That Barcode on Your Product Is Evolving (And It Might Be the Best Thing to Happen to Your Business)

There’s a quiet revolution happening in the supply chain. 

By 2027, the familiar 1D barcode, the little black-and-white lines you’ve seen for decades, will give way to something smarter. 

It’s called the GS1 Project Sunrise, and it’s transforming how products, data, and customers connect. 

Most companies will see this as a compliance update. They’ll redesign packaging, reprint labels, and move on. 

But the forward-thinking few will see what it really is: a once-in-a-generation chance to modernize their business and deepen customer connections. 

For them, this isn’t a barcode replacement. 

It’s an entry point into a data-rich, insight-driven way of operating, one that turns every product into a live channel of information. 

The Two Paths: Stay the Same or Step Ahead 

Option 1: Stay the Same. You swap your 1D barcode for a 2D code, keep your systems as-is, and check the compliance box. You’re done, but nothing changes. 

Option 2: Step Ahead.  You use this moment to rethink your data.  You create traceability from factory to customer. You bring visibility into how your products move, how they’re used, and what customers actually think. 

That’s how you future-proof your business, and how you start to see real value from something as simple as a label. 

The “Smart Ping” That Changes Everything 

The new GS1 Digital Link isn’t just a better barcode it’s a live digital handshake. 

When someone scans your code, whether for instructions, recipes, or product info, your system gets a ping. 

That ping tells you what was scanned, when, and where giving you real-time visibility into customer interactions. 

It’s not just analytics. 

It’s a way to turn every scan into a moment of connection, insight you can act on, instantly. 

From Ping to Partnership 

Every scan can be the start of a relationship. 

Link it to your CRM or analytics, and suddenly you can see your product’s full story from warehouse to living room. 

You can gather feedback, offer tailored experiences, and build loyalty over time. 

What used to take complex systems and huge budgets is now accessible to any business all through one smart code. 

 

Goodbye, Warehouse. Hello Customer. 

For decades, most manufacturers lost sight of their products the moment they left the warehouse.  Project Sunrise changes that. 

Now you can see where your products go, how long they stay on shelves, and how customers engage with them.  You can finally see what happens after the sale and use that insight to create better products and stronger brands. 

So yes, the old barcode is ending. 

But what’s replacing it is far more powerful: a way to make every product a live connection to your customer. 

For forward-thinking businesses, that’s not just good news; it’s the start of a smarter, more connected future. 

If you’re wondering what this shift means for your business, let’s talk.👉 Book a free 30-minute consultation with Hui https://calendly.com/bigideasfoundry/hui-30min or connect with him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hui-newnham/ to explore how your operations can be future-ready.