Showing posts with label Uses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Uses. Show all posts
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Cinema Satisfaction: Summary of Responses
We asked our friends and colleagues about the key factors that influence their satisfaction as a Cinema goer. The survey suggested that the time waiting to buy tickets was the major factor for overall satisfaction.
Take the Cinema Satisfaction Survey
We have identified five causes of personal influence on the Cinema experience, we are looking for your main influence, what is the biggest determinant of a "good Cinema experience:?
Extensions: Cinema Customer Satisfaction Survey
When we developed the ideas around the use of 2D barcodes Cinema had a large part to play, 2D barcodes represented another way of connecting users to content. An online channel that was an extension into the idea of self service.
Now we're following up in the area of service expectations from customers, specifially once you have used the 2D barcode to locate the film, what are the key drivers of the customer experience for you?
Please take the survey and help our research, thanks
Now we're following up in the area of service expectations from customers, specifially once you have used the 2D barcode to locate the film, what are the key drivers of the customer experience for you?
Please take the survey and help our research, thanks
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Revamping Ticket Sales - Meepass
In the report there are references to vouchers and B2C. We make the comment that ticket sale, distribution and admission could be changed significantly. This is based in fact and one French company is make inroads into this model.
The consumer locks into their onboard code generator with their PIN number. This allows personal iormation to be encoded and solves the security/fraudulent use issue.
Next the user generates the code and presents the phone to the reader on the entrance gate.
The reader scans the barcode from the handset screen, one of the key benefits of the technology is the flexibility of media that can be used.
Success!! the reader identifies the consumer as a paying guest and allows access to the venue.
This could be used for all venue events. I could have a barcode set with my Wellington Rugby Football Union season ticket number. I could then present my phone to the reader when I go to watch the Hurricanes or Lions down at the cake tin.
The consumer locks into their onboard code generator with their PIN number. This allows personal iormation to be encoded and solves the security/fraudulent use issue.
Next the user generates the code and presents the phone to the reader on the entrance gate.
The reader scans the barcode from the handset screen, one of the key benefits of the technology is the flexibility of media that can be used.
Success!! the reader identifies the consumer as a paying guest and allows access to the venue.
This could be used for all venue events. I could have a barcode set with my Wellington Rugby Football Union season ticket number. I could then present my phone to the reader when I go to watch the Hurricanes or Lions down at the cake tin.
txtBus 2.0
Metlink currently provide the txtBus service.
The basic premise is that a passenger can text the bus stop number to an SMS gateway run by Metlink. The passenger then gets an SMS by return that provides the next three services to run from that bus stop.
Problem 1: the number, although easy, is not displayed on all bus stops. That means I have to remember it :(
Problem 2: the bus stop already has a static timetable showing all of the [planned] service times departing from that bus stop, this is the same information used by Metlink. The problem is that buses never actually run on time.
GoWellington buses are running a smartcard system similar to London's Oyster, Hong Kong's Octopus and Singapore's EZLink cards. The Wellington Snapper service uses GPS tracking to determine the passengers boarding bus stop and their alighting bus stop. This provides the basis for fare calculation.
It should then be possible to use this information to provide a more accurate estimated arrival time for services approaching your bus stop. If this information was then made available through the SMS gateway and supplied to customers then service actually becomes useful.
Where th QR Code fits in is that each bus stop would then have a QR Code with the bus stop number encoded in the message and the txtBus phone number encoded in the recipient. Now a passenger has two click access to real time bus service data.
The basic premise is that a passenger can text the bus stop number to an SMS gateway run by Metlink. The passenger then gets an SMS by return that provides the next three services to run from that bus stop.
Problem 1: the number, although easy, is not displayed on all bus stops. That means I have to remember it :(
Problem 2: the bus stop already has a static timetable showing all of the [planned] service times departing from that bus stop, this is the same information used by Metlink. The problem is that buses never actually run on time.
GoWellington buses are running a smartcard system similar to London's Oyster, Hong Kong's Octopus and Singapore's EZLink cards. The Wellington Snapper service uses GPS tracking to determine the passengers boarding bus stop and their alighting bus stop. This provides the basis for fare calculation.
It should then be possible to use this information to provide a more accurate estimated arrival time for services approaching your bus stop. If this information was then made available through the SMS gateway and supplied to customers then service actually becomes useful.
Where th QR Code fits in is that each bus stop would then have a QR Code with the bus stop number encoded in the message and the txtBus phone number encoded in the recipient. Now a passenger has two click access to real time bus service data.
QR Codes used in Libraries
The University of Bath have a very active 2D barcode programme.
