Mieruka: More Examples - Identification

In our previous introductory article about mieruka (visual control), we discussed the four categories each visual can be classified into. H...

In our previous introductory article about mieruka (visual control), we discussed the four categories each visual can be classified into. Here, we give more examples of the first of the 3I1Ps: Identification.  Part 2 of a 5 part series on mieruka/visual control.

Identification and Classification of Shelves and Goods

The following four photos are a pull in from large scale to small scale of where informative visuals are used.

Large, ceiling signs provides a broad classification of what belongs where.

Each shelf and each section is marked labels, so that there is no ambiguity on storage location.

Each shelf section has a label.

Each item is individually marked with machine and human readable labels.

In this storage area, each area is clearly marked to ensure that there are no mistakes when storing and placing goods.

These shelves are organized systematically and clearly labeled, while each individual product is also labeled with a sticker. The labeling system is designed to ensure that there are no mistakes in placing goods, that it’s easy to find what you want and making it easy to count stock.

Each label is designed to be both human and machine readable. The 2D bar code used in Japanese companies are usually the QR Code variant, and these can store much more information than their traditional one-dimensional bar code counterparts, such as text, descriptions, numbers and other strings. They can be read using specialized 2D barcode readers, or even mobile phones.

The label also utilizes colour coding in which the coloured stripe on the right of each label represents a month.