Barcode Generation for Inventory: Label Stock That Arrives Without a Code

Half your stock arrives without a barcode you can use.

Scanning is the fastest, most accurate way to move stock. It only works if every item carries a code your system recognises. In the field, plenty of stock does not. Products arrive without barcodes, or carry a supplier code that means nothing to your platform. Barcode generation closes that gap.

This guide explains what barcode generation does, the formats it supports, and how it lets field teams scan everything instead of keying it in.

What is barcode generation?

Barcode generation bridges physical inventory and digital tracking. It lets teams label products that arrive without a barcode, or that use a proprietary coding system, with a code the platform can scan. Three benefits stand out:

• Standardisation: turn internal product numbers or shipment data into scannable barcodes, in GS1 or custom formats.
• Efficiency: generate labels during the inbound process for new products, or for stock already sitting in bins and containers.
• Portability: export labels as a standard PDF, ready for any local or network label printer.

What you can label

Ventory generates barcodes for products and for their storage locations, bins and containers. For bins and containers it uses their identifier. For products you can build the barcode from the product number, lot number, serial number or quantity, depending on what you need to track.

Formats that work with standard scanners

To stay compatible with the scanners already in the field, Ventory supports the common encoding types:

• Linear (1D): Code 128, Code 39
• 2D matrix: QR Code, Data Matrix

Configuration is managed at company level by administrators, so labelling stays consistent across every branch and user. If you need several data types on an item, add each to the configuration and the system generates a label per type.

From a label to a scan

A generated barcode is only useful if the field team can act on it. Once stock is labelled, the mobile app scans it to validate in real time, configure unrecognised codes, and share that knowledge across the company automatically. Generate the label at inbound, print it, and from that point every count, order and move is a scan instead of a keystroke. Fewer errors, faster work.

Getting started

1. Identify the stock that arrives without a usable barcode.
2. Decide what to encode: product number, lot, serial or quantity.
3. Set the company-level configuration and a supported format.
4. Generate labels at inbound and export the PDF to your label printer.
5. Scan from then on, across counts, orders and moves.

Stock you cannot scan? Book a demo →

Frequently asked questions

What is barcode generation?

It is the process of creating scannable barcodes for items that arrive without one, or that use a proprietary code. It turns product numbers, lots, serials or location identifiers into labels your system can scan.

What barcode formats are supported?

Linear formats Code 128 and Code 39, and 2D matrix formats QR Code and Data Matrix, so generated labels work with standard scanners.

Can I label bins and containers, not just products?

Yes. Ventory generates barcodes for products and for their storage locations, using the bin name or container identifier.

How are labels printed?

Labels export as a standard PDF, ready to send to any local or network label printer.

About Ventory

Ventory is the field inventory layer between your ERP or WMS and your field teams. It gives leaders total control and visibility of inventory outside the warehouse: in vans, forward stocking locations, consignment sites and hospitals. Ventory is ERP-agnostic and trusted by teams at Microsoft, Delaware, Zebra Technologies and DHL. ISO 27001 certified, SOC 2 compliant, GDPR. 99.76% rolling stock accuracy. Live in 48 hours. See how it works →