Waiting For The World To Change

(This post is by guest blogger Dave from California)

So when will manufacturers finally turn their products into platforms?

My Kenmore Elite refrigerator has stood proudly in my kitchen for five years, but it still doesn’t know a thing about me.  

(nor does it realize it is under new ownership; it came with the house I bought)

A week ago, my cable company (Xfinity, fka Comcast) brought me a new docsis 3.0 modem.  It’s much larger than my old modem, a one-foot tall tower with white UPC code stickers on both the back, and the bottom.  It appears to be made by a company called ARRIS, in China.

In order to implement new VOIP phone service through the modem, I had to call the Technical Department, who told me I needed to speak with the Activations Department.   This transaction required 23 minutes.  Each person separately verified my name; the phone number I was calling from; the phone number I wanted to activate; my address; and the last four digits of you know what.

It occurred to me that this activation work could have been done entirely through the magic of a simple QR code, in about 30 seconds.

I could have scanned a code on the modem and triggered a live session with a server to conduct the activation, like the one that now happens with my renewed credit card.   

And even if I’d never scanned a QR code before, this vendor could have simply emailed me instructions to download a QR reader, or, better yet for them, to download their app.  The marketing value of getting me to download their app is so great, they could have afforded to provide me with a financial incentive to do it.  

60% of the USA has a smartphone, and that number is rising.  An un-internet-connected phone will soon become an endangered species.  

I found that Linksys, Netgear and Motorola all offer modems of this kind, and wondered how they do activations.  To say nothing of the hundreds of manufacturers of other stuff sitting in our homes that could offer me the chance to interact with them. But instead, I have a drawer full of paper installation guides, warranties and product registrations, and zero relationship with any of them.

The internet of things?  Still waiting.

Managing Mobile Contest Lucky Draws and Sweepstakes

Customers have been using Qryptal for running contests for quite sometime. Here is a photo taken inside a supermarket for a very popular contest from 2012:

We have applied what we have learned from these contests and recently made it even easier to create and manage such contests.

For consumers, entering the contest was always easy with Qryptal (including providing proof of purchase).

The recent improvements are about making life easier for the contest organizer running draws once the contest closes. So easy that you could be running contest draws in minutes. All this with reporting and audit trails to help you comply with your company and/or local regulations (you will need to check those on your own though).

Let's consider an example to understand all this better.

Example Background:
You are running a weekly contest. Consumers scan the contest QR Codes, fill a mobile form to enter the contest. Say every Wednesday you would run the draw to pick 2 winners for entries received during the previous week.

Contest rollout steps:

1. Create a mobile form that consumers fill to enter the contest. Typically consumers would reach this mobile form by scanning a QR Code. Other rollout options could be SMS/Text, NFC tags or direct URL links.
2. Create some collateral (posters, flyers etc) with the QR Code to explain the contest.
3. Put up this collateral at various points of sale: supermarket refrigerators, posters, advertisements etc (you can have tracking codes to track entries by partner/location etc)

Now contest entries would start rolling in and soon it would be Wednesday when you need to run the draw.

Running the weekly draw:

1. Go to the Manage Draws tab within the Qryptal interface (if the tab is not visible then you will need to enable Contests for that project: see this).
             
   
2. Fill the create draw dialog:
   
      
   
   
   
3. Now when you create the draw, the system will pick the draw entries based on the criteria above. It will also give you a summary.
4. After that just do the following to run the draw:
   
   

That's it! Every week it would take you a few minutes to run the draw.

You can try the above by creating a free trial account here. For any help - just click on the Support tab.

Related posts:

Proof of purchase integration for Contests

Smartphone users prefer scanning a QR Code vs typing links

Which Mobile Bar Code Ad Is Best?

via stephanietruemoss.sharedby.co

Good article - recommended reading for those using QR Codes in their advertising.

