| Implementing a bar-coding system can be difficult | | | | might be taken to accomplish the goal set by the |
| without the care and discipline any serious undertaking | | | | requirement. An example of some use cases might |
| requires. That means preparing yourself and your staff | | | | be:o The receiving clerk scans incoming material into |
| for the job at hand and setting aside the time to | | | | your database systemo The order database is |
| properly implement the barcode systems that will | | | | updated so the material order status reflects the |
| become an integral part of your overall business | | | | receiving of goodso Labels are printed and made |
| information system. | | | | available to receiving |
| When designing any business process it's always best | | | | Most likely your barcode equipment requirements and |
| to start out with a plan that outlines the steps involved. | | | | use cases will grow as you work through this |
| To start, your team needs to develop a list of | | | | important analysis phase. Spending time up front |
| requirements. Requirements are statements that | | | | defining exactly what your company needs, who will |
| define the action or result you want the system to do | | | | do it, and how it will be done will save you lots of |
| for you. | | | | headaches and money down the road. In all likelihood |
| To find your requirements ask yourself and your staff | | | | you have been doing this already with some of your |
| questions such as:o What are my bottle necks? | | | | non-technical business processes. So don't be put off |
| (Every business has bottlenecks)o How long does my | | | | because you're dealing with technology. |
| raw material sit around?o How long does inventory sit | | | | You or an assigned coordinator need to be directly |
| in the warehouse?o Is any part of my inventory | | | | involved in this process if you expect any kind of real |
| increasing? If so, why?o How much time is spent | | | | success. Technical expertise is not necessary, though |
| looking for things?o What don't I know about my | | | | having someone involved that understands the |
| business?o What are my customers biggest | | | | technology will bring you benefits upfront and help you |
| complaintso What departments or processes are | | | | through the process, but the priority must stay on the |
| consistently slow, inconsistent, or have quality | | | | requirements of the business and not the technology |
| problems? | | | | itself.o Assign someone to be the barcode |
| You get the idea. These kinds of questions will lead to | | | | coordinator.o Talk to people in your industry that have |
| opportunities to improve your business information | | | | barcode systems. They will be happy to discuss what |
| systems and will help you develop your barcode | | | | they did and you will benefit from their mistakes.o |
| system requirements which are a critical part of most | | | | Learn your industry bar coding standardso Find out |
| information systems today. | | | | what your suppliers already have in place as far as |
| After you list your requirements you then need to | | | | barcode scanners, printers and systems. |
| develop 'use cases'. These define the actions that | | | | |