Which barcode is best for inventory?

Use manufacturer EAN where available; Code 128 for your own SKUs and bins.

Do I need special scanners?

A standard USB scanner that types and presses Enter works.

Can I print my own labels?

Yes, with a label printer; NexoraIMS prints Code 128 labels.

A phone camera can scan occasionally; dedicated scanners are faster.

Barcode System for Inventory: Types, Hardware and Setup

A barcode turns typing into scanning. Done well it removes the most common stock errors. Here is how to choose codes, hardware and where to use them.

Which barcode type?

Type	Use	Notes
EAN-13 / UPC	Retail products sold in shops	Assigned by the manufacturer or GS1
Code 128	Internal SKUs, bins, documents	Compact, letters and numbers
QR code	Links and mobile scanning	Holds more data, needs camera or imager

If the product already has a manufacturer barcode, use it. For your own SKUs and bins, Code 128 is the practical choice.

Hardware

USB scanner (acts like a keyboard): cheapest and works anywhere
Wireless scanner for the warehouse
Label printer: thermal, with 50×25 mm or similar label rolls
Mobile phone camera for occasional scans

Where to scan

Goods receipt (scan each item)
Put-away (scan bin and item)
Stock counts
Picking and dispatch
Point of sale

Rollout plan

Clean the SKU list and decide the code rule.
Print labels for items without barcodes.
Start with receiving and counting, then add POS.
Train staff for a day; keep a manual fallback for the first week.

In NexoraIMS

Receiving and counting are barcode-first, alternate codes allow supplier and manufacturer codes, and Code 128 labels print in 50×25, 38×25, 70×35 and 100×50 mm. See barcode inventory software.