Tag: mobile technology

ScanLife study shows the effectiveness of QR codes

| November 14, 2012

 

QR Codes Mobile MarketingScanLife releases new study concerning QR codes

ScanLife, a mobile advertising firm specializing in QR codes, has released a new study concerning the scanning of QR codes and how they can be used effectively by brands. QR codes are already popular marketing tools and have been so for some time. Despite this, however, many companies are still uncertain on how to use them effectively. ScanLife has long been an advocate for QR codes, claiming that companies can see major gains if they were to use the codes in an effective manner. The firm has released its new study in the hopes of spreading awareness on the capabilities of QR codes.

Study draws information from more than 200 codes and thousands of scans

For this study, ScanLife made use of more than 200 QR codes, which generated thousands of scans each. These scans were tracked by the company’s Mobile Engagement Platform, which provided ScanLife with valuable analytic data concerning the use of its QR codes. Each of the codes were linked to mobile websites that were created by advertisers using the ScanLife platform, providing context sensitive content for consumers rather than sending them to random places on the Internet.

QR codes highly effective when targeting specific demographics

According to the study, the majority of people who scanned the QR codes are interested in particular products and services. ScanLife notes that this makes QR codes very effective when used to target a specific demographic, but less effective for a broader marketing approach. The study shows that 62% of all scans translated into further engagement. The study suggests that consumers presented with content relevant to their interests were much more likely to get engaged in marketing campaigns.

Codes still useful even when compared to interactive technologies

QR codes are often used as an all-encompassing mobile marketing tool. The codes have shown their value to marketers by proving that they can be effective in engaging tech-savvy consumers, but have begun losing popularity to more interactive technologies, such as NFC and augmented reality. ScanLife notes that QR codes can still be highly effective if marketers use them to target a very specific audience.

NFC technology for more than just mobile commerce

| November 13, 2012

 

nfc technology mobile commerceNFC technology can be used for more than mobile payments

NFC technology gets a great deal of attention for its uses in mobile commerce. The technology has been a cornerstone of mobile payments for some time, but can facilitate other services beyond this realm as well. As NFC technology becomes more popular, and more prone to criticism, those interested in NFC are looking for new ways to make use of it. Steve Gurley, president of Pyrim Technologies, is keen to encourage the use of NFC technology outside of mobile commerce, or at least raise awareness of its other capabilities.

Peer-to-peer communication facilitated through NFC

According to Gurley, NFC technology has three uses beyond mobile payments. The first is peer-to-peer communication. This capability is beginning to attract more attention, especially as technology giant Samsung begins marketing this aspect of their new NFC-enabled products. NFC technology allows for devices, such as smart phones, to share information without being connected by wires. Two such devices can share information to one another digitally, allowing smart phone users to share songs or contact details with each other.

Security could be controlled through NFC chips

Another use of NFC technology is secure card emulation. Hotels often rely on keycards to control access to rooms and some services, a practice that is growing increasingly common on university campuses around the world. NFC technology can make this practice more efficient, according to Gurley. By embedding an NFC chip into a card, access can be granted in a quick, efficient, and more secure manner, removing the need for traditional methods of security. NFC technology can also act in a wide range of read/write practices and facilitate the exchange of information easily.

NFC technology expected to continue playing a large role in mobile commerce

NFC technology is likely to continue playing a major role in mobile commerce, but will not be restricted to this industry for long. Already, the technology has become an emergent part of numerous industries, especially in those that put a high value on interaction with consumers. Marketing is currently the most popular platform for NFC technology, outside of mobile commerce.