QR codes, what are they really?

Following my post on sexy QR codes I invited a friend of mine to tell us more about this interactive communication tool.

Roopesh Bhatnagar, details on the left, is the co-founder of weee-network a boutique brand communications entity founded in 2011 born out of the need and void in Oman to bridge the gap between traditional and new media communications.

I asked Roopesh a few questions which helped me understanding more about QR codes and that I'd like to share with you.

What exactly are QR codes?

“Quick Response Codes are much like bar codes but a highly evolved version as they can hold thousands of alphanumeric data in comparison to just 20 digits. But the best part is you do not need any special device to read one but can do it by downloading a QR code reader app on your smart phone. There are plenty available in the free online app market places. The popular ones are QR Droid, i-nigma, Beetagg, Kaywa.”

Why should companies/people use them more?

“After TVs and desktops/laptops our smartphones are becoming the third, but most important screen in our lives… three must things to carry on you today are your wallet, car keys and mobile phones.

Mobile Tagging, the process of engaging with QR Codes, has numerous possibilities such as browsing or bookmarking websites, making phone calls, sending e-mails, creating maps, initiating chats and much more.

Companies can use QR codes as shortcuts to their consumers to many connections and experiences while people do not need to memorise, copy or write but can be one scan away from another level of information and engagement especially audio/video content.”

What is the potential in Oman?

“A good 30% of new phones being sold in Oman are smartphones and these numbers are increasing month on month. Oman has close to 4 million mobile subscriptions and out of these 1.2 million are broadband enabled… that’s a lot of phones and a lot of eyeballs on phones out there”.

Tell us a bit more about weee-network and how you implemented a QR code campaign…

“Our focus is digital media consulting and development, providing expertise, knowledge and services for web, mobile, and convergence media with a focus on innovation and technology for 360-degree contact.

Our first integrated use of QR codes was at the TEDxMuscat event we organized in May this year. We used QR on attendee badges so that they could just scan respective codes and the contact details would get stored in their address book. Codes were also on T-shirts, giving access to Flickr and YouTube feeds, and also on giveaways like mugs linking guests to the main TED site.

A few other campaigns are in development and will be seen shortly in the future. These will help create better awareness of both applications and the use of QR.”

Well, thanks Roopesh and good luck to weee-network, we all look forward to some creative campaigns!