What is a barcode verifier?

Information printed in barcode format is required to comply with rigid standards. These apply to the precision of the printing, and can be affected by printing errors which make black portions of the printed code wider or thinner than they should be. Checking a newly printed barcode with a conventional barcode reader provides a good measure of protection against printing errors, but readers are designed to read poorly printed labels, so a good read is no proof of compliance.

Why Barcode verification?

When the barcode is to be read by another organisation, then there can be serious consequences when a printer begins to drift out of specification. In some cases contracts stipulate hefty fines, and suppliers can be subject to fines of $5000 or more if product is shipped with barcoded labels which are out of specification. And this above and beyond the inefficiency and inconvenience arising from the end user's inability to read the barcodes. A barcode verifier should be incorporated as a normal part of any quality assurance programme. Unfortunately, we often find that although great care is taken in inspecting and testing what goes into the box, sometimes less attention is given to the barcoded labels that go onto the box.

To protect against these problems, barcodes can be tested with specialised equipment - a bar code verifier. The user scans the subject barcode, and the verifier makes a number of measurements, and provides a read-out to indicate the quality of the barcode being tested.

Barcode Verifier - set QC8501 Hand Held Products	Barcode Verifier - body QC8501 Hand Held Products

In dealing with barcode printing problems for our clients, SageData have selected the QC8501 verifier from Hand Held Products as our verifier of choice.

First Impressions

The system consists of a main display module, and a tethered barcode reader. See picture. The controls are very simple: a power button, four arrows keys for moving up, down, right and left, and a second button enabling the user to [select] an option. A monochrome screen provides four lines of text output, and five LEDs, three green, two red, provide additional output.

Setup

Set up is very simple, connect the reader, turn it on.

Operation

Very simple to use. Scan the barcode, note the reading.

Pros

A very simple unit to set up and use

Cons

We sometimes find that readings vary slightly from one scan to the next. We recommend taking several readings.

Recommendations

This is a good product, easy to set up and use. We have had good feedback from our clients, and these units appear to be reliable.

Questions?

Call Doreen Wallace or Trinity Joseph at 613 225 4404, or email to info@sagedata.com

For more information, or to ask a detailed question, contact SageData directly.

To reach us by phone from Ottawa, dial 613 225 4404
To reach us by phone from outside Ottawa, dial 1-888-838-1067

© SageData . Ottawa . Ontario . Canada