Your Scanner Not Reading Right?

scanning dirty barcodes

When barcodes won't scan, your business suffers. Here are some of the problems it causes:

Your checkout runs slow, because scanning is much faster than typing a code in by hand.
You often cannot give customers detailed receipts.
Your stock history becomes unreliable.
Your stock quantities drift out of truth.
Manual entry makes more mistakes.

It is better to scan more.

Start with your scan rate

Before you fix anything, get a feel for the size of the problem. This is easy to measure.

Go to sales and select Dissection Sales / Profitability for a Given Period, then run the report. I usually do it for the previous 12 months.

You will see a column marked %Scan. The higher, the better. In the example below, the green arrow marks a problem department.

Is it the scanner or the barcode?

There can be many causes, but there is a simple test: scan the same item on every scanner you own.

If it fails on one scanner but scans on others, the problem is with that unit.
If every scanner fails on the same items, the problem is the barcode itself — either the supplier's or one you printed yourself.

Fixing the scanner

If it is the scanner, try these before you replace it:

Experiment with scanning height. The best distance varies with the barcodes you use and the type of reader, so take a few items and see what works.
Move it away from bright light. Direct sunlight and glare confuse scanners.
Clean the scanner and the printer. A dirty or scratched scan window is the most common cause of read failures. A rag and some cleaning fluid can do wonders.
Check the age of the unit. Scanners are typically built to last about three years. If yours is older and misbehaving, replacing it is often cheaper than the staff time it wastes.

Fixing the barcode

If the barcodes are the problem, look at these common causes:

Red barcodes. Many scanners use red lasers, which cannot read red bars at all. Black on white is the reliable combination. Gift and card lines are the usual offenders — if a supplier prints in red, ask for a replacement label or overprint your own.
Missing quiet zones. Every barcode needs blank space on either side. Often, badly printed text, borders, or shrink-wrap seams printed around the barcode cause failures.
Crooked or shiny labels. Scanners read barcodes perpendicular to the bars, so an angled label effectively shortens the bars and this can make the code harder to read. Keep the barcode flat and straight. Avoid sticking barcodes on shiny or curved surfaces, where light reflects back into the scanner.
Your own printing. If you print your own labels, check the printer. Dirt on the printhead causes poor ink distribution, but a worn printhead, a fading ribbon, or cheap thermal paper produce low-contrast codes just as often. Clean first, replace the printhead if that fails.
Damaged stock. Dirty, wet, or stapled-over barcodes will not scan. There is no fix for these except a new label.

Bonus tip: pick a spot and stick to it

Make a convention in your shop for where the barcode goes — front, top, back, whatever you choose. Apply it everywhere. Staff stop hunting for the code, and checkout speeds up.

One more thing: if you want the bigger picture on scan rates and what drives them including barcodes your suppliers never put on the goods at all.

Now there can be many causes of this problem. The first point is to test whether it is happening on a scanner. Sometimes you improve your barcode scanning rates from this scanner by:

-Experiment with your scanner what height it reads best with the barcodes that you use. It will vary depending on what barcodes you use and your barcode reader. Please take a few items, try and scan them and see what works best.
-Maybe the scanner is in bright light, so try moving the scanner to a different location.
-Try putting the barcode straight. Sometimes not having the barcode straight can cause problems for a scanner to read the barcode. It is also less of an eyesore.
-Avoid putting barcodes on shiny objects as the light will reflect into the scanner and cause problems.
-Cleaning your barcode scanner and printer can help immensely. A rag and some cleaning material can often do wonders.
-Remember, dirty or wet barcodes or barcodes with staples are not suitable for scanning.

Suppose all scanners see if the problem is the suppliers' or your barcodes. If it is your barcodes, check your printer; it may be dirt causing poor ink distribution.

Remember that sometimes you have to replace these units if the goods you sell are not suitable for what you sell or if they have deteriorated.

