QR codes first surfaced some time ago as a way for companies to market to their target demographics. While marketing doesn’t always provide the best results, there are other uses for QR codes that businesses are finding much, much more feasible.
The QR Codes of Old
The QR code itself was originally developed by a subsidiary of Toyota after the automobile manufacturer discovered that their traditional barcode system was simply running out of capacity. Since then, QR codes have been in use by companies for a number of reasons. At first, companies tried to turn them into a major part of their marketing campaigns. Consumers could scan a QR code to learn more about a product, get some savings, play a game, or whatever the advertiser chose to include. However, it didn’t work as well as many companies thought it would, and while QR codes are still a part of marketing campaigns for some businesses, many have simply moved on.
A New Use
Even as companies started to phase out QR codes in marketing and proclaimed that QR codes were dead, others were finding different uses for them that would forever change the way they did business. Nowadays, businesses are finding that QR codes are simpler, more efficient, and more cost-effective means of asset tracking than spreadsheets, stand-alone software, or even traditional barcodes and scanners. They implement QR codes in a variety of places and for a variety of reasons.
- Inventory tracking and management – Scanning the QR code on one product can provide information about things like wholesale cost, the number of that product in stock, when the next stock is scheduled for delivery, and much, much more.
- Maintenance recordkeeping and automation – Some companies use QR codes to keep track of equipment maintenance. Simply scan the equipment and view the maintenance log, and if maintenance is necessary, all you have to do is tap a button.
- Monetary value – For companies who have assets of significant value, and assets that tend to depreciate over time, QR codes and scanners make it simple to keep track of their overall monetary value. This makes doing taxes far simpler.
- Location – Finally, some QR codes have built-in GPS tracking that allows companies to keep track of their equipment, no matter where it might be. This reduces loss and theft, and it even helps them save money on their insurance costs.
Real-Time Information in the Age of Instant Gratification
Although it’s true that QR codes didn’t make it far in terms of marketing, they’ve certainly redeemed themselves when it comes to asset tracking. Now, more than ever, people want instant access to vast amounts of information. In fact, that information often plays a huge role in how a business is run. With nothing more than a smartphone, businesses can get all of the information they’ll ever need, allowing them to provide unsurpassed customer service, better manage their inventory, and crunch numbers in a fraction of the time.
The hype behind QR codes got many businesses on board, but many people believed their potential for marketing was hyped a bit too much. Fortunately, it does work for many companies, and for those who choose to give it a shot, it can redeem itself when it comes to the ability to carefully track and monitor assets.
