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?

Besides fun with free online designer and social media QR code generators, a bit of general fun with QR codes is not out of place. So we put together a 'sticky-note' QR code generator for you to have fun with.

Use it to leave instructions to order pizza, or a reminder to someone for an appointment, or whatever. We hope you enjoy it and share it with friends. Have any suggestions, tips or comments? Then we would love to hear from you. Enjoy the sticky-note generator and we trust you have as much fun with with QR codes as we do.

URL link shortener with tiny QR codes

Are the URL links to your product or service web pages long, difficult to remember and hell to key on a mobile device. Then the 'URL link shortner' is the tool for you. It takes long URL's and converts them to short easy to remember and key URL's, in addition you also get a QR code and Datamatix barcode that mobile devices can scan, saving them typing in the URL. It is totally free and if you leave your email address, the system will send you a URL with your personal and private access to your QR code and give you the ability to change the target landing page at any time you please.

Tiny QR Code Creator 

Shrinking QR codes 

The Benefits of using a URL shortener in combination with a QR code generator.

• Generates short URL's, ideal for keying on mobile devices.

• Generates tiny QR codes, easier to scan.

• Dynamic QR codes, change the landing page at will keeping the same QR code. 

Online Animated QR Code Generator

Animated QR codes that are fully functional and remain scannable is it possible? Sure it is! And you can make them yourself right here.

QR4 is the first in the world to provide an online QR code animator.

Some examples, click on them to go to the generator and start making your own.

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.