Two-dimensional...going beyond 'flat thinking'.

Tweet Here is an excerpt from our newest white paper on 2D Barcodes. If you would like a copy, please send an email request to: rose.ehrecke@acculink.com with "Whitepaper" in the Subject line.

The current economic climate is forcing marketers to rethink how they reach their customers. What was considered savvy marketing yesterday is considered old news today. We must think outside the box and look to new avenues for generating revenue not only for ourselves but for our clients as well. AccuLink likes to refer to this as going beyond flat thinking.

The emerging generation of consumers falls into the 15-35 year old range. And most consumers in that age range, own mobile phones. In fact, there are more mobile phones than TVs and computers combined in the USA today. One-fifth of consumers access the Internet on their cell phones every day, and among consumers who shop online, 58% have Web-enabled phones. This gives marketers unprecedented access to their customer base not just by text messaging, but also by web. Smart phones are the new personal computer, contact manager, entertainment center and mobile communication device all in one. What form of technology can bring together traditional print, internet, relationship building and metrics? 2D codes.

What are 2D Barcodes (commonly referred to as QR codes)?
A QR-Code is a two dimensional barcode that is designed to have its contents decoded at high speed, allowing for accuracy in link recognition and convenient functionality. The acronym QR is derived from the term Quick Response. QR Codes were created by the Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994 as a way to track parts in vehicle manufacturing. Other industries began seeing how useful they were and started adapting the technology for their own use. From that point, mobile phone companies saw the potential in this technology and came up with QR code readers so that cell phone users could read these codes right from their phones. This technology is widely used in Asia and Europe and was voted trend of the year for 2009 in the UK.

Two dimensional barcodes are being used in convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging). The basic idea is simple. The user scans a two dimensional barcode with a cell phone loaded with barcode reader software and it takes the user directly to a web page with marketing content. This might be coupons, promotional videos, a survey, a blog, or product purchase page. The URL can also be a link to download an MP3, dial a telephone number, or auto-fill your email client with a sender address. Two dimensional bar codes storing addresses and URLs have appeared in magazines, on signs, business cards, billboards, even coffee mugs and t-shirts.

Because scanning a two dimensional code is much easier than entering a URL into a phone by hand, these codes are touted for their ability to reduce the barrier to response. This can translate into higher response rates from consumers with web-enabled phones. Interaction takes place immediately – creating a faster way to reach the consumer. People are more likely to respond to an ad at the point of initial interest, than waiting to access the content from a computer. Higher response rates increase a marketer’s ability to form new relationships (via text messages, electronic coupons, email opt ins, etc) that may never have occurred via more traditional channels of advertising.

To view the white paper in its entirety, be sure to send an email request to the address listed above.

And The Winner Is...

Tweet The “Big Gun” tattoo of Randy Eubanks of Suncoast Marketing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida won his organization their very own branded online ordering site for the “coolest business cards on the planet” by AccuLink and their latest storefront at B2vCARDs.com . Randy was one of many value added resellers that participated in a promotion presented by AccuLink at the recent Print Solutions Conference held in Chicago, IL this Fall.

In advance of the trade show AccuLink mailed a folded self mailer with a removable tattoo attached displaying a 2D code to all registered attendees. The mailer described the new technology associated with 2D codes (also known as “QR” or “Quick Response” codes) as well as the launch of AccuLink’s new and unique B2vCARDs. The incentive to come visit the AccuLink booth encouraged attendees to display the most creative application of the tattoo and receive a branded B2vCARDs.com storefront for the winner. After censoring and reviewing the results of the participants it was determined that Randy’s impressive biceps and unique design deserved the winning prize. B2vCARDs.com is an online storefront for business cards that transforms the common business card into an interactive and dynamic sales tool. When entering B2vCARDs.com the registrant enters whatever profile information he/she would like to pass on to another’s address book (also known as a vCARD). The registrant also may enter a URL of choice that he would like to direct their contact to. This URL could be anything from a Linkedin profile, a home web site or a Youtube video – literally any URL desired. B2vCARDs.com then transforms this data into scannable 2D Codes that interact with application enabled cell phones. The principle behind this new 2D code technology is to instantly connect browser enabled cell phones (with cameras) with the internet and, in this case, vCARD profile information. When the vCARD 2D code on back of a B2vCARD is scanned, the participant’s smart phone instantly uploads the card’s contact information. If the other URL 2D code is scanned the participant is directed to a web site that can be a static landing page, a video or even an opt in page to gather survey information.