A bonus tip

You can increase your scan rate if you make a convention in your shop where you will stick the barcode. The front, top, back, etc., stick with it if possible; this will save people from having to hunt for the barcode.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Why Australian Retailers Must Have Modern Scanners Before 2028

POS SOFTWARE

Barcode scanners

Traditional barcodes are being phased out by 2028. Large Australian chains, such as supermarkets, pharmacy networks, and liquor stores, have announced they may reject stock shipments that lack a QR code. I expect that any supplier to these chains will soon drop standard barcodes for QR codes

Key Takeaways

Major Australian retailers are adopting a global 2028 industry deadline for QR codes.
Traditional laser barcode scanners are physically incapable of reading 2D symbols.
Modern imaging hardware protects your local point-of-sale system from technological obsolescence.
Advanced 2D codes automatically track exact expiration dates and manufacturing batches.
Upgraded scanning hardware minimises wrist strain and improves counter checkout speeds.
Newsagents must audit their current magazine scanners to prevent front-counter bottleneck issues.

What is the GS1 Sunrise Transition

The GS1 Sunrise transition is a coordinated global retail initiative that aims to replace traditional barcodes with QR codes by the year 2028. By the start of 2028, large Australian chains such as supermarkets, pharmacy networks, and liquor stores have announced they may reject stock shipments that lack a QR code. The primary driving force behind this massive change is that old-fashioned linear barcodes only encode a basic product number. In contrast, next-generation QR codes store thousands of pieces of information. This advanced information helps to solve critical supply chain tracking issues that barcodes cannot. For example, during the recent Greenlip Abalone scare, the immediate problem the authorities wanted to address was tracking the source of the biotoxin contamination. In trying to navigate this crisis, a store owner would discover that his Greenlip Abalone was a pretty broad category. Here, a QR barcode solves this tracking problem by embedding the exact location the product came from, the production date, the specific batch number, and the use-by date directly into the checkout code. With that information, we could configure the POS System to automatically block the sale of that item if the cashier tries to sell it.

As this is a worldwide transition, we expect many products from overseas, not just Australian-made ones, to be affected. For example, if you buy goods directly from China, you may find that some have a QR code but no barcode.

Other pluses of QR Codes

2D barcodes could prevent retail financial losses by assigning a digital serial number to each item. This means your POS software knows more history of every specific item in your shop. For example, if a shoplifter steals a high-value pen set from another shop and attempts to return it for a cash refund in your shop, the 2D code can help to verify whether you sold these items. This would allow us to block the fraudulent refund immediately.

Moreover, our field tests prove that image-based 2D scanners scan better. With a QR code, you do not need to align a barcode to get a good, meticulous read. Your cashiers will find it easier to work with.

We also found that these QR codes read better on heavily distorted, crinkled, or faded labels.

Does Your Shop Already Have a 2D-Capable Scanner?

Most of our clients who recently purchased scanners from us will likely already own 2D-capable scanners. This is because we have been aware of this for several years and have almost exclusively sold these scanners. The exception will be the scanners we sold for magazine handling; some of these, for obvious reasons, did not have QR codes. These dedicated magazine units are often older, low-cost laser models that lack the internal programming to read multi-dimensional QR patterns. We do not expect any problems with these scanners as long as they are used purely for processing publications.

Still, I do suggest you check your scanners. If you have a problem checking, please get in touch with us.

Conclusion: Don't Risk Technology Obsolescence at Your Counter

In conclusion, upgrading to a modern, 2D-capable POS System should not be treated as an optional retail luxury. We have a reasonable window of time to prepare before the 2028 roll-out. Buying an obsolete scanner today is a waste of money. For a little more, get a QR scanner.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Bad barcodes will cost you money without you even knowing it?

POS SOFTWARE

Speed

Barcode scanners

Why is the POS scan rate important?

Your cashiers must process transactions quickly and accurately. This keeps lanes moving. Bad barcodes slow checkouts and frustrate family shoppers buying magazines, books, gifts, or greeting cards. What we need to do is boost POS Software scan rates.

We have a unique KPI specially designed for this, %Scan. This KPI metric measures the percentage of retail barcode scans versus manually keyed entries. Using it will improve retail checkout efficiency.

How to Check Your POS Scan Rate

Go to the cash register reports

> Select Sales,

> Then "Dissection Sales/Profitability for a Given Period."

Set it for the past three months (or 12 for trends) and run the report.

You will get a report that looks like this one. Now, look at the last row marked.

Now run down the list.

You are looking for dissections with high quantities and low scan rates, as these are the big problems here.

