Applications for 2D Codes

By Fraser Ross

Question: What applications can I use a 2-D barcode for?

Answer: This is a question that many companies are dealing with currently. In the HVTO industry, many companies are up-grading their post-processing operations to include the new generation of intelligent inserters. These inserters offer features that will allow document tracking and verification tools. Because that requires many more characters than the previously used hash marks or Code39 linear codes, 2D codes are the most common choice.

2D barcodes such as PDF417 and Datamatrix have the ability to code so much information into a small space that potential applications are open to user’s imagination. We have customers that use 2D for tracking misprints on mail, coupons via direct mail, security applications for encrypted data and internal document tracking. Another very powerful use could be for direct mail fulfillment. All customer data could be included in a mail piece, and on the return portion. Using 2D to encode the data would eliminate re-keying of customer information on the return.

In the past year, I have seen many companies make use of 2D codes for bill payment and processing. These companies are getting rid of the OCR line that appears on many statements such as credit cards and power bills. Use of 2D codes are so much more reliable that the time savings to process these bills makes the choice of a 2D code easy.

When you consider the saving potential for many areas of your company, it is possible that the elimination of re-keying and the errors associated with it, that alone offers a positive ROI for choosing 2D. As you can see, 2D barcoding can replace many types of barcodes, as well as opening up a vast array of possibilities for creative uses in your company.

You can read more about 2D symbologies by reading my archives by pressing here.

For more information on the exciting technology, please call Fraser Ross at 888-999-COPI ext fr.