Webscan Bar Code Seminar

Webscan Bar Code Seminar: Demystifying Bar Codes

The Webscan Bar Code Seminar is a comprehensive learning course in bar code technology aimed at packaging engineers, graphics artists and other professionals involved in the production of bar coded packaging.  Whether you are new to bar coding, or have been involved for years, if you want to truly understand the inner workings of bar codes, especially the newer symbologies such as GS1 DataBar (formerly RSS14), Data Matrix, Composite Symbology, and PDF417 this seminar is for you!

Taking you from the most basic concepts of bar code technology, all the way through to the most advanced topics such as the actual methods used to scan, decode and verify all types of bar codes, you will become an expert and a resource to your company.

The course is broken into two main parts.  The first, Basic Concepts, begins by introducing the basic elements that bar codes are composed of.  A vocabulary of bar code terms is developed as the course progresses.  The fundamental methodology used to verify bar codes is explained in detail.  Also, the structure of common bar code symbologies such as Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, and Code 128 is explained in detail, including the mathematical methods used to decode them.  The UPC or Universal Product Code is also fully explained along with several variations of the basic UPC symbology such as UPC-E, EAN-13 and EAN-8.  The use of special encodations such as GS1/UCC/EAN-128 with Function 1 characters and Application Identifiers (AI’s) is also described.

The second part of the course consists of advanced topics such as new 2D symbologies.  The new GS1 DataBar and GS1 Composite Symbology family is explained fully, from the goals it seeks to achieve to the various formats allowed.  Each of the GS1 DataBar formats, such as GS1 DataBar Limited, GS1 DataBar Stacked, GS1 DataBar with Composite, and many others are fully described, including character structure, check digit calculations and data content.  Data Matrix (ECC200), PDF 417 are also fully described including structure, decoding methods and quality verification.  The quality verification described follows the ISO15415 specification.

Attendees will come away from this seminar with an understanding of the relationships between symbologies, the benefits of different symbologies, as well as the challenges presented by each symbology to those involved in producing or scanning the codes.  Attendees will be able to decipher truth from fiction in the marketing claims of vendors when in the process of evaluating products and be able to trouble shoot problems with bar code printing or scanning systems after implementation. The seminar can be customized to focus more on certain topics of special interest to the intended audience and less on other topics.

What This Seminar is Not:

This seminar is not about the end use of bar codes such as in retail settings or warehouses.  Although it is about the core technology of bar codes used in these settings, this course does not go beyond printing and reading the bar codes.  This is also not about how to use any specific hardware or software.

About the Presenter

Glenn Spitz is the President of Webscan, Inc. a leading manufacturer of bar code verifiers.  He is a member of several industry standards committees including ISO/IEC JTC1/SC31/WG1 which created ISO 15415, 15416, 15426-1, 15426-2 and many others. He is currently the Project Editor for ISO 15415, 15416, 15426-1, 15426-2, 24723 and 24724. He is also a member of the AIM-TSC committe and GS1 BCID committee. He holds a BEEE from SUNY Stony Brook and an MSEE from Columbia University.

Cost

$1,900 for up to 5 attendees, plus actual cost of travel and living expenses.  $99 for each additional attendee.  Includes color handout booklet with reproduction of entire presentation.