The barcode is an essential technological element we encounter and interact with in everyday shopping life. Every product and good sold or rented - from apparel and clothing to library books and hospital patient cards - will accompany a barcode. A barcode is a machine-readable information (usually numbers, characters, or a combination of both) stored and printed visually in the form of parallel bars and spaces on an easily scannable surface. To access the data stored in a bar code, one needs a barcode scanner or similar device, from left to right.
No two barcodes are similar - which is why this tool finds wide-scale application in the retail industry (and associated others) to help determine accurate records, besides Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) sold. Invented by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver and later optimized by George Laurer into the popular form we know today, barcodes are ubiquitous. As much as having a barcode on products is essential today, the process of creating a barcode that aligns with the organization, industrial and international standards is equally important. Enter Barcode Software.
This blog highlights the features, advantages, and trends associated with barcode software, in addition to some of the best free and open source barcode software. So, do not wait any longer to increase your business strength. Read our free and open source barcode software blog, and make the right decision.
Types of Barcodes
Barcodes, despite their lookalike appearance, are unique. What is also important is that most barcode designs are according to technological specifications, international standards, and industry standards. Barcodes are of two fundamental types:
- 1D Barcode: Also called Linear Barcodes, these are the more traditional barcode formats, where information storage occurs in the varying width of bars and spaces. The length of the barcode determines the amount of information it holds. The drawback of 1D barcodes is that they can only store data between 8 and 15 characters. There are multiple subtypes of 1D barcodes, which are as follows:
- Universal Product Code (UPC)
- EAN
- Code 39
- Code 128
- Codabar
- ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5)
- Code93
- GS1 Databar
- MSI Plessey
- 2D Barcode: This variety of barcodes are square in design and have several internal symbols, all of varying shapes and sizes. They hold much more information than 1D barcodes per square area (2000 to 4000 alphanumeric capacity). The types of 2D barcodes are as follows:
- QR Codes
- DataMatrix Codes
- PDF417
- AZTEC
Challenges of NOT Using Barcodes
Barcodes are responsible for some of the most significant gains in inventory and warehouse management, besides other industries that depend on different references for maintaining products or assets. Some of the challenges associated with not using barcodes are as follows:
What is Barcode Software?
Barcode Software is a suite of digital tools that help create, assign, store, print, and manage barcodes of different types. Using barcoding software is not independent - it needs combination with appropriate hardware - printers, scanners, and supporting computers to present a complete solution to prospective buyers. Barcode software reduces the overall workforce and effort needed to record and administer inventory while at the same time increasing automation of repetitive tasks.
With barcoding software, creating and exporting barcodes in all formats and supporting file types becomes extremely simple. A relatively easy-to-use GUI and integration of third-party APIs make barcode generator software dependable.
The criticality of Barcode Software to Businesses
Just as digitized navigational systems are essential for modern transport, barcode solutions are crucial for businesses for various reasons.
First, Barcodes aid inventory management. Millions of products can be uniquely identified and grouped according to barcodes. It means avoiding the laborious process of manually assigning Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN).
Second, automation of the entire barcode creation process - from creation and printing to setting and record entry - is achievable. It results in process time, and cost efficiency gains.
Third, Barcodes are easy to track. So, recording all kinds of information - product type, price range, date of manufacture and expiry, number of unique entries, etc. - is achievable.
A searchable record of such information ensures that businesses can offer customers exactly what they are looking for from their inventory and facilitate detailed product movement analytics. The data available from the records can be the focal point of data analytics, which can tell companies about trends and product patterns that buyers prefer. The organizations can then plan sales and strategies around this insight.
Furthermore, barcode tools does not need to be an on-premise solution. Its cloud deployment models mean users can access the software remotely and use information from all over the globe concerning printing and labeling solutions. Finally, customizable barcodes can store a variety of information.
Industries that need Barcode Software
Barcodes are ubiquitous. With the rapid evolution of different barcodes and supporting systems, the need to have complementary software within many industries is also robust. Some of the most useful implementations of barcode system in industries including:
- Retail - Product labels ensure unique tracking and analysis
- Schools - Easy tracking of student records (performance grades, health, etc.) and physical assets (laptops, routers, kits, etc.)
- Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals - Quick access to patient records, correct tagging of medical supplies, Tracking of ingredients, etc.
- Inventory Management - Ensuring efficient Warehouse Management and product distribution, traceability, etc.
- Government Institutions - Efficient assignment, tracking of public assets
- Transport and Logistics - Delivery verification, courier tracking, etc.
- Entertainment - Selling of Merchandise, ticket allocation and tracking, entry management, etc.
