Is the source of a product stored in the bar code?

Yes it can be based on the code and its source and destination (based customer)

Example in a retail environment (point of sale or POS) we scan and usually identify a product using an 8- or 13-digit GTIN. This is then displayed in a GS1 barcode - also known as an EAN-8 or EAN-13 barcode.

However, as most profits come in "packs or pack sizes, cartons, slabs or shrink wrap" the out case is barcoded. For cases scanned in a warehouse or distribution centre we may use any of the following coding symbols - depending on the type of outer case packaging material or the type of information required by our trading partners. These can include:

EAN-13

This is for printing on a separate case label OR for direct printing on to high quality casing material.

✓ This barcode will also scan at point of sale.

ITF-14

This is for printing directly on to poor quality case material such as fibreboard and certain types of cardboard.

X This barcode will normally not scan at point of sale.

GS1-128

This enables us to encode additional information such as best before dates or batch numbers, as well as the GTIN. It can also represent other types of GS1 identification numbers, such as SSCCs.

X This barcode will not normally scan at point of sale.

Logistics units and pallets

These are identified with an SSCC usually encoded in a GS1-128 barcode - and then printed in a standard GS1 Logistics Label.

Trading partners will normally ask/instruct on the type of BC to use, its contact and even locator ob the item or packaging.

In many cases a UPC is used - This means Universal Product Code however, in some cases we have to use unique codes which will be between the supplier and the user . i.e in some cases a product is branded specifically for a company, its contact is a registered item for that company to sell. It would not appear in a competitor at all.

The basic numbering on a code is as follows (as a graphic cannot be added here)

The code is represented

S LLLLLL M RRRRRR E, where S (start), M (middle), and E (end) g the L (left) and R (right) sections collectively represent the 12 numerical digits that make each UPC-A unique

Therefore if each letter above represented a number then :-

The first six numbers of the barcode is the manufacturer's identification number (the product source). The next five digits represent the item's number (used by both retailer and supplier to identify what the item is. The last number is called a check digit which enables the scanner to determine if the barcode was scanned correctly.

Note in areas such as retail a barcode may look the same on visually the same looking items (example - Baked Beans) However, the the five digit code may change by one digit for standard tin 7oz beans, standard tin 7oz beans with buy one get one free offer , standard tin 7oz beans with money off next purchase and so on