--- title: Understanding Merging vs. Grouping QR Codes description: In a traceability-driven supply chain, how you manage and identify parcels isn’t just an operation; it’s strategic. Whether you're consolidating materials, optimizing shipments, or streamlining custom --- [Skip to content](https://support.itraceit.io/en/understanding-merging-vs.-grouping-qr-codes#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![itraceit](https://support.itraceit.io/hs-fs/hubfs/itraceit-slogan.png?height=50&name=itraceit-slogan.png)](https://itraceit.io/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Log to my account](https://europe-workflow.itraceit.io/) [Log to my account](https://europe-workflow.itraceit.io/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [iTraceiT](https://support.itraceit.io/en?hsLang=en) 2. [Glossary](https://support.itraceit.io/en/glossary?hsLang=en) # Understanding Merging vs. Grouping QR Codes In a traceability-driven supply chain, how you manage and identify parcels isn’t just an operation; it’s strategic. Whether you're consolidating materials, optimizing shipments, or streamlining customer communication, choosing the right method to handle your QR-coded parcels can directly impact efficiency and traceability accuracy. iTraceiT offers two powerful tools for managing multiple QR codes: **Group** and **Merge**. Understanding when and how to use each is essential to maintaining full transparency while meeting logistical and business goals. ### What Does “Group Qr Code” Mean? **Grouping QR Codes** allows you to virtually associate multiple QR codes under one overarching code, without physically altering or combining the goods. This is ideal when you want to keep parcels separate, but manage or communicate them as one logical unit. #### Business Use Case: Let’s say you need to send 100 stones from De Beers and another 100 stones from DTC. Instead of sending 200 individual QR codes, you group them into one master QR code. Your customer only scans one code and instantly sees the breakdown of all 200 parcels. Crucially, each QR code retains its **100% individual origin,** so if your customer looks up a specific parcel, they'll still see if it came from De Beers or DTC. ### Business Benefits: - Simplifies large, complex shipments - Maintains full individual traceability - Enhances customer experience with one-code access - No physical transformation or change in parcel status ### **What Does “Merge Qr Codes” Mean?** **Merging QR Codes** is used when you physically combine the contents of multiple parcels into a single, new parcel. This action creates a brand-new QR code and traceability profile that consolidates all the inputs. #### Business Use Case: You merge 100 stones from De Beers with 100 stones from Canada. The resulting merged parcel now holds 200 stones and is tagged with a 50% De Beers, 50% Canadian origin profile. Even if a single stone is removed, its origin is no longer tracked independently, it now inherits the **combined identity** of the new parcel. ### Business Benefits: - Accurately reflects physical blending or assembly - Creates one traceable identity from multiple sources - Useful for manufacturing or processing stages - Automatically tracks origin proportions #### Summary: When to Use Group vs. Merge | Scenario | Use “Group” | Use “Merge” | | --- | --- | --- | | Customer shipment of separate parcels | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Organizing goods for logistics | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Physically combining materials | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | | Keeping each item’s origin intact | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (origin is blended) | | Creating a new traceable unit | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |       In essence, **Grouping QR Codes** helps you simplify logistics without changing the nature of the goods, perfect for transparent, large-scale shipments. **Merging QR codes** transforms goods physically and digitally, creating a new entity with blended traceability. Choosing the right method depends on your operational needs:  - [Getting Started](https://support.itraceit.io/en/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [1. Introduction to iTraceiT](https://support.itraceit.io/en/getting-started?hsLang=en#1-introduction-to-itraceit) - [2. Starting Point & Responsibility](https://support.itraceit.io/en/getting-started?hsLang=en#2-starting-point-responsibility) - [3. Account Setup & Configuration](https://support.itraceit.io/en/getting-started?hsLang=en#3-account-setup-configuration) - [4. Interface & Navigation](https://support.itraceit.io/en/getting-started?hsLang=en#4-interface-navigation) - [Using iTraceiT](https://support.itraceit.io/en/using-itraceit?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Step 1 : Create & Import QR Codes](https://support.itraceit.io/en/using-itraceit?hsLang=en#step-1-create-import-qr-codes) - [Step 2: Add & Enrich Information](https://support.itraceit.io/en/using-itraceit?hsLang=en#step-2-add-enrich-information) - [Step 3: Split, Merge & Group QR Codes](https://support.itraceit.io/en/using-itraceit?hsLang=en#step-3-split-merge-group-qr-codes) - [Step 4: Publish & Share QR Codes](https://support.itraceit.io/en/using-itraceit?hsLang=en#step-4-publish-share-qr-codes) - [Manage QR Code Lifecycle](https://support.itraceit.io/en/using-itraceit?hsLang=en#manage-qr-code-lifecycle) - [Developer Documentation](https://support.itraceit.io/en/developer-documentation?hsLang=en) - [Sectors & Actors](https://support.itraceit.io/en/sectors-actors?hsLang=en#main-content) - [SCS Global Services](https://support.itraceit.io/en/sectors-actors?hsLang=en#scs-global-services) - [Blockchain & Security](https://support.itraceit.io/en/blockchain-security?hsLang=en) - [Data Privacy & Compliance](https://support.itraceit.io/en/data-privacy-compliance?hsLang=en) - [Troubleshooting & FAQ](https://support.itraceit.io/en/troubleshooting-faq?hsLang=en) - [Glossary](https://support.itraceit.io/en/glossary?hsLang=en) [![logo-white](https://support.itraceit.io/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=120&height=37&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://itplace.com/en/) Copyright © 2025, IT Place (TITP Srl)