Advanced Methods and Trends in Barcode Software
The significance of Barcodes continues to increase in the 21st century. With nearly every industry now dependent on enhanced tracking, remote access to data, and actionable insight, barcode scanners and software can provide the cutting edge for businesses to increase business productivity and conditional response. Some of the leading trends concerning Barcoding Software include:
- Healthcare - Patient tracking and emergency response assessment using barcode software. Wearable barcodes printed via barcoding software is one of the many applications in this field for quick patient diagnosis and record access.
- Shopping - Creation of Barcodes and QR codes scannable by mobile phones to help shoppers compare products, check-out favorites, and create loyalty.
- Inventory Management - Real-time data measurement and analysis to maintain manufacturing efficiency with remote solutions.
- Automation of several critical processes in creating, printing, and managing barcodes.
- Cloud-based barcode software models.
- Increased customizable printing and distribution of 2D barcode formats and labels.
- Artificial Intelligence in choosing templates for barcodes based on business.
Features of Barcode Software
The Ideal barcode software is not just about competitive advantage but process excellence too. Some of the best features of barcoding software are as follows:
Advantages of Barcode Software
Barcode software provides a competitive edge in most businesses and could reduce the gap to optimal efficiency in an organization that is retail product heavy. The most significant advantages of Barcode software are as follows:
Market Options in Barcode Software
The barcoding software market is replete with options - from free and open source barcode software to free barcode software to freemium and premium barcoding tools. The best tools are not only ones that fulfill budgetary goals but also feature-laden and easily implementable. Let us focus on some of the best free and open source barcode software below that will boost your business prospects.
Comparison Chart of the Best 7 Free and Open Source Barcode Software
*- Free Demo Available
#1 LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a free and open source desktop publishing software with a host of easily integrable barcode extensions, making it a free and open source barcode software. Various barcode formats such as Code 128, QR Codes, and Euro Office barcode extensions are readily available, facilitating the development and printing of barcodes for different business purposes. This barcode generator system can publish the barcode within databases, presentations, spreadsheets, and more. Apache LibreOffice finds implementation within multiple institutions - from government organizations to small and medium businesses. This free and open source barcode software runs on the Apache 2.0 License with a barcode software extension, version 4.1.7.
Source - LibreOffice
The best features of LibreOffice are as follows:
- Barcode Generation
- Barcode Scanning
- Custom Labels
- Label Templates
- Serial Number Tracking
#2 Zint Barcode Generator
Zint Barcode Generator is a free and open source barcode software. The free barcode generator software encodes data in over 40 different barcode formats, including 1D and 2D designs, such as EAN, Codes 39, 49, 93, GS-1 Databar, and Data Matrix, to name a few. The barcode generator software libraries also support gLabels. The barcode generator system supports user requests to switch ECI to Unicode characters, just as it automates FNC1 insertion into GS1. Supported barcode formats include PNG, BMP, PCX, and SVG, among others. Furthermore, the API, GUI, and CLI extensions allow easy calling from third-party applications.
Source - Zint
The features that make Zint’s Barcode generator software a must are as follows:
- Barcode Generation
- Custom Labels
- Label Printing
- Label Templates
- Serial Number Tracking
#3 Barcode & Label
Barcode and Label (My Barcode Software) is a free and open source barcoding software. The barcoding software allows users to publish barcodes into popular applications such as Word, Notepad, and more. The barcode generator software supports over 900 industry compliant barcode templates. Presently, the barcode generator system supports Code 39 and I2of5 formats. The open source barcode software also has extensions that help create and paste barcodes in ASP.NET applications (SmartCodeWebControl), application plug-ins for Apache’s OpenOffice (OO Barcode Extension), and control barcode fonts. The Window’s supported SmartCodeComponent supports even more barcode formats, both of 1D and 2D types.
Source - Barcode & Label
The best features of Barcode & Label are:
- Barcode Generation
- Barcode Scanning
- Custom Labels
- Inventory Management
- Label Printing
- Label Templates
- RFID Encoder
- Serial Number Tracking
#4 B-Coder
B-Coder is an open source barcoding software, with a free demo version available for download. The barcodes created by the barcode generation software are easy to transfer to other applications, notably Microsoft Word. The barcode tool saves barcode files in the jpg and png formats, while DDE integrations and extensions enhance the product’s functionality, especially for Word users, allowing easier production and sharing of barcodes application. Other tools that use the barcode generator software’s final products include label software and graphic tools. The Pro version of the barcode solution supports all forms of the 1D and 2D barcodes. B-Coder’s symbologies set allows users to create UPC barcodes for retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and supporting industries. The latest version of the software is 4.3, which supports QR code creation. Also, dedicated macros allow the automation of barcode creation and printing by the barcoding inventory software.
There are two versions of this open source barcode software - Lite and Pro. Windows 7 and 8 only support the latter.
