The Data Matrix

If you read this blog, or many others for that matter, you could be forgiven for thinking that QR Codes are are the only 2D barcodes to exist. However the Data Matrix is still widely used and very effective in many situations. I started thinking about this following the Guardian blogon poor QR Code usage showed a Data Matrix and claimed it to be a QR Code which was simply to small to be of any use. Despite containing many amusing examples of terribly conceived QR Codes it also seem a bit desperate for content and forgets 2D barcodes need not be restricted to customer interaction.

Probably best to check what Barcode you're dealing with!

Both Data Matrix and QR Codes were developed by large businesses involved in technical production to track parts and products as they moved around. Since within a company you can choose the conditions for barcode reading and the quality level of the barcodes produced the large redundancy provided by QR Codes is not always necessary. Therefore Data Matrix can make for very space efficient barcoding.

For more information on Data Matrix standards see this useful PDF. Or for more information on how easily barcode reading can be incorporated into your company check out our website and try out SDK or ready to use application today!

Jack

QR Codes Bringing Back Reality

It seems technology has got many cities into a situation where it is accepted to drive anywhere and people think nothing of getting the car out to drive round the corner. However technology does not have to simply lead to evermore laziness.

A ‘tactical urbanism’ project in Raleigh, America, where citizens take issues into their own hands to improve the city has met with huge success. Putting up signs around the city informing people how long it takes to walk to other various parts of town, complete with QR Code for directions, were so professionally done everyone assumed they were part of an official campaign.

This is the perfect use of QR Code technology to tap into the lives of people who have grown to rely on technology and have probably turned off from other sources. Furthermore the reason people drive is that they probably don’t have to think about it, and a QR Code with directions is able to make the decision to walk that much easier.

Therefore while this is clearly just a small step it is definitely something worth applauding. For more information see the Washington Post website here.

If you are interested in integrating barcodes into your project then checkout our website here.

Jack

Quality QR Code Reading

QR Codes are big business, there is no avoiding them. Just look at this blog which theoretically is about all types of barcodes but the show is stolen by the QR Code. There is simply just more news about them.

Therefore when it was decided they should be added to our SDK and applications we realised it would have to be good. Now it has been around for a few months we are confident we have one of the best QR Code reading systems around. Although the huge redundancy in QR Codes does make them an efficient read this is often taken out by the marketing people, impressed by the amount the barcode can be messed around with. However as feedback continues to come in from customers we believe ours is working very well.

Quality QR Code Reading

One customer has noted the ability of our software to read however the code has been scanned “Straight or crooked; copy , fax or original… It’s really good.”

But don’t take our word for it, or theirs, you can try it today for free! We have a free application available through google play or you can download it from our website for mobile platforms, windows, OS and linux.

We would love to hear what you think so get in touch!

Jack

Barcodes Driving Consumer Value

How many times have you received a bill, either domestic or commercial, and thought to yourself that you need to establish whether you’re getting the best deal? Probably quite a lot, however if you’re anything like me this resolution will last about 30 seconds until your mind starts to drift onto the next task on your list, the bill can wait until next week.

So despite all the rhetoric from companies promising to make it easy to shop around for different contracts, especially in the domestic energy market, most people have far better to do with their time let alone the desire to work out their energy usage to ensure the best deal. However the UK’s favourite hypocrite, Nick Clegg, has finally been allowed to make a positive announcement that from now on bills will come with a “special barcode” (I would assume this means a QR Code) which can be scanned to give you instant quotes from other companies for your energy bill.

The idea is that this will allow the consumer to switch supplier in a matter of minutes. Most importantly though it probably not the time, since going online to change supplier probably only takes a few minutes, but the fact that it is available there when you have that bill in your hand. This is using barcodes at their best, to link the physical and digital spheres in a way that saves people time. Furthermore the fact that he quote can instantly be aware of how much energy you’re using will mean that the quotes you get could be tailored to your actual needs.

Could this tempt you to change supplier?

Jack

Mobile Barcode Reading

Just a few years ago when someone was going to read a barcode it would have been assumed by the layman that they would require a hand held scanner, with the red laser lines like you get in the supermarket. However these days it is accepted that mobiles can achieve this quite happily. Therefore if you haven’t got mobile scanning integrated into your application perhaps it is time you had a look at it?

