Using GS1 QR Code For Parts And Components Tracking
Tracking and managing the supply chain is the most essential part of any modern business. The slightest error or mismanagement can lead to delayed shipments, quality control issues, and potential safety hazards.
Regular tracking methods such as manual data entry or barcodes are time-consuming and offer limited traceability. This indicates the need for an advanced tracking system that ensures transparency across the board.
Here, we are talking about the GS1 QR code for parts and components. This simple innovation works like a digital tag that tracks and organizes all of your component data as they move along the supply chain.
Let's see what GS1 QR codes are, how they track parts and components, and what benefits they provide to your business.
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What is the Role of a GS1 QR Code for Parts and Components?
The GS1 barcode standardizes information sharing. They help unrelated businesses in a supply chain exchange information by using GS1-compliant systems to decode the data.
Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes are the next evolution in barcoding. These 2D barcodes allow partners within the supply chain to share large quantities of data. Besides, they are easy to scan and versatile. One GS1 QR code can share B2B and B2C information without crossover.
After using one-dimensional (1D) barcodes for five decades, the world's leading retail and consumer brands are rapidly adopting this technology and supporting the transition to GS1-compliant QR codes.
This rapid adoption means businesses within the supply chain should transition to the GS1 QR code to retain relevancy. GS1 QR code for tracking has multiple applications. However, in the supply chain, the GS1 QR code enables businesses to track and trace parts and components -- in real time.
Beyond the coordinates and transit route, the data includes expiration dates, batch and lot details, details on the origin, and serial numbers.
How Can Your Business Benefit From the GS1 QR Code?
Knowing where parts and components are can help your business allocate resources and enhance productivity. It can also allow you to communicate with others in the supply chain, passing on the benefit of effective resource allocation.
Therefore, the advantages of incorporating GS1 QR codes in your processes include traceability, transparency, and quality control.
Enhance Traceability
Your business can track the origin of the parts and components. The traceability data on the GS1 QR code for parts and components can include EPCIS data and information like batch and lot numbers, serial numbers, expiration dates, and recall details. Therefore, your business will know where the parts are and when to expect them to reach you.
Guarantee Transparency
Because GS1-compliant barcodes standardize the information businesses provide, there's increased transparency. You gain details about the manufacturing and transit process of the parts and components you're using.
Improve Quality Control
If you're a manufacturing business, you can guarantee that the parts you use in production or manufacturing meet your quality control standards. Turning to the GS1 data will reveal whether the part is under recall. This information allows you to isolate those components or refuse delivery to ensure they don't end up on your production line.Better Scheduling
Because of the data you access through GS1 QR code for parts and components, you can schedule your transit routes better, accurately communicate timelines with supply chain partners, and redistribute resources in anticipation of the shipment arriving.Allocate Resources Effectively
To access the benefits of GS1 QR codes, you must analyze data and then use that data in decision-making.For example, tracking and tracing data will help you allocate more resources to a warehouse or depot if you know when the parts are arriving or whether they are en route. You can also organize your logistics with accurate information about the shipment size, etc.
Cross-Channel Communication
Cross-channel communication is the backbone of any successful supply chain. Effective collaboration between suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and retailers is essential to prevent any disruptions and ensure smooth operations. GS1 retail barcodes serve as a digital bridge that facilitates real-time information sharing between all stakeholders.For example, if there is a need for a product recall, a manufacturer can quickly update the QR code with relevant details, alerting everyone in the supply chain instantly.
Reduce Bottlenecks
Your business will be able to predict bottlenecks using previous data. Then, using that data, you can reduce the chance of bottlenecks by optimizing your business practices.Component Safety
Tracking parts and components is extremely important for a secure supply chain process. Statistics show that businesses lose $ 100 billion every year due to goods disappearing in the supply chain.A strong traceability system supported by the GS1 QR code for logistics and supply chain can locate the exact position of any item and monitor its movement in the supply chain process. This ensures product safety and avoids any costly disruptions.
