Not every barcode scanner on the market supports both 1D and 2D barcodes, and that distinction matters when choosing hardware for a warehouse management deployment. Some lower-cost scanners, particularly those sold through discount marketplaces, are built to read only linear (1D) barcodes. Any scanner purchased through Insight Works for use with Warehouse Insight or WMS Express supports both 1D and 2D symbologies, and any reputable industrial scanner from a major manufacturer should as well. When sourcing your own hardware, it is worth confirming 2D support before purchasing.
Data Density and Label Size
The most compelling practical reason to use 2D barcodes is data density. A 2D barcode, such as a Data Matrix code, can encode significantly more information in a much smaller physical footprint than a linear (1D) barcode. As an example, a small Data Matrix code roughly two centimeters square can hold enough data to encode an item number, lot number, expiration date, unit of measure, and quantity all in a single scan. To encode the same amount of data in a Code 39 or similar 1D barcode, the label would need to be considerably wider — sometimes the full width of a standard label sheet. For warehouse labeling, this means 2D barcodes allow smaller, cleaner labels that carry more information without requiring multiple barcode scans per transaction.
Scan Range and Orientation
2D barcodes also support much longer scanning distances when paired with the right hardware. A long-range industrial scanner can read a 2D barcode on a pallet label from 40 to 50 feet away, making it practical for use with forklifts and high-rack storage without requiring the operator to leave their vehicle. Linear barcodes would need to be printed at a size that could span an entire label sheet to achieve comparable readability at distance. In addition, most modern scanners can read 2D barcodes regardless of their orientation, meaning the label does not need to be positioned perfectly relative to the scanner.
Error Correction
2D barcodes include built-in error correction that allows them to be read even when partially obscured, smudged, or physically damaged. A barcode with a corner torn away or a smudge across one section can often still be decoded successfully. Linear barcodes do not have this redundancy, meaning any significant damage to the label typically renders it unreadable. In an active warehouse environment where labels are subject to abrasion, moisture, and general wear, this is a meaningful practical advantage.
Warehouse Insight and Barcode Flexibility
Warehouse Insight and WMS Express do not impose any requirements on barcode type. The system can read and interpret any barcode symbology the scanner hardware is capable of decoding, and the Barcode Rules configuration within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central allows the application to parse and map whatever data is encoded in the barcode, regardless of format. This means organizations with existing 1D barcode labels on products or racking do not need to re-label everything to get started.
Relevant Tools
Warehouse Insight provides the full warehouse management functionality within Business Central, including barcode scanning, advanced barcode rule configuration, and support for all standard barcode symbologies. WMS Express offers the same core scanning capabilities at no cost for organizations with simpler warehouse needs. In summary, while Warehouse Insight works with any barcode format, 2D barcodes offer meaningful advantages in data density, scan range, orientation flexibility, and durability that make them the preferred choice for most warehouse labeling applications.