Barcoding News

The use of QR codes in the retail industry is expected to increase in the coming years. According to Juniper Research, QR coupons redeemed via a mobile device is expected to reach 5.3 billion by the year 2022. In comparison QR coupons used in 2017 reached about 1.3 billion. That’s an expected 81 percent increase in about 5 years. Target is already on board with QR codes recently announcing a QR code-based payment system that will allow consumers to scan offers directly to their device.

The retail industry stands to gain from the usage of QR codes and there are many ways to incorporate them in the shopping experience.

1. QR Coupons

As discussed above QR Coupons are just the start but are still an integral part in incorporating QR codes. Consumers, as one myself, are just trying to find a deal that’ll be easy on the wallet. QR coupons are a great way for consumers to get a deal and an easy way to start for any retail business. There are many ways a business can get started with QR coupons; printing physical QR coupons is one possibility. To do so a barcode printer and barcode software would be needed in order to create and print coupons to hand out to the consumers. Another would be to create QR codes for mobile devices via an email promotion. One thing is certain, a barcode scanner capable of scanning QR codes will be needed to scan any coupons consumers bring in.

2. Window Shopping

Using QR codes for window shopping should be taken both literally and figuratively. What I mean by that is, literally putting QR codes on window display products. This would benefit retail stores located in malls as consumers walk by they can scan a QR code associated with a product. Figuratively consumers tend to do a lot of “window shopping” in stores by just looking around. Consumers want as much information as possible about a product before purchasing. Using QR codes in the window shopping fashion could give consumers access to product information with videos and reviews.

3. The Shopping Experience

To piggy back off the figurative “window shopping”, QR codes could revolutionize the in-store experience for the consumer. Placing QR codes on the product packaging will allow consumers to learn valuable information about the product. QR codes could contain videos explaining the product to the consumer or it could contain a link leading the consumer to customer reviews. Another possibility would be sampling certain products like music, a consumer could scan the QR code of a CD and listen to track samples. Lastly, consumers could be given the ability to purchase the product directly from the QR code and have the product shipped anywhere.

4. Upcoming Sales and New Products

QR codes could help inform consumers of upcoming sales, promotions, or an interactive view of new products arriving to the store in the near future.

5. Customer Information

The retail industry can use QR codes to encourage consumers to sign up for their newsletter. Perhaps a sign up feature could be included in the QR code encouraging consumers to sign up with their email address and receive special deals in the future.

Most Consumers now a days have a mobile device on their person. Retailers can use that fact to help improve the consumer experience while at the same time change the retail landscape.

For any questions or a quote on any of your QR code needs contact us at Barcodes, Inc.

Your brand is important to your business and customers; it defines and sets the stage for your enterprise. The design of the Datalogic’s Heron HD3100 Linear Imager extends your brand design to the final interaction with your customer, reflecting the same artful considerations you have put in your products.

The new Heron HD3100 is a linear imager that offers an innovative and unique design with illuminating colors and custom sounds. It can read 1D barcodes at high performance speed. With the Datalogic patented “Green Spot” technology for aiming and good-read feedback.

Features and Benefits:

• Innovative design raises the bar for cutting-edge POS checkout experience
• Multiple changing color LEDs on sides and top
• Polyphonic speaker for a wide variety of choices for audio feedback
• Green Spot for good aim and feedback
• 5- year factory warranty

For any questions or a quote on any of your POS needs contact us at Barcodes, Inc.

Look into any mid-to-large scale warehouse operations and you will see vehicle mount computers in use to improve efficiencies across the facility. Especially in the case of forklifts, embedding a capable mobile terminal can improve productivity and reduce errors from the docks to the yard. Having access to accurate information at all times in real-time aids in every process from receiving to storing, moving around, cross docking and picking.

In comes the VC80x an ultra-rugged vehicle mount computer, designed for some of the most extreme environments. The VC80x allows vehicle operators to go anywhere they need to go whether it be inside the warehouse, the loading dock, out in the yard, and even in the freezer. Allows for migration to Android without changing the operators experience that they go through on a daily basis. Meaning there’s no need for re-training, re-configuration, or development.

Zebra’s new vehicle mount computer comes with a fast Qualcomm 1.8 GHz hexa-core and a 64-bit processor with 4GB RAM allowing operators to work smoothly today and going forward. A heated screen, heated boards, and a heated UPS battery allows for the VC80x to be used continuously in a freezer environment. A quick 10 second release mount makes it easy for operators to remove the VC80x to move to another vehicle or for device repair. Comes with a loud front facing speaker and has an instantly accessible volume control making it easy for the operator to hear scanner feedback and app notifications.

For any questions or a quote on any of your Computing needs contact us at Barcodes, Inc.

Pop-up retail and mobile food trucks isn’t new. It is a secret weapon that small business owners use to get their product out into the world and into the hands of their customers. In the pop up world, business owners will find a venue like a coffee shop, store, craft fair, or farmer’s market, then set up a retail or food shop for a limited of time: anything from one day to a few weeks.

This is an opportunity for VARs to serve a growing trend, particularly because of the mobility and connectivity to customers are key for business owners running pop up shops.

What’s the point in pop-up?

Mobile locations are more flexible for entrepreneurs looking to grow a brand and gain funding without risking everything on their venture.

• It’s authentic. Business owners are standing behind the customers, answering questions, building credibility, and connecting with the customer.
• It’s special. The pop-up won’t be there forever, the perfect time for an impulse purchase.
• It’s affordable. Your expenses are low, so you can just focus on the price points.
• It’s mobile. Businesses travel to their customers, which is a great way to test the viability of a new business or a way to expand an existing business in a new location.

