Vörukóðar

Vörukóðar, or product codes, are alphanumeric identifiers used to uniquely represent a specific product. These codes are crucial for inventory management, sales tracking, and supply chain operations. They allow businesses to efficiently organize and retrieve information about their goods. Different types of product codes exist, each with its own structure and purpose.

One common type is the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU). SKUs are internal codes created by individual businesses to manage their own inventory. They are highly customizable and can incorporate details about the product such as brand, style, color, and size. Because they are internal, SKUs are not standardized across different companies.

Another widely recognized system is the Universal Product Code (UPC). UPCs are standardized barcodes used globally, most notably in retail. Each UPC represents a unique product sold by a specific manufacturer. The barcode itself is a scannable representation of the numerical UPC, allowing for quick and accurate data entry at points of sale and in warehouses.

The European Article Number (EAN) is similar to the UPC but is primarily used in Europe and other parts of the world. EANs are also standardized and used for retail purposes, facilitating international trade and inventory tracking across borders. Both UPCs and EANs are managed by the Global Standards One (GS1) organization.

In addition to these, other product code systems may exist for specialized industries or specific product categories. The fundamental purpose of all product codes, however, remains the same: to provide a clear and unambiguous way to identify and manage individual items within a business's product catalog.