QR codes allow storing large amounts of information that can be accessed quickly by scanning the code with a smartphone. They are becoming widely used in marketing and provide a link between physical printed materials and digital internet resources. While QR codes offer opportunities, businesses must be aware of potential risks like malicious codes and ensure codes direct users only to trusted websites asking for appropriate personal information. Proper use of QR codes can enhance search engine optimization and social media engagement.

1. QR CODE IN BUSINESS
Are you ready
to know about
QR code ?
QR CODE
1

2. WHAT IS QR CODE ?
The recent buzz about QR code is spreading almost
everywhere–in magazines, business cards, T-shirts and
almost on all physical objects.
QR code is the short form of “Quick Response “code.
The codes are essentially black modules arranged in a
square pattern on a white background.
They are similar to UPC barcodes used by retailers to
track inventory and price products at the point-of -sale.
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3. STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF A QR CODE
QR Code is an open source and the patent rights (owned by
Denso Wave) are not exercised.
3

4. QR CODE SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
QR code is generated using QR code creation
software, a special printer,and a QR code scanner.
Now cell phones capable of scanning QR codes are
available.
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5. WHY QR CODES ?
Consumers want immediate access to relevant
information and QR codes make that possible.
QR codes can hold more information and are easy to
use than bar codes and soon would become popular
in retail industry .
The ability of QR codes to connect people with each
other and to a wireless network is very useful both for
businesses and consumers alike.
Just by scanning a QR code with your smartphone
,you can compose an email and send a text message.
QR codes enhance both search Engine and social
media Optimization.
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6. THE HISTORY OF QR CODES
Though considered a novelty in US and UK now, they have been
used actively in Japan for over a decade where it was invented in
1994 in order to track the parts in vehicles during manufacturing
process by Denso Wave ,a subsidiary of Toyota motors .
October,1997 QR code was approved as Automatic
Identification
Manufacturers(AIM)International
standards.
March,1998 Approved as Japanese Electronic
Industry Development Association
(JEIDA)standards.
January ,1999 Approved as Japanese Industrials
standards.(JIS)
June,2000 Approved as ISO International standards
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November,2004 Micro QR code was approved as JIS

7. WHERE CAN YOU FIND QR CODES ?
 Business cards, brochures and fliers.
 Clothes and accessories.
 Shopping bags.
 Magazines,newspapers,and catalogs.
 Product packaging.
 Event nametags .
 Entertainment tickets.
 Point –of- sale receipts.
 Passport, Visa and Driver’s license.
 Airport terminal kiosks.
 College campus malls.
 Shopping mall kiosks.
 Theme parks and zoos.
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8. REAL LIFE APPLICATIONS OF QR CODES
 QR codes could be used by govt. in issuance of
documents like driver’s license, passport and visa.
 QR codes could be used in purchasing entertainment
and travel tickets.
 QR codes could be used by hospitals to track the
private information about patients.
 QR codes could link to a particular website using the
encrypted URL in it.
 QR could be used for promoting a new product or
service.
 QR code could be used for conducting a mobile
customer survey.
 QR code scanning could help to retrieve geo-
information about a specific location using GPS.
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9. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH QR CODES
 Malicious QR codes could be created by hacksters
and affixed over the legitimate QR codes, a practice
called “attaging” to put both the contents of a
computer and user’s privacy at risk.
 Spear phishing and online identity theft are issues
of concern.
 Risks include linking to dangerous websites with
browser exploits to gather confidential
information.
 Sending a java script or malicious virus in order to
corrupt privacy settings during transactions on
wireless network. 9

10. TIPS FOR QR CODE SAFETY
 Always have a skeptical attitude and do not implicitly
trust all QR codes.
 Have the security software installed on your mobile
device for prevention against malicious virus.
 Always have a back-up for tracking down the
transactions in the cyberspace.
 If you are routed to a web site that ask you about your
personal information,do not provide such information
on the web unless they are approved by BBB and
secured by MacAfee or VeriSign padlock .
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11. QR CODE AS AN EFFECTIVE MARKETING
TOOL
Branding and Promotion: QR codes can be used in
business cards, personal Facebook and Twitter pages.
As a part of promotion you can offer exchange discount
coupons that would be available via QR code to
customers.
Search Engine Optimization: Distribute QR code allowing
free downloads such as wallpapers,photos,Mp3 files or
ringtones with a link in order to attract maximum traffic
to your web site.
Social Media Optimization: Using QR codes to energize
visitors to share your content on Facebook or other
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social media applications will give extra advantages on