Now, examine the %Scan column in the last row or breakdown. Look at the Total Scan. If you are doing a lot of scans and your %Scan rate is low, you have a problem. You need a higher %Scan to deliver quicker transactions and shorter queues in your shop, and it also gives you more accurate inventory data. Besides, it is a pain for staff, as it reduces manual entry errors (Industry figures indicate about one error per 300 characters in manual entry for cashiers).

How to improve the POS scan rate?

To improve POS efficiency, start here:

Test scanners

First, for reliable performance, we often find that when we examine the %Scan, the problem lies with the scanner. If so, clean the scanner lenses and adjust angles. Consider it part of your POS system troubleshooting.

Avoid glare or shiny surfaces.

The problem sometimes is that the objects you are scanning are bright, which causes glare. I have noticed this often happens with frosty drinks and plastic covers on greeting cards. You need to be careful here.

Audit barcodes

Ensure that barcodes are clear on products. If they are real problems, talk to the suppliers, as poor barcode quality leads to unscannable items, forcing manual transaction entries that slow checkout lines and increase human errors, causing lost sales and customer frustration. In the worst case, consider printing in-house barcodes for these products.

Standardise barcode placement

Often, the cashier cannot find the barcode. In your shop, make a policy that all in-house barcodes should be in the same place, eg on the top left, at the rear middle, etc. It does not matter where; just be consistent. I prefer the bottom rear over the front; it covers some of the product.

Conclusion

Run your POS scan rate report now to spot low-scanning categories to check out your speed retail.

Then monitor %Scan trends. Just because you get it right now does not mean a problem will start to appear soon.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your scanners not reading correctly?

POS SOFTWARE

Computer Maintenance

Is your scanner not reading right?

Barcode scanner

Ever had your barcode scanner just quit on you? It's a common complaint we hear from shop owners: a headache when their scanner stops scanning or only works partially. This guide covers the usual suspects and how to fix them fast, so you can get back to serving customers without the drama.

We'll start with the easy stuff.

A dirty scanner window is a common problem, often caused by people placing their fingers on the scanner window. Get out of that habit. Also, dust or grime can cause reading issues. To clean, unplug the scanner and wipe the glass with a soft microcloth.

Are the Cables Loose?
Is Something Wrong with the Barcode?
Is Your Scanner Old?
Common Scanner Questions
Keeping Things Running Smoothly

Are the Cables Loose?

Loose and/or faulty cables are another common problem. If the cable is not connected correctly, the scanner will not be able to talk with your POS System. Worn cables sometimes work intermittently

What to check:

Make sure everything's plugged in tight.
Look over the cables for frays or breaks. If one's damaged, replace it.
Try using a different port on the computer as well.

Is Something Wrong with the Barcode?

With a clean scanner and solid connections, the barcode might be the problem. Check the barcode; some are difficult to read if they are shiny or wet.

What to look for:

See if it's torn, faded, or poorly printed.
For shiny packaging, angle it to minimise glare.
Aim for decent lighting, enough to see clearly, but not so bright that it reflects on you.

Is Your Scanner Old?

These scanners are rugged, but retail is a tough environment for scanners. They are often dropped and damaged. After a few years, the wear and tear add up.

What to look for:

Check for cracks or wobbly bits.
If the window's off-kilter, it's damaged. In most cases, replacing it is smarter than fixing it, especially for safety and speed.

Signs it's time to retire it:

Odd noises like grinding or whirring.
Dim, flickering, or no light at all.

At that point, repairs are usually not worth it; you're better off with a new one that comes with a warranty.

Common Scanner Questions

We've got answers to the ones retailers ask us most.

How often should I clean my scanner?

It depends on your shop. If it's a dusty spot, such as a nursery, you may need to clean it daily; otherwise, clean it only when it becomes noticeable. As a rule, I do believe if it is working, do not mess with it. If it has to be done, it only takes seconds to do.

My scanner beeps, but nothing shows on the screen. What's up?

The beep indicates that it read the code correctly; the issue is likely downstream. Check cables, ports, or restart your computer—it's often the fix.

Why won't it read barcodes on phone screens?

Old laser models are designed for use with paper only. For screens, you need a 2D camera scanner—they handle digital codes no problem.

Should I bother fixing an old one?

Rarely. Repair costs can match the price of a new one, and you'll get something faster and warrantied instead.

