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Different types of barcodes

Explore the types of barcodes in Katana for tracking items, batches, and sales efficiently.

Dayvid Lorbiecke avatar
Written by Dayvid Lorbiecke
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Katana supports several barcode types to help you track items, batches, and sales more efficiently.


Each type has a specific purpose — from supplier-specific tracking to retail-ready codes.

Note: Each barcode is assigned at the item variant level.


Barcode types at a glance

Barcode type

Purpose

Typical use case

Supplier item codes

Identify raw materials or products from a specific supplier

Internal barcodes

Track stock movements and manufacturing material usage

Stocktakes, material consumption reporting

Barcodes for batches

Identify specific batches of items

Batch tracking and expiration management

Registered barcodes

Retail and e-commerce sales

Product labels for stores or online marketplaces


Supplier item codes

  • Purpose: Identify materials or purchased products from suppliers.

  • How it works:

    • If a supplier provides a barcode on received items, save that number as the Supplier Item Code in Katana.

    • Each variant can store multiple supplier item codes.

    • If multiple suppliers provide the same variant with different barcodes, you can still match the correct variant during receiving.

  • Benefit: Speeds up purchase receiving by scanning instead of searching.


Internal barcodes

  • Purpose: Track inventory movements and manufacturing usage inside Katana.

  • Use cases:

    • Count stock during stocktakes.

    • Identify and consume materials during manufacturing.

  • Rules:

    • Always unique across the Katana account.

    • Can be automatically generated or entered manually.


Barcodes for batches

  • Purpose: Track specific batches of items.

  • Details:

    • A subset of Internal Barcodes, but applied at the batch level.

    • Always unique across the account.

    • Can be generated automatically or entered manually.

  • Benefit: Enables precise batch tracking for traceability and expiration control.


Registered barcodes

  • Purpose: Used for retail and e-commerce product identification.

  • Details:

    • Applied to physical product labels for sale to customers.

    • If selling on online marketplaces or in retail stores, these can be the barcodes printed on your products.

    • Often sourced from GS1 — once registered, GS1 barcodes can be used as Registered Barcodes in Katana.


Enabling or disabling barcode types

Enable or disable barcodes from the Settings screen
  1. Go to Settings → Barcodes.

  2. Toggle on/off the barcode types you want to use.


Where barcodes appear in Katana

Once enabled, barcode numbers are visible in:

  • Items screen

  • Item card

  • Stock screen → Batches tab

  • Purchase order card

  • Purchase order receive modal

  • Manufacturing order batch modal

  • Stock adjustment batch modal

  • Stock transfer batch modal


Notes

  • Barcode scanning is available on Standard and Professional plans.

  • All barcode numbers must be unique within their type.

  • Changing tracking type may delete existing barcode data — export before making changes.


This structure makes it quick for someone to:

  1. Understand all barcode options.

  2. Pick the right type for their workflow.

  3. Know exactly where to enable and see them.


Your feedback is invaluable. Let us know your thoughts on this article or anything in Katana you'd like to see improved: [email protected]

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