What is QR Code? Everything You Need to Know

QR codes have made life simpler for customers. You can pay using your mobile phone by simply scanning the code. Mobile wallets like PayZapp can easily read merchant QR codes (such as Bharat QR), thus allowing you to quickly and conveniently pay for your purchases.

But what is a QR Code?

QR stands for quick response and is a type of barcode that can be read using an app and the camera on your smartphone or tablet. A QR code stores information related to the item it's found on. QR codes can be found anywhere, from sporting event tickets or airline boarding passes to a website or information about a location or even payment information.

When you scan a QR Code using your smartphone, you get an immediate access to its content. The QR Code reader can then carry an action, like opening your web browser to a specific URL. Other actions can be triggered, like storing a business card in your smartphone's contact list or connecting to a wireless network.

QR Code provides the following features.

• High Capacity Encoding of Data
• Small Printout Size
• Dirt and Damage Resistant
• Readable from any direction
• Structured Appending Feature

What are the uses of QR codes?

QR or Quick Response codes are used for a variety of purposes. For example, if you have booked a movie ticket via a mobile app, your ticket information may come as a QR code. Or even your flight boarding pass may have a QR code in it. You may see a QR code on a food packet (scanning it may take you to more information about the contents of the packet). Or you may spot it on an ad or a hoarding. Increasingly, QR codes are being used by retailers to accept mobile wallet or app-based payments.

Specifically, a QR Code extends the data at disposal on any physical object and create a digital extent to marketing operations. This technology enables and speeds up the use of mobile web services: it is a very creative digital tool.

QR Codes can be customized and thus make it possible for brands to incorporate their visual identity into their QR Codes.

Types of Uses

• Packaging/storing - Affixing QR labels on packaging boxes and storing the boxes after checking them against the shelf numbers with this traceability can easily be achieved
• Picking parts - QR Code prevent picking errors. Parts are picked by storing data of picking instructions in a mobile terminal and scanning the QR Code® of parts. This procedure prevents errors from occurring and at the same time makes it possible to send actual shipping records to the headquarters in real time through Wi-Fi.
• Stocktaking -Work efficiency can be improved with barcodes/QR Code. The inventory status can be checked simply by scanning barcodes or QR Code, preventing errors caused by visual checking from occurring and at the same time improving work efficiency.
• Receiving goods -Reliable receiving inspection can be achieved. A list of goods to be received is stored in a mobile terminal and the actual goods received are checked against the list by scanning their QR Codes.
• Process management-Real-time process management improves work efficiency. Starting work after scanning the QR Code® of a work instruction sheet clarifies the detailed lead time and man-hours by product. This allows a real-time grasp of the progress and thereby allows accurate replies about delivery times.
• Measures for preventing forgery-QR code scanning record is used to monitor possible forgery or illegal distribution of products. Attaching QR Code on the products and collecting the history of information on which code was read when, where, by which terminals, and how many times. Forgery and illegal exports can be monitored by visualizing and analyzing the information.

Why are QR codes relevant to mobile payments?

QR codes like Bharat QR are enabling seamless and convenient payments over mobile phones. Mobile wallets like PayZapp have built-in capabilities to read and process information encoded in QR codes such as Bharat QR code.

Bharat QR works as an alternate channel of payment, where user has to download PayZapp from the app store. User has to scan the Bharat QR code at Merchant store and select payment mode to make payment. Once the payment is successful, both cardholder and merchant receive notification in mobile application for successful transaction.

* The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.