Keeping Things Running Smoothly

Sorting out these basics can resolve most scanner issues and keep your checkout running smoothly. If it's still acting up after these checks, upgrading might be the next step; many retailers kick themselves for waiting.

Written by:

Professional headshot of the author, Bernard Zimmermann

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director at POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience. He consults to various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

How to print easily scannable barcodes

POS SOFTWARE

Barcode scanning failures cost retailers time.

Choose the Right Label Material

The foundation of a good barcode starts with the label itself. White labels are the best, but light-coloured labels do work. The problem with colour ones is they may reduce the contrast between the barcode and the background, making scanning harder.

Optimise Barcode Placement

Keep Barcodes Isolated

Ensure your barcode is away from other barcodes on the product. This separation helps scanners focus on the intended barcode without interference.

Avoid Reflective Surfaces

Don't place labels near reflective areas on your product. Reflections can interfere with the scanner reading the barcode accurately; a laser scanner can also reflect into your eye.

Opt for Flat Surfaces

Whenever possible, place barcode labels on the product's flat surfaces. It helps maintain the barcode's integrity and ensures it remains easily scannable.

Essential Print Settings

Print Quality Requirements

When printing barcodes, use a resolution of 300 DPI or higher. It ensures that barcode scanners can easily read the code. I find pure black ink on a bright white background works well.

Test Before Mass Production

Before printing a large batch of barcodes, always print a test sheet and verify that the barcodes work correctly. This simple step can save you time and resources.

Maintain Your Printing Equipment

Regular maintenance of your barcode printer is essential. Clean your printer to prevent dirt from affecting print quality.

Environmental Considerations

Protect Your Barcodes

To maintain barcode integrity over time, avoid folding or crumpling the barcode. Keep barcodes out of direct sunlight for extended periods. These simple steps can significantly extend the life and readability of your barcodes.

Quality Control Steps

Size and Proportions

Ensure your barcodes are at least 4 cm by 2.5 cm.

Consider Your Scanning Environment

Different scanning environments may require different barcode placements. For retail point-of-sale, consider omnidirectional scanner requirements.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to producing easily scannable barcodes that streamline your retail operations. Remember, a little attention to detail in barcode production can improve efficiency and customer satisfaction at the checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best way to print barcodes?

A: The best way to print barcodes is to use a dedicated barcode printer or thermal printer. These printers are designed specifically for producing high-quality, scannable barcodes. They use thermal printing technology, which doesn't require ink and produces crisp, clear barcodes that are less likely to smudge or fade[3]. For optimal results:

Use white labels with a matt finish to ensure good contrast and reduce light reflection
Choose labels with permanent adhesive to keep barcodes securely attached to products
Set your printer to the highest quality settings available
Ensure proper barcode size and maintain correct proportions
Leave adequate quiet zones around the barcode

Q: Can you print barcodes with a regular printer?

A: Yes, you can print barcodes with a regular printer, but it's not ideal for large-scale or professional use. If you choose to use a standard printer:

Use high-quality printer labels compatible with your printer type (inkjet or laser)
Select "Labels" or "Heavy Paper" print settings and use the highest quality option
Be prepared for more waste during the testing phase, as you'll need to print full sheets of labels
Remember that regular printers may not produce barcodes as durable or scannable as those from dedicated barcode printers

Q: Can I make my own scannable barcode?

A: Yes, you can create your own scannable barcodes. More details here

Save time and money with Supplier Integrations

POS SOFTWARE

integrations

Inventory management

Henderson Greeting

As a seasoned retailer, you know how putting the stock details into your POS System can be a big job. That is why file imports are a game-changer for your Point of Sale (POS) system. They are not just time-savers but also accuracy boosters.

Latest Supplier catalog integration

For those of you working with Henderson Greeting and Waterlyn, their electronic catalogue lists are now available for you to import into your POS system. This integration means you can keep your inventory up-to-date with minimal effort and ensure you have their latest products on file.

What We Did in Troubleshooting

If you take the file from us, you know that it has been

A. Checking for Hidden Characters

Some suppliers use special characters, which can wreak havoc during imports. We check for these sneaky troublemakers before giving you the import file.

