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.

QR Codes Are Perfect For The Internet of Things

via shkspr.mobi

"The costs associated with setting this up are close to zero. Amortized over every sachet it's probably less than the cost of a grain of salt.
There's no opportunity cost lost - what else could you stick on the side of a packet that small?
I like the fact that I can instantly see nutritional information and can certainly see it being more useful on larger items. But, again, that's the point. QR codes are free - so you might as well stick them on everything."
Do read the full post - great points contrasting QR Codes and NFC.

QR code key part of new signage

via lfpress.com

London city crews are piloting the useQR codes on signage make it easier for people to find out about repairs on the sidewalks.

They rightly pointed out as more users able to access internet remotely, this provides an easy way for users to get information. And kudos for putting an email address and phone numbers for those who are less tech savvy.

What's next. Perhaps it makes sense to place it on assets such as street lamps and traffic light junctions to make it easier to report faulty lamps. It could be as easy as scan a QR Code and enter an email address or contact number and click send to report a fault.

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 help in History: Bronze and granite and read all over

via winnipegsun.com

QR codes here provide a way to a wealth of relevant historical information, which would not fit into plaque like this as quoted below:

“Our inductees are very accomplished and distinguished citizens so to try and describe what they have contributed to our city on a small plaque is impossible,” said Citizens Hall of Fame chair Rick Preston. “With QR codes on each inductee pedestal, you can now pull up on your smart phone or tablet the web page dedicated to each inductee. There are also links on many of these inductee web pages to organizations and causes they have been prominent in if not responsible for their initial establishment and success.”

QR Codes at 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower Show / RHS Gardening

via rhs.org.uk

RHS Chelsea Flower Show is using QR Codes to provide easy quick access to a relevant information about the garden.

Just like the earlier post about QR codes on trees providing relevant information, this is a great use case for QR codes.

QR codes on trees to connect with public

via mndaily.com

Students of University of Minnesota forestry class is using QR codes on trees which on scanning provide information about the specific tree. This includes a video interview with experts, as well as picture of it's flowers, fruits and how it is used in landscape as well as it's origin among others.

A wealth of information that would not typically make it on a sign. The QR Code is ideal for this use case as it provides quick access to relevant information.

A great use case for botanic gardens around the world!

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.