Weight barcodes: packaging, ratio and sale of goods with a weight label

For correct work with weighed goods in Torgsoft, it is necessary to align several parameters at once: the format of the weighed barcode, the prefix, the number of weight digits, the conversion factor to kilograms, and the method of working with the scales — either through pre-packing with label printing or through weighing directly at the checkout. If at least one of these parameters is configured incorrectly, the product may not be found during scanning, may be added with an incorrect quantity, or may be written off from stock with an error.

Weighted barcode logic and coefficient

The Torgsoft software distinguishes weighted goods from piece goods using a special barcode structure. The EAN-13 standard is usually used, where the weight (quantity) of the product is encoded. The format of the weighted barcode depends on the scale settings, but for packaging the most common scheme is: 2 prefix digits + 5 PLU digits + 5 weight digits + check digit.

Weighted barcode structure

• Standard format (13 digits). PP CCCCC WWWWW C
• PP (Prefix). An indicator of weighted goods. By default, in Torgsoft this is 25 (or 21, 22, etc.). The prefix in Torgsoft must match the prefix on the scales: if the software uses 25, the label must also contain 25; if the software uses 23, the label must contain 23.
• CCCCC (Product code). 5 digits that identify the product (SKU or internal code). In practice, this is usually the PLU — the product code in the scales that You assign when uploading products to the scales.
• WWWWW (Weight). 5 digits indicating the weight (quantity) of the product, usually in grams.
• C (Check digit). A service symbol.

Coefficient setup

The inventory software usually stores the product quantity in kilograms (for example, 1.250 kg), while the scales print the weight in grams in the barcode (for example, 01250). For the software to correctly understand that 1250 in the barcode means 1.25 kg, the coefficient must be configured.

• Where to configure it. Product Management — Product Type menu. Select the required branch (for example, "Vegetables" or "Cheeses") and click Edit.
• Parameters. In the Unit type field, select Weighted. Check the box The product barcode contains quantity.

Barcode quantity coefficient

• Set 0.001. If the label shows a weight of 1100 grams, the software will multiply this number by 0.001 and get 1.1 kg for stock write-off. For packaging, the 0.001 coefficient is used most often because it converts grams into kilograms.

Setting the number of digits for weight (4/5/6)

In Torgsoft, You can specify how many digits the software reads from the barcode as weight (4, 5, or 6). Usually 5 is used, but if the weight is read incorrectly after scanning, check this parameter and make sure it matches the label format of Your scales.

• Check. If the label shows 750 g, then with the correct 0.001 coefficient, the sale should display 0.750 kg. If it displays 750, the coefficient is set incorrectly.

Packaging weighted goods (Working with scales with label printing)

To upload products to scales (for example, CAS, Mass-K, Shtrikh-M, VTNE, Dniproves) and print packaging labels, the additional option «Packaging weighted goods and marking them with a barcode» is used. Torgsoft generates a file for the scales, and the upload to the scales is performed through the manufacturer's software utility, the name of which depends on the model.

Action algorithm:

1. Scale setup. Go to Product Management — Packaged Goods. Click Add next to the «Retail scales» field and select Your scale model (or "Customizable" for specific models).

2. Adding products:

•    In the Packaged Goods window, add the products from stock that need to be uploaded to the scales.

•    Specify the PLU Number (the button number on the scales) and, if needed, the expiration date. The PLU must be unique and must not be duplicated either in the scales or in the Torgsoft database to avoid product substitution on labels.

•    Set the switch to Upload (green color).

3. Export to scales:

•    Click the Save product to scale file button.

•    The software will generate a file that is then uploaded to the scales through their native software utility (for example, CL-Works for CAS or Scale Terminal for Mass-K).

Selling goods with a scale label

The process of selling packaged goods at the checkout is as simple as possible:

1. Open the Sales form.

2. Scan the barcode from the label printed by the scales.

3. Thanks to the configured prefix (for example, 25), the software recognizes that this is a weighted product. The prefix in Torgsoft must match the prefix printed by the scales (25/23/22, etc.).

4. Thanks to the coefficient (0.001), the software will automatically convert grams from the barcode into kilograms.

5. The product will be added to the receipt with the exact weight and recalculated price without the need to manually enter the weight.

Example (typical 2+5+5 format)

✓ Product: “Banquet Semi-Smoked Sausage”
✓ Incomplete barcode in Torgsoft (prefix + PLU): 2500021 (25 — prefix, weighted goods indicator, 00021 — PLU)
✓ Weight on the label: 750 g → in the barcode: 00750
✓ Full barcode (EAN-13): 2500021007500

Possible problems:

• If scanning a product adds a huge quantity (for example, 1250 pcs instead of 1.25 kg), this means the coefficient is set incorrectly (1 instead of 0.001) or the product type is not marked as «Weighted». Also check the weight digit settings (4/5/6) if the weight is read incorrectly.

• If the product is not found when scanning, check the Barcode prefix in the settings: Settings — Parameters — Weight — Barcode feature with product quantity (it must match what the scales print, usually 25). Also check that the PLU encoded in the label corresponds to the product that You uploaded to the scales.

Alternative: weighing at the checkout

If You do not package the product in advance but weigh it directly during sale, the option «Connecting electronic scales for weighing goods during sales» is used. In this case, the scales are connected to the computer with a COM cable, and if needed, through a COM/USB adapter. If the scales are connected correctly and the product has a weight unit type, then after scanning the product barcode in the “Sales” window, the software automatically opens the weighing window and inserts the weight into the “Quantity” field.