Intermec Technologies Corp. today announced its bar code scanners support the Global Trade Item Numbering (GTIN) data structure. This family of bar code symbologies, supported by the Uniform Code Council in North America and EAN International for the rest of the world, allows retailers to identify and share product and service item information seamlessly throughout global trading networks, from suppliers to buyers.
Intermec ScanPlus and Sabre families of scanners shipped since December 2002 have 14-digit GTIN data transmission capability. In addition, Intermec is offering firmware upgrades to existing Intermec scanner customers that provide the same ability to read and use the new GTIN data structure. Firmware upgrades can be performed on-site by the customer or at a depot service center.
The GTIN data structure includes the 12-digit Universal Product Code familiar to consumers and retailers across North America, the 13-digit EAN.UCC code already in use outside of North America, and the newest standard, EAN.UCC-14.
The Uniform Code Council has set January 1, 2005 as the target date for North American companies to accept the 13-digit EAN.UCC code and is encouraging everyone to accept the full 14-digit GTIN at the same time. The longer code will allow retailers and trading partners to provide complete item identification and handle a greater range of global products, eliminating the need to re-label or re-identify items for different geographic markets.
Currently, customers who want to support the 14-digit GTIN must change their database fields to 14-digits and add software to modify existing EAN.UCC data formats. The new Intermec firmware allows companies to automatically modify EAN and UCC data formats into the GTIN 14-digit format.
"If you're already working with Intermec your scanners will immediately comply with the new standard," said Dan Bodnar, Intermec director of data capture product marketing.
Intermec bar code scanners designed for the retail customer include the ScanPlus and MaxiScan series for in-store applications and the rugged Sabre family for distribution center and warehousing environments.
About Intermec
Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag® RFID (radio frequency identification), mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.
For information about Intermec, visit www.intermec.com.
To learn more about how companies can benefit from Intermec s supply chain technologies, contact Intermec Technologies Corp., 6001 36th Ave. West, Everett, WA 98203-9280 USA; telephone 800-347-2636; or visit Intermec's web site at www.intermec.com. To learn more about UNOVA, visit www.unova.com
