Managing and maintaining a building involves multiple operational activities that must be carried out consistently by the building management team. To ensure efficient and effective building operations, the use of barcode technology within a building management system (BMS) has become increasingly essential.
Barcode technology enables building managers to accurately track each asset, making preventive maintenance—from routine servicing to repairs and asset replacement—significantly easier.
With barcode features integrated into a building management system, the overall quality of building operations improves. Read on to discover how barcode technology works and the key benefits it brings to modern building management.
What Is a Barcode?
A barcode is a visual code—made up of lines or boxes—that can be scanned to reveal specific information. This technology is widely used in industries such as retail, logistics, inventory management, and now, building operations and preventive maintenance.
In property management systems like Nimbus9, barcodes play an important role in various operational tasks, including:
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Preventive maintenance
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Cleaning and housekeeping
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Pest control
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Health, safety, and environmental compliance (HSE)
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Building security
By providing fast and accurate identification, barcodes help reduce human errors, speed up workflows, and improve overall productivity.
How Barcode Systems Work
A barcode system typically follows three main steps:
- Barcode Creation: Barcodes are generated, printed, and attached to assets or areas within the building. Each barcode contains a unique code that links to information stored in the system’s database.
- Barcode Scanning: Barcode scanners read the information embedded in the barcode and send the data to a computer or building management system for processing.
- Integrated Database: When a barcode is scanned—using a mobile device or a barcode reader—the system retrieves the data related to that asset or area.
Benefits of Barcode Technology for Building Management
Here are several building management activities that can be monitored more easily and in real-time using barcode technology:
1. Cleaning Checklist
Barcodes can be placed in various building areas—such as restrooms, parking lots, lobbies, elevators, escalators, gardens, and pantries.
When cleaning staff scan these barcodes, they can instantly log:
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The task performed
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The time and date
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Any issues or notes
This creates a clear record of cleaning activities and ensures that all areas are maintained consistently.
2. Water and Electricity Recording
Attaching barcodes to electricity and water meters allows technicians to record usage quickly and accurately. This data can then automatically be calculated into tenant billing.
Benefits include:
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Eliminating manual entry errors
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Improving billing accuracy
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Identifying consumption patterns
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Detecting potential waste
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Supporting energy and water efficiency
This system helps building managers make informed decisions about utility management.
3. Security
Barcode technology also supports building security processes, including:
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Visitor management
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One-gate access control
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24/7 monitoring
By scanning barcodes, security teams can track entry and exit logs, verify visitor identity, and manage access more efficiently. This helps create a safer and more controlled environment for tenants and visitors.
Read here: 6 Reasons Why You Need A Property Management Application
4. Pest Control
Each pest control point—such as traps, bait stations, or inspection areas—can be assigned a barcode.
When scanned, technicians can:
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Record inspections
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Log pest sightings
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Document treatments
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Track follow-up actions
This ensures complete documentation and helps building managers maintain a clean and healthy environment.
5. HSE (Health, Safety, Environment)
Barcodes can be placed on safety equipment such as:
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Fire extinguishers
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Emergency tools
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Hazard detection devices
Scanning these barcodes allows teams to check maintenance status, inspection dates, and readiness of safety equipment—ensuring everything works properly during emergencies and meets safety compliance standards.
Barcode Features in Building Management Applications
Barcode technology now plays a critical role in improving the operational efficiency of buildings. With advanced property management systems like Nimbus9, which already integrates barcode functionality, managers can easily track inventory, monitor asset maintenance, manage security access, and maintain building cleanliness in a more structured and effective way.
