What the code?
You may have seen them in the media lately. Wondered what they are? What’s the point?
Well, quite simply, they are a type of bar code that is in 2D form. In fact they are some times called 2D codes.
However, what is great about these codes is that they can be scanned and understood by almost any device with a digital camera and the right software, and they can hold a relatively large amount of information.
For the main part, this means that contact information such as web addresses and phone numbers can be easily scanned and used by a mobile phone.
Technically speaking…
These codes are technically called QR Codes
or Quick Response Codes, and (despite what some companies in Australia would have you believe) were created by the Japanese company “Denso Wave” in 1994.
Denso-Wave chose to allow the release of the specification for these codes, and they are used freely throughout the world. In fact, they are quite the craze in Japan, where an estimated 75% of adults have used them.
What does this mean for my business?
Well, the primary benefit for QR codes is that the offer an easy and cheap way to make a conversion from print media, such as advertisements, forms or business cards into electronic information and communication. Consider the following possible scenarios;
- Provide an easy way for potential customers to browse to your web site from an ad in a newspaper, magazine or billboard.
- Provide up to the minute information by SMS, using SMS numbers embedded in a mobile code.
- Allow new contacts to easily enter your contact information into their PDA by printing a code on your business cards.
- Improve and reduce costs in your work flow by tracking orders and other information using customised codes printed on delivery slips and invoices which are scanned using inexpensive mobile phones.
But don't these codes need a special mobile phone from a specific provider?
Not at all! There is software freely available for most mobile devices, for use on any carrier.
So how do I start using these codes?
You can create your own codes for free that you can use in your own marketing or systems using our online code generator.
For more advanced scenarios such as generating custom codes on the fly, automated SMS responses and making your web site work on mobile devices, contact our team of consultants. We can discuss exciting and smart ways that you can utilise this emerging technology within your business processes.