One use is embedding a QR Code into the Library information system where the QR code containing the books information (Title, Author, Location) is generated and presented to the searcher.
The benefit to me is the quick retrieval directly onto my handset, no more bits of paper (there is never a pen nearby anyway) the information is in my hand and with me as I start my search through the library.
Take this idea to another level....
More and more handsets also have GPS on them. One of the useful data sets to encode in 2D barcode is geocode information. Typically this is longitude and latitude. If you were to make this a triplet and include altitiude you have some very powerful tools at hand.
Map the book shelf location as a triplet:
One use is embedding a QR Code into the Library information system where the QR code containing the books information (Title, Author, Location) is generated and presented to the searcher.
The benefit to me is the quick retrieval directly onto my handset, no more bits of paper (there is never a pen nearby anyway) the information is in my hand and with me as I start my search through the library.
Take this idea to another level....
More and more handsets also have GPS on them. One of the useful data sets to encode in 2D barcode is geocode information. Typically this is longitude and latitude. If you were to make this a triplet and include altitiude you have some very powerful tools at hand.
Map the book shelf location as a triplet:
- How far left or right
- How far ahead or behind
- How far above or below
Appendix A - QR Codes in Japan
Since QR Codes have been in use in Japan for a number of years, they appear in everyday life. Below are some example.
Form Processing Efficiency
Data standardisation has long been targeted by Government agencies to facilitate the flow of information between separate departments.
Example:
When applying for a new passport in New Zealana, a citizen passes an application to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). As part of the passport processing, the DIA passport officer needs to request checks from at least:
The adoption of 2D barcodes would assist this scenario by encoding key citizen data used by the associated stakeholders in the passport issuance process. This information could be stored as an XML structure in a 2D barcode that would allow an automatic interface to be coded rather than relying on current OCR technologies. This would enable faster seraches to occur and minimise the human interactions required.
Example:
When applying for a new passport in New Zealana, a citizen passes an application to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). As part of the passport processing, the DIA passport officer needs to request checks from at least:
- Births, Deaths and Marriages section within DIA
- Department of Labour for immigration and residency status
- Ministry of Justice for any criminal convictions
- Department of Corrections for any information on community service or parole conditions
The adoption of 2D barcodes would assist this scenario by encoding key citizen data used by the associated stakeholders in the passport issuance process. This information could be stored as an XML structure in a 2D barcode that would allow an automatic interface to be coded rather than relying on current OCR technologies. This would enable faster seraches to occur and minimise the human interactions required.
eGov
The opportunity for 2D barcodes to penetrate Government organisations as viable solutions is currently limited by the technology. Specifically, concerns over security and the strict structure and organisation of Government institutions. However, there are some examples of how 2D barcodes can be integrated into paper intensive transactions.
Tax Returns
The equivalent departments to New Zealand's IRD in the US and Taiwan have been experimenting with 2D barcode representation of tax return information.
The key value driver is to move away from hand writing recognition expenses and to reduce the overall cost of optical character recoginition (OCR) software. The combination of compact size and high capacity of 2D barcode formats, such as PDF417 and QR Code, allow more data elements to be included in a form to further increase processing efficiency.
Current OCR solutions are limited by the capacity of a linear barcode. Information from this barcode tends to be limited to form or personal identifier that helps the person processing the form to the right area for data entry.
The increased capacity offered by 2D barcodes enables the actual tax return data to be encoded by the person filing the claim.
On receipt in the tax department, all information can be captured in a single scan and inserted into the IRD database as part of the OCR process.
This is possible given the given the flexibility of 2D barcodes, the image above shows XML data being stored in PDF417 format. This allows an automated interface to a transaction processing system to insert the data record from the 2D barcode.
This increases overall processing efficiency and reduces errors that can be introduced through manual intervention.
The example form shown below was proposed by the IRS in 2004 as a means of increasing overall efficiency in tax filing.
Tax Returns
The equivalent departments to New Zealand's IRD in the US and Taiwan have been experimenting with 2D barcode representation of tax return information.
The key value driver is to move away from hand writing recognition expenses and to reduce the overall cost of optical character recoginition (OCR) software. The combination of compact size and high capacity of 2D barcode formats, such as PDF417 and QR Code, allow more data elements to be included in a form to further increase processing efficiency.
Current OCR solutions are limited by the capacity of a linear barcode. Information from this barcode tends to be limited to form or personal identifier that helps the person processing the form to the right area for data entry.
The increased capacity offered by 2D barcodes enables the actual tax return data to be encoded by the person filing the claim.
