Modern shipping and inbound and outbound logistics procedures would be substantially less efficient and error-prone if barcodes were not used. Barcodes are used by third-party logistics businesses (also known as 3PLs) to run their warehouses efficiently so that they may better serve the corporations for which they provide fulfillment services.
We’ll go through why you should use shipping barcodes if you are a 3PL company.
What is a Shipping Barcode
A shipping barcode is usually printed on the shipment label. It is scanned at every step of the delivery process, from picking up the product to delivering it to the consumer. It is scanned to identify the order and gain access to information such as the contents of the shipment, the customer’s identity, the delivery address, and the shipping method.
The shipping barcode is read at each stage of the delivery process until it arrives at the customer’s shipping address. These barcodes can be read with a barcode reading app or with a web browser on mobile or computer by using JavaScript barcode scanner SDK.
3PL employees can scan these shipping barcodes at any point with a mobile barcode scanner that automatically updates systems such as a warehouse management system. In fact, there is no need for an app, a web browser can be used to scan the barcodes. There are Javascript barcode scanner SDKs for browsers that can be integrated into any camera-equipped device and turn it into a powerful barcode scanner, all with just a few lines of JavaScript. JavaScript barcode scanning SDKs have well-defined libraries to help JavaScript developers build scanners with high-speed functionalities and customization settings for different usage scenarios. Also, as compared to desktop and mobile apps, browser-based scanning is cost-effective and easier to use.
Important Role of Barcodes During the Order Process for 3PL
For better order tracking, anyone shipping e-commerce inventory or online orders will employ shipping barcodes. Almost every step in the supply chain involves barcodes. They’re scanned at both places when a product is sent from the producer and when it reaches the end-user.
Following are different scenarios where shipping barcodes play a crucial role for 3PL in processing orders.
When the manufacturer/supplier ships the merchandise
Products will be barcoded at the manufacturer’s or supplier’s facility. When inventory batches are ready to be delivered from the manufacturer to their final destination, the label will include a shipping barcode as well as any extra documents required by the 3PL (which may also include additional barcodes).
When products arrive at the warehouse
The warehouse staff receives the inventory and scans it to check that the products and quantities promised by the merchant arrived as promised. Once inventory is placed in inventory storage sites, barcodes will be scanned as well.
The retrieval of a product from its storage location
A picking list is created when a customer order is received. The order’s picker will know exactly where to obtain the ordered item(s) and quantities. Before moving on to the next item or order, the picker must scan the product and/or location identification.
This removes the ordered units from the available inventory count. As inventory is depleted, alerts may be triggered for the merchant, prompting a new purchase order to be made.
When a product is picked up from a warehouse by a carrier
A label is applied to the box or mailer once an order has been packed. When shipping carriers pick up packages at warehouses, they should scan the package before leaving. This could indicate that the shipment has left the 3PL’s possession and is en route.
While the cargo is on its way
Shipments travel a considerable distance. It is possible to carry packages from one regional sorting facility to another. The carrier should scan this as it happens to gain a more exact image of where the shipment is, which will be especially useful if it is delayed.
Last-mile delivery refers to the final leg of a parcel delivery, where a package is transported from a carrier hub to its end destination. At this point, it should be scanned at a local facility before it begins its route to the customer.
When the product is delivered to its final destination
When a shipment arrives at its final destination, the carrier will scan it one more time to ensure that it has arrived safely. The customer should have received the order at this point. If a delivery effort fails, the package may be returned to a nearby sorting facility until a new delivery attempt is possible.
If the cargo was for a B2B eCommerce partner, they might use the shipping barcode for their own inventory numbers and apply their own barcodes to the new stock.
To summarize, barcodes are an important tool for cutting costs and increasing order throughout the supply chain, both today and in the future.
