Smartphone Barcode Scanning: Tracking Parts and Quality Assurance in Manufacturing

Manufacturing plants manage all of the little parts and pieces required to put together everything from computers to automobiles. To keep track of all these parts, from the moment they’re received to the moment they leave the assembly line, barcodes are often used.

Barcode scanning is also commonly used to assure quality as parts make their way through these plants and warehouses.

The manufacturing industry can leverage smart devicephone-based barcode scanning in parts tracking apps for quality assurance (QA) or assembly.

How can smart scanning support manufacturing parts tracking and QA?

Using mobile computers or smartphones, manufacturing plant employees can identify a part, its specs, history, destination and more.

Using a durable smart device-based solution, manufacturers can build or upgrade a simple parts tracking app using Scandit’s unique enterprise-grade barcode scanning technology.

Here are some typical uses for a parts tracking app:

• Check in to identify the part’s location and user
• Identify part details and specs
• Identify past users who worked with the part
• Request changes to parts
• Accessing log notes
• Reporting bugs

To address durability concerns, companies can include IP68 environmentally sealed and MIL-STD-810G drop-protected casing with their devices. These cases not only ensure the devices are waterproof, dirtproof and dustproof, but also that they can be dropped repeatedly without damage.

Leveraging the bring-your-own-device trend

Manufacturers can capitalize on the BYOD (bring-your-own-device) trend by providing their entire workforce with an app that can be downloaded to their personal devices.

This reduces further the need for the company to invest in hardware, and ensures a high level of user experience, as the employee will be comfortable and familiar with their own device.

For those companies capitalizing on the BYOD trend, Scandit’s cross-platform capabilities and ability to capture accurate readings even on devices lacking autofocus make it an indispensable addition to any parts tracking app.  Watch the video to get a sense of the user experience.

Overcoming scanning challenges in manufacturing workflows

Manufacturing workflows often involve scanning barcodes in challenging conditions. Scandit’s Smart Data Capture platform helps overcome these challenges by enabling fast and accurate scanning on any smart device.

Here’s how Scandit addresses common scanning challenges in manufacturing:

• Small barcodes: Manufacturers frequently use small barcodes, such as micro-Datamatrix codes, on small parts and components. Scandit excels at scanning these small barcodes, ensuring accurate identification even even on small labels or barcodes that are etched onto different materials.
• Varied lighting conditions: Manufacturing environments can have varying lighting conditions, from dim warehouses to brightly lit production lines. Scandit’s scanning technology is robust and can perform reliably across different lighting situations, minimizing errors caused by poor lighting.
• Damaged barcodes: Wear and tear during production processes can damage barcodes, making them difficult to read. Scandit’s advanced algorithms can decode partially damaged barcodes, reducing the need for manual data entry or part rejection.
• High-speed scanning: Manufacturing operations require efficiency, and delays caused by slow scanning can hinder productivity. Scandit enables high-speed scanning on smart devices, allowing workers to quickly capture barcode data and keep workflows moving smoothly.
• Awkward angles and tight spaces: The scanning performance extends to ergonomics, too. Users can scan barcodes from awkward angles, long distances, and tight spaces. All of these are helpful in manufacturing processes where there are often obstacles and space can be at a premium.

Leveraging the bring-your-own-device trend

Manufacturers can capitalize on the BYOD (bring-your-own-device) trend by providing their entire workforce with an app that can be downloaded to their personal devices.

This reduces further the need for the company to invest in hardware, and ensures a high level of user experience, as the employee will be comfortable and familiar with their own device.

For those companies capitalizing on the BYOD trend, Scandit’s cross-platform capabilities and ability to capture accurate readings even on devices lacking autofocus make it an indispensable addition to any parts tracking app.

Overcoming scanning challenges in manufacturing workflows

Manufacturing workflows often involve scanning barcodes in challenging conditions. Scandit’s Smart Data Capture platform helps overcome these challenges by enabling fast and accurate scanning on any smart device.

Here’s how Scandit addresses common scanning challenges in manufacturing:

• Small barcodes: Manufacturers frequently use small barcodes, such as micro-Datamatrix codes, on small parts and components. Scandit excels at scanning these small barcodes, ensuring accurate identification even even on small labels or barcodes that are etched onto different materials.
• Varied lighting conditions: Manufacturing environments can have varying lighting conditions, from dim warehouses to brightly lit production lines. Scandit’s scanning technology is robust and can perform reliably across different lighting situations, minimizing errors caused by poor lighting.
• Damaged barcodes: Wear and tear during production processes can damage barcodes, making them difficult to read. Scandit’s advanced algorithms can decode partially damaged barcodes, reducing the need for manual data entry or part rejection.
• High-speed scanning: Manufacturing operations require efficiency, and delays caused by slow scanning can hinder productivity. Scandit enables high-speed scanning on smart devices, allowing workers to quickly capture barcode data and keep workflows moving smoothly.
• Awkward angles and tight spaces: The scanning performance extends to ergonomics, too. Users can scan barcodes from awkward angles, long distances, and tight spaces. All of these are helpful in manufacturing processes where there are often obstacles and space can be at a premium.

Case Study

Supercharging App Ordering with 5x Faster Scanning

Find out how

Scandit’s advanced capabilities can also be leveraged in a manufacturing setting. MatrixScan provides augmented reality (AR) guidance to support various workflows and simplify data capture:

• Speed up stock counts and inventory taking tasks by counting in bulk with MatrixScan Count.
• Quickly locate the right part on the assembly line, or an order in the warehouse with MatrixScan Find.
• Display instructions or prompts on the assembly line with AR overlays, for example for quality assurance and testing requirements.

Scandit’s SDK integrates seamlessly with existing manufacturing systems, including IT asset management systems and databases. This allows for real-time data capture and process automation, enhancing overall efficiency.

Developing a parts tracking app

So you’re convinced, it’s time to build an app. What next? Here’s a quick step-by-step process to build an app that leverages Scandit’s scanning capabilities.

1. Determine whether you’ll build the app in house or hire a solution provider to build one.
2. Decide which platforms you’d like the app to run on. Consider supporting Android and iOS for BYOD ecosystems. This would allow “occasional scanners” (employees who do not usually need access to a barcode scanner), to use their personal devices to scan barcodes occasionally.
3. Assess which systems you need the app to work with. Do you use an IT asset management system? How will the app connect to your database?
4. Identify the features you need, and find the best software components for the job.
   The Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK is perfect for providing enterprise-grade barcode scanning.
5. Build and test your app.
6. Deploy the app, and start reaping the efficiency benefits of smart scanning in your manufacturing workflows.

Need help making a decision? We’re here to help, and can support your integration end-to-end. Contact us for more information.