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Serializing an item means giving that one physical unit a unique identifier and putting it on a tag you can scan. It turns generic stock into a set of traceable assets you can measure, automate, and monetize. A serial lives on the item’s Serial number card in Inventory, and the Supercycle Scanner reads it from the tag.

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Why serialize

  • Item-level reporting. Utilization, lifecycle, and revenue attribution for each unit.
  • Consignment tracking. Accurate payouts and settlements on consigned stock.
  • Speed and accuracy. Your team scans a unit instead of searching for it in the admin.
  • Automation. Workflows can update an item’s status, send reminders, or prompt actions from that unit’s data.

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Tag types

Supercycle supports QR codes, barcodes, and RFID tags. Which one fits depends on your scale and how your team works.

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QR codes

QR codes are 2D scannable codes any phone or tablet camera can read. They suit operations where staff scan with phones rather than warehouse hardware, such as fashion rental and resale, consumer electronics rental, and baby gear or lifestyle equipment. Print them on standard adhesive or vinyl labels with a consumer-grade thermal or inkjet printer. For labels, Avery weatherproof QR code labels; for thermal printing, the Zebra ZD421; for apparel labels, Dutch Label Shop.

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Barcodes

Barcodes are one-dimensional codes read by standard barcode scanners or compatible mobile devices. They suit high-throughput operations that already run dedicated scanner hardware. Use thermal transfer or direct thermal label printers, and polypropylene or vinyl labels for durability. For printer hardware, the Zebra ZT230; for labels, Avery durable barcode labels.
A Bluetooth barcode scanner works in any search field in the Supercycle admin, so you can look an item up by scanning its tag.

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RFID tags

RFID tags carry an embedded chip that transmits its data wirelessly, so a reader picks up many tags at once without line of sight. RFID is the usual choice once scale matters: high volume operations that need automation, rapid throughput, or full asset traceability. Use UHF RFID tags for long-range scanning, between 3 and 10 meters. For printers, the Zebra ZT411 RFID printer; for readers, the Impinj R700; for tags, the Omni-ID IQ 600 RFID label.

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Add serials to items

Serials go on items, so create the items first. You can enter a serial for each item as you create it, or create items without serials and add them later. See Create items and Create serials.