What is the role of barcodes in supply chain management?

Barcodes play a crucial role in supply chain management by providing a quick and efficient way to track products as they move through the supply chain. They allow companies to easily identify products, record information about them, and track their movements. In a supply chain, barcodes are often used to track items as they are received into a warehouse, picked and packed for shipment, and delivered to customers. When a product is received into a warehouse, the barcode on the product is scanned and the information is recorded into the company's inventory management system.

This allows the company to quickly and accurately update their inventory records, which helps them manage their stock levels and ensure they always have the right products on hand to meet customer demand. As products are picked and packed for shipment, the barcodes on the products are scanned again. This allows the company to track which products are being sent to which customers, and to ensure that the correct products are being shipped.

When a product is delivered to a customer, the barcode on the product is scanned again, and the information is recorded. This helps to ensure that the customer receives the correct product and that the delivery can be tracked. Barcode also can be used for the traceability of products, which is very important in some industries, like food and pharmaceuticals. Barcodes provide a simple and efficient way to track products throughout the supply chain, which helps companies to improve their inventory management, customer service, and overall supply chain efficiency.