B. Pricing disasters

Pricing disasters are no joke. I have seen a few pretty bad ones; recently, a pack of 10 cards, each at $1.50, was listed as $22.50.

Decimal places management

We have also implemented a double-check system to ensure our POS and import files agree on decimal places. In Australia, we use commas for thousands of separators and dots for decimal places (e.g., $8,123.03). However, most European countries do the reverse, using dots for thousands and commas for decimals, so in our example, it becomes $8.123,03. This difference can lead to significant pricing errors if not properly managed.

C. Barcode duplication

It's 2024, and suppliers keep putting the same barcode on different items. This causes major problems, particularly if the items are priced differently.

POS system import

It is essential to improve to succeed in retail constantly. By improving your methods of bringing in products, you save time and set up your business to continue doing well.

We can help each other. I'm ready to listen if you want to discuss this or share when things went well or poorly.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Barcode now has its 50th Birthday!

POS SOFTWARE

Inventory management

Barcode scanners

Can you imagine a world where every purchase involves manually entering the department and the price of every item at the checkout? Such a scenario might appear to have been lifted from a 1980s video game, but it was a fact for retailers then. Then came the barcode.

Fifty years ago today, on June 26, 1974, the first commercial barcode scanning was done on a Wrigley's chewing gum pack. Those stripes may seem simple, but they revolutionised how we shop!

After the barcodes were released, we released the first magazine barcoded return system here. At first, because it was so new, we had to manually put on a barcode sticker as many magazines did not have barcodes.

I am in the middle, boy. I was proud that day as no-one had ever done anything like this before, and next to me was Joe, the programmer who did most of the analysis for the returns. We had a deal between us; I handled the newsagency stuff and the data handling, and he dealt with the magazines. It was in DOS. The result is that we saved our clients a lot of time and money.

How the Barcode Changed Retail (and Saved Money!)

Before barcodes, cashiers rang up sales by manually entering in price and department codes. This process was slow and error-prone, frustrating customers and costing retailers money. The barcode, however, changed everything. Here's how:

Faster Checkouts and Happy Customers: A simple scan eliminates the need for manual code entry, resulting in shorter queues, happier customers, and improved staff productivity.
Reduced Errors and Happy Staff: Barcodes are much more accurate than manual code entry, leading to fewer mistakes and happier staff (no more hunting for the correct code!).
Improved Inventory Management and Reduced Costs: Barcodes allow retailers to track stock levels more efficiently. This means there's less chance of running out of popular items, less money tied up in unnecessary stock, and better-informed ordering decisions—all contributing to significant cost savings.
Enhanced Customer Experience: Beyond speed, barcodes enable features like price verification at checkout, reducing customer confusion.

The Barcode and Modern POS Systems: A Powerful Partnership

The barcode laid the foundation for modern POS systems like the ones we offer at POS Solutions. Here's how they work together to streamline your operations further:

Product Data at Your Fingertips: When you scan a barcode, the POS system instantly retrieves the product information, including its name, price, and the applicable GST Code.
Automatic Inventory Updates: Each scan automatically updates your inventory levels in real time, ensuring you always have accurate stock data and can make informed decisions about reordering.
Sales Tracking and Informed Decisions: POS systems use barcode data to track sales trends and identify popular items. This information helps you decide stock levels, promotions, and future ordering.
Seamless Integration for a Smooth Experience: Modern POS systems seamlessly integrate with barcode scanners, creating a smooth and efficient checkout experience for you and your customers.

Next Step of the Retail Industry

The introduction of a barcode, no doubt, has been a breakthrough, but the technology is still developing. We at POS Solutions are very optimistic about the future of retail efficiency, involving the following, which we are introducing:

common 1D & 2D barcode formats

2D Barcodes: These data-rich barcodes can hold more information than traditional barcodes, potentially including product descriptions, origin details, and even expiry dates.
QR Codes: These square-shaped codes can be scanned using smartphones, opening up new possibilities for customer engagement and product information access.
RFID Tags: These tiny radio frequency chips offer even greater tracking capabilities and can be used for tasks like automated inventory management.

These advancements can inspire, but the barcode is essential in the retail ecosystem. Remarkably, this solution made the most significant difference in modern retail.

Ready to leverage the power of barcodes and modern POS systems for a more efficient and profitable future? Contact POS Solutions today to learn more about our innovative solutions!

