Data carriers
All of the identification numbers used in the GS1 System can be represented in data carriers and of these, barcode symbols are the most commonly used. Barcode symbols are a means of representing data in machine readable form, and allow automatic data capture at each point where an item leaves or enters premises.
With improvements in the technology and new application requirements, new data carriers such as GS1 DataBar (formerly Reduced Space Symbology (RSS)), Data Matrix, and RFID have been introduced.
At present only the EAN UPC barcode symbology is used at retail Point-of-Sale (POS).
In the general distribution environment of a warehouse, all symbologies can be used. These are listed below:
- EAN UPC
- ITF-14 barcodes
- GS1-128 barcodes
- GS1 DataBar (formerly RSS)
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
