Source: Pageloot

If you’re in the business of keeping track of a gazillion inventories or stock, skip barcodes, QR Codes are where it’s at. Sure, if you have a small shop with just a few things, barcodes might be okay. But for anyone who needs serious tracking power that is safe and secure, QR Codes are the real deal for the following reasons:

Isn’t it fantastic that almost everyone owns a smartphone now? The number of smartphone users has been growing consistently for fifteen years and is expected to hit an all-time high of 6.4 billion users in 2029.

Today’s warehousing and inventory employees are comfortable using their mobile devices to access inventory data, making QR Code scanning a familiar and straightforward process.

For example, a grocery store’s team member restocking shelves can quickly scan the QR Code on a cereal box using their smartphone. This automatically logs the new stock into the inventory system, removing the need to manually enter the product name, quantity, and expiration date, saving time and effort.

Source: Pinterest

Whether you’re selling clothes, groceries, the latest gadgets, or an automobile, you can customize QR Codes for different products. Customization could include anything – from adding your brand logo and colors to changing patterns, frames, and labels. This helps rapid visual identification and streamlined sorting, enhancing your business and boosting productivity within your industrial warehouse.

A clothing store can use QR Codes with different colors or embedded data depending on the product category. This helps with easy sorting within the stockroom. For instance, red QR Codes might indicate dresses, while blue ones signify shirts, making it easier for employees to identify and locate specific items.

Source: Vogue

Once you scan the QR Code, your inventory system updates in real-time, reflecting the current stock level. This lets you make informed decisions about restocking, promotions, and fulfilling customer orders without relying on potentially outdated data. This transparency helps you track inventory movement, optimize operational decisions, and build customer trust.

Let’s take a pharmaceutical company, for example. The company can use QR Codes on medication bottles. Scanning the code at various stages, such as receiving shipments, dispensing individual doses, and discarding expired medication, provides real-time updates on the inventory levels and ensures accurate medication tracking throughout the supply chain. This helps prevent medication shortages and ensures patient safety.

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Other benefits of QR Codes include:

• The ability to scan and use easily
• Cost-friendly
• Some QR Code Generators offer advanced security, such as SSO login, multi-factor authentication, etc.
• Fast automation
• Simple troubleshooting

With QR Codes, you can radically simplify your inventory management process and make product tracking hassle-free. What’s more? A secure and safe QR Code generator can help you access product details about each item and location information for easy tracking in your warehouse without compromising your and your business’s safety.

Here are five reasons why QR Codes should be used for inventory management:

1. Enhanced Efficiency and Space Optimization

Like we said earlier, QR Codes can store far more data in a smaller format than barcodes. They also let you encode detailed product information directly on the packaging. And it’s also why there’s no need for bulky labels, as QR Codes simplify the labeling process and maximize space utilization.

2. Easy to Scan and Economically Viable

Your smartphones can read and scan QR Codes in minutes, eliminating the need for you to buy a separate scanner. They’re also easier to use, even if the code is slightly damaged or not aligned properly.

3. Increased Data Reliability

QR Codes are incredibly resilient and can endure up to 30% of damage, scratches, and exposure to harsh environments. This means you can confidently capture data, even in the most demanding industrial warehouse settings. This minimizes the need for re-scanning and reduces the potential for errors.

4. Integrate With Your Existing Systems and Processes Swiftly

QR Codes get along well with most inventory management software, removing any major systemic overhauls. You can also scan existing barcodes to automatically generate corresponding QR Codes. This can then be linked to product information within your business for easy scanning. This promises a smooth transition and reduces disruption to your existing workflow.

5. Cloud-Based Accessibility and Collaboration

You can use QR Codes to store inventory data in the cloud, making it easier for warehouse staff to access the necessary information. This encourages improved collaboration across departments, facilitates informed decision-making, and removes the need for manual data entry, simplifying recordkeeping and boosting productivity.

We’ve established that QR Codes are an efficient tool for managing inventory, but implementing them for large quantities of products can be challenging. Here’s how you can set up a robust, enterprise-friendly QR Code system.

1. Generate QR Codes in Bulk

Source: Uniqode

Creating single QR Codes manually is impractical for an extensive inventory. You can instead generate bulk QR Codes to create and download multiple QR Codes at once, saving time. Bulk QR Code generators also support customization, which lets you integrate QR Codes into different products smoothly.

2. Use a QR Code API

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If your business uses a dedicated in-house app, you should consider using a QR Code API. This offers several advantages, such as dynamic QR Codes and real-time management for on-demand generation.

Source: Uniqode

Creating QR Codes is a cakewalk. Here’s a six-step process that’ll help you make QR Codes quickly:

Protip: We suggest you choose a dynamic QR Code Generator for better editing and tracking benefits than static ones.

• Now, choose an in-built template.
• Include product details, serial numbers, or location identifiers.
• You can customize and add your logo, colors, or style elements, such as frames, patterns, etc,for a personal touch.
• Test the QR Code for any final changes.
• Download and print the QR Codes for your inventory items.

Given the rapid pace at which industrial manufacturing has been transforming, efficiency is key. Every second matters, and delays in the production process can cost businesses time and money. And it’s why QR Codes come into the picture. Consider the above benefits, make the most out of QR Codes, and improve your warehouse & industrial inventory into a well-oiled machine.