On receipt in the tax department, all information can be captured in a single scan and inserted into the IRD database as part of the OCR process.
This is possible given the given the flexibility of 2D barcodes, the image above shows XML data being stored in PDF417 format. This allows an automated interface to a transaction processing system to insert the data record from the 2D barcode.
This increases overall processing efficiency and reduces errors that can be introduced through manual intervention.
The example form shown below was proposed by the IRS in 2004 as a means of increasing overall efficiency in tax filing.
C2C
There are several free 2D barcode generators available online. The readers are readily available for most mobile phones and are relatively simple to install (Appendix C). This combination makes the technology easily accessible to consumers.
Classified Advertisements 2.o
The business models for newspapers and magazines are being disrupted by web technology. However, there is still some value in their content and 2D barcodes could be a means of converging print media and the online world.
The Dominion Post still runs a large classified advertisement section at the weekend for rental properties. If this was extended to include a 2D barcode, containing the contact details and contact method, it could assist property seekers making contact with prospective landlords.
The contact method is a choice that can be embedded into the 2D barcode (initiate SMS, start a call, send an email or display contact details). This could help drive seekers down the best contact channel for the landlord or agent. For SMS, the message can be automatically included which helps as a filter for the landlord if they are managing several properties.
Classified Advertisements 2.o
The business models for newspapers and magazines are being disrupted by web technology. However, there is still some value in their content and 2D barcodes could be a means of converging print media and the online world.
The Dominion Post still runs a large classified advertisement section at the weekend for rental properties. If this was extended to include a 2D barcode, containing the contact details and contact method, it could assist property seekers making contact with prospective landlords.
The contact method is a choice that can be embedded into the 2D barcode (initiate SMS, start a call, send an email or display contact details). This could help drive seekers down the best contact channel for the landlord or agent. For SMS, the message can be automatically included which helps as a filter for the landlord if they are managing several properties.
C2B
Consumer-to-Business transactions do not offer many opportunities for 2D barcodes. One potential scenario is referral hiring.
Fast Access Contact Information
As the age of the free-agent starts to emerge and we enter an era of resource exchanges, a mechanism for quick retrieval of contact information will become an advantage.
The standard information for contact details, name, address, phone number(s) and email address can be easily encoded into a 2D barcode. Further, the data capacity of these barcodes formats also allows for a succinct resume and a truncated skill set to be included as well. This allows for a quick retrieval of pertinent information from a business card and defers the need to look up a CV from file.
Fast Access Contact Information
As the age of the free-agent starts to emerge and we enter an era of resource exchanges, a mechanism for quick retrieval of contact information will become an advantage.
The standard information for contact details, name, address, phone number(s) and email address can be easily encoded into a 2D barcode. Further, the data capacity of these barcodes formats also allows for a succinct resume and a truncated skill set to be included as well. This allows for a quick retrieval of pertinent information from a business card and defers the need to look up a CV from file.
Dynamic Advertisement
2D barcodes can turn the traditional static billboard advertisements into a more dynamic marketing platform. For instance, with 2D barcodes incorporated into the billboard, consumers are able to access the movie trailer with a single click on their phone, obtain the ticket price or receive promotional vouchers.
B2C
The largest opportunity for the adoption of 2D barcodes will be within the B2C segment through the distribution of tickets and promotional coupons, generically referred to as vouchers.
Vouchers
These can be earned through paying for a service or by receiving a coupon for a free item, for example a coffee from your nearest Starbucks.
Air New Zealand has already adopted the use of 2D barcodes, specifically the PDF417 format, as a key enabler of their self service check-in solution. This approach could easily be transcribed to adjunct service providers as a means of distributing tickets to customers.
By applying a different format that can be easily presented from a mobile phone screen to an appropriate barcode reader, TicketMaster could transform the purchase, distribution and admission process for venue events for example; concerts, sporting events, trade shows and cinemas.
Similarly businesses that wish to reward customers with free products or merchandise through a promotion, typically be sending coupons, could utilise 2D barcodes to revolutionise this form of marketing campaign.
A coffee franchise could adopt 2D barcodes in the following process. First, send the coupon in the form of a matrix code to a known customer as an SMS or MMS. On receiving the electronic message, the customer can then present the coupon on their mobile handset. The square, compact nature of matrix codes such as QR Code or DataMatrix, lends itself to the size and proportiions of the average mobile phone screen. This is not the case for traditional linear barcodes. The data capacity of 2D barcodes gives the franchisee greater flexibility in tailoring coupon content. It is therefore possible to achieve personalised coupons that contain coffee choice, member information and location data in a very compact and portable coupon form.
