Integrating barcode scanning into your ERP system is one of the most powerful ways to improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency across your warehouse, yard, and delivery operations. But to get the results you’re looking for, it’s important to understand what the process really involves—from planning to rollout.
Here’s what to expect at each stage of the integration journey.
- Assessment and Planning
Before any hardware or software is purchased, you’ll start with a discovery phase. This includes:
Reviewing current inventory, picking, shipping, and receiving workflows
Identifying where errors, delays, or manual steps are slowing things down
Defining what you want barcode scanning to do (e.g., receiving, load confirmation, returns, transfers)
Choosing the right barcode formats (1D vs 2D), label placement, and printing needs
🔍 Key takeaway: This phase ensures you’re not just scanning to scan—you’re solving real operational problems.
- Selecting Hardware and Scanning Devices
Next, you’ll choose the barcode scanners or mobile devices that fit your environment. In the building materials space, you’ll likely need:
Rugged handheld scanners for the yard or warehouse
Vehicle-mounted tablets or mobile computers for forklifts and trucks
Wearable scanners or long-range options for hard-to-reach inventory
Make sure these devices are compatible with your ERP system—or any middleware used to connect the two.
- Integration with ERP Workflows
This is where the real connection happens. You’ll be mapping each scan action to a corresponding event in your ERP, such as:
Scanning a product upon receiving updates inventory in real time
Scanning an item during picking confirms the correct product is pulled
Scanning at staging or loading logs fulfillment status and triggers alerts
Scanning at delivery completes the order and initiates invoicing
🔁 Data flow must be bidirectional: Your ERP should update when something is scanned, and your scanner should pull live data from the ERP to guide the process.
- Customization and Testing
Even if your ERP supports barcode scanning, some level of customization is usually needed. Expect to:
Configure or build custom fields (e.g., bundle IDs, job-site tags, bin locations)
Set up label templates and auto-generation rules
Customize alerts, exceptions, or scan-based prompts
Test different scanning workflows across receiving, transfers, and shipping
🧪 Testing is critical. Before going live, run full scenarios using real products, employees, and workflows.
- Staff Training and Pilot Rollout
Barcode systems are only as effective as the people using them. Once the system is configured:
Train warehouse and yard teams on how to use the scanners correctly
Start with a small pilot—one warehouse, product line, or process
Collect feedback and fine-tune before expanding across the business
🎯 Pro tip: Focus early training on scanning technique, exception handling, and what to do when something doesn’t scan properly.
- Full Deployment and Optimization
Once the pilot is successful and your team is confident, you can roll out scanning across locations and functions. Over time, you can:
Add scanning to cycle counts, transfers, returns, and job-site deliveries
Monitor scanning performance and error rates
Expand reporting and analytics based on scan data
Continually refine labels, workflows, and device setups
📊 Optimization never stops. The more accurate your scan data, the more powerful your ERP becomes.
Final Thought
Integrating barcode scanning with your ERP is a game-changer—but it’s not plug-and-play. With the right planning, hardware, workflow mapping, and training, you’ll gain speed, reduce errors, and improve visibility across your operation.
Take your time, do it right, and you’ll see the return in both productivity and profitability.
