Can I use barcode numbers to better monitor my own stock?
Sure you can. If you are only using the numbers internally to keep better track of your own stock then there is no need to get unique barcode numbers (numbers that nobody else in the world has the right to use).
Instead, you can make up your own set of barcode numbers for each of your products using some combination of letters and numbers of your choosing.
You may still need barcode images and labels to be made (using your barcode numbers) for the products in your stock, however these are fairly inexpensive. Companies such as Barcodes Limited offer affordable images (they can also print your images onto labels for you if necessary). You may be able to produce your own images and/or labels depending on your system & printer.
Code 39 barcode images are frequently used by businesses to monitor their own internal stock. Code-39 is widely used and can be decoded with virtually any barcode scanner. Some small products will be too small for a Code-39 barcode label (if so, Code-128 may be better for you). You make up your own set of numbers that you want to use to help monitor your internal stock. Your chosen set of numbers then need to be inputted into a program that can create Code-39 (or Code-128) barcode images.
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Originally posted 2010-01-19 10:14:50.