CPIM Practice Exam

What is meant by a bar code in inventory systems?

1. A physical label that can only be read manually.

2. A series of alternating bars and spaces representing encoded information.

3. A digital tag used for tracking shipments online.

4. A unique identifier for each product in a catalog.

The correct answer is: A series of alternating bars and spaces representing encoded information.

A bar code in inventory systems refers to a series of alternating bars and spaces that represent encoded information. This pattern can be read by barcode scanners, allowing for quick and accurate identification of products. Bar codes are crucial for inventory management because they facilitate automatic data capture, reducing human error and improving the efficiency of inventory tracking. They can encode different types of information, such as product IDs, prices, and quantities, which helps companies manage their inventory more effectively. The other options do not accurately describe what a bar code is or how it functions in inventory systems. For example, a physical label that can only be read manually does not take advantage of the efficiency and automation that bar codes provide. Similarly, a digital tag used for tracking shipments online implies a different technology, such as RFID, which is distinct from traditional bar code systems. Lastly, while a unique identifier for each product in a catalog is a component of what a bar code represents, it does not capture the method of representation through the series of bars and spaces that defines a bar code.