“2D codes will revolutionize the value of printed media from this day forward” claims Lindsay Gray, vice president and co-owner of AccuLink and founder of B2vCARDs.com. “The old school business card is now a commodity – our B2vCARD technology now makes those cards obsolete. Imagine the value to a salesman who can witness a contact scanning his card and knowing from that moment forward all of his vital contact information is stored in his prospects CRM system. Not only is this a great ice breaker but it is a convenient utility too!”.

AccuLink has only just begun researching 2D codes and its many applications. In fact, the benefits to marketers are where the AccuLink focus is now. Since 2D codes connect printed material to the internet, AccuLink is offering turnkey marketing services that begin with the creation of unique 2D codes that guide participants into web based “opt-in” sites where responses are measured, collected and reported back to campaign managers.

Rose Ehrecke, Chief Project Manager at AccuLink, states “the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) is limited with conventional advertising channels but with 2D codes we can measure each individual scan as well as gain access to an individual’s cell phone. 2D codes can be the “Holy Grail” to CMOs in search of mobile marketing solutions. We now have paved a way to access the emerging consumers who view their cell phones as their primary entertainment, information and communication device”.

Lindsay closes by saying “we are excited about the results of our investments in research and technological infrastructure here at AccuLink. We are equally excited about the opportunity to partner with our value added resellers so that we may all enhance and improve communication services to our customers”. The future of print certainly seems to hold many promises limited only by one’s imagination. Whoever said “print is a mature industry”…?

QR Codes Get Attention!

Tweet

On October 1, a group of our employees attended a Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours" event. These events typically consist of light cocktails, networking and the handing out of business cards. Our group came armed with business cards featuring QR codes (tags) on the back such that, when scanned, the smart phone would instantly load the business card profile information directly to the vCard address/contact management software of the phone. A second code on the card directs the phone browser to a unique landing page (such as a Linkedin profile page, blog or Facebook page). My team also adorned themselves with tattoos strategically placed on their bodies to get maximum attention. One team member (who has a shaved head) placed his tattoo on the back of his head for optimal scanning. When scanned, the code on the tattoo takes the phone browser directly to our web site: www.acculink.com.

The cards were produced on our newly released web site: www.B2vCards.com. If you want the coolest cards on the planet go to the link shown and place your order. You provide the front art and we provide the back QR code(s) with your choice of functionality!

Note: the tattoos and business cards were the talk of the event. We stole the show even though we had no sponsorship responsibilities. A great time was had by all!

Small is the new BIG

Tweet Rethink how you link to your customers. Small is the new BIG. One small code can contain so much more than meets the eye! Two dimensional bar codes are an old technology that’s finding new purpose in mobile communication. As we watch the trends, we take technology, reinvent it and in the process, keep you one step ahead of the competition. Click on the following link “Get QR Software” and you will be taken to the FREE reader download site. (You can access the same link from your cell phone as well.) Download this free software to your phone by following the on-screen instructions. Now launch the reader on your cell phone, point your mobile camera at the desired two dimensional bar code and the content will be instantly delivered to your phone in a matter of seconds. It’s that easy!

In order to better understand how we have advanced the functionality of QR Codes, we want to start with a brief history of the code’s origins. QR-Codes are a two dimensional barcode that is designed to have its contents decoded at a high speed, allowing for accuracy in link recognition and convenient functionality. The acronym QR is derived from the term Quick Response. QR Codes were created by the Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994 as a way to track parts in vehicle manufacturing. Other industries began seeing how useful they were and started adapting the technology for their own use. From that point, mobile phone companies saw the potential in this technology and came up with QR code readers so that cell phone users could read these codes right from their phones.

Two dimensional bar codes have come a long way from their original usage in vehicle manufacturing. They are now starting to be used in convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging). Two dimensional bar codes storing addresses and URLs have appeared in magazines, on signs, business cards, billboards, even coffee mugs and t-shirts - just about any object that your customer might need information about. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader software can capture the image of the two dimensional bar code and link instantly to a programmed URL. This URL can be a web address, a link to download an MP3, dial a telephone number, or auto-fill your email client with a sender address. Two dimensional bar codes are only as effective as their underlying application. How do I generate unique, application specific two dimensional bar codes? Where does the two dimensional bar code link take me? How do I manage what's at the other end of that link? Who actually responded by using the two dimensional bar codes? At AccuLink, we have the answers to these questions and more.

