Barcodes provide that extra security of knowing important details about a product

So one day, you visit a grocery store and you purchase a bag of coffee beans and a bottle of your favorite wine. You go through the drill — you read the ingredients, the expiration dates and the how-tos. You do a quick glance at the price, too. And then you see the seemingly random lines with numbers. Finally, you head to the counter and they ring up your purchases. Of course, you know that was the barcode at work. But how does a seemingly mundane random lines called barcode affect our daily lives? What language does the barcode speak? Is there a need to elevate the discussion on the barcode?

The inventor of the barcode, Norman Joseph Woodland, drew the first barcode in the sand after a student, Bernard Silver, had told Woodland about a conversation he overheard regarding the need for instantaneous capturing of product information, especially in supermarkets, where lines can get long at the check-out counters. Woodland and Silver applied for a patent in 1949.

The first barcode was scanned from a pack of gum at a supermarket in Ohio in the year 1974! Word has it that a pack of gum was deliberately chosen to be scanned to check if even the tiniest of items can contain powerful information through the barcode.

So how does a barcode work? Do barcodes come in other shapes and sizes?

The random lines are for something. These lines make up for a pattern that can be easily read by a machine. The black and white lines of the barcode represent characters which forms an algorithm. Barcodes contain information relative to the product. When scanned, these barcodes reflect the information needed.

There are different types of barcodes. The 1D code is linear and is what you typically see in products. 1D code have several types, too. Depending on the type, a 1D code can contain numbers or other characters.

The other type is the 2D code, a two-dimensional code which is commonly used too, nowadays. Unlike the zebra lines of the 1D code, the 2D code consists of black and white squares. The 2D code can hold more information and because of its compact design, it will not take much space when printed.

1D and 2D codes can store pertinent information needed to streamline and organize an inventory. Imagine, with such black and white lines and boxes, there is no need to manually input data and go awry with stock keeping. With a mere scan, retailers can easily know the product number, number of stocks available or if there is a missing one in the inventory.

With 2D codes, more information can be placed and included such as addresses, ingredients and other product details! In this day and age, one can also use his mobile phone to scan a barcode to check the traceability and authenticity of a product.

Human error is inevitable and keeping records can go awry. Barcodes provide that extra security of knowing important details about a product. Doing business has become faster and more efficient because of the use of barcodes. Other vital information such as the origin and authenticity of a product that can be placed in barcodes makes these black and white stripes and boxes invaluable in the way we do business. More than anything else, traceability and authenticity are important for businessmen and consumers.

Barcodes have been proven cost-effective because of its streamlining function. According to sources, there are up to billions of savings in the retail industry because of the reliability of barcodes in keeping the supply chain organized and in order.

Barcodes are not only used in industries such as manufacturing and retail. Barcodes have also proven to be very invaluable in the healthcare industry as well. With the use of barcodes in the healthcare industry, patient safety is prioritized and put in high premium. Imagine the thousands of medical products available! From medicines, healthcare tools and medical procedures, a barcode can be used to track drug information and patient information, significant in making sure that no specimen is erroneously exchanged for another or a wrong dosage is given.

The GS1 is an organization that provides global standards to businesses all over the world, one of which is the barcode.

In the Philippines, we have the GS1 Philippines, where I sit as chairman and together with our 4,000 strong membership, we promote ease of doing business using the language of business — the barcode. GS1 Philippines aims to improve the lives of the people by developing and implementing an integrated system of global standards.

The GS1 Philippines is a non-profit, user-driven and is willing to work with government and other stakeholders to create an ecosystem where standards are used efficiently and effectively.

I realize that barcodes can do much more than the many aforementioned benefits. Barcodes can also help us with trade facilitation across borders, not to mention an efficient inventory management for users.

A call for a seamless exchange of goods and services among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had been actively discussed and worked on through the years. I believe that as we globalize and venture into more markets, even the ones untapped, it is fitting that the ASEAN should adopt a unique identifier for trade items and services. This unique identifier will promote a seamless exchange in the ASEAN while protecting consumers across all borders, no holds barred.

A regional dialogue is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of trade facilitation in the ASEAN and how a system, by the use of barcodes, can help bridge the gap to better doing business in a major economic region such as the ASEAN.

This year, the ASEAN GS1 shall hold a summit which I will host to finally craft its roadmap and agree to a single unifier system.

I hope that the next time you see the zebra lines when purchasing that bag of coffee beans or that coveted book can lead you to thinking that there is a bigger system behind the barcode. That it does not only help inventory but doing business in general and consumer protection, most importantly.

We should utilize an establish system like barcodes to help us communicate what the world needs – a place where we can live safely and efficiently.