Parcel Tracker gives you complete control over how your incoming packages are numbered and tracked. You can choose to automatically generate sequential numbers or set up strict rules to prevent duplicate barcodes from being scanned.
What is the Identifier Incrementer?
The Identifier Incrementer is a feature that automatically assigns each new parcel a unique, sequential identifier (e.g., 0000001, 0000002) when it is logged in.
When this feature is enabled, custom identifiers cannot be used. The system will override any manual entry or scanned barcodes and handle the identification entirely using its internal counter. This ensures perfect consistency and avoids manual data entry errors in high-volume environments.
Parcel Duplication Detection
If you prefer to scan existing barcodes rather than use the automatic incrementer, you can enable Parcel Duplication Detection. This feature prevents parcels with identical identifiers from being scanned twice.
When setting up duplication prevention, you can customize the rules based on your facility's needs:
1. Identifier Uniqueness
Unique across all recipients: Identifiers are scoped to the entire facility. Once a specific barcode or identifier is used by any recipient, it cannot be reused by anyone else.
Unique per individual recipient: Identifiers are strictly unique to the individual. A barcode can technically be reused by a different person, but a single recipient cannot have two parcels logged with the exact same identifier.
2. Site Scope
Site: An identifier is only flagged as a duplicate if it already exists within the specific site where the parcel is currently being scanned.
This specific feature requires an active internet connection to verify the barcode against your database
Across Sites vs. Site-Specific Counters
If you manage multiple locations and are using the auto-incrementer, you have two ways to manage how the numbers count up:
Across Sites Identifier: This is one shared, consistent counter across all sites in your organization. Every parcel, regardless of which site logs it, gets the next number in the sequence. (Example: Site A logs parcel 0000001, Site B logs parcel 0000002, Site C logs parcel 0000003).
Site-Specific Counter: Each site operates its own independent counter. The parcel numbers start from the configured "Current Counter" for that specific location. (Example: Site A starts at 0000001 and Site B also starts at 0000001. Both sites have a parcel with the same number, which is fine because they are separate locations).
How to Configure Your Parcel Identifiers:
You can easily adjust all of these settings directly from your computer using the web platform.
Log into your Parcel Tracker account on the web platform and select
Settingson the main menu.
Click on the
Parcel Identifiertab.
Click on the switch to toggle on/off the
Parcel Duplication Detectionfeature.
Click on the
Pencil Iconto edit your preferences, select your desired rules, and save your information.
Configure your settings by choosing to:
Enable or disable
incremental identifiersfor specific sites, or choose theAcross Sitesidentifier option.Customize your starting
counternumber.Choose whether your
Identifier Uniquenessis set toacross all recipientsorper individual recipient.Define the
scopeof each identifier (e.g., limiting it to the current site).
Click
Saveto apply your new settings!
Want to learn more?
If you want to see how these identifiers look in action when scanning parcels, check out these related guides: