Item identifier

Item Identifiers (Additional Item Id)

An Item Identifier represents an identification code of some sort. According to the GS1 standard this is mostly a GTIN of 8-14 digits, but it might be a Non-standard code for special use cases or it might be a PLU code for specific PLU use cases. It can also be a QR code or other machine registrable code or just an alternative SKU. This is also why several types are supported in Hii Retail - we know other identifiers than GTIN are required beyond the GS1 specifications.

Item Identifier types

All GTIN types are validated and checked for duplicates. This means that it is not possible to provide a GTIN that does not conform to the expected length or check digit, and it is not possible to use the same GTIN value on two separate items within your tenant. A duplicate input will be logged, but the data will be ignored for further processing in Hii Retail. A Customer Notification event will be sent when this happens, and we recommend all tenants to subscribe to these events. See more about this in the External Events service

Variable measure GTIN ranges are not checked for duplicates. (GTINs with prefixes 02, 20-29)

Type	Description
NONSTANDARD	For unsupported Item Identifier types. Should not be used intentionally.
UUID	A Universally Unique IDentifier (UUID) is a 128-bit number used to identify information in computer systems. The term globally unique identifier (GUID) is also used. When generated according to the standard methods, UUIDs are, for practical purposes, unique.
GTIN8	GTIN with 8 digits (https://www.gtin.info/)
GTIN12	GTIN with 12 digits (https://www.gtin.info/)
GTIN13	GTIN with 13 digits (https://www.gtin.info/). This is the most common GTIN and is considered standard.
GTIN14	GTIN with 14 digits (https://www.gtin.info/)
PLU	PLU codes are used primarily in retail grocery stores or supermarkets, where they are keyed into point of sale systems by cashiers or by customers at self checkout machines when the produce is being weighed or counted. The codes may be printed on small stickers, tags, or bands that are affixed to produce, or may be printed on signs. Since 2006, stickers with PLU codes may also have a GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional barcode. [3]
SKU	SKU or Stock Keeping Unit is an Item Identifier that will not translate into a barcode and should only be used when alternative IDs are needed in addition to the ID already present on an Item. The ID on an Item should be considered the primary SKU.
QR	A QR code (an initialism for quick response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode) invented in 1994 by the Japanese automotive company Denso Wave. In practice, QR codes often contain data for a locator, identifier, or tracker that points to a website or application. QR codes use four standardized encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji) to store data efficiently; extensions may also be used. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code)
ECC140	Also called DataMatrix-140. A Data Matrix is a two-dimensional code consisting of black and white "cells" or dots arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern, also known as a matrix. The information to be encoded can be text or numeric data. Usual data size is from a few bytes up to 1556 bytes. The length of the encoded data depends on the number of cells in the matrix. Error correction codes are often used to increase reliability - even if one or more cells are damaged so it is unreadable, the message can still be read. A Data Matrix symbol can store up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters. Data Matrix symbols are rectangular, usually square in shape and composed of square "cells" which represent bits. Depending on the coding used, a "light" cell represents a 0 and a "dark" cell is a 1, or vice versa. Every Data Matrix is composed of two solid adjacent borders in an "L" shape (called the "finder pattern") and two other borders consisting of alternating dark and light "cells" or modules (called the "timing pattern"). Within these borders are rows and columns of cells encoding information. The finder pattern is used to locate and orient the symbol while the timing pattern provides a count of the number of rows and columns in the symbol. As more data is encoded in the symbol, the number of cells (rows and columns) increases. Each code is unique. Symbol sizes vary from 9×9 to 49×49 in the old version ECC 000 – 140.
ECC200	Also called DataMatrix-200. A Data Matrix is a two-dimensional code consisting of black and white "cells" or dots arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern, also known as a matrix. The information to be encoded can be text or numeric data. Usual data size is from a few bytes up to 1556 bytes. The length of the encoded data depends on the number of cells in the matrix. Error correction codes are often used to increase reliability - even if one or more cells are damaged so it is unreadable, the message can still be read. A Data Matrix symbol can store up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters. Data Matrix symbols are rectangular, usually square in shape and composed of square "cells" which represent bits. Depending on the coding used, a "light" cell represents a 0 and a "dark" cell is a 1, or vice versa. Every Data Matrix is composed of two solid adjacent borders in an "L" shape (called the "finder pattern") and two other borders consisting of alternating dark and light "cells" or modules (called the "timing pattern"). Within these borders are rows and columns of cells encoding information. The finder pattern is used to locate and orient the symbol while the timing pattern provides a count of the number of rows and columns in the symbol. As more data is encoded in the symbol, the number of cells (rows and columns) increases. Each code is unique. Symbol sizes vary from 10×10 to 144×144 in the new version ECC 200.
