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Barcode Management

Barcode management in simpleBillBook allows you to generate and print barcodes for your products, making inventory management and point-of-sale operations more efficient. This guide covers how to access the barcode feature, select products, configure print settings, and generate barcode labels.

Accessing Barcode Management​

To access the barcode management feature:

  1. Navigate to Manage Product → Barcodes from the main sidebar
  2. You'll be taken to the barcode management interface

Barcode Overview Page​

The main barcode page displays all products available for barcode generation:

Barcode Management Interface Figure 1: Barcode management page showing available products and print options

Key Sections on the Barcode Page:​

Product Selection Table:

  • Product Name: Lists all available products in your inventory
  • Item Code: Corresponding item codes for each product
  • Selection Options: Checkboxes or similar controls to select products for barcode printing

Print Configuration:

  • Paper Type: A4 Sheet (default shown)
  • Layout: 4×12 configuration
  • Labels per Page: 48 labels maximum on A4 sheet

Navigation Controls:

  • Pagination: Navigate through product pages (Previous, 1, 2, Next)
  • Items per Page: Display 10 items per page (configurable)

Configuring Print Settings​

Step 1: Access Print Settings​

From the barcode page, access the print settings dialog (typically via a "Settings" or "Configure Print" button).

Step 2: Configure Paper and Layout​

Print Settings Configuration Figure 2: Print settings dialog for configuring barcode labels

Paper Type Options:

  1. A4 Sheet

    • Dimensions: 210×297mm
    • Capacity: Up to 48 labels per sheet
    • Best for: Standard office printing

  2. Thermal Roll

    • Dimensions: 38×25mm
    • Capacity: Single label
    • Best for: Thermal receipt printers (POS systems)

Layout Configuration:

  • Labels per Row: Maximum 4 labels horizontally
  • Rows per Page: Maximum 12 rows vertically
  • Total Labels: 48 labels per A4 sheet (4×12 layout)
  • Label Size: Each label measures 52.5×25mm

Print Type Options:

  • Single Barcode: Print barcode for one selected product
  • Bulk Print: Print barcodes for multiple selected products

Step 3: Save Settings​

After configuring all settings, click Save Settings to apply. Use Cancel to discard changes.

Generating Barcodes: Step-by-Step Guide​

Step 1: Select Products​

  1. From the barcode management page, review the product list
  2. Select products for barcode generation by:
    • Clicking individual product checkboxes, OR
    • Using "Select All" option for bulk operations

Step 2: Configure Print Settings​

  1. Click the print settings/setup button
  2. Choose appropriate paper type based on your printer
  3. Configure layout according to label requirements
  4. Select print type (Single or Bulk)

Step 3: Generate and Print​

  1. Click Print or Generate Barcodes button
  2. Review the print preview if available
  3. Send to printer
  4. Verify printed barcodes for accuracy

Barcode Types and Standards​

While the interface doesn't specify barcode types, typical standards include:

Common Barcode Formats:​

  • Code 128: Versatile, high-density barcode for alphanumeric data
  • EAN-13: Standard for retail products worldwide
  • UPC-A: Common in North American retail
  • QR Codes: For additional product information (if supported)
  • Primary Data: Item Code (unique product identifier)
  • Additional Data: May include price, batch number, or expiration date
  • Human-Readable: Item code displayed below barcode for manual reference

Best Practices for Barcode Management​

Label Design and Placement:​

  1. Clear Printing: Ensure barcodes print clearly without smudging
  2. Adequate Quiet Zones: Maintain clear spaces before and after barcode
  3. Proper Size: Minimum height of 15mm for standard scanning
  4. Contrast: High contrast between bars and background (black on white recommended)

Product Selection Strategy:​

  1. High-Volume Items: Prioritize frequently sold products
  2. New Products: Generate barcodes when adding new inventory
  3. Restocked Items: Update barcodes if item codes change
  1. Test Prints: Always do a test print before bulk printing
  2. Label Stock: Use high-quality label paper for durability
  3. Printer Maintenance: Clean print heads regularly for clear barcodes
  4. Storage: Store unused labels in cool, dry conditions

Common Use Cases​

Retail Store Setup:​

  1. Generate barcodes for all products
  2. Print on A4 sheets using standard office printer
  3. Apply labels to products or shelves
  4. Use for both sales and inventory management

Warehouse Management:​

  1. Print bulk barcodes for new shipments
  2. Use for inventory counting and tracking
  3. Apply to storage bins and shelves

Point of Sale (POS) Integration:​

  1. Ensure barcodes match POS system requirements
  2. Test scanning with actual POS hardware
  3. Update barcodes when product information changes