GS1 Standards that automatically identify and capture through barcodes and RFID.

Barcodes are symbols that can be scanned electronically using laser or camera-based systems.

They are used to encode information such as product numbers, serial numbers and batch numbers.  Barcodes play a key role in supply chains, enabling parties like retailers, manufacturers, transport providers and hospitals to automatically identify and track products as they move through the supply chain.

GS1 manages several types of barcodes:

• EAN / UPC
• Databar
• One-dimensional (1D) barcodes used exclusively in general distribution and logistics, namely ITF-14 and GS1-128
• Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, namely GS1 DataMatrix and GS1 QR Code

An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag uses radio waves to transmit this information, so the tag does not have to be visible.  Furthermore, many tags can be read at the same time.  GS1 develops and publishes RFID standards to help make industry more efficient. Read more on RFID