DC Velocity - IdeaBook 2014

“In the retail and automobile industries, there is no one-size-fits-all [set of rules],” he reports.

Verb points out that most large retailers have created guides or online portals that spell out the details of their bar-code compliance programs. But it’s not enough for logistics managers to familiarize themselves with the requirements, he cautions. They also have to ensure the information is passed on to the appropriate people in their companies. While this might seem obvious, that’s actually where a lot of companies stumble, Verb says. “In most cases, the right individuals within the organization are not provided with the necessary information to facilitate compliance.”

2 Clean and check printers regularly. Companies that use thermal transfer or direct thermal printers should
make sure the print heads are cleaned regularly to ensure
high-quality bar-code printing. Verb says he often sees
printing problems crop up in the fourth quarter of the year,
when suppliers are rushing to fill end-of-the-year orders
and let maintenance slide. “As volume goes up, mainte-
nance drops off,” he says. “We see issues because print
heads aren’t replaced or maintained.”
Operations that use thermal transfer printers, which use
heat to transfer carbon from a ribbon to a label, should
also be sure their ribbons are inspected on a periodic basis.
Householder recommends cleaning the print head each
time the ribbon is changed. After any ribbon change, he
adds, users should run a print test to ensure a quality repro-
duction of the symbol.

3 Resist the temptation of low-cost materials. Experts say they often see suppliers try to save money by buying cheaper printing materials only to encounter problems down the road. For example, Householder recalls a company that bought cheap label stock but soon discovered the adhesive on the label backs didn’t stick very well.

Companies using direct thermal printers in hot and humid environments must be especially careful to use good label stock, Householder says. These types of printers use heat to activate the chemical in the label stock (hence no ribbon). But in areas with high temperatures, chemical stability can become a concern, particularly if the printed labels are meant to have a long shelf life, according to Householder.

“The printing disappears because the thermal-sensitive coating turns dark,” he says.

4 Double-check label placement before shipping. Because fixed bar-code scanners on sortation systems are set up
to read labels in specific box locations, an improper place-
ment can cause a “mis-read.”
“Placement of labels is critical nowadays,” says Verb.
“Each company is different. Macy’s might have different
requirements from Saks. It’s important to train warehouse
associates to check to see that the labels are in the proper
location.”

5 Use a verifier to test your bar-code labels. To avoid the risk of an out-of-compliance code, companies can test their labels themselves with a bar-code verifier, a device that analyzes codes for readability and accuracy. For example, a verifier can be used to determine whether the spacing between bar-code lines complies with established standards.

Verifiers can also “grade” the quality of the bar code reproduced on the label. “Just because the bar code looks good to the human eye doesn’t mean it will scan,” warns Denise Neumann, a senior account consultant with Bar Code Integrators Inc., a firm that offers bar-code compliance services.

Since bar-code standards are updated regularly, industry experts also urge companies to check periodically with their respective industry associations and with GS1 (Global Standards One), the international organization that sets bar-code standards.

“These standards are complex and continue to evolve,” says John M. Hill, a director with warehouse consultancy St. Onge Co. “Given increasing regulatory and market pressures for compliance, it’s imperative that suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors take the steps necessary to assure that they are on the right page.” c

Editor’s note: For a more in-depth look at bar-code compliance, see the book Bar Code Compliance Labeling for the Supply Chain: How to Do It by Jim Dooley and Rick Bushnell.