HOW WE UTILIZE QR-CODE AT SHOPESSENTIALS.
QR Code, in full Quick Response Code, a type of bar code that consists of a printed square pattern of small black and white squares that encode data which can be scanned into a computer system.
WHAT IS QR CODE:
They come to us from Japan where they are very common. QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone). They are used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it in to your cell phone. You may soon see QR Codes in a magazine advert, on a billboard, a web page or even on someone’s t-shirt. Once it is in your cell phone, it may give you details about that business (allowing users to search for nearby locations), or details about the person wearing the t-shirt, show you a URL which you can click to see a trailer for a movie, or it may give you a coupon which you can use in a local outlet.
The reason why they are more useful than a standard barcode is that they can store (and digitally present) much more data, including url links, geo coordinates, and text. The other key feature of QR Codes is that instead of requiring a chunky hand-held scanner to scan them, many modern cell phones can scan them.
HISTORY OF QR CODE
Like the development of many technologies, QR Codes were created out of necessity. QR Codes actually started out as Barcodes with their typical purpose: for supermarkets. In the 1960s, Japan was experiencing a wave of economic growth. Supermarkets expanded from selling just food items to adding in clothing and a versatile range of other commodities. So, they basically realized that they needed a way to keep track of everything.
Before Barcodes existed, cashiers had to manually enter individual items (can you imagine?!), which of course took ages. Due to the health issues created as a result of these heavily repeated actions like carpal tunnel syndrome, supermarket managers knew they needed to find a solution.
QR Codes found their first use in Japan’s Kanban, which is a type of electronic communication tool used in the automotive industry. They quickly recognized the versatility that QR Codes offered and began to use them in everything from production and shipping, as well as for transactions. Following the subsequent societal demand for more trace-ability for products, particularly for the food and pharmaceutical industries, these industries realized how they could use QR Codes provided their businesses with an indispensable advantage.
As a result of Hara’s decision not to keep patent rights, QR Codes found their uses into people’s daily lives. Later on, in 2000, QR Codes were added to ISO international standards. This allowed them to basically be used across the globe. Later on, with the invention of the smartphone, there was no stopping the increasing rate of QR Code’s popularity.
TYPES OF QR CODE
There are 4 different types of QR Codes: QR Code Model 1 and 2: This is the QR Code we see on a daily basis. There are more than 10 different types of QR Codes that can be created for business or personal use. Some of these QR Codes are more suited to a particular QR Code use case whereas some can help your QR Code marketing endeavors. Some of the most common types of QR Codes include:
a. URL QR CODE
b. PDF QR CODE
c. IMAGE GALLERY QR CODE
d. VCARD QR CODE
e. GOOGLE MAPS QR CODE
The largest version of Model 1 is 14 (73x73 modules) and is capable of storing 1,167 numerals. Model 2’s largest version is 40 (177x177 modules) capable of storing 7089 numerals.
Micro QR Code:
This QR Code is usually found on product packaging. It only has one orientation making it easier to print on smaller surfaces. This code is viable even as a 2 module whereas a QR Code requires at least 4 modules. The largest version of this QR Code is M4 (17x17 modules) and is capable of storing 35 modules.
iQR Code:
This can be printed as a square or a rectangular QR Code. It can be printed as dot pattern code, inversion code or a turned over code. The maximum version is 61 (422x422 modules) which can store about 40,000 numerals.
SQRC Code:
This looks like a regular QR Code except it is restricted and is used to store confidential information.
FrameQR:
This type of QR Code has a frame area wherein you can place letters and images and is used for promotional activities.
HCC2D Code:
The High Capacity Colored 2-Dimensional (HCC2D) Code is still in the prototyping phase and has been proposed by researchers to preserve QR robustness to distortions. It uses colors to increase data density and to cope with chromatic distortions, HCC2D codes use an additional field called Color Palette Pattern.
HOW QRCODE WORKS FOR PAYMENT AT SHOPESSENTIALS
Basically, a QR code works in the same way as a barcode at the supermarket. It is a machine-scannable image that can instantly be read using a Smartphone camera. When your Smartphone scans this code, it translate that information into something that can be easily understand by humans.
We make use of qr-code at shopessentials to allow our users checkout of our physical stores partners.
How to checkout from a physical store via QR code via shopessentials:
- Register at https://app.shopessentials.co/accounts/register/ , and click on the ‘Create Client Profile’ to create a client account.
2. Click on the checkout tab on your client’s dashboard, input the transaction amount and click ‘GENERATE QRCODE’ button to generate a qr-code for that transaction amount.
3. Qrcode Generated , here’s a sample of a QR Code for a N5000 transaction.
4. A checkout attendant at that physical store will scan your generated checkout qr-code to validate and complete the checkout transaction.
5. Your new transaction will then be added to your dashboard transaction history, and your total debt and transaction limit will also be updated with the new transaction checkout amount.
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