Barcodes

Bar coding is an accepted, if not common, practice in asset management. Bar codes can support work-order processing, inventory control, tool tracking, asset management, and labor reporting.

Traditional bar codes store a relatively small amount of information in a linear pattern of bars and spaces. Two-dimensional bar codes store substantially more information than linear bar codes. They allow a data file to be stored at the job site or attached to an equipment item instead of in an external computer system. There are several 2-D symbologies available. UPS uses Maxicode to encode delivery data on packages for sortation. PDF 417 is generally recognized as the standard for maintenance.