One thing we see in a lot of industries, not just automotive, is the move to two-dimensional barcodes (2D). Sometimes the challenge in automotive is to get a label on a part, either because it’s small or its not amenable to being labeled. The widespread use of 2D barcodes means that I can have a very small barcode, or encode a lot of information about the item – suppliers, lot number, quantity, etc.

On the technology side, we have developed imaging engines to read those barcodes. In the past you had to use a laser scanner and had to line it up. The movement is toward image-based scanners, and they can scan both 1D and 2D barcodes.

Is getting suppliers to comply with barcoding requirements still a big challenge?

It’s more of a business management priority and challenge. Distribution operations and customer service are going to benefit. You have a better chance of finding the part, picking it accurately, shipping it accurately. But really, executive management of the firm has to make it a priority. The purchasing group has to enforce it. You have to make sure leadership is on board as they deal with those suppliers, and that they make it a priority.

What are some of the key challenges associated with printing barcodes in the automotive space?

There’s been an emphasis on speed. That’s driving the use of mobile printing. If you can print those labels out on the floor in real time, you can speed fulfillment and have a competitive advantage.

Automotive is a pretty hostile environment. You have to be able to read a lot of different label formats. Some are controlled by UPC, some have manufacturer part numbers, and some may comply with GS1 or AIAG standards. You need a system that can incorporate all that in a single label or part number.

What sorts of mobile computing features are gaining interest for warehouse applications?

We’re seeing interest in voice-directed picking, and we have a solution around that. In automotive, that’s often paired with a wearable scanner. We’re also seeing interest in image presentation. If you can present an image of the part to be picked, that gives you an extra check on accuracy.

With Android-based wearables and voice, you can also integrate image presentation into the workflow. That’s something that’s going to be very useful in auto parts distribution.

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