QR Codes – those square barcodes made with blotches of white and black – have been used in newspapers, magazines and retail stores. On business cards. Scan to get more information. Get a special promotion. The use seems limitless. However, like many new technologies is the hype greater than the benefit? Interest seems to be fading. Critics and skeptics abound. Are they destined to be lost and relegated to the dust bin? Or are they just suffering from misuse and abuse? In this session presented at Scaling New Heights 2012 Accounting Conference, we’ll step back and explain what barcodes are. How they work. Where they can be used. What’s the difference between a UPC, a Code128 and a QR Code. Learn how this useful piece of technology can actually help your clients save time and be more efficient. We’ll spend time reviewing various implementations of QR Codes. Some examples will make you laugh. Some will make you cry. Some will have you marveling in their ingenuity. We’ll demystify this 60 year old technology. You may not be a barcode expert when you leave, but you’ll definitely walk away with some ideas to help your clients better understand and use barcodes to save time and money.

1. Scaling New Heights 2012
Nashville TN
QR Codes
A Dying Fad or is Misuse and Abuse to Blame?
Presenter: Grant Wickes
VP Business Development
Wasp Barcode Technologies
www.waspbarcode.com
Social Keys:
Conference hashtag: #snh2012
Twitter handle: @gwickes

2. Scaling New Heights 2012
Agenda
• What we’ll cover
– Better understanding of barcode technology
– QR Codes
• Examples of use – Some good, some bad
• Ideas for best approach
• Objective
– Stimulate ideas to help your clients

3. Scaling New Heights 2012
Nashville TN
Barcodes
History. What they are. How they work

4. Scaling New Heights 2012
Barcode Evolution
1952 1961-1967 1974 1981 2010+
Patent KarTrak Grocery Stores Industrial Mobile

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What’s a barcode
• Simply, a graphic representation of data
ABC123

6. Scaling New Heights 2012
Why use them
• Eliminate errors. Reduce time. Improve productivity
• Quickly get accurate information
Item # Description Location Qty
123456 1.5" Gear Spindle 2-1-5-3 1321
123457 2" Gear Spindle 2-10-6-1 54
123458 2.5" Gear Spindle 2-8-6-1 6574
123459 3" Gear Spindle 3-1-20-6 789

7. Scaling New Heights 2012
Barcode Symbology
1D (Linear) 2D
Interleaved 25
Code 93 UPC PDF417 QR Code
Code 39
Datamatrix Tag
Code 128

8. Scaling New Heights 2012
Nashville TN
QR Codes
Fad? Or Just Misuse Use and Abuse?

9. Scaling New Heights 2012
What are QR Codes
• Form of 2D barcode
– 2D barcode  more information than linear (1D barcode)
• QR Code history
– Designed by Denso – Japanese firm
– Rapid use in US resulting from Smartphones – consumer focus
• Free (to create)
– Good – lots of trial/potential implementations
– Bad – no standard configuration & poor implementation/strategic
thinking

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Examples

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Mobile display
Physical world Pre-sale

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Pre-sale

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Post-sale / Installation
Ref: MediaLab http://blog.medialab3dsolutions.com/2012/05/qr-codes-sale

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Mobile display
Lead generation
Physical world

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Lead generation

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Mobile display
Marketing leverage
Physical world

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Marketing leverage
Physical world Mobile display

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Mobile display
Customer service
Physical world

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New Ideas
• Extending a physical / static element

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New Ideas
• Creative engagement

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New Ideas
• Virtual shopping
Supporting video: http://bit.ly/TescoQRCodeVirtualStoreVideo

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So Fad? Or Misuse and Abuse?
• Numerous examples
– Some good
– Some bad
• Typically creates skeptics
• Value is there
– Extend a physical presence with valuable “rich” information
– With time, good implementations will evolve

23. Scaling New Heights 2012
5 Tips for QR Code Use
• Integrate them into overall design
• Provide context (what will happen)
• Use URL shortening service with custom description
– http://bit.ly/ut14L524  http://bit.ly/WaspAssetVideo
• Design for mobile
– screen display, appropriate input experience
• Add value with experience
– Think marketing…
• Who is my target customer
• What do I want them to do / what do I want to achieve

24. Scaling New Heights 2012
Nashville TN
QR Codes
A Dying Fad or is Misuse and Abuse to Blame?
Grant Wickes
VP Business Development
Wasp Barcode Technologies
www.waspbarcode.com
Contact Info:
email: gwickes@waspbarcode.com
Twitter handle: @gwickes