Barcode
A unique visual pattern (usually in black and white stripes) used to identify products. Barcodes are scanned to retrieve product data quickly.

GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
A unique identifier for products, issued by GS1. GTINs include EAN, UPC, and other formats used globally.

GS1
An organization that develops global standards for business communication, including barcoding systems and identification standards.

Compromised Barcode
Barcodes that are not properly registered with GS1, often resulting in product rejection by retailers.

Prefix
The initial part of a barcode number, assigned to a specific company by GS1. It signifies the product’s origin.

EAN (European Article Number)
A type of GTIN used internationally, predominantly in Europe. It typically contains 13 digits.

UPC (Universal Product Code)
A barcode format primarily used in North America. It typically contains 12 digits and is part of the GTIN system.

Logistics
The management of the flow of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption, including transportation, warehousing, and inventory management.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Outsourced logistics services, including warehousing, transportation, and order fulfillment.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
A technology used to track items wirelessly using tags that transmit data to a reader.

Serialization
Assigning a unique identifier to each individual item in a product batch, enabling item-level traceability.

Supply Chain
A system of organizations, people, and activities involved in moving products from suppliers to consumers.

Traceability
The ability to track the history, location, or application of a product through all stages of production and distribution.

Pick-and-Pack
A process where items are picked from inventory and packed for shipping to fulfill customer orders.

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique identifier for products used by retailers to manage stock and track sales.