Barcode and QR code scanning has become one of the most effective ways to track, verify and manage assets at scale. Across industries like healthcare, manufacturing and retail, being able to track the location and health of individual assets is essential. Now, with the ability to scan codes through our smartphones, the convenience of barcode tracking is no longer restricted to expensive, bulky scanners.
Let’s break down exactly how it works.
What is a Barcode?
A barcode is a visual representation of data in a format that can be read by a machine. Barcodes consist of a pattern of lines, shapes or squares which accurately encode information, like serial numbers, asset details or URLs. When scanned, this data is instantly read and can be logged digitally, trigger a workflow or direct the user to a specific web or app page.
To put it simply, barcodes allow us to turn physical items into digital records.
What is the Difference Between a QR Code and a Barcode?
While many people use the terms interchangeably, QR codes are a distinct type of barcode – specifically, a two-dimensional (2D) barcode and are used for distinct purposes..
Barcode (1D)
- Vertical lines and spaces
- Line-of-sight scanning required
- Able to hold less data
- More common for retail settings
QR Code (2D)
- Square patterns in a grid shape
- Able to be scanned from multiple angles
- Holds more data, including URLs
- More popular for asset tracking and authentication
In short, barcodes are better for high-volume, quick scanning as they’re simpler. QR codes, on the other hand, are better for asset tracking as they’re more powerful and versatile.
What Are Deeplink QR Codes?
Deeplink QR codes contain URLs that don’t just display information, but take users directly to a specific place within a mobile app or system. Instead of opening a generic webpage or homepage, a deeplink QR code can launch a particular asset record, job, checklist or form inside an app.
When scanned on a mobile device, a deeplink QR code can:
- Open a specific asset profile in an asset management system
- Launch a maintenance checklist or inspection form
- Trigger a job or service request
- Take the user to a defined step in a workflow
This means field technicians and on-site teams can move straight from scanning a physical asset to taking action, without searching, navigating menus or manually entering information.
In asset management, deeplink QR codes are especially powerful because they connect the physical world directly to live digital workflows. A single scan can surface real-time asset history, kick off a digital maintenance form or open a page to register an asset for warranty – all from a smartphone.
What Are the Different Types of Barcodes?
Different barcode formats serve different purposes depending on the industry and assets being tracked. Some common types are:
EAN-13
European Article Numbers (EAN) use 13 digits and are the most widely used barcode globally for retail products.
UPC-A
12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes are used mostly in the US and Canada for retail products.
ITF-14
These codes are used in warehouses for cartons that contain a specific quantity of product.
GS1-128
These barcodes encode a variety of details about a product shipment and are used for logistics and compliance.
QR Code
Quick Response (QR) codes are the most versatile barcode and can contain almost anything, including deeplinks. They are especially useful for asset management because they can link directly to dynamic, cloud-based records.
What is Happening When You Scan a Barcode?
No matter what type of barcode you use, when it’s scanned, a series of actions happen in less than a second. Once your device captures the barcode, software decodes the code’s pattern into text or numerical values which the system matches to existing records in your database. Item details then appear almost instantly, with information like location, repair history and status.
Depending on the systems you have in place, scanning a barcode can also trigger workflows such as updating stock counts or assigning jobs.
What Are the Benefits of Mobile Barcode and QR Scanning?
If you are not already using mobile barcode scanning in your work processes, now is the time to start. The benefits include:
- Real-time visibility and tracking accuracy
- Reduced manual data entry and errors
- Faster audits, maintenance checks and stocktakes
- No specialised scanning equipment needed
- Works anywhere, whether on-site, in the warehouse or in the field
- Reduces lost assets
Can I Customise Workflow Automations with Mobile Scanning?
With comprehensive asset management platforms like mendrhub, the way you integrate mobile scanning into your workflow is entirely up to you. Each scan feeds straight into a series of automated actions that can be customised to:
- Link physical assets to their digital records
- Automatically capture asset details
- Launch specific checklists, maintenance forms or safety prompts
- Instantly record condition photos and notes
- Trigger job creation or servicing
- Auto-update asset details like location, status or warranty
Can I Integrate Barcode or QR Code Scanning into Asset Tracking?
The short answer is yes. Barcode scanning is most useful when integrated into a wider asset management system, so that every scan automatically updates the asset history. This capability allows teams to track details like where the asset is, when it was last serviced, who serviced it, and when it needs to be inspected or replaced. Mobile scanning means that everyone, from field technicians to facility managers, are operating with the same, real-time information.
To Wrap Up
Mobile barcode and QR code scanning is a simple way to completely transform the way your organisation tracks assets. This is the future of asset management, and it’s already in your pocket, waiting to be utilised. They help eliminate manual, error-prone processes and replace them with a single source of truth that provides a faster, more efficient way to maintain visibility and control.