Companies use barcodes or UPCs to help track inventory.
Computers and modern information technology have allowed companies to transform the way they perform daily business activities. Inventory management, such as barcode systems, allow companies to more accurately track their inventory and products. Although inventory systems can be expensive to procure and implement, the added benefit frequently outweighs the expense.
Barcode Inventory Scanners
The retail industry commonly uses traditional barcode scanning systems to label and track products with a Universal Product Code. UPC labels allow companies to use electronic scanners to track incoming and outgoing inventory. Warehouses may use incoming received inventory, whereas cash registers scan barcodes for outgoing inventory sales.
Asset Inventory Tracking
Mobile asset inventory tracking systems allow companies to manage supplies, equipment and customer service tools that are unsellable to the general public. The mobile devices may be used to visit multiple locations or in conjunction with central system, and can allow employees to check supplies such as laptop computers in and out. Asset tracking also benefits a company's accounting departments by verifying that all items are listed in the company's general ledger.
Frequency Identification Systems
Radio frequency identification is an advanced inventory tracking system that makes use of barcode tags that are placed directly on the items. Normally used for more high-dollar inventory items, RFID tags transmit signals electronically and allow for enhanced tracking of inventory items as they flow through the company's supply chain. RFIDs can also track items directly to the consumer.
Time Clock Systems
Human inventory, such as employees, can also be tracked with RFIDs placed on company ID cards. RFIDs can track when employees arrive at work and when they leave. RFIDs may also be able to pinpoint where an employee is during a given point of the day, which may prove beneficial to larger work environments such as warehouses or companies spread out over several acres.
Tags: allow companies, Barcode Inventory, inventory items, inventory tracking, outgoing inventory
