S4T: Using a GS1 QR Code for Supply Chain Distribution
Distribution systems today are under increasing pressure. Deliveries are expected to be faster, more accurate, and fully traceable at every stage. To support this demand, logistics teams need better access to delivery-related information, right when it’s needed.
While still widely used, the traditional linear barcode can no longer meet these expectations. It carries only a single piece of information, usually a product identifier, and does not support real-time updates or additional supply chain data.
This is where 2D barcodes offer a practical upgrade. The technology itself isn’t new, but how it’s being applied today is.
Using a GS1 QR code for supply chain distribution, through what is known as the Scan4Transport standard, builds on the same scanning processes already used in warehouses and logistics. The difference is that this format allows more data to travel with each product
What is Scan4Transport (S4T)?
Scan4Transport, or S4T for short, is a global standard created by GS1. Its purpose is simple but highly practical: to encode transport and logistics data into a 2D barcode, such as a GS1 Digital Link QR Code or DataMatrix, and apply that barcode directly to freight. This includes cartons, pallets, and individual parcels.
The idea was championed by GS1’s Global Working Group, led by Michiel Ruighaver of GS1 Australia. They started the project in early 2019, and by August 2020, the standard was officially ratified.
This wasn’t done in isolation. The group included operators like AusPost, DHL, Correios Brazil, VT Freight Express, along with shippers, solution providers, and GS1 organizations from over 22 countries
Instead of relying on printed labels that require manual reading or interpretation, S4T shifts important delivery data into a format that machines can read instantly. That includes addresses, routing instructions, delivery conditions, and more.
It’s built for real-world logistics, from the first mile through warehouse sortation to the final doorstep. This standard enables faster scans, fewer errors, and improved handoffs between logistics systems, even when those systems don’t speak the same language.
At its core, S4T replaces static, human-readable text with structured, machine-readable data. This gives carriers and shippers the ability to access delivery-critical information instantly.
How Scan4Transport works
Goods travel through several stages before they reach their destination:
- First Mile — from the manufacturer or seller to a warehouse or distribution center.
- Middle Mile — bulk transport between facilities, such as from a central warehouse to a regional hub.
- Last Mile — the final leg from a local hub to the recipient’s address.
- Reverse Logistics — handling returns, damaged goods, or items sent back for recycling.
With Scan4Transport, a 2D barcode carries all the key delivery details: full addresses, delivery time windows, handling instructions, and safety flags, all formatted using GS1 Application Identifiers (AI). These are standardized tags that tell scanners exactly what each piece of data means.
At each stage, the label is scanned:
- At the loading dock during the first mile
- In sorting hubs during the middle mile
- At the point of handoff in the last mile
- Even during returns in reverse logistics
Each scan instantly displays the structured data on the label itself, ensuring visibility even if the backend system is slow or unavailable.
Amazon's Advanced Inventory Tracking
The data from these scanners uploads in real-time, giving managers a live view of inventory across the entire supply chain. If one warehouse runs low, they can quickly transfer stock from another location.
This precise tracking helps Amazon manage over 1,200 tons of goods daily, ensuring smooth operations and timely deliveries.
Just-in-Time Delivery Success
Precise inventory tracking is essential for just-in-time delivery systems, which aim to have items arrive at warehouses, stores, and customer doorsteps exactly when needed, with no excess. GS1 QR codes play a key role in this process by labeling each shipment with essential details.As trucks unload, scanners read the GS1 QR codes to verify the contents, ensuring everything is accounted for. These codes then track the items through packing, shipping, and final delivery, catching any discrepancies immediately. This approach saves space, reduces costs, and enhances efficiency across global distribution networks.
By using the GS1 QR code for supply chain management and logistics, every part of the supply chain gains real-time visibility into inventory levels, which is crucial for the success of just-in-time logistics.
Enhancing Shipment Visibility
QR codes for logistics attached to shipments provide real-time status updates as packages travel through supply chains. This ensures that transporters and customers stay informed about cargo locations, improving reliability.During peak demand periods, like the pandemic, contactless order selection using mobile QR scanning streamlined distribution. For example, Shipt shoppers used PackageX technology to quickly select contactless orders, enhancing safety.
Standardizing Identification with GS1
GS1's universal standards for GS1 product identification are globally recognized, facilitating easy technology interoperability and supporting global commerce. Consistent GS1 identifiers enable seamless process digitization and provide central network visibility for better real-time management.Streamlining Adoption with Existing Technology
Smartphones have facilitated the widespread adoption of scanning by integrating it into devices people already use, eliminating the need for separate scanners. This integration optimizes existing IT investments and centralizes network visibility.Hybrid Solutions for Fail-Safe Tracking
Combining barcode labels with RFID technology offers reliable tracking through reliable data. Hybrid monitoring approaches enhance supply chain integrity by combining tracking statistics from interconnected systems.Benefits of Integrating GS1 QR Codes for Logistics and Scanning Technologies
Integrating scanning technologies across the supply network offers significant advantages for improving distribution accuracy and efficiency:Optimizing Operations
Scanning integration can streamline workflows and reduce human errors, potentially cutting supply chain costs by up to 15%. These savings can be reinvested to strengthen interconnectivity.Enhancing Customer Experiences
Informed Decision-Making
Scanning data provides insights into schedules, routes, and timings, enabling proactive adjustments to enhance functionality.Real-Time Visibility
Using GS1 QR codes for supply chain distribution connects scan data between partners, offering real-time progress updates and allowing prompt issue resolution to maintain smooth coordination.The benefits are clear: integrated scanning improves accuracy, operational functionality, and customer satisfaction, boosting overall distribution performance.
Considerations for Adoption Of Scanning Technology
Successful adoption of new scanning technologies requires careful planning. Key factors to consider include:Assess Current Capabilities
Evaluate existing GS1 digital link QR code workflows to identify strengths and areas needing improvement in throughput, precision, or scalability. Ensure new solutions integrate seamlessly with current systems.Define Clear Integration Objectives
Set specific, measurable goals such as faster scanning, reduced errors, or better tracking. Clear objectives help in selecting the right technology.Select Compatible Innovations
Choose solutions that directly address your goals and integrate well with your systems. Opt for technologies that incrementally improve capabilities with minimal risk.Training of Teams
Provide comprehensive training to ensure staff adapt to new technologies smoothly. Useful change management is crucial to prevent adoption challenges due to skill gaps.By assessing current systems, defining clear objectives, selecting suitable innovations, and training teams, organizations can enhance their distribution operations for sustained success.
A Bright Future For All Stakeholders With GS1 QR Code For Supply Chain Distribution
Integrating the GS1 QR code for supply chain distribution reshapes logistics with greater accuracy, visibility, and efficiency. By using these advanced scanning technologies, businesses can track shipments in real time, streamline inventory management, and enhance customer experiences.
GS1 QR codes facilitate global standardization and interoperability, making it easier for companies to manage and coordinate their supply chains. As technology evolves, these innovations promise to further improve operations and customer satisfaction.
Adopting GS1 QR codes can provide significant benefits, from optimizing inventory levels to ensuring reliable delivery tracking. Embracing this technology will help businesses stay competitive and fulfill the demands of the global marketplace.
If your company is ready to take advantage of the accuracy, visibility and control a GS1 QR code generator can bring to your inventory tracking and supply chain management.
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