Inventory Barcode solution

[Xing]

Hi dear folks,
I want to ask a solution suggestion on Barcode solution that our company is trying to build the inventory list which we want each item has its own barcode (any code type including QR), and we can scan it and locating its place.

I would want to ask:
1). which is the best barcode generation system? anything can be better integrated to airtable?
2). which scanner we should purchase? or just using our iphone?

thanks for your answering.

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

You can scan already existing barcodes with the Airtable app on a Phone (iOS devices will open a camera within the app to scan with, and Android devices will kick the user out to the camera app to scan, and bring them back in to the Airtable app once scanned).

Here’s a link to a post where I embedded a video of that in action on iOS:

Barcode Inventory check in/check out Ask the community

@Johan & @Randy_Storms, It is possible. If you have a barcode Field you can scan a barcode into that field when creating a record. Later, you can search for records by barcode by tapping the search icon and then tapping the barcode icon in the search bar. On an iOS device, the scan search will search the barcode field directly. I’ve discovered, however, that on Android, it will only search the primary field (name field), so you have to pull the barcode into the name field with a formula (I’ve…

I would suggest ordering pre-printed barcode stickers to use on your inventory items. There are many vendors online that sell high-durability, pre-printed barcode stickers with the number range you give them in bulk. Stick those on all your items and scan them into your Airtable base.

[Xing]

hi @Jeremy_Oglesby, thank you.
However, I’m still wondering how could I generate the code, for example, ELDSTIO9832, how could I generate this alphabetical code based on a certain rule? I’ve been always wondering how the firms can generate the stock number (ID)/case number, I believe there has a solution, can not be just typed by a human, because this can build the potential conflict that if there are duplications or not a consistency of the length, for example, we need a 10 digits unique ID, start from three alphabetical letters.

Thank you.

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

Take a look at the Alpha-Numeric ID generator base in this post:

Helpful Pre-Made Data Tables, Formulas, and Routines Show and tell

These are static tables I find myself using frequently when building bases for clients, so I keep a copy of them on their own in my account so I can easily copy-paste them into bases when needed. I’m creating this wiki to share them in case other people might want to use them, or contribute their own reusable pre-mades. To make use of these, open the base through the links below, then use the “Copy base” button (top right corner) to add a copy of it to your own workspace. Then, you can copy (⌘/…

You could modify it to produce the 3-Alpha 7-Digit ID’s you need.

[Moe]

If you would like employees to scan barcodes and update inventory without giving them access to Airtable, you can use our from extension. It allows you to scan barcodes and create/update records in the browser.

miniExtensions

Scan Barcodes and QR Codes in miniExtensions Form

Barcode fields in your form turn into a barcode scanner. It allows you to scan barcodes in the browser with live cameras on both mobile and desktop devices.

P.S. we also have another extension for generating barcode images.

[ScottWorld]

In addition to the MiniExtensions option mentioned above, Integromat also has a native barcode generator. (Integromat is a low-code/no-code automation platform that has full Airtable support.)

It can generate QR codes, along with Code 39, Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, and UPC-E barcodes: if you need an additional barcode, you can email them and they will add it:

Integromat

Barcodes App Help Docs | Integromat Help Center

The {{integromat}} Barcodes module enable you to generate a desired barcode file in the PNG format. Generate barcode