Solutions for a Pop- Up:

• POS Systems
• Receipt Printers
• Card Readers
• Barcode Scanners

Pop-Up shops are becoming an accessible venture for many owners to expand on their current businesses without needing to fully commit to purchasing a location. Popular restaurants can simply park their food truck near a sporting event or music festival and capitalize on an event even if their actual location is far away.

Check out the solutions we have available for a pop-up. Feel free to contact one of our dedicated account managers if you have any questions to pick out the tools you will need in your mobile business.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) are helping retail stores across the country improving customer experience, inventory accuracy, and a way to present wider sets of products to customers who are a little more selective.

RFID Tags have the ability to hold information that identifies the products, its country of origin, materials used, production date, the handling process, and any other important information that took place in the supply chain. Some retailers are using RFID tagging to track products at all of their locations. According to a research study from the RFID Lab at Auburn University, RFID tagging can increase inventory accuracy from an average of 63 percent to greater than 95 percent. This helps enable speed and accuracy for consumers concerning fulfillment for two-day, one-day, or same day delivery. According to Kurt Salmon and the Platt Retail Institute, with RFID tagging, out of stocks can be reduced by up to 40 percent and increase profit margins by 60 percent.

According to the RFID Lab, manufacturers using RFID tagging will see an 80 percent improvement in shipping and picking accuracy, at the same time being able to increase the receiving time by 90 percent. This will allow retailers to communicate more efficiently with their manufacturers for expedited reorders, improved planning, and forecasting of products.

To read more about how RFIDs can help retail stores click here.

For any questions or a quote on any of your RFID needs contact us at Barcodes, Inc.

Visibility in the supply chain is valuable data to a company. It allows company to be informed about their inventory from when it is stored or in transit in order to optimize time and allocate labor and staff.

When it comes to the Point of Sale market there are a variety of options. Each have their own specific advantages. To better help you decide which POS system is best suited for your business needs here are some options.

Mobile POS

With wireless mobile POS systems your business will have more competitive solutions to surpass their operational constraints. You’ll be able to process payments, manage some inventory, and mange customer information. Pair it with a mobile receipt printer to truly go mobile.

Options:

• Ingenico – iSMP
• PAX – D200
• Verifone – e355

Tablet POS

Tablets are becoming a popular solution when it comes to point of sale. Tablets come in many sizes and have a wide variety of features. Many have the ability to support hardeware such as tablet stands, barcode readers, cash drawers, tablet barcode scanners or a companion barcode scanners

Options:

• Partner Tech – EM-300
• Samsung – Galaxy Series

POS Terminal System

The Point of Sale Terminal Systems are the most common. These are types most people use at counter in various applications. They include everything you’ll need to get started with POS in your business. There are systems specifically designed for retail, restaurant, bar, grocery, salon, and iPad based. Each system will provide the most efficient and productive POS experience for your business and your customers.

Options:

• ShopKeep – Retail
• Vend – Standard
• Partner Tech – SP-1060

Partner Tech has outdone themselves with this one. With a powerful and attractive POS PC that has no fixed configuration. Meaning you can choose your modules and peripherals to give you a completely customized solution to fit any of your business needs.

That POS PC is the SP-2500 Series, which includes the SP-2511 (11″), the SP-2515 (15″), and the SP-2518 (18″). They feature an elegant, modular design that empowers you to choose the configuration you need. The fanless PC comes with a powerful quad core and transforms quickly into touch a POS terminal that increases productivity and improves customer service in retail, specialty stores, and hospitality. With an option to go dual-screen the SP-2500 supports both operational efficiencies and enhanced customer experiences.

SP-2500 Features:

• Intel Bay Trail-D J1900 2.0GHz up to 2.4GHz, 2M cache
• Highly customizable for maximum versatility: available in single-and double-screen configurations. Ideal for high-customer interaction and kiosk applications.
• Transformable terminal available in 3 screen sizes (18.5″/15.6″/11.6″)
• Bezel-free screen with projected capacitive touch (multi-touch)
• Supports rich I/O
• Spill and dust resistant IP54 (Whole device)

For any questions or a quote on any of your POS needs contact us at Barcodes, Inc.

Most of today’s youth have access to smartphones or tablets and through those pieces of technology a whole world of media such as videos, infographics, podcasts, etc. are at their fingertips. Bubbles technology brings a new way to incorporate the use of digital media content into traditional learning modes. Bubbles containing QR codes are spread throughout textbooks; thus students and teachers will have access to short, interactive modules. This could help a student get a much deeper understanding of the course material through audio clippings and visual snippets that complements the curriculum.

All the student or teacher has to do is simply scan the QR code via a tablet or smartphone with a free QR reader app, or click the link if it’s an eBook, to unlock a 60 to 90 second interactive lesson. For example a math textbook trying to explain a complex equation, the text can only do so much. A QR code associated with this complex equation can be scanned prompting an interactive lesson to open and explain the equation in much more detail using animation, audio, and graphics.

It is believed that the future of education lies in what they are calling a “flipped classroom”. A flipped classroom is the idea that students would study the content at home using books and interactive technology. Then the following day in class students would complete practice exercises with the ability to discuss last nights learning material with other students and teachers. QR codes have been used in many areas of the world and they could be utilized to help teach the next generation.

To read more about QR codes in textbooks, read “QR Code Technology Brings Textbooks To Life“

Barcodes, Inc. would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

To celebrate the holidays Edeka, a supermarket, thought of a great way to surprise their shoppers by playing Jingle Bells using their check out scanners.
What a great way to spread the holiday cheer!

Check out the viral video below and also check out our in- counter barcode scanner selection!