Automatic data capture technologies allow data to be directly entered into computer systems without manual keyboard entry. This includes barcodes, RFID, smart cards, and biometrics. Barcodes are the most widely used method and come in linear and 2D formats. They provide accuracy, time savings over manual entry, and reduce labor costs. Barcodes are scanned using contact or non-contact readers and printed using technologies like dot matrix, inkjet, thermal, and laser printing. Two dimensional barcodes store data in a stacked or matrix format to encode more information in the same space as linear barcodes.