Increasingly companies are introducing mobile applications for their staff who want to use their own equipment, not some clunky standard issue stuff. This means that at a moments scanning the staff member can be linked directly to all the information required about a piece of hardware or a document which they have found.

If you want to give it a go then check out our ready made app on Google Play or even better check out our mobile SDK on our website.

Want more information? Just get in touch!

Jack

These aren’t just QR Codes.. they are M&S QR Codes

British retailer Marks and Spencer are introducing wifi into ten of their shops alongside QR Codes so that customers can make the most of the information. Although some retailers have expressed concern at making it too easy for customers to view in the shops and then purchase elsewhere online history has proved that it is only those who embrace new technology who survive. As the mp3 music revolution has shown it is pointless to try and stop the progression, better to try and direct it in your favour!

The use of QR Codes in shops is obvious, for example if you find something you like but not in your size then stock information can be quickly found, or even order a delivery straight to your house! This saves both time and money for store and consumer.

It will be interesting to see if these schemes end up rolling out nationwide, I have not heard any more recently of the Oxfam QR Code trial; although it has only been a few months so I’m not jumping to conclusions.

What do you think of these changes?

Jack

QR Code Art

Followers of this blog may well be aware that I am not a fan of QR Codes which have been extensively played around with; removing the redundancy from the QR Codes also removes their advantage and means they are far less identifiable.

However this does not mean that when done very well the results cannot be impressive. This blog I found talks about how QR Code art is now starting to appear in gallaries. I am not sure that this is a sign of it’s acceptance by a wider community I do think it shows the inherent interest people have in the idea of functional art. It gives another, potentially unexpected, dimension to the piece since the choice of what the QR Code contains is also key. Also while they do appear similar to very abstract art it does have a fundamental difference, the message the artist wants to encode in the work dictates a large amount of how the piece looks.

I am not sure I will be rushing out to purchase QR Code canvasses any time soon but its nice to see it being done properly, rather than companies lazily trying to show as bigger logo in the middle of the QR Code as they can before it stops reading.

If you’re on an android phone then check out our FREE application on google play or if you want to integrate QR Code reading to a mobile platform check out our website.

Jack

What Barcodes Do Best

It doe snot matter the size of your business but everyone needs fast and efficient tracking of paperwork and products within their business. What is more everyone also wants their client base to be able to reach the relevant information about what concerns them.

Barcodes can, and do, fit this job perfectly. Take for example the charity Computer Aid which takes old computers from schools, offices etc. and then distributes them where they are still of use. However using Barcodes they were able to track where they end up, giving business efficiency quantifiable data and allowing those donating the PCs to see directly where they end up. For more information on this case check out the guardian website.

Therefore the basic message is with the simple addition of barcode reading software your company can not only increase it’s efficiency but also its quality of service and business planning. Check out our ready made BardecodeFiler application on our website here for more information.

QR Code Placement Revisited

If you followed the blog a month or two ago this will be a very common theme, the rubbish placement of QR Codes; such as in the underground where no one has enough signal to get onto the internet. This morning I stumbled upon a tumblr blog called WTF QR CODES which aims to expose the many ridiculous situation which QR Codes are now found in.

Firstly though I think it is worth noting that many of the QR Codes they state as ridiculous, such as on the back of a van or on a business card are just funny due to how they are presented. The van shown will undoubtedly spend a large amount of time stationary where the QR Code will be both useful and safe.

However as a whole the blog makes a great point, how much do the advertisers really think about how the technology is used. Several of them don’t even allow for a decent read since they are too far away and effected by wind (reference the flag and the one being dragged by a plane… I’m not making this up!).

Have you seen any ridiculous QR Codes around? I’d be interested to know what most people deem too far.

Jack

Intelligent Barcode Labelling

This blog usually talks about how great barcodes are at improving efficiency, which of course they are, but today having a look around the BBC news website I found something quite impressive. Although barcodes are great at bringing the physical world into a companies digital system (such as with products at the supermarket) they require a very intelligent system to become reactive.

However new barcode labels for fruit have been developed to become unreadable when ammonia is given off; a sign that the fruit should no longer be sold. Therefore avoiding the frustrating situation of getting home only to find that the fruit you bought is inedible.

It should be remembered though that with more sophisticated barcodes such as QR Codes more information, such as ‘use-by’ dates can be used to avoid out of date products being sold, since not everything is as well designed as fruit with its ammonia warning system! For more information on QR Codes check out our knowledge base.

Jack