GS1 Datamatrix is a type of 2-D barcodes. It is called GS1 Datamatrix due to the fact that this standard is specifically used by GS1 Systems. GS1 Datamatrix barcode is made up of several black and rectangle modules independently arranged in “L” shaped patterns. Basically, Datamatrix (ECC 200) barcode standard is formatted according to GS1 data format which results in the formation of GS1 Datamatrix.
History and Purpose
GS1 Datamatrix is an enhanced version of ECC 200 Datamatrix which was created by RVSI Acuity CiMatrix. Siemens Energy and Automation Inc, acquired this company later on. Datamatrix has immense advantages, it was for this reason GS1 system adopted the Datamatrix and added its own identifier in the data structure of the barcode and named it GS1 Datamatrix or EAN Datamatrix barcode. The purpose was to develop a robust and large capacity barcode with increased fault tolerance.
GS1
Datamatrix
Advantages
· Can contain large amount of data in small space like most of the other 2D barcodes due to high density.
· GS1 Datamatrix has a very large fault tolerance and data in the barcode can be decoded even if barcode is damaged.
· GS1 Datamatrix has built in error-checking capability which makes data encoding and decoding extremely secure.
Limitations
· It can be scanned only through camera scanners and ordinary scanner cannot be employed to decode the data. It is for this reason these barcodes are not often used at POS systems.
· Similar to other 2-D barcodes, GS1 barcode data decoding and encoding techniques are more complex and detailed user trainings are required to learn the encoding/decoding standards of these barcodes.
Usage
· GS1 Datamatrix is widely used in aerospace industry on the parts of the aerospace equipment.
· It is ubiquitously used in pharmaceutical industry to identify the surgical equipment and parts.
· US Department of defense is also using this barcode standard on their military and electronic equipment.
· Medical and health sector widely uses GS1 Datamatrix barcode owing to its large information storage capability.]