barcodes have larger data storage |
| categorized into two types: Linear or 1D barcodes and | | | | capacity as the data is stored in both horizontal and |
| 2D barcodes. Each barcode type is selected as per | | | | vertical directions of the barcode. In contrast to the |
| relevant business requirements to fulfill the end | | | | 12-20 characters that a typical linear barcode can |
| objective. A barcode system consists of a scanner, a | | | | store, 2D symbologies are able to encode up to |
| barcode label, a printer, and an external database. | | | | several thousand characters of machine readable |
| Linear Barcodes: | | | | data. |
| Linear or 1D barcodes consists of parallel black bars | | | | Stores large data |
| and white spaces that can represent any form of | | | | The amount of data that can be stored in 2D |
| data. UPC, Code 128, and Code 39 are some of the | | | | barcodes can reach up to thousands of alphanumeric |
| common 1D symbologies presently used. | | | | data. The 2D barcodes ensure faster data processing |
| Stores data only in horizontal direction | | | | as it can act as a database itself storing all the |
| The bars and spaces in linear barcodes are grouped | | | | necessary data. They can condense the information |
| together to represent a specific ASCII character or a | | | | from numerous linear barcodes into a single 2D |
| numeric digit. As the linear barcodes contains only | | | | barcode thus saving considerable space. The need to |
| vertical bars and spaces, the data can be stored only | | | | have external database is eliminated as accurate |
| in horizontal direction. Even while reading the data from | | | | information can be received from the product itself. By |
| linear barcodes only the width of the bars and spaces | | | | providing immediate access to large stored data, 2D |
| is considered. Thus, linear barcodes are also referred | | | | barcodes can make business process faster, |
| as one-dimensional barcodes. | | | | accurate, less costly, and reliable. |
| Stores much less data | | | | Easy to retrieve data when erased or damaged |
| Linear or 1D barcodes store a smaller amount of data, | | | | Unlike 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes can have error |
| usually up to 12 or 20 digits. The linear or 1D barcodes | | | | correction formulas built into the symbol which allow |
| contain information, which when scanned is matched | | | | data to be retrieved even if the barcode is damaged. |
| with relevant data stored in local or central database | | | | In fact, a significant portion of the surface area can be |
| leading to retrieval of a large amount of information | | | | damaged and the information will still be intact. For |
| about the item scanned. | | | | example, some 2D symbols can lose up to a third of |
| Cannot retrieve data when erased or damaged | | | | its surface and still be decoded. The Error Correction |
| One of the drawbacks of linear barcodes is that it is | | | | Code (ECC) has ability to rebuild the data from |
| difficult to retrieve stored data when the barcode label | | | | sections of barcode that has been damaged and |
| is damaged or poorly printed. Addition of a single extra | | | | deliver consistent correct information. Also, 2D |
| line at the start or end of barcode can impair the | | | | barcodes printed on hard surfaces exposed to rugged |
| readability of the linear barcode. A small tear or | | | | or harsh conditions can be easily read by 2D barcode |
| drawing a line through the barcode parallel to bars can | | | | scanners. |
| disturb the decoding algorithm that makes it difficult to | | | | Both 1D and 2D barcodes ensure functional |
| retrieve or read data. | | | | enhancement of business process, efficient automated |
| 2D Barcodes: | | | | data collection, and processing of large amounts of |
| Two-dimensional barcodes have more data | | | | data with accuracy across any industry. There are a |
| representation capability and can contain more detailed | | | | number of factors to consider, like symbology |
| information. 2D barcodes can be in a matrix or | | | | compliance to industry specific standards, amount and |
| stacked format. Stacked-barcodes are like a set of | | | | type of data to be encoded, etc., before deciding on |
| linear barcodes literally stacked on top of each other. | | | | which type of symbology to use. |
| PDF417 is the best example of a stacked barcode. | | | | |