Mar 06, 2026 by Mark Dingley
Across Australia, supply chains are becoming faster, more automated, and increasingly data-driven.
Ecommerce growth is placing increasing pressure on logistics networks to process higher volumes of goods quickly and accurately. More households are shopping online than ever before, increasing the volume of products moving through warehouses, distribution centres, and freight networks every day.
Retailers are investing heavily in automated distribution centres. Logistics providers rely on high-speed scanning systems to move pallets quickly through warehouses and receiving docks, supported by increasingly connected enterprise systems linking ERP, production and warehouse platforms across the supply chain. At the same time, GS1 standards continue to evolve, improving traceability and data sharing across the entire product journey.
Yet despite these advances, many supply chain disruptions still originate from a surprisingly simple source:
From incorrect pallet labels to mismatched barcode data, these issues may begin on the production line. But they often only become visible once products enter the logistics network. And when they do, the impact can be significant.
Strong traceability allows growers to respond fast and accurately, limiting recalls to affected products only. Without it, incidents can quickly escalate into broader disruptions, unnecessary recalls and reputational damage.
Good traceability is about being able to access the right information immediately. The more automated and accurate this process is, the faster growers can act if an issue arises, and the more confidence they can offer downstream partners.
In many manufacturing environments, coding and labelling processes are still managed manually.
Product data such as GTINs, batch numbers, expiry dates, and pallet label information may be entered by operators or managed through spreadsheets and disconnected systems, rather than flowing automatically through connected enterprise environments linking ERP, MES, SCADA and warehouse systems.
While these processes may appear manageable day-to-day, they introduce risk at several points in the production process.
Common issues include:
These mistakes often go unnoticed until goods arrive at a distribution centre or retail receiving dock. By that point, the consequences can include:
For logistics providers and retailers relying on automated scanning systems, even a small data error can create major operational friction.
Modern distribution centres are designed to move high volumes of product quickly and efficiently.
Automated receiving systems rely on accurate barcode data to identify pallets and cartons instantly. Warehouse management systems depend on reliable identifiers to track inventory as it moves through the facility.
When barcode or pallet data is incorrect, these automated processes can fail.
Instead of seamless scanning and movement, operations slow down while teams investigate discrepancies or manually process deliveries.
As supply chains continue to evolve – with greater automation, increased traceability expectations, and the emergence of next-generation barcode technologies such as 2D barcodes and GS1 Digital Link – the importance of accurate, consistent product data will only increase.
For manufacturers supplying into these networks, ensuring coding and labelling accuracy is no longer just a production requirement. It’s a supply chain responsibility.
To reduce risk and improve supply chain reliability, many manufacturers are moving away from manual coding processes and adopting centralised code management platforms.
Instead of relying on spreadsheets, operator input, or line-by-line setup, these systems manage coding data from a single controlled environment.
This approach provides several advantages:
By removing manual intervention, manufacturers significantly reduce the risk of coding and labelling errors entering the supply chain.
Matthews Australasia has developed iDSnet, a centralised code and compliance management platform designed to help manufacturers eliminate manual processes across their coding and labelling operations.
iDSnet connects production lines, coding equipment, and product data within a single platform, giving businesses greater control and visibility over barcode and label management while helping manufacturers scale operations through intelligent automation and integrate with connected enterprise systems such as ERP, MES and WMS.
This ensures the correct data is applied to every product, carton, and pallet – every time.
For supply chains, the benefits extend far beyond the factory floor.
Accurate, consistent coding helps enable faster receiving at distribution centres, reliable barcode scanning across logistics networks, improved traceability throughout the supply chain, and fewer delivery rejections or compliance issues.
In short, when manufacturers remove manual processes upstream, the entire supply chain benefits.
Most manufacturers already know manual coding processes create risk. The challenge is knowing where to start fixing them.
A good first step is simply understanding how coding and labelling data is currently managed across your production lines. For example:
If the answers involve spreadsheets, manual setup or multiple disconnected systems, there’s usually an opportunity to simplify things.
Centralised code management platforms like iDSnet are designed to remove many of these manual steps. Instead of managing coding data line-by-line, product and barcode information can be controlled from one secure environment and automatically distributed to production equipment.
This helps ensure the right data is applied every time, reduces operator error and gives businesses far greater visibility over their coding and labelling processes.
At Matthews Australasia, we work with manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand to simplify coding and labelling operations while improving compliance and traceability.
Our iDSnet platform helps businesses remove manual coding processes and maintain control over barcode data across every production line.
Because when the right data is applied at the point of production, products move through the supply chain with far fewer disruptions.
Talk to our team to learn how iDSnet can help eliminate manual coding processes and improve data accuracy across your supply chain.