The automotive industry is responsible for designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling the world's motor vehicles. Despite recent global economic changes, the automotive industry remains as one of the most important sectors for the world's economy by revenue. Now more than ever, the automotive industry is looking to bar code scanning technologies in order to become more efficient and productive as well as to save costs and reduce waste.
Using a bar code system in manufacturing is one of the best methods to improve both quality and yield, especially in common multi-step processes. Bar code systems can monitor the complete production system, tracking material through each step while keeping detailed records on each product or batch. This creates efficient and accountable production. Bar code systems can also measure throughput (flow rate). When a problem occurs in the output, supervisors and managers can quickly track the work back and resolve the issues.
The need for identification, tracking, and control in each phase of the production cycle led Datalogic ADC to develop scanning technologies that can be integrated into the most simple software applications to the most sophisticated ERP systems. This allows Datalogic to support the entire supply chain from receiving raw materials to product shipment. Datalogic is also helping to advance the usage of 2D codes and imaging technology in manufacturing with innovative products that continue to improve these specific industrial applications.

	Shipping & Receiving Shipping and receiving is part of the overall Warehouse Management System (WMS) where incoming materials are received and outgoing goods are shipped to customers or additional storage facilities. Reading barcodes at receiving confirms receipt of goods against the bill of lading. This first scan enable the WMS to adjust inventory levels and later direct material storage. Mobile computers and bar code scanners can also call attention to items at low stock levels, reducing the chance of stock-outs. The use of bar codes improves productivity and reduces errors in the picking process ensuring orders are properly packed and shipped to the correct destination on the correct date.
	Product Tracking The primary role of bar code scanning is for traceability and tracking applications where products are managed step-by-step during the production chain at any given time. This real-time data is critical to meeting strict production schedules and perhaps, most importantly for consumer safety. For instance, if the manufacturer discovers a certain lot of seat belts are defective, the vehicles that received the defective seat belts can be identified and the company can quickly launch a recall campaign. Without bar codes, the manufacturer would have to manually estimate the items to recall, resulting in a significantly greater loss in productivity and unnecessary warranty expenses.
	Part Usage Traceability Part usage traceability throughout production is a critical operation. If the manufacturer's inventory is not updated as parts are integrated into the final product, errors can lead to unnecessary shortages, downtime and unbalanced inventory levels. Bar code scanners and mobile computers are integral components to a well-designed part replenishment process. They not only provide real-time material consumption, but eliminate material movement errors while improving the visibility of raw material and work-in-progress inventories.
	Labor Tracking Bar code scanning allows manufacturing facilities to track each activity related to the production of a particular product step-by-step. This capability is valuable for measuring labor content and employee productivity, when comparing completed work with the expected output. For example, management will be able to determine exactly how long it takes an employee to assembly a particular part or to pick raw material for line preparation. When the results do not measure up, the problem can be isolated and corrective action can be taken. This data has many uses for product costing, establishment of labor standards, as well as measuring employee performance which can all drastically reduce labor costs.
	Inventory Management Bar code scanning is a key component to any Enterpise Resource Planning (ERP) or Warehouse Management System (WMS). By tracking components, parts and supplies with bar code labels, manufactures can maintain reliable complete and partial inventories with upmost data integrity. When using cordless scanners or mobile computers the captured data can be uploaded to a central system in regular intervals batches or in real time. This aligns stock levels and online availabilities for better forecasting, reducing the chance of stock-outs, overstocks, and emergency shipments. A ruggedized scanner or mobile computer that can withstand rough handling, accidental drops, wide temperature ranges, dirt and moisture are ideal for this application.
	Document Handling Bar code scanners are replacing common manufacturing document handling activities by automatically tracking the movement, filing, location, archival, maintenance and destruction of important documents. This system allows employees to identify documents by reading a unique label on the document to reduce errors and enhance productivity. By eliminating manual processes, construction and building manufacturers will experience a significant reduction in errors which is critical for successful business practices.
	Warehouse Management Systems Warehouses are the central component to businesses receiving goods and distributing them further into the supply chain or to the end customer. A proper Warehouse Management System (WMS) helps to track inventory operations both within the facility and in outdoor stockyards for better shipping and receiving, inventory control and order fulfillment processes. Properly identified and labeled inventory from suppliers and manufacturers are well on their way to creating a secure WMS that provides more efficiency, accuracy and visibility throughout the movement of goods. Ruggedized scanners or mobile computers that can withstand rough handling, accidental drops, wide temperature ranges, dirt and moisture are ideal for this application. Vehicle mounted computers with handheld scanners bring additional mobility to warehouse management activities.