Another example: Dynamic Advertisement
Vouchers
These can be earned through paying for a service or by receiving a coupon for a free item, for example a coffee from your nearest Starbucks.
Air New Zealand has already adopted the use of 2D barcodes, specifically the PDF417 format, as a key enabler of their self service check-in solution. This approach could easily be transcribed to adjunct service providers as a means of distributing tickets to customers.
By applying a different format that can be easily presented from a mobile phone screen to an appropriate barcode reader, TicketMaster could transform the purchase, distribution and admission process for venue events for example; concerts, sporting events, trade shows and cinemas.
Similarly businesses that wish to reward customers with free products or merchandise through a promotion, typically be sending coupons, could utilise 2D barcodes to revolutionise this form of marketing campaign.
A coffee franchise could adopt 2D barcodes in the following process. First, send the coupon in the form of a matrix code to a known customer as an SMS or MMS. On receiving the electronic message, the customer can then present the coupon on their mobile handset. The square, compact nature of matrix codes such as QR Code or DataMatrix, lends itself to the size and proportiions of the average mobile phone screen. This is not the case for traditional linear barcodes. The data capacity of 2D barcodes gives the franchisee greater flexibility in tailoring coupon content. It is therefore possible to achieve personalised coupons that contain coffee choice, member information and location data in a very compact and portable coupon form.
Another example: Dynamic Advertisement
Product Identification Data
2D barcodes allow for new possibilities for stock management right through the supply chain to the customer. The 2D barcode could store expiry dates, batch codes or storage requirements for perishable goods. For durable goods - details of the make, model, serial number and service tags.
This deeper level of information can also be accessed by the customer as they can now use their camera phone to access opposed to any specialised equipment.
The product data could also include dimension data (height, width, length, volume, weight) that could aid warehouse efficiency of stock handling. Combine this with a warehouse map that includes information such as current shelf weight and space data to maximise the storage capacity of a warehouse.
This deeper level of information can also be accessed by the customer as they can now use their camera phone to access opposed to any specialised equipment.The product data could also include dimension data (height, width, length, volume, weight) that could aid warehouse efficiency of stock handling. Combine this with a warehouse map that includes information such as current shelf weight and space data to maximise the storage capacity of a warehouse.
B2B
The original conception of 2D barcodes was a commercial application within the car manufacturing supply chain. The Denso-Wave Corporation of Japan created the QR Code format as a means of tracking individual car parts from point of manufacture through to assembly.
The value driver for this mode of operation was the density of data that allowed the compression of parts information to be stamped on to the increasing smaller car parts.
From the car parts supply chain to the B2B value chain, 2D barcodes can be applied to address efficiency and effectiveness challenges of today's business environment.
One example use is Product Identification Data.
The value driver for this mode of operation was the density of data that allowed the compression of parts information to be stamped on to the increasing smaller car parts.
From the car parts supply chain to the B2B value chain, 2D barcodes can be applied to address efficiency and effectiveness challenges of today's business environment.
One example use is Product Identification Data.
Industries and Uses
The inherent flexibility of 2D barcodes does not limit the application to that of traditional barcodes, namely the retail industry. This section proposes target industries and potential uses of 2D barcodes.2D barcodes can be utilised in the following business transactions types:
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
bcWebcam - 2D codes and your PC
Whilst 2D barcodes is mostly targeted at mobile tagging with your camera enabled phone the technology is equally useful for webcams.
bcWebcam is a piece of freeware that allows you to use your existing webcam to read many barcode standards.
This is ideal for home and small businesses and if the technology is adopted by Government to enhance form processing the forms can be processed with little to no additional cost.
There is a software development kit available that allows a developer to integrate the camera output with an application. This could be automating a user interface or creating an XML integration point.
Webcam Mode
The current uptake of 2D barcodes is the mobile tagging by using a camera in a mobile phone to read a barcode. This is an applied use of this underused technology but 2D barcodes can also be read by webcams which increase the adoption points and opportunities for low cost barcode integrations within today's business models.
Pull Mode
The pull mode differs in that the publisher typically encodes a webiste URL code or initiate an SMS or phone call. This requires that the customer connects to the mobile telephone network in some way to pull further information from the publisher.
Push Mode
The push mode is where the publisher pushes the information to the subscriber in the barcode itself. This mode of operation allows a customer with a camera equipped phone and code reader to translate the coded data into information in a closed environment. This is because unlike 1D barcodes, database access is not required for decoding as the data travles with the item.
This is subtly different to Pull Mode.
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