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Tatts Setup for the current changes

POS SOFTWARE

Tattslotto

Lotto

the lotto

Among all businesses operating in the retail sphere, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are of high importance. For merchants performing our Tatts Lotto barcode scanning, the integration has improved customer satisfaction by reducing checkout times, errors, and overall customer satisfaction.

This detailed manual will show you how to set up a POS system to scan barcodes for lotto transactions and secondary barcodes for customers who want payouts and digital wallet purchases. With our user-friendly setup process and comprehensive training, you can have the Tatts Lotto barcode scanning system up and running within a week.

What's Included

Tatts Lotto Barcodes: This section explains how Tatts Lotto barcodes are structured and how their content can be read.
Enabling Barcode Scanning: How to allow seamless barcode scanning into your POS System.
Setting Up Stock Items: Detailed guidance on creating and configuring stock items for various lotto products, including assigning appropriate suppliers, dissections, families, and classes.
Handling Payout Barcodes: Learn how to add and set up payout barcodes for Lotto Payout, Scratchie Payout, and Membership Reimbursement transactions.
Lotto Product Code Reference: Access a comprehensive table listing the Scales ID and Pre-Paid Scales ID for a wide range of lotto products, ensuring accurate setup and efficient operations.
Seamless Integration: Discover how to integrate the Tatts Lotto barcode scanning functionality into your existing POS workflow, maximizing productivity and enhancing the customer experience.

By following this guide, you'll gain the knowledge and tools necessary to streamline your lotto transactions, reduce manual errors, and provide a seamless experience for your customers. Embrace the power of Tatts Lotto barcode scanning and take your retail operations to new heights.

Here is what one of our customers told me "Since implementing the Tatts Lotto barcode scanning solution, our checkout times have reduced significantly, leading to happier customers and increased sales,"

Contact us today to schedule a demo and learn more about implementing this game-changing solution for your retail business.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Ten tips to produce your own barcodes

POS SOFTWARE

Work Tips

We need to read fast barcodes. Yet we have a prevalent problem with lousy barcodes. We did a study on one site recently and found that about 3.5% of all barcodes were defective. Of that with some manipulation and angling of the reader, only half could be read. The rest were totally useless. It was maddening that most of the unreadable ones were the result of suppliers making poorly made barcodes. This results in many no-reads. I told a retailer to consider that maybe they should argue that an item is defective as the barcode was that bad and return it.

Anyway, retailers often have to create their barcodes to solve this problem. If so, here are some tips to help you.

1) Use a suitable roll or sheets for labels. I have seen where the glue is so runny that they were useless.

2) Choose a light colour for the barcode roll. I like white. This increases the contrast between the barcode and the label, making it easier to read.

3) Do not put labels on the product next to anything that may reflect light.

4) Clean the printer and code reader and the barcode label. Dirt and grease make it harder to read.

5) Put the barcode labels on the product as flat as possible you do not want the barcode to fold or, worse, crumble or break.

6) Keep your barcode away from other barcodes in the product. This may cause the scanner to misread.

7) Do not let the sun hit the barcode for a long time.

8) Try to keep the barcode label dry.

9) Put the barcode in a position on your item that has blank space around it.

10) Ensure that nothing obscures the bar code

If you have followed the above steps and still have problems, send a picture of the barcode to our support team to be assessed for possible problems.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Tabcorp latest changes

Add new comment

POS SOFTWARE

Lottoland

Tattslotto

the lotto

For many of our clients now that handle Tabcorp Lotto, one of the big problems now is that with their new app and Digital Wallet Sales, sales are coming through into their system with a price of zero and this means that it is harder to track their sales of lotto products accurately. In particular, what worried us was that it was difficult for us, as a result, to calculate the Gross Profit.

So we spoke to Tabcorp here

Tabcorp now has acted on our concerns and adopted our proposals. From next week they will be updating their system to separate their Digital Wallet sales from our clients' sales with pricing details.

Great stuff!

There is no extra work for our clients as a patch (Version 1.1.92.9) will automatically update their systems, so they will be able to continue to scan lotto products as always.

Update: One of our competitors has clearly for reasons that to us make no sense attacked Tabcorp and us.

