DVS - New Media and Technologies

Barcoded CD & DVD Media = Security Tracking Solution

Recently DVS completed an optical disc duplication project of over 100,000 units with various titles of both Audio CDs and DVD Video discs.  Unique about this project was the use of sequential barcodes.  Each disc was printed, with a unique identification number in the form of a barcode, using our one-of-a-kind Direct-to-Disc Digital printing and coating process.

The purpose of bar-coding the discs, was to allow our client to pair up the highly secure information on the disc with collateral materials (all with matching barcodes).  The bar-coded product could then be tracked all the way through to the end recipient, giving our client the ability to identify who received each specific product and when.

Barcodes have been utilized for many years; some of the earliest implementations were used in the railway system.  Today, barcodes are found nearly everywhere when unique identification is a necessity.  When barcodes are utilized, processes and procedures can be automated, errors reduced and productivity increased.  Whenever there is a desire to track or identify; barcodes are a simple and effective means of doing so; even with optical media!

For more information on barcodes feel free to visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode
http://www.adams1.com/faq.html

To learn how DVS can solve your media tracking needs with barcodes, give us a shout.  sales@dvs.com

Barcodes Explained

One of the common packaging questions we hear at DVS is
"I need a barcode (UPC number) for my product, what is it, and how do I get one?".

Who needs a UPC number?
If you sell products to a distributor or a retailer, you will need a UPC barcode that represents a "Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). All retailers doing scanning of merchandise at the checkout counter will require you to barcode label any merchandise you want them to carry. Before you can label your merchandise, you must get a unique UCC Company Prefix from the single USA and Canada authority that exclusively controls the assignment of numbers, namely the Uniform Code Council. When you get a number, you will also get a certificate from that body authenticating your number; most retailers will demand proof of the certificate to verify that your number is unique and authorized.

Another duplicator said I could use their UPC number, why can't I use yours?
We have contacted the UCC for a clarification on this issue. The UCC responded by stating - while some duplicators do this, "their membership agreement includes express language that forbids them from doing it". The UCC also informed us that, traditionally, the UCC has left it up to customers & retailers (in other words companies like DVS) to police their competitors' actions. In light of recent infractions of this agreement, however, they are "stepping up their attention to this issue, and our legal department is looking into remedies". As DVS has a longstanding history of compliance with the spirit of the law, we simply cannot accept any requests from a client to add a UPC barcode to a product unless that barcode is, indeed, registered to that client. We trust that our clients will appreciate our diligence in researching the legality of such practices for them and taking the high road.

Now that I know I need a UPC number, where do I get it?
In order to get a UCC Company Prefix, you must apply for membership to the Uniform Code Council. There is a fee for membership and it is based upon the information you provide about your company on the on-line application. Two of the key factors that are considered are sales volume/revenue and numbering capacity needs. You can apply online , by phone, or by fax.
The contact information for the Uniform Code Council is:

Telephone: (937) 435-3870
Fax: (937) 435-7317
Email: info@uc-council.org
website: http://www.uc-council.org

What is a UPC barcode?
If you buy products in a retail environment, then you are familiar with the barcodes you see on most products in any of your local retail stores. This is called a UPC-A code, is 12 digits long and looks something like this:

The UPC number itself is referred to as the GTIN - Global Trade Item Number. The GTIN is made of of your UCC Company Prefix and the number that you have assigned to that unique product. 

The UCC Company Prefix is a 10, 9, 8, 7 or 6 digit number assigned to you by the Uniform Code Council. The number of digits is determined typically by how many products you will need to assign numbers to. If you have 50 products that require unique numbers, you would probably be assigned a 9 digit UCC Company Prefix (That leaves 2 digits to represent your items). In the barcode sample to the left, a 6 digit number, "012345" had been assigned. This number will represent the manufacturer on all of their products as well as in any EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) applications.

The second set of numbers are used to reference the specific product. It is called an "Item Reference Number". This number is not assigned by the Uniform Code Council. This number is up to the manufacturer and is often assigned in a random manner. In the example barcode above, the Item Reference Number is "67890". Depending on how many items you have requested numbering for, this Item Reference Number may be 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 digits long.

The last number is a check digit calculated from the previous 11 digits. It is not randomly assigned. Most barcode printing programs will calculate this check digit for you. The check digit for the example above is "5".

DVS DOES NOT issue UPC numbers. You must contact the Uniform Code Council for your number.