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~ Lorna Leaver ~

On a product with not much label space, this is a lot of real estate to Use one barcode—online and offline
use up. The introduction of GS1 Digital Link does not mean that
the use of the barcode is changing. Quite the opposite: brand
Coca-Cola is not alone in this; however, it is especially prevalent on owners and retailers will still use the ubiquitous barcode for
products sold in the Far East, given that the QR code is far more a years to come—only now they have the future opportunity of
part of day-to-day life than here in the West. migrating to a single, web-enabled barcode.

We are now working with Coca-Cola and many more of our mem- This supports the old adage: less is more. Less space, more
bers to help find a solution to this problem. marketing. Less high definition, more readability. Less bar-
code, more data. ••
GS1 has a new standard in town
Ratified in February 2020, Digital Link does as the name
suggests and enables product information to be linked digi-
tally, all from one data carrier (or barcode).

It is enhancing the experience for consumers and patients
around the globe while strengthening brand loyalty, improv-
ing supply chain traceability, strengthening patient safety and
efficiencies, while also bringing barcode scanning into the
21st century.

Similar to the way a web address (URL) points to a specific
website, GS1 Digital Link will enable connections to all types
of business-to-business and business-to-consumer informa-
tion. And, instead of being limited to one type of data carrier
like a traditional barcode, brands can now use a QR code,
radio-frequency identification (RFID), GS1 DataMatrix tag
or near-field communication (NFC) to deliver this informa-
tion to their customers.

Get involved :

To learn more about 2D barcoding, explore the potential of GS1 Digital Link for your business, or to participate in a proof of concept or pilot study,
contact GS1 UK by emailing [email protected] or give us a call on: 0808 178 8799

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