ISBN	The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier which is intended to be unique. [a] [b] Publishers purchase ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency. [1]An ISBN is assigned to each separate edition and variation (except reprintings) of a publication. For example, an e-book, a paperback and a hardcover edition of the same book will each have a different ISBN. The ISBN is ten digits long if assigned before 2007, and thirteen digits long if assigned on or after 1 January 2007. [c] The method of assigning an ISBN is nation-specific and varies between countries, often depending on how large the publishing industry is within a country.
RFID	Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromagnetic interrogation pulse from a nearby RFID reader device, the tag transmits digital data, usually an identifying inventory number, back to the reader. This number can be used to track inventory goods.
<!--	DATABAROMNI
DATABARSTACKEDOMNI	All DataBar barcodes encode a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in a 14-digit data structure. In order to make the GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 a 14-digit data structure, a leading zero or zeros is filled to the left of the GTIN. DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional have omnidirectional scanning capability. DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional is designed to condense the GTIN information into a more compact and square barcode suitable for use on smaller packages (such as the label stickers on fresh produce).
DATABAREXPANDED	All DataBar barcodes encode a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in a 14-digit data structure. In order to make the GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 a 14-digit data structure, a leading zero or zeros is filled to the left of the GTIN. DataBar Expanded have omnidirectional scanning capability. In addition to encoding Application Identifier (01) GTIN, GS1 DataBar Expanded can encode additional GS1 Application Identifiers such as sell-by date, weight, and lot number. Each symbol has a capacity of up to 74 characters. These attributes can help in controlling shrinkage, optimizing product replenishment, and improving the traceability of a product at the point of sale. They are seeing increased use in manufacturers' coupons. Starting June 2011, DataBar use is mandated for coupons and the use of UPC-A must be discontinued. [1]
DATABARSTACKEDEXPANDED	All DataBar barcodes encode a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in a 14-digit data structure. In order to make the GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 a 14-digit data structure, a leading zero or zeros is filled to the left of the GTIN. DataBar Expanded Stacked have omnidirectional scanning capability. In addition to encoding Application Identifier (01) GTIN, DataBar Expanded Stacked can encode additional GS1 Application Identifiers such as sell-by date, weight, and lot number. Each symbol has a capacity of up to 74 characters. These attributes can help in controlling shrinkage, optimizing product replenishment, and improving the traceability of a product at the point of sale. They are seeing increased use in manufacturers' coupons. Starting June 2011, DataBar use is mandated for coupons and the use of UPC-A must be discontinued. [1]
DATABARTRUNCATED	All DataBar barcodes encode a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in a 14-digit data structure. In order to make the GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 a 14-digit data structure, a leading zero or zeros is filled to the left of the GTIN. DataBar Truncated can only be scanned by a linear hand held or imaging scanning device: it cannot be scanned by omnidirectional scanners and are intended to be read by handheld scanners. DataBar Truncated is designed for very small item identification and are mainly used in the healthcare industry. Each encodes a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in 14-digit data structure. Only GS1 DataBar Limited uses an indicator digit 1.
DATABARLIMITED	All DataBar barcodes encode a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in a 14-digit data structure. In order to make the GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 a 14-digit data structure, a leading zero or zeros is filled to the left of the GTIN. DataBar Limited can only be scanned by a linear hand held or imaging scanning device: it cannot be scanned by omnidirectional scanners and are intended to be read by handheld scanners. DataBar Limited is designed for very small item identification and are mainly used in the healthcare industry. Each encodes a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in 14-digit data structure. Only GS1 DataBar Limited uses an indicator digit 1.
DATABARSTACKED	All DataBar barcodes encode a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in a 14-digit data structure. In order to make the GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 a 14-digit data structure, a leading zero or zeros is filled to the left of the GTIN. DataBar Stacked can only be scanned by a linear hand held or imaging scanning device: it cannot be scanned by omnidirectional scanners and are intended to be read by handheld scanners. DataBar Stacked is designed for very small item identification and are mainly used in the healthcare industry. Each encodes a GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in 14-digit data structure. Only GS1 DataBar Limited uses an indicator digit 1.

Status

The Status is used to manage the lifespan of an Item Identifier. If an Item Identifier is to be active and part of the retail business, it must have a status of ACTIVE.

A DELETED Item Identifier is typically kept for historical reasons. An Item Identifier with status DELETED is considered no longer in service, and should be ignored by most systems - except for reporting perhaps.

Status	Description
ACTIVE	The entity is active and available for normal operation. It can be used and processed and displayed as expected.
DELETED	The entity is deleted and should not be used. It may be displayed but it should never be part of active results or part of business logic unless it actually is to return it to an active state.