Tag: quick response codes

Shomi has created a font-based substitute to the quick response code.

Shomi, an Australian startup, has developed Shomi codes, which are similar to QR codes in that they link to digital content, but what makes the Shomi variety different is that it is based on font, which makes them smaller and does not limit them to back and white, giving them greater flexibility.

The new codes are quick and easy to implement.

According to Tony Williams, the founder of the newly established Australian business, Shomi codes have been purposely designed to be placed in confined spaces in publishing, such as a line of text. Williams says that “because it’s a font, it’s a lot quicker and easier to implement than a QR code.’’ This gives it the advantage.

He also added that “QR codes were designed as a high density alternative to a barcode for tracking automotive parts. They are completely over engineered for use as mobile linking technology.”

Shomi is not the first QRcode competitor. Microsoft created Microsoft tag, but the company has decided that it will be eliminating this service next year. Williams believes the reason that Microsoft tag did not work was it did not overcome the quick response code’s format, which Williams says is one of the chief problems of the code because all of the additional data is not needed for a mobile link.

Shomi codes may be more effective than QR codes for providing useful data to companies about consumers.

Shomi intends to generate revenue by storing the data it collects from users of its code, analyzing this data and providing it to publishers who use the Shomi code. According to Williams, the free version of their platform with basic analytics is currently available.

He said that Shomi can “control the experience” and they capture all of the data which is a huge advantage to companies. A company can use the code to direct their reader and learn what they can about the consumer.

Williams stated that Shomi will make money with detailed analytics packages and they will charge on a tiered scale that will be based on scan usage. At present, the startup is seeking seed funding and is on the watch for businesses that may be interested in being among the first to adopt their code.

Only time will tell if Shomi code will be a true competitor of QR codes for mobile.

Seafood cases and menus now feature quick response codes that can be scanned by guests.

The BlackSalt Fish Market located in Northwest Washington now sells dozens of different types of fish and shellfish, and has assigned QR codes to every one of them in order to provide customers with the information that they need to answer more of their questions, and to bring that knowledge home with them on their mobile devices.

These quick response codes are located on all of the menus and seafood cases of the company.

According to the fish monger for BlackSalt Fish Market, among the largest challenges that have been faced is in keeping track of the large amount of data regarding a given fish that is being sold, such as where it was caught, what techniques were used for catching the fish, who caught the fish, and so on. The QR codes provided a very helpful tool that would allow this information to be accurately and clearly relayed to customers who would like to know more about what they are buying and eating.

The Black Restaurant Group is now using QR codes to expand on their efforts to keep consumers informed.

The Black Restaurant Group includes locations such as Republic and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. Over the last year, it has been making a concerted effort to provide its customers with a way to obtain a better understand of where, when, and how the fish was caught, and by whom. According to M.J. Gimbar, a fishmonger for the company, the purpose is to build greater transparency within an industry that has increasingly been experiencing consumer distrust due to widespread cases of fraud and mislabeling.

Gimbar explained that it is easy for Seafood to be altered or swapped, without the customer’s knowledge. Therefore, Black Restaurant Group is working to make sure that their own customers always know exactly what they are getting and how that seafood came to be available to them. The project, itself, was more challenging than had been anticipated. Keeping the QRcodes up to date and interesting caused a struggle, particularly after time had passed following the coverage by NBC, ABC, and National Geographic.

The excitement over the QR codes had started to die off until the traceability element was introduced, which provided information about each and every type of fish. This has regrown the customer interest and barcodes are being scanned once more.