Barcodes Being Applied to More Than Just Products!

Made Essential Reading on 22 March 2010 Felix Hemsley

Long the preserve of retail establishments, there’s currently a shift in usage of the good old barcode. From traditional linear barcodes to QR codes, there seems to be an ever increasing number of ways barcodes are being leveraged, both on and offline.

Having used QR codes in the past for campaigns, they have always had a special place in my heart. However even over the last 18 months, they have changed! With the ability to create Outlook calendar invites and vCards for contact details, the days of just being able to have an embedded URL within the QR code are behind us, they’ve become so much more versatile! Check out how easy it is too…

Recent online buzz around barcodes has focussed on StickyBits. Whilst at first this may appear to be something rather risqué, I can put your minds at rest… StickyBits allows ANY linear barcode to be scanned and have information added to it, be it a photo, an audio clip or simply some text, and on top of this, it is geo-tagged. Should this barcode then be scanned by someone using the StickyBits app, they will be able to see what previous activity has occurred and add their own content to the list. Having been coined “the secret life of barcodes” sticky bits allows people to associate whatever they like with a location or product, bringing those items to life and giving them context.

I recently read an article over at GoMo News which asked the question of considering QR over SMS for charitable giving. Whilst it would require a central database of credit card details for members of a donation application, a simple mobile app and charity QR code removes any risk of potentially sending SMS messages to incorrect numbers or with incorrect content! This all got me thinking as to how charities could position QR codes in accessible locations where people are often looking for things to occupy their time, whilst leveraging a modern desire to download another smart phone app and use it to do something productive.

Imagine a billboard outside Paddington station where everyone stands having a cigarette (4 or 5 billboards occupy the line of sight) all driving easily absorbed marketing messages! If a partnership could be met with, for example, JCDecaux on issues such as the Haiti disaster, where their boards act as a driver for simple, secure charitable donations, then they could be on to a winner! I’ll be interested to see if this donation mechanic gains traction, and if this drives awareness of QR coding like recent Facebook developments also have…but that’s a whole other story…

How would you like to be able to donate to your favourite charity or cause more easily? And would a QR method be something you would consider? Or is QR still something of a mystery to you?