Autocoding Systems - Right date code & packaging
The UK standard for packaging verification
Trusted by all major retailers, protecting more than 2,000 production lines.
Avoid the risks of recalls, rework and lost retailer confidence with OAL Autocoding – the proven compliance system trusted across the UK food industry.
Protects over 2,000+ production lines
Eliminates packing errors and recalls
Integrate quickly with your existing lines
Our system is the benchmark for compliance, trusted by UK retailers
Why OAL’s Autocoding System?
Trusted by the UK’s Leading Food Manufacturers
Technical Excellence
With over 30 years as a trusted automation partner, and a team of 50 experienced engineers, OAL delivers practical, intelligent solutions to real-world label verification challenges.
Industry Standard
The most popular packaging verification system on the market installed on over 2,000 packing lines. Built to handle complex packaging operations with ease.
Innovation at the Core
Ongoing investment through £6.5 million of Innovate UK-funded projects drives the development of next-gen systems using AI, vision, and smart automation technologies.
Always-On Support
Our UK-based support team of 15 specialists is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can speak directly to an engineer within one hour, because downtime isn’t an option.
Seamless System Integration
Integrates effortlessly with your existing line equipment to deliver simple one-click control. No need for manual checks or complex configurations.
Retailer Compliance
Comprehensive tools, training, and audits ensure full compliance with the latest Code of Practice requirements. Certified by GS1 UK and trusted by major retailers including M&S.
“Without a doubt I would recommend OAL to other manufacturers […] this system is the failsafe.”
How Autocoding works?
Our Autocoding system combines intelligent software with robust hardware to automate printer setup and verify every pack, eliminating date code and label errors before they cause problems.
Step-by-step operation:
Select the Job
The operator selects the product or works order on the OAL Line Terminal (touchscreen). With one click, the system automatically configures the entire packaging line.
Printers Automatically Set Up
The system pulls data from the Master Product Database (MPD) to automatically configure all printers with the correct date code, based on your P+ rules. Additional fields such as grower, country of origin, and batch codes are also applied automatically, removing the risk of manual input errors.
Packaging Verified
Integrated cameras scan and verify the 1D or 2D barcodes to confirm that they match the selected job. This prevents mix-ups and ensures traceability for all packaging components, such as pots, lids, sleeves or labels.
AI-Powered Packaging & Product Checks
The system uses AI to inspect printed information such as date codes, allergen declarations, promotional flashes, and label presence or position, catching errors that barcode verification alone can’t detect. It can also check product quality, identifying issues like missing sachets or visible defects in the food product itself.
Paperless Quality Assurance
Operators complete start-up, end-of-run, and interval quality checks (typically every 30 minutes) using a handheld camera. All checks are recorded digitally, ensuring full compliance and audit readiness, without paperwork.
“The team at OAL are easy to work with, working together we have implemented a robust automated label and date code verification system. The 24/7 support is quick, friendly, and efficient!”
100% Continuous Label Verification
Every pack is scanned and verified. A camera is mounted to the line to scan packaging barcodes and verify against the running job.
Multiple barcode cameras are mounted on the line to scan all elements for products with multiple packaging elements (pot, lid, sleeve).
Right date code
Automatic printer set-up and 100% print inspection.
Save time each changeover and prevent human input errors on printers by automating the setup and monitoring of your printers.
Ensure 100% date coding confidence by verifying the date code printed on every pack with APRIL Eye.
The OAL system automatically sets up the printers to print the correct date code for the works order/job you’re running.
Stop human errors. Operators no longer set up printers. The OAL system automatically sets up all printers (primary and secondary) to print the date code for the running job.
Brand agnostic. The OAL system works with all printer brands.
Fault and alarm detection. If the printer enters a fault state, the OAL system detects the errors, stops the line and forces a redownload of date code information.
Save time. Operators can be reassigned to other activities as they no longer set up printers.
“The installation team were easy to get on with and very obliging. They already know the food industry and its standards and as such managed the installation accordingly to eliminate product risk and line downtime”
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions you might have.
-
OAL’s Autocoding System is the UK benchmark for packaging and date code verification. Trusted on over 2,000 production lines, it prevents mislabelling, coding errors, and costly product recalls by automating printer setup and verifying every pack.
-
By taking control of your packaging line. The system automatically sets up printers with the correct job data, locks down settings, and verifies that packaging matches the job selected. This ensures your line runs in full compliance with retailer Codes of Practice and removes the risk of human error. For more detail, see our M&S compliance webinar.
-
There isn’t a single price point — it depends on your line setup, compliance requirements, and optional modules such as AI vision or Line Monitoring. To help plan budgets, we’ve written a detailed guide — read the cost article here.
-
Prevents costly recalls and rework
Guarantees compliance with retailer codes of practice (GS1 UK certified)
Automates date coding and label checks, reducing human error
Saves operator time at changeovers
Provides 24/7 UK-based support
-
Yes. Beyond barcode checks, AI vision can detect missing date codes, incorrect promotional flashes, label position issues and product-quality defects such as missing sachets.
-
The process is simple and fully automated:
Operators select the job on the OAL Line Terminal.
Printers are configured automatically with the correct date code and product data.
Integrated cameras check barcodes and packaging components against the job.
AI vision inspects date codes and product quality.
Digital QA replaces paper checks, ensuring audit-ready compliance.
-
Yes. By adding the Line Monitoring module, you can capture OEE, downtime, and other key performance metrics. Dashboards and reports help you track efficiency and ROI.
-
Our robots footprint is just 0.1m². That makes them ideal for sites with tight production footprints.
-
Very little. We retrofit our cameras and line terminals onto your existing equipment, so no major floor space is required. The system is designed to fit around your current line without the need for large enclosures or extra footprint.
-
Most customers see ROI within 10–18 months, depending on line speed, labour savings, and operational complexity. We can provide a personalised ROI estimate during your demo.
-
The system instantly detects the fault, stops the line, and re-downloads the correct data to ensure no mislabelled product escapes.
-
An authorised user can issue a concession to keep the line running temporarily while manual checks are performed. Once repaired, the system resumes full automation.
-
Our system protects over 2,000 food production lines. We work with leading UK food manufacturers including Bakkavor, Nature’s Way Foods, Worldwide Fruit and Finnebrogue. Our systems are approved by and trusted to protect retailers such as M&S.