The saying goes that “if it ain’t broke, don’t change it,” and if there is one element that represents that philosophy very well, it is the barcode. Almost half a century of use has shown that it is the best system for controlling the supply and sales chain; But the arrival of new technologies such as QR codes also show that there is great potential that is not being taken advantage of.
Therefore, in just two years it is expected that the industry will adopt a new standard, which will offer more possibilities and will be fully compatible with smartphones and wearable devices. It is a very ambitious plan, but GS1, the non-profit organization in charge of maintaining and developing communication standards in the supply chain and logistics, believes it is time to take the leap.
In effect, that means that the traditional barcode will be replaced for a new version, which will allow more data to be stored in printed form that can be scanned to reveal relevant information about the product, package or shipment. And the key will be in a new design, which will make the leap from one dimension to two dimensions.
The current barcode is 1D, that is, it only has one dimension, the horizontal axis; The reader detects the thickness of the bars, the distance between them and their size to obtain the information, usually a series of numbers that identify the object in question using a database. The new solution in which the GS1 works It is 2D, that is, it has two axes: horizontal and vertical.
In practice, this means that the information will not only be displayed linearly, but also vertically; the result should be similar to QR codeswhich are a 2D version of barcodes, with a square or rectangle made up of several individual points; The position, size and distance of the dots will represent the stored data, which may be more than in a traditional barcode.
However, it must be clarified that GS1 has not confirmed that QR codes will be substitutes for traditional barcodes; although it is evident that the new standard will have similarities and will probably be inspired by this technology. In the same way, the new standard will be Designed from the ground up to work with smartphones and other technological devices, rather than with dedicated devices such as laser scanners.
As proof of the influence of QR codes, and smartphones in general, on this decision, GS1 itself confirms that one of the motivations for changing barcodes is found in the recent popularity of QR codes; According to a recent study, 79% of consumers prefer to buy products with a barcode or QR code that can scan with mobile and offer you additional information.
This additional information is increasingly important during purchases, with 62% of consumers stating they are willing to spend more money on a product if it offers detailed information. A new standard, which allows you to scan the code and obtain that information directly on your mobile phone, is the answer to this demand.
Another interesting utility is the possibility of include the expiration date in the code; Not only will it be useful for the consumer, but it will allow the store to receive notices in its system when a product is close to its expiration date, allowing discounts to be added without the need for a new code. The plan to replace barcodes is ambitious. GS1’s goal is to achieve mass adoption by 2027, in just two years, as part of its initiative Sunrise 2027.
