User guide

128 which supports both upper and lower case characters, all numbers and

many of the special characters.

How Should I Label My Items?

Just as every location should have a barcode, each individual piece of inventory

needs a barcode. We suggest that you print your item numbers on labels and put

them on each individual item before they are put away in their final location on a

shelf. You get the same time saving and accuracy benefits from labeling

inventory items as you get from labeling the locations, but on a greater scale.

Sometimes it is not feasible to have a label on each piece of inventory because

the item is too small. In this case, put the item barcode on the container the item

is stored in on the shelf. The label should have the item name as well as a

number representing the item encoded as a barcode as in the example shown

below:

It is important not to use a text description or abbreviation as the item number

because a numbering scheme is more flexible and easier to encode to a small

barcode. Most labeling software can be set up to use a number for the barcode

and to print the description or item name under the barcode. InventoryControl

allows you to print your item barcodes as the inventory comes in or pre-print

barcodes to apply. The specific numbering scheme you use to identify the items

can start at 1000 and count up, if that is what you want. Some companies assign

all or part of the SKU number they are issued as the item number. Because item

models may change over time or sub-models may become available, you may

need to use a numbering scheme that can adapt without losing the item’s

identity. Many companies allow gaps in the numbering scheme to allow for this

growth and for changes. For instance one item number is 19500 and another is

19600. When an optional feature is added to the 19500 it is assigned 19510

since both are kept in inventory. The 19600 item is discontinued and another

model takes its place and is assigned 19601. This way, the 195xx line of

products is maintained and are easily identified with each other. If you pick a

numbering scheme and stick to it you will find that you start to recognize the

numbersaseasilyasthenames.

Recommended Barcode Ranges

Barcode Label Range

Sites 100-199

Manufacturers 500-599

Suppliers 1000-2000

Items 20000 and up

Figure 8