2d barcodes are becoming a popular topic in mobile, marketing and business in general. They have been around for some time and have found strong usage stats in countries like India and China. Many of the mobile manufactures have adapted their devices to one type of barcode or another and have shipped their phones with applications to scan barcodes, example the Nokia 95. Software giants such as Microsoft and Google have even started paving the way for their use in the future, buy generating the 2d code images for free, or distributing the scanning software to be used without charge. Microsoft has even created is own colour coded image called the Microsoft ‘Tag’. With all of the hype, it’s a shame the uptake is not greater in ‘developed’ countries.
A little about 2d barcodes
The most popular type of barcode today (by scanned amount worldwide) are QR(Quick response) codes, which are square 2 dimensional codes holding up to 7 kb of information. These little spotty images are read by scanning software on a phone or 2d barcode reader and most often redirect the phone to a mobile phone web browser or submit an instant ‘hit’ via the internet to the barcode owner.
How and where are 2d barcodes used?
QR codes are great for asset management. Barcodes have been seen more frequently through marketing campaigns for ‘on’ product tracking - examples on Pepsi cans, Walkers crisp packets and Chocolate bars. Barcodes are common on other marketing media as well such as advertising boards on public transport systems (this no doubt used to advise on how long to show the board), and unique barcodes on letters from HSBC bank. They have even been found on Hugo boss underpants. These are all examples of tangible ‘real world’ physical objects now having tracking facilities, even feedback mechanisms if users scanned them.
The power of barcodes does not stop here. Barcodes can even be used to track intangible objects – such as online flyers, tickets to concerts, plane tickets and mobile forms.
One solution found is a unique barcode generated to a mobile survey - setup on a website http://www.m0b1le.net which allows for real world printable distribution of online mobile surveys so that companies can find out what there customers think of their product while they use them, by simply scanning the image on the packet or bottle and completing the form. This improves the customer feedback request as it does not require a request for information via email or sms from the supplier, but rather the option for the customer to interact with the product when they want to. This conceptually leads to commenting and feedback on many items of our daily use.
It will be interesting to see what innovative ideas businesses and developers will find to use and indeed track items in the real world, online through this service. I’m sure that some technology mash-ups will produce some wonderful products
