Category: QR Codes

In Sterling Heights, Michigan, a teacher and her students have worked together to enhance education.

Sterling Heights, Michigan teacher, Christine Kincaid-Dewey, has worked with her students from the Macomb Mathematics, Science and Technology Center (MMSTC) in order to use QR codes to help to enhance the experience visitors receive when they head to the Nature Center in the city.

As a result of their efforts, the teacher and students have been recognized by the city as “Nice Neighbors”.

The “Nice Neighbor” award was presented to the group by Recreation Supervisor for the city, Mark DiSanto. Following the presentation, DiSanto explained that “Mrs. Kincaid-Dewey and her students undertook a project to bring Quick Response Code technology to the Nature Center’s many exhibits.” The aim of the project was to allow visitors to scan QR codes while at the Nature Center so they can learn more about the exhibits than would be possible to add to display signage.

The QR codes were used to automatically direct smartphone users to the information specific to each exhibit.

Mobile device users can scan the QRcodes with any free reader app. These scanner applications are available at virtually every app store for devices on nearly every platform. Upon scanning the barcodes, the device automatically directs the user to a URL containing the relevant information.

DiSanto said that “Mrs. Kincaid-Dewey and her MMSTC students developed unique QR codes that provide unique and interesting facts about the exhibits being viewed,” and went on to add that “This information makes the exhibits come alive in a way that is simply not possible through traditional means.”

Another advantage to using quick response codes is that it is very easy to digitally update the information without having to change the barcode. This process is much more challenging when it comes to having to alter printed signage at an exhibit.

Kincaid-Dewey explained that her inspiration for the project she completed with her students was from previous visits she had made to the Nature Center with the MMSTC Ecology Club and their interest in giving back to it in a helpful and meaningful way.

The company is aiming to use quick response codes to make tech data easier to obtain.

Nortek Global HVAC recently announced that it would be adding QR codes to its product labels in order to make it easier for contractors to be able to obtain the tech literature for a specific piece of equipment.

The goal of using these barcodes in this way is to make troubleshooting faster and easier for service contractors.

The new label with the QR codes links the contractor directly to the tech literature specific to the product in question. In order to use the quick response codes, the contractor must simply use a smartphone to scan the barcode printed on the equipment’s label. The smartphone is directed to the Nortek website, where a page will be displayed with the information about that specific equipment model. Among the types of information that are available to the contractor are the installation instructions, lists of replacement parts, charging charts, wiring diagrams, and other important and practical troubleshooting information.

In this way, contractors can scan QR codes and rapidly obtain information instead of needing to phone the company.

According to the Nortek Global HVAC director of warranty and technical services, Matt Lattanzi, “Contractors call us for technical help and many times the answers are in the literature.” Lattanzi also added that “Having a way to quickly scan a code on the product and find the necessary documents can reduce lost time on the job and help ensure the equipment is installed and/or serviced correctly.”

By using the QRcode, a number of slower steps can be skipped so the contractor can complete his or her work with greater effectiveness and efficiency. Moreover, beyond the implementation of the barcodes on the product labels, Nortek has also gone to the extent of providing contractors with support through an iPad app for in-home sales, weekly video tips, mobile load calculation tools, as well as support for using and managing a Facebook business page.

The QR codes were implemented by Nortek on its labels for split-system air conditioners, but it intends to add the barcodes to additional products in the future.