Glossary - Logistics/Supply Chain/
Automatic Identification Technologies

ADC
Automated Data Collection Technologies that automate data collection at the source such as bar code, biometrics, machine vision, magnetic stripe, OCR (Optical Card Readers), voice recognition, smart cards, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).

AIM
The Automatic Identification Manufacturers Inc., a trade association.

Bar
The darker element of a printed bar code symbol.

Bar Code
An automatic identification technology that encodes information into an array of adjacent varying width parallel rectangular bars and spaces.

Bar Code Character
A single group of bars and spaces that represents a specific number (often one) of numbers, letters, punctuation marks, or other symbols. This is the smallest subset of a bar code symbol that contains data.

Bar Code Density
The number of data characters that can be represented in a linear unit of measure. Bar code density is often expressed in characters per inch.

Bar Code Label
A label that carries a bar code symbol and is suitable to be affixed to an article.

Bar Code Reader
A device used to read a bar code symbol.

Bar Length
The bar dimension perpendicular to the bar width. Also called bar height. Scanning is performed in an axis perpendicular to the bar length.

Bar Width
The thickness of a bar measured from the edge closest to the symbol start character to the trailing edge of the same bar.

Bidirectional
A bar code symbol capable of being read successfully independent of scanning irection.

Data Collection Advantage
A data collection execution system that uses the latest technologies such as Windows NT and client/server to manage communication with the data collection network and existing databases, communicates interactively with the worker, and provides real-time, accurate information to host business systems.

Decoder
As part of a bar code reading system, the electronic package that receives the signal rom the scanner, performs the algorithm to interpret the signals into meaningful data, and provides the interface to other devices.

EAN
European Article Numbering system, the international standard bar code for retail food packages.

Element
In a bar code symbol, a single bar or space.Film Master
A photographic film representation of a specific bar code or OCR symbol from which a printing plate is produced.

First Read Rate
The ratio of the number of successful reads on the first scanning attempt to the number of attempts. Commonly expressed as a percentage. Abbreviated as FRR.

Guard Bars
The bars that are both ends and center of a UPC and EAN symbol. They provide reference points for scanning, serving a function simlar to start/stop codes.

Helium-Neon (HeNe) Laser
A type of laser commonly used in bar code scanners. It emits coherent red light at a wavelength of 633 nanometers.

Horizontal Bar Code
A bar code or symbol presented in such a manner that its overall length dimension is parallel to the horizon. The bars are presented in an array that looks like a picket ence.

Input Device
That portion of a bar code reading system that employs electro-optical techniques to determine the localized reflectivity of a symbol.

Interleaved Bar Code
A bar code in which characters are paired together using bars to represent the first character and spaces to represent the second, i.e. Interleaved 2 of 5.

Laser Diode A semiconductor laser commonly used in bar code scanners.

Laser Scanner
An optical bar code reading device using a low energy laser light beam as its source of illumination.

Light Pen
In a bar code system, a handheld scanning wand that is used as a contact bar code reader held in the hand. See Wand Scanner.Middleware
The software interface or link that enables data to pass from the source to a client, such as the middleware that enables Intermec terminals to interface with ERP applications.

Misread
A condition that occurs when the data output of a reader does not agree with the data encoded in the bar code symbol.

Moving Beam Bar Code Reader A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by mechanically or electronically moving the optical geometry.

Non-Read
In a bar code system, the absence of data at the scanner output after an attempted scan due to no code, defective code, scanner failure, or operator error.

Orientation
The alignment of a bar code symbol with respect to horizontal. Two possible rientations are horizontal with vertical bars and spaces (picket fence) and vertical with horizontal bars and spaces (ladder).

Overhead
In a bar code system, the fixed number of characters required for start, stop, and checking in a given symbol. For example, a symbol requiring a start/stop and two check characters contains four characters of overhead. Thus, to encode three characters, seven characters are required to be printed.

Print Quality
The measure of compliance of a bar code symbol to the requirements of dimensional olerance, edge roughness, spots, voids, reflectance, PCS, quiet zone, and encodation.

Quiet Zone
A clear space, containing no dark marks, that precedes the start character of a bar code symbol and follows the stop characters. Sometimes called the "clear area."

Real-Time
The immediate availability of data to an information system as a transaction or event ccurs.

Resolution
In a bar code system, the narrowest element dimension that can be distinguised by a particular reading device or printed with a particular device or method.

Scanner
An electronic device that electro-optically converts optical information into electrical signals.

SER Substitution error rate. The rate of occurrence of incorrect characters from an automatic identification system.

Show-Through
The generally undesirable property of a substrate that permits underlying markings to be seen.

Skew
Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis parallel to the symbol's length. Space
The lighter element of a bar code usually formed by the background between bars.

Start/Stop Character or Pattern
A special bar code character that provides the scanner with start and stop reading instructions as well as scanning direction indicator. The start character is normally at the far left end of a horizontal oriented symbol. The stop character is normally at the far right end of a horizontally oriented symbol.

Substitution Error A misencodation, misread, or human key entry error where incorrect information is substituted for a character that was to be entered. Example: correct information - 1, 2, 3, 4; substitution - 1, 2, 3, 5.

Substitution Error Rate
The rate of occurence of incorrect characters from an automatic identification system.

Substrate
The surface on which a bar code symbol is printed.Supply-Chain Management
The use of information technology to give automated intelligence to a network of vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and a host of other trading partners. The goal is for each player in the supply chain to conduct business with the latest and best information from everyone else in the chain, guiding supply and demand into a more perfect balance. Effective management of the supply chain enables a company to move product from the point of origin to that of consumption in the least amount of time at the smallest cost.

Symbol A combination of bar code characters (including start/stop characters, quiet zones, data characters, and check characters required by a particular symbology), that forms a complete, scannable entity.

Symbol Length
The distance between the outside edges of the quiet zones on the two ends of a bar code symbol.

Tilt
Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis perpendicular to the substrate.Time and Labor Reporting
The use of bar code data collection terminals to quickly record attendance and labor information including vacation time, sick days, variance time, and labor tracking.

Transaction Manager
A bar code terminal that is also programmable.

Universal Product Code (UPC)
The standard bar code symbol for retail food packages in the United States. Vertical Bar Code
A code pattern presented in such orientation that the axis of the symbol from start to stop is perpendicular to the horizon. The individual bars are in an array that appears as rungs of a ladder.

Wand Scanner
A handheld scanning device used as a contact bar code or OCR reader.

WMS
Warehouse Management Systems - Software that integrates mechanical and human activities with an information system to effectively manage warehouse business processes and direct warehouse activities. These systems automate receiving, put away, picking, and shipping in warehouses and can prompt workers to do inventory cycle counts. Most support radio-frequency communications, allowing real-time data transfer between the system and warehouse personnel.