Essentially, having access to the quantity of high-quality data on GS1 QR code for parts and components guarantees that your business remains productive. It ensures you're allocating resources adequately and maximizing your available resources.
Beyond that, it also improves your scheduling, giving supply chain partners realistic timeframes about when to expect the parts you're shipping.
Tracking Parts and Components Using QR Codes: A Step-by-Step Guide
To make the best decisions for your business, you need accurate data. Knowing where parts and components are within the supply chain will transform your decision-making process.
Rather than playing a guessing game and creating multiple contingency strategies, a GS1 QR code for logistics and supply chain ensures you have up-to-the-minute data about the parts, where they are, and pertinent information dating back to the production process.
How to Track Parts Before They're in Your Possession
There are two steps to tracking parts and components in manufacturing and logistics. The first is before products enter your possession. The second is once they're in transit from your location.Step 1: Ensure Your Suppliers are Using GS1-compliant QR Codes
You can only track parts and components using GS1 technology if suppliers use GS1 standards. Thankfully, most of those in the formal sector use the tech. Therefore you shouldn't encounter any problems.
What if Suppliers Aren't Using 2D Barcodes?
If suppliers aren't using GS1 2D barcode technology, that's fine. They can share the GS1 links they're creating in their portal with you. Then, you can use this data to create a corresponding QR code using a GS1 QR code generator.
Furthermore, if suppliers aren't using 2D tech, you should encourage them to use QR codes for logistics operations because 1D barcodes will be obsolete by 2027. They won't lose any of GS1's existing standardized procedures. Instead, they will gain several more key features.
Step 2: Contact Suppliers and Ask that They Share the QR Code
If your suppliers use 2D technology, ask them to share the QR code for logistics after generating it to ensure you can track and trace the parts.
Step 3: Scan and Track Components
You can scan and track the components after receiving the QR code. Navigate to the relevant GS1 data before making informed decisions on how to allocate resources.
How to Track Parts Once They're in Transit from Your Warehouse
When products reach your possession, you're responsible for updating relevant data. Keeping the information up-to-date ensures retailers, manufacturers, and automotive partners in your supply chain can make data-driven decisions.
Step 1: Create Relevant GS1 Links
If you're managing the transit process for a part or component, it may not be necessary to add or create relevant GS1 links. Instead, you can update shipping data using EPCIS, giving supply chain partners applicable information.
However, if you modify the part or component in any way, it's up to your business to update relevant GS1 links and create new ones that include pertinent information.
Step 2: Generate a GS1 QR Code for Parts and Components
Once you update the GS1 links, it's time to enter those into the GS1-compliant QR code generator you're using and generate a GS1 QR code. Doing this allows other partners in the supply chain to track the part, product, or component.
Step 3: Share with Partners in the Supply Chain
When you were the one anticipating the information, you were anticipating details about the shipment. Those further in the supply chain are also eager to receive information.
Therefore, share the QR code with your business to ensure you inform them about the transit times and schedule. Send an email with the QR code to all those involved. These partners can now track the products.
Step 4: Encourage Teams to Update Data Accordingly
If anything changes about the part or component, encourage the relevant teams to update the information accordingly. Remember, what happens next is primarily out of your hands once the part exits your premises.
To ensure brands, manufacturers, and other partners in the supply chain can make informed decisions, you need to update the GS1 data as necessary.
Remember, GS1 QR codes are only as effective as the data they encode. If the data is obsolete or incorrect, the code can't change that fact. Instead, transmitting outdated information can have potentially catastrophic results.
Takeaway
Tracking parts and components is a crucial aspect of supply chain management that improves productivity and maintains transparency. Traditional methods often fall short of providing accurate and up-to-date information, which is necessary for smooth business operations.
GS1 QR codes for parts and components can offer unprecedented benefits for your business. From improving traceability, quality control, and resource allocation to component safety, the QR codes help you manage your business operations better with real-time data.
If you are a business owner who needs an all-in-one solution for supply chain traceability, go for QR TIGER. As one of the most advanced GS1 QR code generators, it has all the features that give you a competitive edge in supply chain management.
