Linear Barcodes

Where is it used?

They are mainly used in closed value or distribution chains or in operations where a company from the beginning and until the end of the flow of information. They are not suitable for open value chains, such as in the sale of products in supermarkets or retailers, eCommerce platforms or product export.

The most famous linear bar codes that have been adopted have been the GTIN Code 8, GTIN 13, UPC, GTIN 14 and GS1 128. Their use is mainly based on the identification of products and, in turn, the Bar Codes for the administration of logistics processes such as shipments and reception of merchandise in pallets or secondary packaging.

History

The Global Product Identification Number (GTIN, for its acronym in English), better known as GTIN 13, is the most widespread Bar Code in the world, in fact more than 5 billion scans are recorded every day. Its function is to identify the products that are sold to the final consumer.

The first product to have a Bar Code and be scanned was a Juicy Fruit chewing gum bar in 1974.

From this date, multiple transporters or Bar Codes were created in order to solve different problems. However its history goes back more than 42 years ago when George J. Laurer, in 1973 created the UPC code (Universal Product Code).