The Evolution of Barcodes and the Future of Scannable Technology with David Holliday

Barcodes have been a silent workhorse of the retail and supply chain industries for decades. But as businesses face increasing demands for efficiency, traceability, and consumer transparency, barcodes are undergoing a revolutionary transformation. On this episode of SNEED-CAST, Alexa takes a deep dive into the world of barcode technology with David Holiday, creator of PackagingNews.net and an industry expert with over 30 years of experience in product and packaging innovation.
David provides a fascinating origin story of barcodes, starting with their initial patent in the 1950s, exploring the evolution from simple designs like the bullseye barcode to the now iconic UPC code. He explains how barcodes not only revolutionized retail checkout processes but became indispensable in inventory management and global supply chains. David also highlights the rise of more sophisticated technologies, like 2D barcodes and RFID, and their implications for e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment.  

Chapters  
00:00 - Introduction  
02:17 - The Origin of Barcodes  
7:02 - Barcodes Transform Retail and Supply Chains  
08:47 - Barcodes in the Digital Age  
12:28 - Sunrise 2027 & 2D Barcode Technology 
17:29 - SNEED-JET® Freedom 41 Ad 
18:11 - Challenges in Transitioning to New Barcode Systems  
22:14 - RFID and Digimarc Innovations  
31:37 - Regulatory and Global Supply Chain Challenges  
35:35 - Final Advice for SMBs & Packaging Professionals  
39:58 - Closing Thoughts  

  
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