On QR Codes - The future is here

 
Friends –



I am seriously impressed with QR Code technology. QR codes are sets of black and white pixels, typically measuring 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm, which can hold lots of rich data. They're similar to barcodes, which hold only numeric data, more specifically a set of 11 digits, which can be used to identify any product in the world. In fact, the Universal Product Code, which maps the numeric data represented by barcodes onto product information that can be used for example by supermarkets, was developed by McKinsey & Company, who were hired by the US National Association of Food Chains (NAFC) back in the 1970s.



30 to 40 years later, we are taking the next big leap in technology. Compared to barcodes, QR codes can hold thousands of rich alphanumeric, even Kanji (Japanese script) characters. They hold enormous potential for condensifying, standardizing and ultimately simplifying data capture across multiple types of interactions - business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C) and consumer to consumer (C2C). Originally developed as a B2B tool for supply chains and production lines, I have personally seen QR codes in action now on three different fronts, and that too sitting here in Nairobi (I guess that's why they call it Silicon Savannah).



One very obvious use is to very quickly and easily digitize a long, complicated, tedious and/or seemingly meaningless analogue text string. For example, some commercial advertisements in the Economist now contain QR codes, which are links to long and complicated URLs. You like something you saw in the magazine - instead of typing in the URL, which might be a tedious task, simply scan the QR code and go straight to the product website. Up to 4,000 characters can be stored in that tiny 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm space. QR codes are now being placed on flyers, pamphlets, brochures, business cards - or anywhere one might want to place or replace a URL.



At our Juhudi regional managers' meeting recently, we used QR codes to simplify the process of installing a new smartphone application, which we have developed and are rolling out to streamline some of Juhudi's operations. As we were training our regional managers to install this new application, we felt like agents from the future, in some sort of sci-fi movie - and even though in this particular case, even a long complicated text URL sent by e-mail might have worked (the tedious stuff needed to be digitized only once, and then could be shared easily in simple digital text format), not all our regional managers access their e-mail on their phones (which someone should seriously train them to do). Setting up mobile e-mail access for those who don't already have it would have been quite complicated (would have brought up issues of passwords, privacy, etc.), so the QR codes simplified our lives.



Finally, a friend here in Nairobi has co-founded NikoHapa, a mobile based loyalty tracking and social networking program for retail outlets and retail customers. It's similar to Subway stamps, from back in the day. You received a stamp for each visit to Subway, which you could paste onto a card. Once all 10 stamps on the card were complete, you could turn the card in to receive a free foot-long sandwich. I also recall from back in the day that some Subway outlets had discontinued the scheme due to rampant forgery and fraud. A friend of mine, who became very loyal to Subway because of the scheme (legend has it that he didn't eat anywhere else), was not very happy when he found out that his 7 or so left over stamps were no longer in use. Just overnight, loyalty turned into a massive boycott.



NikoHapa is fully digitized and linked to a phone account, which presumably helps prevent or minimize fraud - but there is also a social networking element to it, which cuts across multiple chains and outlets - your friends can see all the places you have visited (or 'stamps' that you have collected). What's more is that NikoHapa uses QR code stickers as 'stamps' to simplify the process of capturing a visit. There's also an SMS alternative, where one has to type in a code and send it across to a short-code number - obviously much more tedious. So I wonder if many NikoHapa users are using the QR coded stickers. As the use of smartphones becomes more widespread and people familiarize themselves with these codes, everyone should be using them and SMS should become redundant.



So if you have an Android smartphone, download the free application called "Barcode Scanner" and get started. Find a QR code - any QR code. Scan it in. Experience the ease and simplicity of the process. The joy as green dots appear on the screen, showing successful capture. Prepare yourself for the future.



In case you're unable to find a QR code, here's the QR code for the Mambo Jambo Salama URL: