1、 The advantages of two-dimensional barcodes

Compared with one-dimensional barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes have obvious advantages, which can be summarized as follows:

1. Larger data capacity

2. Exceeding the limitations of letters and numbers

3. Barcodes are relatively small in size

4. Has the ability to resist damage

2、 The application of two-dimensional barcodes

1. Application of Files and Tables

Every broker at Seimei Insurance Company in Japan brings a laptop with them when meeting clients. Each policy and agreement is created and printed on the computer. When they return to the office, they need to manually input the policy data into the company's mainframe.

In order to improve the accuracy and speed of data entry, they compiled the policy content into a PDF417 barcode while making the policy, printed it on the document, so that they can use a two-dimensional barcode reader to scan the barcode and enter the data into the host.

Other similar applications include customs declaration forms, tax declaration forms, various application forms from government departments, and so on.

2. Asset tracking

American steel pipe companies have different types of pipelines that require maintenance in various locations. In order to track each pipe, they compile a PDF417 barcode containing the pipe number, location number, manufacturer, length, grade, size, thickness, and other information, and label it onto the pipe. When the pipe is removed or installed, the operator scans the barcode label and the database information is updated in a timely manner.

Factories can use two-dimensional barcodes to track production equipment; Hospitals and clinics can also use two-dimensional barcode label tracking devices, computers, and surgical instruments.

3. Applications in the transportation industry

A typical transportation business process usually goes through several stages, including supplier ->freight forwarder, freight forwarder ->freight company, freight company ->customer, etc. Each stage involves the processing of shipping documents. The shipping documents contain a large amount of information, including shipper information, consignee information, cargo list, transportation method, and so on. The premise of document processing is data input. The manual keyboard input method has the problems of low efficiency and high error rate, which can no longer meet the requirements of modern transportation industry.

Two dimensional barcodes provide a great solution in this regard, by compiling the content of documents into a two-dimensional barcode and printing it on shipping documents. At various stages of transportation, a two-dimensional barcode reader is used to scan the barcode, and the information is entered into a computer management system, which is both fast and accurate.

In the United States, although EDI applications have revolutionized the core part of business processes, unfortunately they have overlooked the key role in the process - the freight company. Many EDI messages are always late for freight forwarders, which affects the transportation of goods and the generation of customer documents due to the inability to confirm accurate shipping information in a timely manner.

The American Freight Association (ATA) therefore proposed a paper-based EDI system.

The sender compiles the EDI information into a PDF417 barcode label and submits it to the freight forwarder. By scanning the barcode, the information is immediately transmitted to the freight forwarder's computer system. All of this happened at the right time and place, greatly improving the efficiency of the entire transportation process.

4. Application of identification cards

The US Department of Defense has printed PDF417 codes on military identification cards.

The cardholder's name, military rank, photo, and other personal information are compiled into a PDF417 code and printed on the card. Cards are used for entry and exit management of important places and hospital treatment management.

The advantages of this application lie in the real-time data collection, low implementation cost, the ability to read damaged cards (such as gunshots), and anti-counterfeiting measures.

The resident identity card of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region also uses PDF417 code. Other applications such as business license, driver's license, passport, temporary residence permit for migrant population in Chinese cities, medical insurance card, etc. are also good directions for application.