Barcodes in Beam
Barcode scanning provides a quick way to look up items, add stock, and create new items in the Beam app. You can scan barcodes with your device's camera or an external barcode scanner.
Camera Scanning
Every device with a camera can scan barcodes without any additional hardware. Here is how to use camera scanning:
- Tap the scan button to open the scanner.
- Point your camera at the barcode.
- The app auto-detects and reads the barcodeno need to press a button.
External barcode scanners
For high-volume scanning or in environments where camera scanning is impractical, Beam supports external barcode scanners. Handhelds with a built-in barcode scanner are fully supported (see the devices page for supported models). Simply press the hardware scan button on the device to start a scan.
External scanners are faster and more reliable than camera scanning, especially in warehouses with poor lighting or when scanning many items in quick succession.
Supported barcodes
Beam supports all major barcode formats used in retail and logistics:
- EAN-13 The standard European barcode format (13 digits).
- EAN-8 A shorter variant of EAN-13 (8 digits).
- UPC-A The standard North American barcode format (12 digits).
- UPC-E A compact variant of UPC-A (8 digits).
- Code 128 A high-density barcode format commonly used in shipping and logistics.
- QR Codes Two-dimensional codes that can store more data than traditional barcodes.
- Article Codes Custom codes defined by your organization.
Barcode search
Barcode search lets you find items directly by scanning their barcode:
- Tap the scan button to open the scanner.
- Scan a barcode on a product or label.
- The app searches your inventory and, if the item is found, opens its detail page.
- If the item is not found, you can create a new item with the scanned barcode as the article code.