"When Moen's QR Code is scanned, I'm brought to a mobile website, which features a video about the product featured in the ad, as well as tabs to click on to learn more about the product, what others have to say and to view other kitchen products. .....

When Delta's SnapTag is scanned, I'm brought to a mobile landing page, which shows three product images of the product depicted in the ad, and buttons to "pin" the product to Pinterest. Other than that, nothing else is offered to the reader of the ad. "

McDonald's Adds QR Codes to Bags and Cups to Deliver Nutrition Information to Consumers

via getthefive.com

Another good use case for QR Codes on packaging.

Proof of purchase for QR Code Contests

Contests and sweepstakes are an effective way for companies to generate interest in their products. The problem is, most of these promotions still require pen, paper and traditional postal mail for registration and for supplying a proof of purchase.

We solved the first half of the problem earlier this year, enabling consumers to enter drawings by simply scanning a QR code and then registering with a few keystrokes on their smartphones.

Mobilizing the proof of purchase requirement was a bit trickier.  However, with the recent release of Apple iOS 6, we were able to enable consumers to take photos of their purchase receipts and to easily upload/attach them to the mobile contest registration form.

By the way, if some of your users are still using earlier versions of the software on their phones - the system provides for alternate mechanisms for uploading the receipt later.

You can try out our new mobile contest registration functionality by scanning the QR code below (a sample contest registration form appears to the left):

We also make it easy for companies to manage their QR code contests and drawings. Below is a sample of our administrative report, showing the email addresses of the registered users, as well as photos of their purchase receipts:

If you’d like help in mobilizing your pen-and-paper contests, please:

Related posts:
 QR Codes for Contests 
 QR Code Mobile Forms Data Capture and Export

Turbana takes consumers to banana farms through QR codes - The Packer

via thepacker.com

“It’s phenomenal that we are now able to show consumers how they influence the lives of the people of Colombia,” Marion Tabard, Turbana’s marketing director, said in the release.
“By scanning the QR codes, consumers learn about the growers and how their purchases benefit the banana growing region in a wholehearted way,” she said. “It’s also a great way for our retailers to engage with their customers by providing complete product transparency.”

Good use case and something which can be done rather easily with Qryptal.

QR Codes for Contests

This post outlines how you can use Qryptal QR Codes for running a contest. Major brands have successfully used Qryptal's platform to create and manage their contests. We think this is also a good demonstration of what QR Codes are good for: Quick Response with a mobile.

Use-case background: 

You are an ice cream retailer and want to run a promotion.  Customers will scan your QR code, and enter the contest by filling in their information on your mobile landing page.  The data they enter is stored in a database.  When the contest ends, you press a few buttons to randomly draw the winners.

Contest Mechanics Setup:

1. Create QR codes and mobile contest landing pages flow on Qryptal.
2. Create point of sale collateral which explains the contest.
3. Put up this collateral at various points of sale: supermarket refrigerators, posters, advertisements etc (you can have tracking codes to track entries by partner/location etc)

End user experience:

Businesses using the Qryptal platform for their contests have experienced very high participation rates.  How to explain the higher numbers of contest entries?  We think it's due to the speed and ease of use when a participant can simply scan a code and enter information on their mobile phones.

Contest Organizer View:

Contest organizers like this because it is all electronic, automated and easy to be compliant with your corporate contest auditor guidelines. Qryptal can customize your contest mechanics as needed.

Demonstration:

Below is a demo contest code for you to try. 

After trying the code above, refresh the page to see the updated spreadsheet below (for privacy reasons, email and phone are hidden):

Related post:

Managing Mobile Contest Draws and Sweepstakes

QR Coded Wine Bottles at Moore Brothers

via philadelphia.foobooz.com

>>
Whenever a customer takes a picture of the code with their smartphone or iPad it will open a link to a web-based tasting note. The notes include up-to-date recommendations on food pairings, all the information Moore has generated over the years, and video interviews with winegrowers. And it is all for the convenience and education of the customer.

