Weighted Barcode in ERPAG

A weighted barcode is a special type of an UPC code used for products whose price depends on their weight rather than a fixed quantity. This is commonly used for items such as fresh food, deli products, fruits, vegetables, meat, or bulk goods.

Unlike standard barcodes that only identify the product, weighted barcodes also contain weight information, allowing the POS system to automatically calculate the correct quantity and price when scanned.

In ERPAG, weighted barcodes are supported using the EAN-13 barcode format, which consists of 13 digits.

To identify a barcode as a weighted barcode in ERPAG, it must start with the prefix 27 or 28.

Barcode Structure

Weighted UPC codes follow this structure:

PP + IIIII + VVVVV + C

• PP – Prefix (27 or 28)
• IIIII – Item code (must be 5 digits)
• VVVVV – Weight value encoded in the barcode
• C – Check digit

Example Barcode Setup

For example, if an item has SKU 00049, a barcode could be:

2800049000000

In this case:

• 28 → prefix indicating a weighted UPC code
• 00049 → item code
• 00000 → placeholder for weight value
• 0 → check digit

How ERPAG Calculates Weight

ERPAG allows two ways of interpreting the weight value in the UPC code:

• Prefix 27 – weight calculated in tens
• Prefix 28 – weight calculated in hundreds

For example, if a UPC code contains the value 12345 in the weight section:

• With prefix 28, ERPAG will interpret this as 123.45 units of weight.

When this barcode is scanned in:

Sales → Point of Sale → New Receipt

ERPAG will automatically:

• recognize the product
• calculate the weight from the barcode
• add the correct quantity and price to the receipt.

This makes checkout significantly faster and eliminates manual weight entry, which is especially useful in retail environments where products are weighed on scales that print barcodes.

Practical Example: Using Weighted Barcodes in a Store

Imagine a grocery store selling fresh cheese that is priced per kilogram.

1. A customer places a piece of cheese on a digital scale in the deli section.
2. The scale measures the weight and prints a barcode label that includes:
   • the product identifier
   • the weight of the item
   • a check digit.

For example, the scale prints the barcode:

2812345123456

In this barcode:

• 28 → weighted barcode prefix (weight calculated in hundreds)
• 12345 → item code in ERPAG
• 12345 → encoded weight value
• 6 → check digit

When the cashier scans the barcode in Sales → Point of Sale → New Receipt, ERPAG automatically:

• recognizes the item
• extracts the weight from the UPC code
• converts 12345 into 123.45 units of weight (based on prefix 28)
• adds the item with the correct quantity and price to the receipt.

This eliminates the need for the cashier to manually enter the weight, reducing checkout time while improving accuracy.

Weighted barcodes are commonly used in supermarkets, butcher shops, bakeries, and other retail businesses that sell products by weight.