12. QR CODE MARKETING CHALLENGES
1.QR code requires a smartphone with QR code reader
software.
Now smartphones enabled with QR code reader
software are available. Older phones require the user to
download a QR code from an app store.
2 QR code usage has not been so popular yet. As it is still
in infancy, add a call -to -action explaining for how to
use QR code so viewers understand what’s in QR code.
3.QR code requires connectivity to the wireless network.
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13. COMMON FEATURES OF QR CODES
High capacity data encoding: QR code is capable of storing more
information in limited space in 2 dimensions than common bar
code. QR code deals with numeric,alphanumeric,kanji,bytes and
control codes.
Small Printout Size: Since QR code carries information both
horizontally and vertically, it is capable of encoding the data in
normally one tenth the space of a traditional bar code.
Kanji and Kana capability: QR code is capable of encoding JIS level 1
and level 2 Kanji character set.
Dirt and damage resistance : QR Code has error correction capability.
Data can be restored even if the symbol is partially dirty or
damaged.
Readable from in any direction at 360˚ : QR Code is capable of 360
degree
( omni-directional), high speed reading, through position detection
patterns located at the three corners of the symbol.
Structured Append feature: QR Code can be divided into multiple data13
areas. Conversely, information stored in multiple QR Code symbols

14. QR CODE DATA CAPACITY
QR code data capacity
Numeric only Max. 7,089 characters
Alphanumeric Max. 4,296 characters
Binary (8 bits) Max. 2,953 bytes
Kanji, full-width Kana Max. 1,817 characters
A QR Code symbol of this
size can encode 300
alphanumeric characters.
14

15. COMMON 2-D CODES IN USE
QR CODE PDF417 DataMatrix Maxi Code
Developer Denso Symbol
RVSI Acuity
country Wave Technologies UPS (USA)
CiMatrix (USA)
(Japan) (USA)
Type Stacked Bar
Matrix Matrix Matrix
Code
Data capacity
Numeric
7,089 2,710 3,116 138
Alphanumeric 4,296 1,850 2,355 93
Binary 2,953 1,018 1,556
Kanji 1,817 554 778
Main features Large Large Small printout High speed
capacity, capacity size scan
small
printout 15

16. HOW TO OBTAIN QR CODE
SPECIFICATIONS
 The license to the use of the QR Code stipulated by JIS (Japanese
Industrial Standards) and the ISO are not necessary. The
specification for QR Code has been made available for use by any
person or organization.
 The word “QR Code” is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE
INCORPORATED in countries, like Japan, United States of
America, Australia and Europe.
 Get a QR code reader App for your mobile phone.
 Simply log on to http://qrcode.kayawa.com and choose your
content type and message.
 Choose where would like to use your QR code whether on a
business card or on a magazine.
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17. QR ERROR CORRECTION
QR Code Error Correction Capability*
Level L(Low) Approx.7%
Level M(Medium) Approx. 15%
Level Q(Quality) Approx. 25%
Level H(High) Approx. 30%
QR codes support 4 Error Correction Levels L (low), M (medium), Q (Quality)
and H (high) for users to choose according to the operating environment. Most
internet sites automatically set the ECC Level to "M".
To select error correction level, various factors such as the operating
environment and QR Code size need to be considered.
Level Q or H may be selected for factory environment where QR Code get
dirty, whereas Level L may be selected for clean environment with the large
amount of data.
Typically, Level M (15%) is most frequently selected. 17

18. QR CODE- SYMBOL VERSION
QR code symbol versions range from version 1 (the
most readable) to version 40 (the most difficult to
read). Smartphones can only read from version 1 to
version 10. Here is an example of QR code versions and
the amount of characters each version is limited to
using the most common error correction, level "M" with
alphanumeric byte data:
• Version 1, 16 maximum characters/21x21 modules
• Version 2, 29 maximum characters/25x25 modules
• Version 3, 47 maximum characters/29x29 modules
• Version 4, 67 maximum characters/33x33 modules
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19. WHAT IS MICRO QR CODE?
 Micro QR Code is a very small QR Code that require a smaller space and use
smaller amounts of data(max 35 numeric characters) and suits well as an
application as ID of printed circuit boards and electronics parts, etc.
 A Micro QR Code has only one position detection pattern, compared with regular
QR Code that require a certain amount of area because position detection patterns
are located at the three corners of a symbol.
 Furthermore, QR Code requires at least a four-module wide margin around a
symbol, whereas a two-module wide margin is enough for Micro QR Code.
 Micro QR Code needs smaller printing areas than a normal QR Code.
 There are four symbol versions of Micro QR Code, ranging from Version M1 to
Version M4.
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20. QR CODE IN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM FOR
ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARDS
Micro QR
Code
Electronic circuit boards are encoded with MicroQR code
containing manufacturing date, production line, serial
number, and other data at the manufacturing plant. It helps
in automation of production history control enabling a setup
system independent of the host computer.
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21. QR CODE IN LOGISTICS CONTROL
SYSTEM
QR Code
At Coca-Cola Bottling plant, product code, expiration
date, manufacturing history, and other data are
encoded into QR Code. The data is used for logistics
management of food products. 21

