Barcode Continues to Play a Foundational Role in Inventory Management in Vietnam

Amid rapid digital transformation, emerging technologies such as RFID, QR codes, IoT, and blockchain are increasingly discussed in supply chain management. However, in practice, barcodes remain the most widely used automatic identification technology in Vietnam and worldwide, particularly in retail, warehousing, manufacturing, and logistics.

More than simply surviving, barcodes are being continuously optimized and more deeply integrated into management systems, serving as a foundational tool for data standardization and operational efficiency.

Barcode – An “Old” Technology That Has Never Become Obsolete

According to statistics from the retail and logistics sectors, over 90% of goods circulating in today’s markets still rely on barcodes. The continued dominance of barcodes is driven by several practical advantages:

• Low implementation costs

• Global standardization (EAN, UPC, Code 128, Code 39, etc.)

• Ease of use and maintenance

• Suitability for businesses of all sizes

For most small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam, barcodes remain the most effective starting point for digitizing management processes, before expanding into more complex technologies.

Current Trends in Barcode Adoption by Enterprises

1. From “Labeling” to “Data Management”

Previously, many companies used barcodes at a basic level—printing labels for scanning during inbound and outbound warehouse operations. Today, the trend has shifted significantly, with barcodes being directly integrated into warehouse management systems (WMS), point-of-sale systems (POS), and ERP platforms.

Each barcode scan is no longer just a technical action, but a data event, enabling businesses to:

• Track product history

• Reduce manual errors

• Update inventory levels in real time

2. Standardizing Barcodes to Enable Traceability

As requirements for product transparency continue to increase, barcodes play a critical role as:

• Product identifiers

• Batch and lot codes

• A bridge between physical goods and digital data

Many enterprises use barcodes in parallel with QR codes—barcodes for internal management, and QR codes for consumer-facing information.

3. Barcode as a Stepping Stone Before RFID Deployment

Rather than moving directly to RFID, most businesses adopt a phased implementation approach:

1. Standardize processes using barcodes

2. Standardize data and systems

3. Expand RFID in areas requiring higher levels of automation

This strategy helps reduce investment risks and ensures stable system operation.

Common Barcode Applications in Vietnam

📦 Warehousing & Logistics

• Inbound and outbound inventory management

• Tracking product locations

• Reducing order processing errors

🏭 Manufacturing & Industrial Operations

• Managing work-in-progress items

• Batch-level defect traceability

• Tracking components and production processes

🛒 Retail

• Fast checkout and payment processing

• Synchronization of online and offline inventory

• Sales data analytics

🍺 F&B & Beverage

• Managing returnable containers and beer kegs

• Controlling raw materials

• Reconciling inbound, outbound, and returns

Beetech – A Provider of Barcode & AutoID Solutions in Vietnam

Within Vietnam’s AutoID ecosystem, Beetech is recognized as one of the companies providing barcode and RFID solutions, supporting enterprises from hardware deployment to software integration.

Rather than offering fragmented solutions, Beetech adopts a comprehensive approach by:

• Analyzing real operational workflows

• Advising on suitable barcode standards and devices

• Integrating barcodes with management software

• Building long-term technology expansion roadmaps

The barcode solutions implemented by Beetech are often positioned as a foundational layer, helping enterprises standardize data before advancing to higher levels of automation such as RFID.

Barcode and RFID: Complementary, Not Competitive

An increasingly accepted perspective among enterprises is that barcodes and RFID are not competitors, but complementary technologies.

When combined appropriately, these technologies allow businesses to optimize costs while maintaining scalability.

The Future Outlook for Barcodes

According to industry experts, over the next 3–5 years barcodes will:

• Remain the most widely used technology in retail

• Continue to serve as a foundational element in traceability systems

• Be used alongside RFID and QR codes

• Become more tightly integrated with data analytics and management platforms

Barcodes are not disappearing—they are evolving to better fit the digital ecosystem.

Conclusion

Despite the emergence of many new technologies, barcodes remain a critical foundation for inventory and data management in Vietnam. When implemented correctly and connected to appropriate management systems, barcodes help enterprises:

• Reduce errors

• Standardize data

• Improve operational efficiency

• Prepare for future technology expansion

In this context, the participation of local solution providers such as Beetech plays an important role in helping Vietnamese enterprises adopt barcode and AutoID technologies in a structured, flexible, and practical manner.

📧 Email: info@beetech.com.vn
🌐 Website: https://beetech.com.vn