Source - B-Coder
B-Coder’s unique feature sets for Barcoding include:
- Barcode Generation
- Barcode Scanning
- Custom Labels
- Label Templates
#5 Barcode Generator
Barcode Generator is a free barcode software. The barcode solution implements all types of 1D (linear) barcodes through an easy-to-navigate User Interface. Furthermore, previewing barcodes to manage spacing, font styles, height and width, colors, etc., is now possible via the barcode generator software. It also allows users to export and import data from and to various file formats to enhance the barcodes’ effectiveness while using data from secondary applications to create the required number and type of barcodes easily. The barcode inventory software generates barcodes in jpg, png, BMP, etc., formats with image-specific pixel density per inch. The barcoding software also supports listing, printing, saving, and copying of information and barcodes. The software finds implementation in many industries, ranging from airlines, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and retail.
Source - Barcode Generator
The features that help Barcode Generator stand out are:
- Barcode Generation
- Barcode Scanning
- Custom Labels
- Inventory Management
- Label Printing
- Label Templates
- RFID Encoder
- Serial Number Tracking
#6 BarTender
BarTender by SeagullScientific is a free barcode software. The software promises incredible efficiency in creating, maintaining, and printing barcodes. The barcode solution is implementable by both small enterprises and large-scale organizations. Enhanced automation of the barcoding and printing process, easy integration with ERP tools, audit trail and compliance-based labels, remote printing, PANTONE color support, Data import from excel and CSV files, RFID encoding, multiple printer support, etc. are just some of the most significant facets of the barcoding solution. The barcoding software also supports intelligent templates to remain consistent with industry standards, add-on extensions for Amazon Transparency while optimizing failovers to support continuous printing.
Source - BarTender
The critical features of BarTender are:
- Barcode Generation
- Barcode Scanning
- Custom Labels
- Label Printing
- Label Templates
- RFID Encoder
- Serial Number Tracking
#7 EasierSoft
Easiersoft is a free barcode software. Complimented by an easy user interface, it supports user functionality to create and print barcodes, ideally in the Code 128B format. It is also possible to export barcodes to applications such as Word and Excel. It is also easy to create the barcode labels using Microsoft's most famous assets. Users can customize their personalized barcode templates, while other templates are easily downloadable from the Avery labels website. The barcode generator software’s strength also includes vertical and bulk and batches printing through automation. Barcode images created are in the png, jpg, BMP, and associated formats into other applications.
Source - EasierSoft
The essential features of EasierSoft are:
- Barcode Generation
- Barcode Scanning
- Custom Labels
- Label Printing
- Label Templates
- RFID Encoder
- Serial Number Tracking
The market for free and open source barcode software is replete with unique options. Fishbowl, inFlow Inventory, Acctivate, and HandiFox are just some of the possibilities with appropriate features of barcode solutions that elevate your business’s productivity and financial efficiency, besides process flows. One of the most popular barcode tools in the market is Wasp Barcode. Let us take a closer look at the popular barcode software below.
Wasp Barcode
Wasp Barcode is one of the most popular and best barcode software. The barcode tool provides barcode software solutions for inventory and asset management, time management, and barcode creation. The barcode generator software uses over 100 2D barcode templates and close to 13 1D barcode symbologies. Users can also customize their barcodes, ultimately print and create barcodes through Word, Excel, and Access. The barcode generator system finds use in the healthcare, manufacturing, and retail industries, with their efficient label printing for shipping and warehouses in custom, pre-printed, and stock modes.
Source - Wasp Barcode
The best features of Wasp Barcode are as follows:
- Barcode Generation
- Barcode Scanning
- Custom Labels
- Inventory Management
- Label Printing
- Label Templates
- RFID Encoder
- Serial Number Tracking
Conclusion
As the world evolves with digitalization, barcodes’ evolution continues with the renewed impetus put on 2D barcode types, especially the QR Code. Estimations put the number of scans by households across the United States at 11 million in 2020. This number is vastly higher for businesses that use QR codes for tracking and categorization purposes. Also, barcodes were the dominant force in food traceability, with an estimated 36 percent market share, growing steadily until 2022. Furthermore, at a GS-1 Conference in 2017, some startling numbers highlighted barcodes’ dependence on inventory management and tracking.
The future of supply chain management and deriving maximum value from business processes depends on the correct implementation of barcodes. As barcode usage and formats evolve, businesses need to understand that efficiency and excellence are achievable by implementing this humble and straightforward tool. If you previously used any of the software mentioned in the list, leave us your valuable feedback.
Give us a review or feedback on the article in the comments section below. If you plan to purchase Barcode software soon, refer to our exceptional Buyers Guide for all information regarding the best barcode software. Barcoding software is vital for a business - but check out our unique Software Directory, which has all the solutions to your software requirements.
