What are Barcodes?

A barcode is a method of representing data in a visual format of machine-readable information about the item to which it is attached. A barcode represent data by varying in widths and spacing of parallel lines.

Nowadays, the barcode is referred to as a linear or 1-dimensional code, that can be scanned by barcode readers.

Later in time, matrix or 2-dimensional codes were developed.

The barcode tags contain important information like customer or item identification, pricing, tracking information and more. This information is only readable by the barcode reader machines.

Advantages of Barcode:

Barcodes are used across the globe for some of its advantages, some are here:

• Relatively inexpensive
• Allow more accurate inventory management
• Fast and efficient operations
• Reduce manual labor costs
• Improving inventory control
• Speed up the supply chain

Asset Tracking with Barcodes:

Here are some of the benefits of a barcode system that will prove to be cost-effective for your business in terms of asset tracking:

• Accountability Increase
• Error Reduction
• Data Storage
• Scheduled Maintenance
• Accurate and Real-time Asset location

What are QR codes?

In 1994, 2D variants of barcodes were developed using more patterns than bars such as rectangles, dots, hexagons, and other geometric patterns and are named as matrix codes or 2D barcodes.

2D barcodes can be read using application software on mobile devices, such as smartphones with their in-built cameras.

QR code (Quick Response code) is the trademark for a type of matrix or 2D barcode.

As QR code is the type of barcode only, it also represents data in a visual format of machine-readable information about the item to which it is attached.

The QR code uses four standardized encoding modes that are numeric, alphanumeric, binary and kanji and store data efficiently.

The information which is stored inside a QR code includes inventory tracking, sales registry, supply chain management, mobile marketing, and logistics.

Advantages of QR Codes:

QR codes are new in front of linear barcodes but are more advanced in working, some of the advantages of QR codes are here:

• Scanning possible by smartphone
• Versatility; can encode almost all types of data e.g. numeric, alphabets, special and binary
• Extremely fast scanning
• QR code has good fault tolerance; if a part of the code is damaged, information can still be decoded from the code
• Stores large amount of information

Asset Tracking with QR codes: 

In this modern generation, QR codes are the successors to barcodes which have gained popularity in recent days. There are more than a few reasons that’s why QR codes are better.  

• Versatile  
• Used for anything and everything  
• Scan QR code and store information   
• Maximized exposure  
• Potential to generate revenue 

QR codes can be added to any platform and can store the following information:  

• Product details  
• Offer details  
• Event details  
• Contact details  
• Competition details  
• Coupons  
• Social media IDs  
• A link to your YouTube video

What is the major difference in Barcode and QR code? 

Everybody goes shopping. Everybody purchases stuff. Whether people have realized or not, but they have seen barcodes anyhow. Every, daily use of product packaging has a barcode label.  

Talking about QR codes, many of you must have seen or recognized QR codes on Visiting Cards, Resumes, WhatsApp, Boarding Pass, Business Cards, Google Pay, etc.   

They have the same business to do that is to hold information about the item or product. But still, there are some differences in both barcodes and QR codes, which make them work enhancive as well as each other’s competition, in storing the information and reading it through scanning making it worthwhile.  

Here are some points on the basis of which Barcodes and QR codes can be differentiated: 

1. Appearance: 

Both the barcode and QR code are different in their appearance. They look very different from each other in their formation.  

Barcode: It is a first-generation linear barcode or 1D barcode that is represented by some lines and spaces of various parallel widths that create specific patterns.

QR code: it is a modern generation matrix barcode or 2D barcode that is represented by some rectangles, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns.

2. Information holding capacity:

They not only look different, but they have different levels of data storage.  

Barcode: A barcode can hold between 8-25 characters but as the information rises the size of the barcode also gets bigger. The information which a barcode can store is description, item identification, pricing, tracking information, etc.

QR code: A QR code can hold between 1-2,000 characters of encoded data. The information which a QR code can store is inventory tracking, sales registry, supply chain management, mobile marketing, and logistics.  

The added perk of QR codes is the possibility of encoding images or links onto it. 

3. Error Correction:

The level of customization and error correction is completely different for a barcode and a QR code.   

Barcode: Linear barcodes are less tolerant of damage and printing defects. This condition is due to the lack of redundant encoding and error correction codes. Either joining of two stripes or erasing one strip altogether, will make it impossible to decode a linear or 1D barcode.  

QR code: The supreme advantage of QR code over the first-generation barcode is its error margin that ranges from 7- 30%. The QR Code has error correction ability and can restore data if the code is dirty or damaged. 

4. Readability:

Barcode scanning and reading depends upon the appearance and the amount of data that can be stored in it. Both barcode and QR code can be used effectively in a variety of automatic identification applications.  

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