What are the benefits of 2D technology and why is its popularity growing in the marketplace at the present time?
By utilizing 2D barcode technology, companies create richer data records that move with items through the supply chain, from manufacturing to retail shelf.  One of the most significant benefits of 2D technology is efficiency.  Because two-dimensional barcodes contain the data rather than acting as a lookup key, complete data for each item is available as needed throughout the supply pipeline.  This increases productivity, improves accuracy and lowers costs.  Another significant benefit of 2D technology is reliability.  In addition to product information, error correction formulas can be built into a 2D barcode so that even if the barcode is torn or damaged, the information is still available. 

This technology’s popularity is skyrocketing today for two primary reasons.  The first is that 2D barcodes are a reliable, cost-effective AIDC solution, particularly when information and label real estate are both at a premium.  The second is that the performance-to-cost ratio of today’s imagers makes 2D scanning completely accessible to all customers.  Today’s imagers not only decode 1D barcodes as quickly as laser-based scanners, they outperform laser-based scanners by reading 2D barcodes and allowing omnidirectional scanning for less hand strain and faster scanning.

Are there still opportunities for growth in the area of 2D technology?  What types ofopportunities are available?

As businesses grow, their information needs grow.  Many companies would love to increase the amount of data that moves with objects through the enterprise, but until now, the high cost of adding 2D technology was an obstacle to advancing their AIDC solution.  Janam’s 2D Firmware Upgrade is designed to give customers the freedom and flexibility to add 2D scanning to any XP Series product at any time.   As companies realize that they can buy a 1D scanning ready imager in a mobile computer today, and then, at a later date, upgrade that same imager to read 2D barcodes without ripping out their existing mobile computing hardware, they will increasingly utilize data-rich 2D barcodes throughout their operations.

The benefits of knowing more about items on hand extend to all companies in all industries.  In healthcare, caregivers benefit by knowing much more about the medications they administer.  In logistics, parcel companies know much more about the boxes moving through their distribution center.  In retail, receivers understand much more about the inventory they put into their warehouses.  One of the reasons that 2D technology will continue to explode in usage as the price point of 2D-capable mobile computing hardware comes down is that every customer wants to know more about what is moving through their enterprise.  The advantages that 2D technology presents have universal appeal.