Barcodes, SSCC and LPN in the warehouse: what each one is and how it is used

Short answer: a barcode is simply a number written so a scanner can read it; what matters is what the number identifies. An EAN, or GTIN, identifies a product — every identical carton carries the same EAN. An LPN is an internal ID for one physical unit in the warehouse: a pallet, carton or container. An SSCC is a globally unique GS1 number for a logistic unit travelling from sender to recipient. In NG WMS cartons and pallets are tracked by LPN, and the shipping label carries an SSCC.

What is a barcode, and what is the number it carries?

A barcode is a “font” for machines: bars or squares that a scanner turns into a string of characters. The same number can be printed in different symbologies, and different numbers in the same one. So the question “which barcode do we use?” has two parts: which symbology — EAN-13, Code128, ITF-14 or QR — and which identifier — a product GTIN, an LPN, an SSCC, a location or a serial number.

All of these symbologies are supported on NG WMS labels: Code128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, ITF-14 (GTIN-14) and QR codes, alongside text fields.

What is a GTIN, or EAN?

A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is a GS1 number that identifies a type of product, not an individual unit. Every can of the same juice has the same GTIN; a case of 24 cans has its own, different GTIN. EAN-13 is the best-known way of writing a GTIN, and outer cases often carry a GTIN-14 in an ITF-14 barcode.

A GTIN tells you what the goods are, but not which unit it is. Two pallets of the same item carry the same EAN on every carton — which is why an EAN alone cannot track a pallet through the warehouse. Your company obtains its GS1 prefix and GTINs from GS1, and NG WMS uses them on labels; the barcode register also prints EAN labels, with EAN code generation.

What is an LPN in a warehouse?

An LPN (license plate number) is a unique ID for one physical unit in the warehouse: a pallet, carton, trolley or container. Just as a number plate does not tell you what kind of car it is, only which car, an LPN does not say what is inside — the system knows that. When an LPN is scanned, the WMS knows which items, in what quantity and with which lot and expiry date are in that unit, and which location it is on.

The gain is speed and accuracy: instead of scanning every item on a pallet, you scan one label.

In NG WMS a stock row carries an LPN and a transport LPN, along with lot, serial number and expiry date. LPN labels are printed from the barcode register — one at a time or as a range in advance, for a whole shift — and a manual replenishment task or a count scope can be set for a specific LPN.

What is an SSCC?

An SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) is an 18-digit GS1 number that uniquely identifies one logistic unit — a pallet, carton or roll cage — on its way from sender to recipient. It is made up of an extension digit, the company’s GS1 prefix, a serial reference the company assigns itself, and a check digit. On a GS1 logistic label it appears as a GS1-128 barcode with application identifier (00), plus the number in human-readable form.

Because the company prefix is part of the number, an SSCC is unique worldwide, not just in your warehouse. Sender, carrier and recipient can all scan the same pallet and know which shipment it is, without retyping anything. GS1 rules do not allow the same SSCC to be reassigned within at least a year of shipment.

SSCC vs LPN: what is the difference?

In short: an LPN is for you, an SSCC is for you and your trading partners. The same unit can carry both — a pallet has an LPN while it is in the warehouse, and gets a shipping label with an SSCC once it is packed for a customer. Some warehouses also use the SSCC as the LPN of outbound pallets, so there is only one label to scan.

Which label is used where, from receiving to dispatch?

Receiving

The goal at receiving is that every unit gets a label that can be scanned. From an NG WMS receipt order you print the receipt document, declarations and EAN labels, and the receiving workstation has its own printer assigned for LPN labels. The full process is covered in Goods receiving in a warehouse.

Storage and moves

In a good flow every move is confirmed with two scans: what is moving and where it goes. In NG WMS staff record transfers in the scanner app and check stock, container location, free locations, empty containers and the barcode itself.

Checking and packing

At the NG WMS check-and-pack station a carton is opened from a printed LPN, every line is scanned and confirmed before it goes in, and serial numbers are assigned during checking. Depending on settings, scanning the item on the delivery note is mandatory rather than merely recommended.

Dispatch

A packed unit gets a shipping label with an SSCC, and order parcels are kept with LPN, weight, dimensions and closing time. From the delivery note you print the advance notice, packing list, declarations and EAN labels. A template for a carrier or retail chain is built in the designer to its requirements, and a goods owner or supplier can have its own template, which the system picks automatically. More on the Labels and Outbound pages.

What does a good scanning flow look like?

1. Scan where you are — the location confirms the operative is in the right place.
2. Scan what you take — the LPN or item confirms the right goods.
3. Confirm the quantity — type by hand only what cannot be scanned.
4. Scan where you put it — the target location, carton or pallet.
5. Let the system record who — signing in with a QR code or RF/NFC badge ties every scan to a person.

In NG WMS the office sees who worked, on which device and what was scanned. For dispatch, the warehouse chooses manual or guided mode; guided mode enforces a strict sequence where mistakes are costly.

Common barcode and label mistakes

• The same LPN on two units. A copied label creates two pallets with one identity — and stock that never reconciles.
• A made-up SSCC. A number without the company’s GS1 prefix is not an SSCC, and a trading partner may reject it.
• Reusing an SSCC before GS1 rules allow it.
• Scanning the EAN instead of the LPN when moving a whole pallet: the system gets the item, but not the unit.
• A label in the wrong place — folded over an edge, under reflective stretch wrap or on one side of the pallet only. GS1 guidelines recommend labels on two adjacent sides of a pallet, with the barcode roughly 400 to 800 mm from the base.
• Poor print quality — a faded ribbon, the wrong size or too little quiet zone around the barcode.
• Typing “because it is quicker”. Every retyped number is a place where errors start; if people type often, the problem is the label or the process.

Counting in NG WMS also has an EAN scan anomaly report that singles out suspicious reads — often the first sign that labels or scanning habits need fixing.