United Barcode Systems and e-CIB revolutionize industrial traceability with accessible, scanner-free coding

United Barcode Systems, manufacturer of labeling, coding and marking equipment, becomes the first certified partner to integrate e-CIB codes in industrial environments.

What is e-CIB?

e-CIB (Electronic Code Information Box) is an innovative coding platform that enables the creation of unique four-character alphanumeric codes, which can be entered manually or via voice commands on any smart device. These codes are designed to connect physical objects with digital environments, offering a more universal, direct, and secure access experience.

Unlike traditional codes, Unlike traditional codes,allowing its use in contexts where scanning is not feasible, such as damaged products, curved surfaces, or low-visibility environments. The codes can be used to access technical information, activate functions, control IoT devices, or provide traceability throughout the entire value chain.

How does e-CIB coding work?

e-CIB coding consists of assigning each product, box, or logistics unit a unique four-character alphanumeric code that links to specific information or a specific function. This code can:

• Be entered on a compatible website or app.
• Be verbally introduced through virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Home.
• Be used in industrial systems to link technical data sheets, logistics routes, or quality controls.

These codes do not require scanning or images, which simplifies their use in production lines, logistics centers, or environments with visual restrictions. They also enable personalized experiences, where each code can redirect to different information depending on the user, context, or access device.

e-CIB coding thus offers a more agile, accessible, and robust alternative to traditional identification and traceability systems such as QR codes or barcodes.

Industrial application of e-CIB codes

The e-CIB solution is ready to be integrated into production and distribution environments, where its ease of use and versatility provide high added value. Its implementation enables the linking of physical objects with digital information through codes that are easily integrated into automated industrial processes. In industrial contexts, its implementation allows:

• Total traceability: each unit is individually identified throughout its entire lifecycle.
• Remote and real-time access to product information from any point in the process
• Direct interaction with the customer or operator via voice entry or web platform linking.
• Process automation through integration with digital systems and IoT technologies.
• Reduction of operational errors and improved overall system efficiency.

Thanks to its four-character structure, e-CIB codes are easy to memorize, enter, and communicate verbally. This simplifies the management of technical information on the shop floor or in logistics environments without the need for screens or readers.

Technical comparison: e-CIB vs. other coding systems

At the industrial level, e-CIB represents a significant evolution compared to traditional technologies such as barcodes, QR, RFID, or NFC. Below is a comparison of their most relevant features:

e-CIB combines the best of various systems: accessibility, ease of use, integration into automated processes, and the ability to connect with digital environments without the need for specialized hardware.

Additionally, e-CIB can coexist with other systems, such as QR or RFID, acting as an additional layer of accessibility or redundancy in critical processes.

Real use cases and applications of e-CIB in the industry

The possibilities for applying e-CIB are broad. Below are practical examples in different sectors:

• Food industry: e-CIB codes can identify each production batch, providing access to ingredients, allergens, or expiration dates from any device or by voice, even in refrigerated warehouses where visual scanning is difficult.
• Pharmaceutical sector: facilitates unit-level drug control, linking with electronic prescriptions, and immediate access to leaflets or safety alerts.
• Logistics and warehouses: codes allow tracking of pallet or box movement without the need for scanners. Operators can enter the code by voice to receive instructions or confirm locations.
• Export and customs: each product can contain personalized digital information based on the destination country, certifications, or required documentation.

These scenarios show how e-CIB can optimize key processes and improve the experience of the operator or end customer.

Benefits for operational efficiency and sustainability

Beyond ease of use, e-CIB offers significant operational and environmental benefits aligned with industrial efficiency and sustainability goals.

Optimization of operational processes with e-CIB:

• Immediate access to key information (instructions, datasheets, traceability): reduces query time and eliminates bottlenecks in production.
• Reduction of human errors: by replacing manual tasks such as scanning or entering complex data, errors in picking, labeling, or quality control are minimized.
• Better integration with digital systems: codes can be linked to internal databases or ERP/MES systems, enabling smarter, more automated workflows.
• Higher productivity on the shop floor: workers and operators can obtain information or validate products without stopping the line or using physical scanners.

Positive impact on sustainability with e-CIB:

• Reduction in the use of paper and physical labels: e-CIB can function as a unique digital identifier, eliminating the need for physical labels in certain logistical or documentation phases.
• Lower consumption of material resources: by avoiding the printing of complex visual codes, it reduces the use of ink, adhesives, and plastic or thermal materials.
• Longer lifespan in harsh environments: by not relying on the physical readability of a code, e-CIB remains functional on damaged, dirty, or deformed surfaces, reducing the need for reprocessing or recoding.

Within the framework of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) policies, companies that integrate technologies like e-CIB can improve their traceability, digitization, and energy efficiency indicators, reinforcing their environmental commitment to customers, regulators, and logistics partners.

United Barcode Systems and e-CIB: a strategic alliance for the future of coding

In a new step towards the digital transformation of the industrial sector, a strategic agreement has been formalized between e-CIB and United Barcode Systems, , two key players in the field of technology and process automation. The alliance aims to bring the innovative e-CIB coding technology into the physical industrial environment, facilitating its direct integration into production lines and logistics processes.

Thanks to this agreement, the high-resolution printing systems APLINK SERIES and the automatic labeling equipment APL SERIES by United Barcode Systems, both developed by UBS, become the first industrial devices worldwide certified to code with e-CIB. This means that smart coding, based on unique alphanumeric codes accessible even by voice, can now be printed or labeled directly onto products, boxes, packaging, or pallets, without the need for complex adaptations.

The collaboration represents a significant breakthrough for the practical application of this technology, which until now had focused on the digital realm. Its arrival in the industrial sector offers new possibilities in traceability, automation, and connectivity, especially relevant in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, logistics, or export.

In addition to ensuring interoperability with industrial standards, this alliance also addresses a growing trend: the need for more accessible, secure, and efficient coding solutions that do not rely solely on visual systems or traditional optical readers. The combination of e-CIB codes with industrial printing technology offers an effective way to address these challenges.

With this integration, a new universal coding model is consolidated, helping to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds, positioning voice, connectivity, and automation as key pillars of the industry of the future.

Both companies share a vision centered on the digital transformation of industry mthrough technologies that connect the physical and digital worlds in a more accessible, inclusive, and secure way. This step strengthens e-CIB’s positioning as a universal coding solution, while reinforcing UBS’s commitment to technological innovation in industrial automation.