QR codes as a service in public bus transport

Sounds great, and the opportunities are really big, but let's see  how QR codes are implemented in public bus transport in the Eindhoven area in the Netherlands as service to clients.

One of the many bus transport companies in the Netherlands that is using (a) QR code(s) is 'Connexxion' so lets have a look at how they use QR codes today. Only a PDF on line brochure with a QR code on the cover was found, this is the starting point. First observation...QR code has no 'quite zone' and was an incredible challenge for the i-nigma reader that was used to scan.

Original QR Image

Fixed QR Image

Which QR code does your scanner prefer?

What is behind the QR code?

Scanning it with the Nokia N95 the results are not what was anticipated or expected.

QR Codes for value added public transport services

Fact:

• Public transport companies have problems maintaining their services on time in bad to extreme weather conditions
• People do not want to be outside waiting for a bus when the weather is bad or extreme.

Current situation

As example some images (yes good weather, spring in fact) of bus stops in Eindhoven where two privatized bus companies operate 'Hermes' and 'Arriva'  and both appear not to be using QR code technology at present. The reason you can tell it is Eindhoven is because this is the technology capital of the Netherlands, and the bus stops here have LCD panels telling people how long it is going to take for the next bus to arrive at the stop. Pretty smart.

QR code solution

Because it is clear that the bus company knows exactly where each bus is at any time (GPS), they are able to report this information to the panels at the bus stops. If they used this same technology and made a QR code for each bus stop, then people using the bus stop can scan and store the code. A mobile website then identifies the unique QR code and can report when the next bus will be at that stop.

Normal bus stop

Bus stop QR code service

All the technology needed to provide this service is available today. This QR code solution is more cost effective than LCD panels in investment and maintenance, is more vandal proof and provides more service of real value to clients. Considering the amount of smart-phones in use today it seems a very viable solution for public bus transport companies.

A live simulation to track your bus route(s) from anywhere.

I urge public transport companies who have not yet looked into the use of QR codes as a value added customer service to do so. The technology is readily available and the cost of implementation and maintenance is fractional compared to alternatives.

Using QR codes with plants and mobile devices

What a great idea, those labels are always too small to put everything on that you would like, so why not make the label huge by connecting to Internet via a QR code, right!

Besides great marketing and cross-selling opportunities for the nursery it could have great advantages for the customer too:

• What does it look like in bloom.
• How big does it get.
• What fertilizer should be used and when.
• How and when to prune it.
• What other plants go well with this one.
• What ailments can it get, howto detect and prevent

This can be enhanced on line with videos and the ability to see different variations with the opportunity to order on line. By tracking and tracing where and when the QR codes are scanned the nursery can determine where the plants are now located and he frequency of scans can indicate the need for more relevant information. QR codes that were used some time ago will indicate that clients are saving the label and using for reference at a later stage.

Now this idea did not just pop out of my head. I have been thinking about it for some time, and since I don't know any nurseries in the area I let it go. And then suddenly for the first time I actually came across a QR used by a nursery for some potted bulbs in a local supermarket.

Not impressed with the icons of 'do not eat' and something that looks like 'don't flush down toilet' I was hoping the QR code would be of more assistance and that it would maybe show me what these bulbs look like when they are in bloom etc

Using the Webcam QR code Reader set to 'mobile mode', this what it really looks like

Whatever the reasons were to do something like this with QR codes on this website, it does neither the nursery nor the people scanning the code any good. Implementations like this are one of the reasons QR codes may never be a success. Too many 'irritating' scans like this will be enough for consumers to turn their backs on QR codes. This is an example of how great open technology can be (accidentally) misused to the demise of everyone concerned.

I admire the initiative to use QR codes, but the implementation is incorrect and if this was a marketing campaign it is guaranteed to fail miserably.

 QR code tips for nurseries

• There are many good databases on this planets flora. If you don't have one yourself, use them.
• Create QR codes for the plants, not for your corporate billboard website homepage.
• Give the scanner a (branded) value added and engaging experience when scanning the code (about the plant, not you!).
• Interact with the scanner, provide a plant specific FAQ, get feedback, offer extra services/products/support.
• Always provide a value added service for clients that offers more than the 'label' the QR code is printed on.
• DO NOT send clients to your standard homepage via the QR code (else just print the URL on the label, it will save space! ) as that is NOT what QR codes are supposed to be used for, specifically if your standard website does not know how to deal with mobile devices.
• Keep QR code web pages 'to the point', effective, efficient and simple. (In some countries you still pay per Mbyte you transfer or for 'airtime').

Should you have questions, comments or suggestions about this article, please contact us for advice on QR code implementation or our range of possibilities and options for creating and using effective and efficient QR codes in your organization..

Increase customer recognition and loyalty by branding QR codes with a logo.

QR codes can be a great marketing tool and drive sales, specially for mobile marketing actions and campaigns. Placing a logo or embedding a graphic into the QR code increases the visibility and the recognition for the brand, the product or the service being offered.

Branded QR codes are not limited to companies or marketing promotions alone, they can also be used for social media engagements. These QR codes can be seen as physical hyperlinks, extending beyond the "Like" button and the "Follow Me" buttons on the Internet and make these scannable "Like" and "Follow Me" QR codes available anywhere anytime in the real physical world.

Generating your own branded QR codes

Examples of social media branded QR codes

The working examples above we vreated with the free "Branded QR Code Generator". All that is needed is a web address target that the QR code should send the user too and a logo or graphic that needs to be embedded. You can edit the caption of the QR code and also ajust the size of the embedded logo.

Branding QR codes raises awareness, increases scan rates and makes them look unique. Always test branded QR codes thouroughly before putting them to use.

'Making your own branded QR codes', a video with instructions on how you can make your own branded OR codes, based on an online generator in colour from 0D0A.

Personal Twitter Profile in a QR Code

Spread your Twitter presence offline in the real world, and anywhere else for that matter, with this physical mobile hyperlink to your Twitter social media profile in the form of a scanable QR code. It's fun There is also a video on how to use this QR code generator

It does not need Twitter passwords or any other of your private or personal information and can even put your public Twitter profile image into the QR code if you like.

The social media QR code image can be placed on blogs or website pages, printed on stickers or t-shirts and will lead mobile phone users to you and what you have to say on Twitter.

You can make your own personal "Twitter Me!" social media QR code, for use as you please, using the free 'Twitter Profile QR Code Generator', or the Twitter Follow Me Generator.

France adopting and using QR codes at an increasing rate.

This is despite a very good French 2D barcode system based on the Datamatrix called 'flashcode' which has been around for quite a few years.

During a recent visit to Paris I perchance bumped into this QR code embedded in the pavement on a street close to the 'Opera'.

If you scan this QR code with a mobile phone QR reader or an online QR code reader you will get: https//bit.ly/bHwve4. Which leads you to a mobile webpage '09.12.41_PALAIS_BERLITZ' with the most interesting facts and videos about public dissorder at the buildings or places where the QR Codes are located.

An interesting concept by Raspou Team and sure to get QR code hunters scanning the streets of paris for more of these informational QR codes embedded in the pavements of Paris. A map with all the locations of the QR codes as well as how the ceramic QR code tiles were made can be found on their website Paris by RapouTeam