A functional demo of a QR code name tag generator.

Name Tag QR Code Generator

Using an Excel spreadsheet as data source it generates vCard QR codes and using them makes printable and scannable name tags.

These are ideal for use at conferences, congresses, symposions and other events where people get together. The fun part is that the QR code can be used to register attendance and after that can be used to exchange contact information by scanning the QR code with a mobile device or smartphone.

The same type of QR code automation can be used to make business cards, direct mail campaigns, customer loyalty service, and more.

The free online QR Code name tag generator will generate ten name tags of 90mm by 55mm on an A4 sheet as downloadable and printable PDF file. Download the Excel file and replace the demo data with your own data, then upload it to the generator and get your own QR code name tags.

Ideal to use for your next social gathering, allowing guests to exchange their contact information directly via mobile phone easily.

Abandoned QR code attempts

Funny how social media and other channels of information appear to be 'in the know' and educating and broadcasting information about what is happening and what appears to be the latest truth. My parents taught me at an early age not to believe everything I read and to challenge and question what I didn't trust or beleive at face value.

The incomprehention and misunderstanding is only enhanced by headlines like:

QR Codes: Goodbye and Good Riddance, tweets on twitter like "QR codes a failure..told you so" and also "QR codes R.I.P.".

When it is only about Google stopping the use of QR codes for their 'Places" service. Why? Because it was not used, did not work and cost more than it delivered. Speculation is on NFC (Near Field Communication) for Google Places, which my Samsung already has, but I have yet to see any service make use of this feature today.

Another QR Code attempt dumped (or so it seems) so add this one to the list as well...

See: Monthly Archives = 2008 !? They did not bother to complete their web site and gave up completely leaving the site up and running in a pre 1990 mode, not even putting up a dreaded 'under construction' notice.

Lesson to be learned

QR codes the consumers will determine if they take the trouble to scan 2D codes or not, not marketing departments nor advertising agencies. You can dream up and implement the ultimate QR code driven solution, but if the consumers are not interested, it will fail, at your expence.

Anti QR code articles, as mentioen above, clearly indicate an irritantion factor concerning QR codes. This is probably caused by the poor and incorrect use and implementation of these 2D codes in public media. It is a clear warning that if done incrrectly it will not help you achive what your goal was, but exactly the opposite.

Recommendations

QR codes are like tools used by craftsmen who know how to use it well in their trade. Because this technology is open for use by anyone, it is also open for missuse and abuse. It is always advisable to first do research before using QR codes in public campaigns if their is no prior experience or knowledge of QR codes avaiable. Alternatively if speed to market and success are important, consult QR code specilists, it really is worth every penny at the end of the day. When wanting to use QR codes, ask yourself the following: Is it the right tool? Is it used for the right reason? Is it used at the right time? Is it the right place?

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.

Eco-nomic QR Codes

Newspapers could save tons of paper, ink, energy and time as well as provide a more handy smaller format for reading on the bus or in the train by putting only the main items in print and linking to the full online publication via a QR code.

Just think of the benefits, less paper to make dirty equals faster production times (deadlines), equals more time for journalists to get their stories in before production starts. In short it conserves paper, ink, solvents, energy, time and produces more time and convenience and saves big money. Example: why have 6 pages full of sports information in a newspaper if you're a computer geek and not interested in sport, I really don't need or want it. Just pop the snazzy commentary and action shots behind a QR code I say!

An example of who is making work of using QR codes in a eco-nomic and eco friendly way is CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions) more information on how this organization is saving tons of paper, energy and adding to less CO² emisions can be found in their article: Smart Cards: put CEMR in your pocket!

QR codes and how to use them

 The QR code above has (as indicated) a website address embedded in it and when scanned with a QR code reader will pass this address along to the reader application to work with, usually resulting in the opening of a web browser and navigation to the website.

How to use QR codes

Mobile phones with cameras can read these 2D barcodes by using a barcode scanner application on the phone. In some countries the mobile phones come with pre-installed QR code reader software, and if not there are many resources on Internet to download and install these 2D code readers.

Scanning the QR code triggers the mobile phone to go to a website location. In this case it is this blog. Interesting to note that the QR4 blog has a mobile version of the blog.

QR Codes Connect

By placing QR codes anywhere in the real-world, like posters, business cards, packaging, stickers, you name it, it becomes possible to provide information on location. Whether it be a vCard, loading and playing a video or music, navigating to a mobile website or service or simply dialing a number, QR codes are very usefull little 2D barcodes.