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Beep. Beep. Beep! The barcode turns 50 while also turning a corner. The sound of barcodes passing across the grocery scanner is so familiar these days, but on this day 50 years ago, that "beep" you're now hearing in your head was beep-ed for the first time at 8:01 am at a Marsh supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The item that launched a revolution in sales and inventory tracking? A 10-pack of Wrigley's bubblegum. The technology is so ubiquitous today that we take it for granted. The simple barcode scan from the factory to the warehouse to retailers has revolutionized supply chain management and moved the global economy forward. But the beep is taking an incredible leap. Already, the stripes of the traditional barcode are being replaced by the maze-like squares of a type of QR Code called 2D barcodes. Why? Connected packaging. The checkout line used to be the end for the barcode, but now it’s just the beginning. As consumers, we want more from our purchasing experiences, including product information and sourcing, loyalty programs, special offers, and digital experiences that take us beyond the box. Companies leverage connected packaging through 2D barcodes because they carry more information than traditional barcodes. It’s a revolution in retail already underway. At the center of it all, you guessed it, Bitly. From GS1 US-standard 2D barcodes integrated with Short Links, SMS solutions, and Landing Pages, the Connections Platform is your connected packaging pal! So pay attention in the next few years. The "beep" will remain, but the code and what it unlocks for consumers and companies will never be the same. Learn more about our connected packaging solutions ---> https://bitly.is/2DReady --- #NationalBarcodeDay

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