What is a product ID?
A product ID or product identifier is a unique code assigned to each product. It is helpful in tracking order histories and order status, allowing companies to better manage order fulfilment. Indeed, product IDs provide information about a product's origin and destination, thus making it easier to deliver the products on time and in the right order.
Product IDs are usually generated by the inventory management system and can be printed on product labels or order documents. However, today, digital product IDs -such as QR codes- are becoming increasingly popular.
In addition to facilitating inventory, product IDs have another value: they give consumers transparency.
The growing interest in sustainability is driving consumers to want to know more about the origin of the materials, production processes, or the company's social responsibility. Through product IDs, brands can give customers access to content, data and information about these topics.
This same system is also useful in giving consumers reassurance that the items they are buying, especially luxury ones, are original and not counterfeit. This is applicable to both brand-new and second-hand products.
In this way, companies can extend the value of their investment in Product IDs, using them as a tool to increase customer engagement and brand reputation.
For it to adequately fulfil its role of a communication channel, product ID must be not only efficient but also secure, so that both corporate and consumer data are properly managed. Certainly, this is something that companies could address at a later stage. However, even when a company decides to have IDs just for inventory management purposes, it is preferable to start from the beginning with a solution that can support secondary purposes and, most of all, that can provide data security.
To learn more about how to turn items into secure connected products, visit Certilogo's website.