Web-based system example: A library management system
Wednesday 7th October 2009 at 7:33 pm

Today Google are celebrating the 57th anniversary of the barcode, so we thought we'd publish an article about how we can utilise barcodes to enhance a web-based system.

A classic example is a library management system. Libraries need to keep track of thousands of books and members. A custom web-based system can take care of everything required.

Functions of a library management system

Inventory
A database solution could be used to store all the details about books and other media. To make adding books easier, a barcode scanner could be used to read the ISBN of the book and automatically fetch the details.

Member database
The database could also store contact information for all of the members. Each member could be given a membership card with an automatically generated barcode that uniquely identifies them to the system each time they use the library.

Loans
The database could keep track of all loans made from the library to it's members. The barcode of each item and then the barcode of the members card could be scanned to speed up the loans process.

Renewals
Email and SMS reminders could be sent to members who are due to renew their items. The member could log even log in online to renew their items from home!

Searching
The system could help members find what they're looking for in the library. For example, the location of an item could be shown on an interactive map of the library. Members could visit the library website to search for items from home.

Summary

Of course this is just one example of how barcodes can help streamline your business. The same principle could be applied to any number of scenarios - DVDs, membership cards, anything!

If you've been inspired by this article and would like to find out what we could do for you, get in touch today!