Printing Barcodes
Barcode Labels
For printing barcode labels from WinMan we recommend the purchase of the software called BarTender. Bartender simplifies the creation and generation of labels with barcodes. It supports just about any printer.
We offer a solution that provides this functionality complete with training and integration to WinMan.
WinMan Forms
Barcodes can also be incorporated on Forms (e.g. Picking Lists, Manufacturing Orders), that are printed from the WinMan system.
These will typically encode the Product Identifier or Record Identifier to increase the speed and accuracy of data processing.
To generate barcodes your report server will need to have the required barcode font installed. Support can help you with this.
1D vs 2D
There are two general classes of barcodes: one-dimensional (1D or linear) and two-dimensional (2D). They are used in different types of applications, and in some cases are scanned using different types of technology. The difference between 1D and 2D barcode scanning relies on the layout and amount of data that can be stored in each, but both can be used effectively in a variety of automatic identification applications.
1D Barcode Scanning
Linear or 1D barcodes, like the UPC code commonly found on consumer goods, use a series of variable-width lines and spaces to encode data. Linear barcodes hold just a few dozen characters, and generally get physically longer as more data is added.
1D barcodes are dependent on database connectivity to be meaningful. If you scan a UPC code, for instance, the characters in the barcode have to relate to an item in a pricing database to be useful.
2D Barcode Scanning
2D barcodes, like Data Matrix, QR Code or PDF417, use patterns of squares, hexagons, dots, and other shapes to encode data. They can be much smaller while holding more data (hundreds of characters) than 1D codes. Data is encoded based on both the vertical and horizontal arrangement of the pattern, thus it is read in two dimensions.
A 2D barcode doesn’t just encode alphanumeric information. These codes can also contain images, website addresses, voice, and other types of binary data. That means you can make use of the information whether you are connected to a database or not. A large amount of information can travel with an item labeled with a 2D barcode.