Bar coding at dry-cleaners – a real game-changer?

Recently the US-based magazine American Drycleaner conducted one of their surveys on the use of bar coding in dry-cleaning operations. The surveys are meant to offer insights in trade audience’s views in the country and qualified subscribers are invited to participate anonymously in the unscientific poll.

On the question “Do you use bar coding at your dry-cleaning operation?” 55% responded “Yes,” and 45% “No.” On the question how the check-in occurred if bar coding was not used, respondents mentioned software and printed tags, strip tags, paper tags or the intention of switching to the system soon. If bar coding is already being used, various explanations on how it works are given, such as:  “scanning the bar-code to create invoices and the creation of bar-code identifying type of item, colour, brand, damages, inventory control and ability to track each item all the way through the cleaning process.”

On the question for those who already use it “why the use of bar-coding makes a big difference in their operation”, the respondents are convinced of the positive effects and mention numerous advantages, such as: “an enormous time-saver with less mistakes, better for tracking assembly and history of items, enables consistent pricing, accuracy of customer garment, plant processing, customer ID, much easier inventory and quick check-in.”