What is a QR code?

QR codes were developed by the Japanese firm Denso Wave as a bar code for inventory. Other uses were quickly developed and QR codes have been popular in Japan and Europe for several years. The technology is now migrating to North America because of the increased use in mobile smartphones.

QR codes have become more popular than the typical barcode as the typical barcode can only hold a maximum of 20 digits, whereas the QR code can hold up to 7,089 characters. This makes the use and diversity of QR code much more appealing than their older counter part, the barcode. QR codes are capable of encoding the same amount of data in approximately one-tenth the space of a traditional bar code.

Experts have identified six primary business applications for QR codes. This includes:

1. Extended packaging: consumers access additional information about products through their mobile phone.
2. Content purchase and delivery: digital products such as videos, games and music can be tried and sold via mobile phones.
3. Mobile coupons: mobile phones are used both to capture and redeem coupons and discounts.
4. Authentication: mobile phones are used to check whether or not a product is genuine.
5. Re-ordering: Mobile phones are used to reorder products with orders sent to the supplier in a standard format.
6. Mobile self-scanning: consumers in supermarkets use their mobile phone (rather than a device supplied by the supermarket) to scan products as they do their shopping.