Listly by Manish Acharya
Unicommerce is cloud-based inventory management and omnichannel & multichannel order management system that provides complete warehouse management solutions for online and offline sales.
Source: https://unicommerce.com/
Transitioning from a manual to automated barcoding system may look like a huge task but with the right support and guidance, you can not only achieve the right implementation but also reap long term benefits of the solution.
Here are the major processes involved for small or large scale eCommerce businesses, to begin with, a barcode tracking system or an inventory barcode system.
*Check what the Industry accepts *
The first step is to ensure that you are aligned to adopt the ongoing or latest barcode system which is acceptable by the government and used within the eCommerce industry.
You need to check with the mandated norms of packaging and labelling of your products that will be eligible for acceptance. You will also have to decide between choosing a 1D or 2D label, both of which can be used based on your workflow, product, etc.
*Create a Product Code *
Once you know what is acceptable and correct as per industry norms, you need to create an asset code in accordance with the rules. The code you create can be a Universal Product Code (UPC) or Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).
UPCs are 12 digit long codes, broadly more accepted for business uses around the globe, and can be received by registering with Global Standard 1, which then can be used to trace and get updates on your products across the world.
SKUs, on the other hand, are 8 digit long codes that are unique to every business. They can be generated manually or using an inventory management system and can be used for internal operations such as stock maintenance, tracking and data processing.
*Finalize what information to put *
Your barcode will have all the necessary information about your product and business to be successfully carried out and delivered to the right customer. To ensure that, you need to finalize what all you want to put in the label including location, identity numbers, expiration date for perishable items and much more.
Using a combination of numbers, letters, colours and shapes of labels can help you differentiate between all the items and to avoid wrong deliveries.
*Generate the Barcode *
After finalizing everything right from how you want your barcode to look like and what information it should contain, the main task of creating a barcode for each of your products begins.
This massive task can be done by either using an online barcode generator or a free barcode software. Once you have created the barcode, you need to print the label sheet using any standard printer (inkjet, laser or thermal).
*Pick the right Barcode Scanner *
While you might have cautiously followed the above 4 steps, if you do not invest in having a good scanner to extract all the information put on your barcode, you might see no results.
A scanner is a wired or wireless device that allows your staff to maintain operations throughout the warehouse and gives real-time updates on your inventory. If you use wireless scanners you get the flexibility to move around the facility and have all the data from these scanners stored into a memory chip that can be later transferred to your computer systems.
You can also go for a wired scanner that is usually cheaper but needs to be plugged at all times during use, to a computer and a charging outlet.
Handheld barcode scanners wired or wireless, are the most beneficial for both small or large businesses. While it costs a little more than any other type of scanners, it is a one-time investment that is sure to streamline your entire inventory management process once and for all.
Select a Barcode Software
Having a software program to manage your inventory and all other operational tasks has become a mandate now due to the heavy demands and higher expectations by the customers.
The same applies for barcode scanning, and to further ease things for you, there are some really great options to choose from. But the only thing to keep in mind is to choose a software that operates as per your business standards and allows customization.
All these steps will ensure a smooth and successful implementation of the barcode inventory system, but what changes will they bring to your warehouse operations you ask?
What is Omnichannel?
Omnichannel retail means utilising multiple sales channels to provide the customers with a seamless shopping experience.
Wikipedia defines omnichannel commerce as: “a cross-channel business model that companies use to improve their customer experience.”
End user-centric domains such as retail, financial services, healthcare, government establishments, telecommunication are the front-runners in employing omnichannel business models.
Electronic commerce or internet commerce is the term used to describe the sale and purchase of services, goods, etc., on the internet, in virtual reality and this term is popularly known as eCommerce.
eCommerce is a collection of physical as well as commercial transactions made via the internet which includes buying of products, transfer of money and data.
Online shopping is of the biggest asset of eCommerce and it began only about a decade ago in 1994, in the United States of America when a budding online seller, through his website, sold a popular band’s compact drive or CD as it was known at that time to a friend.
For more https://unicommerce.com/detailed-guide-ecommerce-business/
Warehouse management system is an automation software that streamlines everyday operations in the warehouse.
Every business whether online or offline needs a right warehouse software to manage their distribution channel. A well-defined WMS software boosts business revenues and fosters healthy business relationships with various stakeholders of the business, such as vendors, customers, investors, and the internal team.
If you've got an e-commerce business, returns processing may be a solution you'll have to provide to your consumers to be successful. Returns management is important in e-commerce because the number of consumers being dissatisfied with their order is much more than shopping in the physical store. Although returns management costs a lot of money, but it’s a needed investment to boost the reputation of an online store and resolve issues of the customer.