Buyer’s Guide for GS1 DataBar Printers and Scales

Achieve in-store efficiencies envisioned through the use of GS1 DataBar™ (formerly RSS) by ensuring all of your in-store scales and printers are GS1 DataBar capable by the January 1, 2010 Sunrise date. Here are important steps to follow for equipment used to print in-store labels:

• Set up a GS1 DataBar project team
• Identify current scales and label printers
• Work with scale suppliers to determine GS1 DataBar readiness
• Work with printer/label suppliers to determine GS1 DataBar readiness
• Review new scale and printer purchase plans
• Ensure purchase contracts specify GS1 DataBar standards

Set up a GS1 DataBar project team

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Set up a GS1 DataBar project team as recommended in your Retailer Starter Kit. This will enable you to stay abreast of Industry projects such as in the Global Fresh Foods and Variable Measure Work Group.

1. Determine where and on what equipment GS1 DataBar labels will be printed.
2. Determine what, if any, new data fields will be needed. You may have new internal applications as well as Industry supported projects in your plans.

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Identify current scales and label printers

Identify and list all of your current scales and label printers in your stores that will print GS1 DataBar labels.

1. For each device, include make, model, and supplier.
2. Don’t forget to include portable scanner/printers and portable printers.

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Work with scale suppliers to determine GS1 DataBar readiness

Work with your scale suppliers to determine GS1 DataBar readiness for their equipment.

1. Ask for printed label samples using data you supply and scan them as you did with your GS1 DataBar 2010 test card.
2. Each global project will be asked to provide sample test data for vendors use to print labels with the specific fields used in the new application.

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Work with printer/label suppliers to determine GS1 DataBar readiness

Work with your printer/label suppliers to determine GS1 DataBar readiness for their equipment.

1. Many label printers utilize separate bar code software to print the symbols.
   For these printers, the hardware itself is not symbology dependent. Contact your bar code software suppliers ask for printed samples using data as suggested in step 3.
2. For those printers in which the printer supplier provides the software or the hardware itself has imbedded symbology encoders, work with the supplier as in step 3.

Refer your supplier to your MO representative to obtain GS1 DataBar specifications and free downloadable basic encoder models if needed.

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Review new scale and printer purchase plans

Review your new scale and printer purchase plans to assure non-upgradeable equipment is included in replacement plans.

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Ensure purchase contracts specify GS1 DataBar standards

For all new purchases, ensure your purchase contracts specify GS1 DataBar standards compliance in addition to the other GS1 symbologies: EAN/UPC, GS1-128, and ITF-14.

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