Deutsche Identcode barcode is a type of linear barcode which is used to encode information about the mails and parcel items in German Postal services e.g. Deutsche Post AG and Deutsche Frachtpost. Deutsche Identcode barcode is a numeric only barcode based on interleaved 2 of 5 barcode standards but it cannot store alphabets and special characters.
Structure
Deutsche Identcode Barcode is 11 digits long with a 1 check sum digit. Total length of deutsche Identcode barcode is 12 digits which are divided into following segments.
· First 2 digits identify primary distribution center.
· Next 3 digits identify the customer.
· 6 digits identify the mailing address
· 1 last digit is the checksum which is optional.
Purpose
Basic purpose of developing deutsche Identcode barcode was to develop a barcode standard specifically for German Postal services which could encode and decode information about the mail and the customer.
Advantages
· Encoding and Decoding of deutsche Identcode barcode is quite quick because it contains numbers only.
· Encoding and decoding algorithms are very simple and no advanced user trainings are required.
· No special hardware and scanning devices are required to decode information. Simple scanner will decode all the information.
· Checksum digit ensures security of the encoded information.
Limitations
· Similar to other linear barcodes, damage tolerance capability of deutsche Identcode barcode is limited and distorted and damaged barcodes are not easily decoded.
· Deutsche Identcode barcode cannot encode special characters and alphabets; it can only encode numeric data.
· Data density of Deutsche Identcode barcode is less and it is not capable of storing large amounts of information in small space.
Usage
German Post is the major user of deutsche Identcode barcode. It is used for the routing of mails and parcels across Germany through encoded information. This encoded information can be the customer details, the parcel details and the source and destination of the mail.