Sales Promotion with Trackable Coupons

Track Coupons Using Global Coupon Numbers (GCN)

You are a retailer, coupon issuer, distributor or a marketing agency and would like to distribute and track coupons?

Then you should think about applying for standardized and globally unique numbers for such purposes. Starting this year (2013) the GS1 organization in Belgium and Luxembourg maintains and issues global coupon numbers. Because such a GCN is based on the GS1 company prefix, it is worldwide unique.

Personalized and Non-Personalized Coupons

For non-personalized coupons only the so-called GCN part 1 is required to identify a coupon. For personalized coupons the coupon issuer needs to utilize GCN part 2 (basically a serial number) as well.

In addition each coupon must be assigned a coupon value.

GS1 DataBar Expanded for Coupons 

Based on the available space on your coupon, select either the GS1 DataBar Expanded or the GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked bar-code symbology.

The GS1 DataBar barcode encodes the GCN using application identifier AI (255). The value of the coupon is encoded by means of AI (390x). It is required that such a GS1 DataBar starts with AI (255) followed by AI (390x). The use of AI (01) along with AI (255) in a single coupon barcode is forbidden.

The barcode must be applied to each coupon. It does not matter whether you distribute paper coupons, eCoupons (printed by the customer) or digital coupons (e.g. coupons received and presented with smartphones).

GCN Barcode Maker Software

TEC-IT's barcode creator software Barcode Studio V15.1 was recently extended with a convenient assistant to support the creation of GCN barcodes with AI (255):

Barcode Studio's Global Coupon Number Assistant

Barcode Studio is a professional tool for creating bar codes. Single bar-codes as well as series of bar-codes are created in no time at all. Barcode data can be entered manually or imported from CSV files. The created bar codes are exported as bitmap or vector images for further processing. Barcode Studio V15.1, which also incorporates simple label printing functions, is available for Windows and Mac OS X.

A free, fully functional 10-day trial is available for download:

Barcode Studio for Windows
Barcode Studio for Mac OS X

About TEC-IT

+TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of automated data acquisition and data collection, bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing, report generators and output management. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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"Tag it Easy" - vCard and meCard QR-Codes!

A new version of the barcode creator software Barcode Studio is on the way!

What’s New?

Barcode Studio V11.5 introduces a new data input assistant. This special feature simplifies the creation of 2D codes for mobile tagging and electronic business cards (so-called vCard and meCard barcodes) dramatically.
With Barcode Studio V11.5 you are able to create more than 100 different linear, postal, GS1 and 2D barcode symbologies. The barcodes can be printed on simple labels or exported as bitmap or vector image files. Batch barcode creation with external data is supported.

2D Codes for Mobile Tagging

vCard Data Input Assistant

vCard and meCard QR-codes are used to encode contact details of a business card (like name, address, email, phone-number ...) in a 2D barcode symbol. When scanning such a barcode with a smartphone (camera and suitable scanner software is required of course), the data is automatically entered into the address book of the phone. No manual typing or copy/paste is required.

Try it Yourself - Scan the Code!

vCard and meCard barcodes encode the contact details in a certain format. The new data input assistant of Barcode Studio takes care of the right formatting. In order to create readable barcodes you just enter the contact data (see screen shot) and Barcode Studio creates the correct code. You do not need to know the details.

In addition the above mentioned vCard and meCard codes, Barcode Studio allows you to create 2D codes for mobile tagging applications. Currently supported are barcodes for sending text messages (SMS), phone calls, Twitter tweets, Facebook likes and profiles, LinkedIn contacts and profiles, Wi-Fi access and events (vCalendar). In future versions of Barcode Studio this list will be extended as appropriate.

GS1 DataBar - Application Identifier Support

GS1 Application Identifier Assitant

Users of the GS1 DataBar or GS1-128 barcode symbologies benefit from the data input assistant as well. Barcode Studio provides a searchable list of the available application identifiers (AIs) and ensures that the rules for a correct GS1 barcode are met. Application identifiers are used to designate the encoded data. More than hundred AIs are in common use (e.g. AI 10 designates the LOT number, AI 11 the production date ...). Barcode Studio also takes care to separate multiple AIs in a single barcode with the Function Code 1 (FNC1).

