One of the first supply chain processes recognized as gaining benefit from the use of bar code technology is receiving of raw materials/finished goods from external sources or into Manufacturing.

Current bar coding mandates require that shipping containers (cases, pallets, etc.) are identified with bar codes that will aid the receiving party to more easily identify who the product came from and what it was. Using bar code technology to capture the identifying information on an inbound pallet provides some of these benefits:

• Allow for real-time induction of inventory and comparison against an ASN
• Provide visual indicators to a fork truck operator regarding valid receipts
• Automatically confirm receipt of product on the receiving dock
• Streamline the amount of time it takes to receive a pallet into the facility:
  • Eliminate the need to manually compare paperwork against product
  • Collect information as activity occurs
• Provide increased visibility to received product
  • There is no delay between the time product enters the facility and when it is recorded/confirmed

Current bar code mandates have also focused on the use of bar code technology to scan carton labels as they pass along on a conveyor system as they are brought into a facility. In many distribution centers and freight depots the contents of pallets are sometimes emptied onto conveyors to be re-sorted and either stored or shipped to different stores/destinations. Using bar code technology to capture the identifying information on an inbound carton provides some of these benefits:

• Eliminate the need for a worker to scan each carton as it is handled 
• Provide PLC connections to control routing of invalid cartons to special handling lanes
• Automatically confirm receipt of product without human intervention
• Streamline the amount of time it takes to receive cartons into the facility:
  • Eliminate the need to handle cartons one at a time
  • Receiving is accomplished simply by conveying the carton past a bar code reader
• Provide increased visibility to received product
  • You do not need to rely on a material handler to scan each individual carton