Did you know there are more mobile phones than TVs and computers combined in the US today? Gives a whole new meaning to personalized customer interaction!

To see our latest ad in the September '09 issue of Print Solutions magazine, click on the following link:

Print Solutions ’09 AccuLink Ad

QR Code Usage in Japan

Tweet Content in this blog article is reposted courtesy of Cliffano Subagio. To see photos of the QR Codes he references, link to his original blog, shown at the end of the article.

**********************************************

Some of my friends must’ve been tired listening to my constant complaining about how slow it is for Australia to adopt QR Code usage. QR Code is what I believe to be the link between print media and the web. And contrary to popular belief, I think print media is not going to die anytime soon.

I spotted the first QR Code in Melbourne in July last year. Telstra has been campaigning the use of QR Code, mostly on their products and ads. There have been few magazines using QR Code to link to some pages on their own sites. I’m predicting that this technology will become much more mainstream in Australia within the next 2-3 years, providing steady adoption of smart phones with QR Code support.

During my trip to Japan few months ago, I was amazed to find out that QR Code was used everywhere (not literally _everywhere_ of course). I started taking pictures and videos of those QR Codes to the amusement of the locals, something that’s very common to them was very new to me.

On one morning, I was walking to Ikebukuro Station via the underground pass, and I noticed a new Disney poster on the wall. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Stitch. The eyes and noses of each character are still visible within the QR Codes. I saw passers by stopping in front of the poster, scanning the codes using their mobile phones. It was so weird for me, but I’m sure, again, it’s very common to them. At that point, I wondered if I would see a similar scene in Melbourne within the next few years.

McDonald’s placed QR Codes on the soft drink cup, burger wrapper, and paper bag amongst other things. I also found QR Codes on snack food packaging, a building guide, a T-shirt tag, and a poster at a mall.

Ever thought that one day you would see a large garble of black and white dots just so you can scan it with your mobile phone? Or on a magazine. These are only a few examples where QR Codes were used as links to web pages, but bear in mind that it can be used for many things other than for storing URLs, like nutritional info of a sandwich. I’m excited to see more uses of QR Code in Australia. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll see one on a coffee cup at a cafe in Melbourne.

Courtesy of http://blog.cliffano.com/2009/05/18/qr-code-usage-in-japan/


******************************************

Advantages of QR Codes
Capacity
Unlike barcodes with information only in one direction, the QR Code is a two-dimensional code with information stored on the vertical and horizontal direction. As a result, the QR Code can hold up to 7089 Numeric data, 4296 Alphanumeric data, and 2953 Binary data. Compared to barcodes that can only hold approximately 20 digits, the QR Code is far superior to the traditional barcodes.

Footprint
QR Codes can hold the same amount of information as traditional bar codes but in one-tenth of the space it takes for barcodes. For an even smaller printout size, there are Micro QR Codes available. The symbol size ranges from 21×21 (Version 1) to 177×177 (Version 40) and grows by 4 modules/side. Dirt and Damage Resistant QR Codes can be restored even if the symbol is damaged or dirty. Up to a maximum of 30% of the data can be restored.

Readability
QR Codes can be read in any direction thanks to the position detection patterns. These patterns are located on three corners of the symbol and it helps reduce background interference. In addition, a single QR Code can be divided into multiple data areas then reconstructed as a single symbol when needed. This allows the user to print up to 16 symbols in a more narrow printing area.

Standardization and Use
On June 2000, The QR Code standardization received approval from ISO International. The QR Code System can be generated using QR Code Printers and software to generate the code. There are scanners that are designed for a variety of applications. Cellular phones are the most common form of QR Code scanners used in Asia as teens capture QR Code information from posters of their favourite Rock Star’s upcoming concert to advertisements on the Subway. The uses for QR Codes are limitless, groceries stores print it on their receipts, marketers print it on their ads to increase interest, and stores print it in their ads to generate maps and hours of operations.

Disclaimer: Information used for the blog post was drawn from the website http://www.qrcode.com/ developed by Denso Wave. Please visit their site for more information.