Download Pre-Release

Coming soon! Use these links to download the release candidates (BETA!):
Barcode Studio for Windows
Barcode Studio for Mac OS X

Video

Questions or Suggestions?

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Simply write us an email (support@tec-it.com), give us a call (++43 7252 72720, time zone GMT+1) or visit www.tec-it.com!

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Software for Printing Shipping Labels: VDA, AIAG, GS1, Caterpillar, ...

Labeling Software Update

The recently updated barcode label printing and reporting software TFORMer Designer offers numerous templates for standard industry labels. These label templates eliminate label design efforts completely, they can be printed immediately with data provided by the user.

TFORMer Designer solves labeling requirements in an elegant way, just watch the following videos and learn in 90 seconds how easy compliance labeling can be:

HD-Video / English

HD-Video / German

Supported Label Templates (Partial)

• AIAG B10 Master Label
• AIAG B10 Mixed Label
• AIAG B15 5 Inch Label
• AIAG B15 7 Inch
• AIAG B3 
• AIAG B5 
• AIAG Daimler Chrysler B10 Freightliner
• AIAG Daimler Chrysler B10 Master
• AIAG Daimler Chrysler B10 Mixed Load
• AIAG Daimler Chrysler B10
• Galia Label
• Galia Galia Licence Plate
• Galia Galia Renault
• General Motors GM 1724 A
• General Motors GM 1724 A KLT
• General Motors GM 1724 B
• General Motors GM 1724 C
• General Motors GM GTL
• General Motors GM GTL KLT
• Global Transport Label GM GTL
• Global Transport Label  GM GTL KLT
• Global Transport Label  GTL BeloM
• Global Transport Label  GTL BeloM A6
• Global Transport Label  GTL BeloM KLT
• Global Transport Label  GTL Master Detail
• Global Transport Label  GTL Mixed Detail
• MAT Datamatrix Label 100x40
• MAT Datamatrix Label 110x40
• MAT Datamatrix Label 120x60
• MAT Datamatrix Label 70x48
• MAT PDF417 Label 100x40
• MAT PDF417 Label 120x60
• MAT PDF417 Label 50x30
• Odette Label
• Siemens VDO Label
• VDA Belom 4902 KLT
• VDA Belom 4902
• VDA 4902 
• VDA 4902 KLT
• VDA 4902 Stahl
• VDA 4902 Version 3 4
• VDA 4902 Version 4
• VDA 4906
• VDA 4912 
• VDA 4922
• VDA 4931
• VDA 4939 Sendungsbeleg
• VDA 4939 Transportbeleg
• VDA 4994
• GS1 Logistic Label Non standard heterogeneous
• GS1 Logistic Label Non standard homogenous fixed
• GS1 Logistic Label Non standard homogenous variable
• GS1 Logistic Label Standard heterogeneous
• GS1 Logistic Label Standard homogenous fixed
• GS1 Logistic Label Standard homogenous one piece
• GS1 Logistic Label Standard homogenous variabel
• MIL-STD-129P MSL Generic Cargo
• MIL-STD-129P MSL Unit Move
• Caterpillar Master Pack Label
• Caterpillar Mixed Load Label
• Caterpillar Single Pack Label
• Volkswagen VW GTL DE
• Volkswagen VW VDA 4939 Sendungsbeleg
• Volkswagen VW VDA 4939 Transportbeleg
• etc

Free Download and Support

Test TFORMer Designer for free, download the demo version today (no registration required). In case of questions contact TEC-IT, support is available via email, phone and WebEx remote conferencing.

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UK Standards Body Does Musicians a Solid

GS1 UK, in conjunction with AIM and the BPI, will now distribute single GTINs to UK musicians and labels. This is great news for indie bands and DIY music labels who previously couldn't afford the zillion dollar price tag on a full GS1 membership. For £25 (fiddy American dollars) a year, the little guys can now produce and sell their songs in the same channels as the big guys.The question now is

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