Pretty awesome, right? It’s like having two award-winning sommeliers right in your pocket.

Yes, it is awesome! The key differentiator is easy access to high value information, relevant to the context.

Toys R Us continues to increase summer sales via bigger QR code push

via mobilecommercedaily.com

QR codes on products to provide relevant information. Toys R Us is doing that and as it's spokeswoman pointed "Customers are increasingly using their smartphones while shopping to find details on the products they are looking to purchase". QR Codes makes it easy for customers to get to information that helps in their purchase decision.

At Qryptal, QR Codes for product information is one of the first usecases that we were marketing for. With the current QR Creator and Mobile Page designer, this can now be up and running in a matter of minutes.

Contest QR Codes: Scanning QR codes on bins could win recyclers prizes - BBC News

via bbc.co.uk

The aim here is to draw attention to the recycling message and facilities. Anyone scanning this code will be entered into a daily prize draw for a chance to win a voucher.

QR Codes coupled with a form designed for mobile screens and a good call to action make it easy for anyone to enter a contest right away.

It's nice tool in the mobile marketing toolbox. At Qryptal we've been working on making it easy to for end users to signup as well as for organizers to run such prize draws.

Guinness QR Cup Reveals Scannable Code When Full | Adweek

via adweek.com

An innovative use of QR codes by BBDO New York. The QR code is imprinted into a pint glass and is visible when filled with Guinesss which is black in color.

QR codes help some smartphone shoppers to make their decisions and purchases

via qrcodepress.com

QR Code on product packaging and/or at the stores make it easy for customers to get more information about a product. Makes it easier to make an informed purchase decision.

QR Codes trace products' origins

via delmarvanow.com

Handy International is using QR Codes on product packaging.
QR Codes are used here for seafood products and give consumers added information about it's origin and freshness.

The article noted that "The day can come when a consumer is able to scan products with a smart phone application or other device for information now provided to wholesale buyers, restaurants and other buyers of Handy frozen fish."

Hopefully that comes sooner rather then later, as it's a great way to provide relevant information to the end consumer without an extensive search as is the case today for such information.

We hope more products would start providing information to their end consumers. One such use cases are shrink wrapped products that already have electronic manuals, where it makes sense to provide access to the manual from the packaging especially with limited real estate on the packaging. This way a consumer has quick access to additional details to make an informed decision if the product is a right fit.

There are more such uses cases of howbusinesses can use QR Codes

Product ingredients are no longer a mystery with Floratech QR code mobile app - QR Code Press | QR Code Press

via qrcodepress.com

Floratech is adding QR codes on it's products that when scanned lead to the details of ingredients used in a product. It also provides instant access to product descriptions, INCI (international Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names, certificates of analysis, efficiency claims, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), as well as technical data sheets.

A great use case, making it easier for consumers to reach relevant information for a product directly without sieving through a website. Any packaged products can do the same.

Improving QR code scans | Labels and Labeling

via labelsandlabeling.com

Four useful tips for increasing QR code scans. We especially encourage our clients who are implementing QR codes for their products and campaigns i.e
1. Provide a call to action near the QR Code
2. Give people an incentive to scan

Liverpool goes nuts over 'smart' Fair Trade goods

via guardian.co.uk

"Pick up your smart phone, run it over the QR (Quick Response) code on the packet and the screen is filled instantly with a map showing the location of the cooperative that produced the coffee, plus detailed information about its growers, their beans and their work, its Fair Trade credentials and contribution to the local community. It is like satnav for a Fair Trade destination."

QR Codes on product packaging is a great opportunity to tell your story in your own words. Whenever a user, in any part of the world looks at your product - they can get to authoritative information.

This could be about how some produce was grown, how an artifact was crafted with care or just quick access to the user guide for a shrink wrapped package.

In the present connected world, all of us consume not just the product but also the information around it (2many of us check Amazon reviews when in a shop).

QR Codes enable product producers to tell their story - direct & unadulterated to the consumer.