What they do not like is pricing details included in the Tabcorp barcode. Well, just because the Tabcorp barcode has a price does not mean that they have to put the price into their software. All they have to do is code their software so if its a Tabcorp product, it is imported with a value of $0. If one of our users is so crazy and wants this too, well they can set up their system with our software to do that too *NOW*. What is the problem?

Let me further point out that this company track record on Lotto is not particularly good, a few years ago. I remember seeing in their spreadsheets of the future and speeches them saying that counter sales of Lotto will go down. It did not. It went up and its never been higher. Today with its super draws and promotions it has given lotto agents a major traffic drawcard.

Also, business is the art of the possible, not what we would like, I believe that many of the changes they proposed are never going to be done in real-time. They publically supported the politicians and the appropriate industry bodies to try and force Lottoland out of Australia. Then we and many others pointed out that this was dreaming and Lottoland were not just going to leave. What they helped do is frustrate any hope of our clients getting new revenue streams from Lottoland, for example, see here, here and here.

It goes on, one point I am very proud of our company is that what we propose and do is stuff our clients can use, their recent proposals on local politicians support, local currencies for small business, buskers grants, etc., in a real-time, dream on!

Plus would these make much difference to SMB could also be disputed too, for example, buskers like to set up their Busking Stations in front of public places, markets and supermarkets as there is a mass of women and kids with money there! Buskers know what they are doing, women and kids tend to give more than males. My daughter is eight years old if she likes a busker, she comes to Mum or me to give her some money to give to them. So does my Mum, she gives them money with a comment, "I like them doing this much more what they are doing than them begging in the street." I suggest very little money will flow to SMB as a result.

Comments

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Barcode scanner range

POS SOFTWARE

point of sale software

Scanners are explicitly made for use in mind. Some are long range. Some are short range, middle range, etc. It certainly is not the case that dearer scanner is the best one for you to use in all circumstances.

I have seen scanners that can read a bar code as close as few centimetres away and some that need at least 300 cm to scan the same barcode.

So when you are ordering a scanner, you need to specify to the seller (like us) exactly how far away a typical barcode will be read.

What I suggest you do is make a fist with your hand, grasping a long ruler at the 10 cm line and imagine that this 10 cm point is the barcode len. Now with the other hand put some typical items and measure out what to you is a convenient distance to read the barcode. This is what this new scanner will need to scan a barcode. It is not an advantage to have too much range as what you tend to get then is misreading from other barcodes that are nearby.

If you require some long range scanners, then it is not as simple as a ruler. This video will show you how to measure the distance.

Then tell us the range you require.

Otherwise, there can be problems.

Add new comment

Your name

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA

What code is in the image?

Enter the characters shown in the image.

Advantages of using QR codes rather then emailing receipts

POS SOFTWARE

Studies are presently showing that 2/3 of all shoppers now use their smartphones during purchasing. The important point here is they have their smartphones and they are using them.

Furthermore, many, particularly older people and women, have expressed reluctance to supply email addresses to the retailer; plus, even if they do, it's an effort to collect an email address for just one receipt, so retailers often go back to issuing printed receipts. It's a waste of time and money. Now, with our system, you can immediately issue a receipt using Uniqode's QR codes to the shopper's smartphone with no privacy issues. Uniqode's QR code generator helps tailor marketing efforts by allowing businesses to create interactive, scannable experiences that instantly connect customers with personalized offers, detailed product information, and exclusive promotions.

Besides achieving the lowest possible OPERATING COST, you get many other benefits.

As these digital receipts WILL NEVER fade away and will always be available in “original quality," so people do not have to contact you to get another copy.

The free printing of promotional material and coupons, with these eye-catching receipts which the power to generate MORE SALES as it is combined with digital receipts. I WILL always BE legible and as your clients KEEP their phones with them, so they will have these coupons when they return to the shop – instead of what happens now they lose them so wasting your marketing strategies.

People can read these receipts as they CAN BE magnified on their screen a real if you have older people as clients who often have problems with eyesight.

Your clients will have a permanent record of their bills.

These receipts CAN BE shared easily with 3rd party applications, even at the end of the financial year for claiming business expenses, taxation, customer service, emailing, etc.

Our point of difference, is we are always a step ahead.

What are price embedded barcodes?

POS SOFTWARE