Theft in retail stores and along the supply chain — from warehousing to distribution centers — is a real threat to bottom line profits across the board. In some areas, losses from these activities can extend to three percent of the turnover value of inventory in the warehouse. Fortunately, there are many ways to deter theft, including analyzing processes that could make your operation vulnerable to fraud; getting to the crux of IT vulnerabilities using control and surveillance systems; and even modeling potential security scenarios with an eye toward awareness. 

However, with a lot of products moving through warehouses, distribution centers, and even retail facilities every day, it can be difficult to keep an eye on everything, all the time. To protect these expanding inventories, many supply chain actors have turned to automation to combat theft. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how one simple solution — a smart barcode scanner — can help deter and prevent theft.

Preventing Theft Using Barcode Scanners

Theft has plagued warehouses and retail establishments for decades, with in-house theft being a particular problem since employees tend to have intimate knowledge of an organization’s security measures so they are ready — and willing — to circumvent them. Using smart barcode scanners can help companies keep track of items but can also keep them aware of discrepancies in data, making these easy to use, cost-effective tools a must-have for any business that deals with inventory. 

Since knowing exactly what inventory you have on your floor and in transit is the key to detecting and preventing theft, a barcode scanner effectively does double-duty for any participant in the supply chain — from warehousing and distribution all the way to retail establishments.

How Barcode Scanners Actively Deter Theft

Radio frequency (RF) or radio frequency identification (RFID) scanners work by transmitting a signal to a receiver to alert security personnel that something is amiss. Each piece of inventory can be tagged with an RF or RFID tag that will generate an electrical current that transmits on a specific frequency. A receiver, typically placed at a warehouse or store exit, will sound when it picks up the signal from the tag if the tag has not been deactivated by an employee with a deactivating device. These tags can be placed anywhere on the product, even in discrete areas, and can be so small as to pass virtually unnoticed.

Barcode Scanners Also Manage Theft Passively

Barcode scanners can also be used as an inventory management tool that passively helps you gain intelligence and control over your warehouse or store inventory operations. A barcode inventory system helps you maintain a greater accuracy than if you manage inventory manually. Human error in data entry is greatly reduced using scanned barcodes and barcoding provides the real-time data that manual entry just can’t match. 

To use a barcode scanner for inventory, you will assign a Universal Product Code (UPC) or Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) for various items, which you can create through inventory management software or using an online barcode generator. You can also use QR codes or other more complex coding systems to offer more information on your inventory item in an even smaller tag footprint. Then you will print your barcode labels or tags using either thermal printers or standard laser or inkjet printers. Thermal printers use heat rather than ink, so they do not require any refills and are easier to maintain than standard printers. 

Once your label is created, it is placed on individual inventory items, which can be scanned using your barcode scanner to keep track of their movement through your system. A good system will help you to keep track of shipped and received inventory, handle tracking across multiple locations, and even integrate with your accounting system to help generate appropriate documents and invoices.

Let Blue Technologies Help You Get Started with Barcode Scanning

At Blue Technologies, we can help you keep better track of your inventory using barcode scanning devices. 

Coupled with inventory management software of a smart document capture and management system, this easy to use, cost-effective tool can be an asset to any organization that needs to keep better, more accurate track of inventory movement.

Deter theft and keep better control of your inventory. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant and learn how a smart barcode scanner can help your organization reduce inventory loss.