22. QR CODE IN SALES MANAGEMENT
At Iwaki Optical Co. Ltd. ,Japan,QR Code labels (8 mm
[0.3"] square) with product ID numbers are affixed to
glasses. Small size of QR Code does not interfere with
the physical design of glasses.
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23. QR CODE IN TEST SPECIMEN
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Encoding into QR Code of test item data onto limited test tube
space.
23

24. 5 MATRICS TO MONITOR QR CODE
 Impressions. This is the number of times the QR code is viewed in its
original context or surface. This is usually the same as the number of
impressions the ad, in which the QR code appears.
 Snaps. This is the number of people who snap a shot of the QR code and
are linked to the landing page or other content.
 Snap-through rate. Calculate the percentage by dividing the number of
snaps by the number of impressions.
 Actions. This is the number of people who ultimately buy or take the next
step. This should be in line with marketing goals.
 Conversion rate. Calculate the percentage of people who convert from
those who snap-through on your QR code or actions divided by snaps.
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25. HOW QR CODE CAN HELP GROW YOUR
BUSINESS
 Plan your QR code campaign in a strategic way in
order to reach out the target audience.
 Create quality QR codes and test them.
 Link the QR codes to mobile friendly or mobile
optimized site.
 Track your scans with code management system.
 Deliver value and favorable user experience to
customers through QR codes.
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26. HOW TO FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT SIZE OF QR
CODE
 The finished printed size of a QR code essentially depends on 2 parameters.
• Scanning distance: The distance between the QR code and the scanning
device.
• QR code data density: The size of the dots in the code.
 Distance factor: First start off with a factor of 10 and then reduce it by 1 for
each of poor lighting condition in the scan environment.
 Data Density factor: Count the number of columns of the dots in the QR code
image and then divide by 25 to normalize it back to the equivalent of a
version 2 QR code.
Minimum QR code distance=(Scan distance/Distance factor)*Data density
factor.
For most smartphones the relationship between scan distance and min QR
code size is 10:1 as a rule of thumb.
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27. TOP 6 INDUSTRIES USING QR CODE
WORLDWIDE AS OF DEC 2011
Source: Nellymoser Inc.
800
700 715
600
500 571
400
300
333 268 250
200 243
100
0
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28. LOCATION WHEN SCANNING A QR CODE BY % OF
SCANNING AUDIENCE IN US
SOURCE: COMSCOREDATAMINE.COM
Restaurant
On public transit
At Work
Grocery store
Retail store
At Home
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0%
According to Internet marketing research company,Comscore,20.1 million
mobile phone users In US used their device to scan a QR code as of Oct
2011. 28

29. QR CODE GENERATORS
A QR code generator is a software that allows you to
create QR codes online.
Here are few examples of QR code generator software
available online for generating QR codes.
 QR Stuff.
 Invx.
 BeQRious.
 QR generator.
 SnapMaze.
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30. THE BEST QR CODE READERS
QR code reader is a software that can scan and read the QR codes
with the help of camera in the mobile phone. Here are few best QR
code readers available online for downloading to be used on mobile
phones.
 BeeTagg Reader : Multifunctional QR reader compatible with over
50 major cell phone brands.
 Kaywa Reader: Compatible with Motorola,Samsung,Nokia and Sony
Ericsson mobile phones.
 i-nigma reader: Compatible with Samsung,LG,Motorola and many
other brands.
 UpCode Reader: Compatible with LG, Vodaphone and many other
brands.
 NeoReader: Compatible with iphone,samsung,Nokia,Sony Ericsson
and Blackberry mobile phones.
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31. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
 With surge in mobile market trend globally, QR codes are
likely to impact more and more in various domains of
consumer market.
 QR codes would soon become a ubiquitous technology in
global business as increasingly more businesses and
individual consumers turn to it in near future.
 The endless possibilities of marketing the best brands to the
consumers using this mobile tagging technology is yet to be
realized in US and elsewhere.
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