codeREADr – Official Blog

Magnetic Stripe Reader for Attendance and Activity Tracking

codeREADr Integrates MagStripe Reader

Scan barcodes. Tap NFC. Search database. Text entry. Voice entry. And now swiping. These are the methods codeREADr uses to capture data.

Why swipe magnetic stripes – isn’t that an ”old’ technology? Yes, but they are widely used for student, employee and membership IDs and for loyalty rewards and promotions.

One of our university clients wanted to track student attendance in class, study halls  and at extra-curricular activities. However, their student ID cards didn’t have barcodes on them for codeREADr to scan. Instead, they had their student IDs embedded in the magnetic stripe on the back of  the card.

Since attendance tracking is one of the most popular applications for codeREADr, we decided to add reading mag-stripes as a data capture method.

After researching hardware options, we settled on ID TECH’s Shuttle. It’s a low cost, magnetic stripe reader that plugs directly  into the audio jack of smartphones and tablets. It can read the encrypted data embedded in credit cards but, importantly, it can also read the simple IDs typically used for student, employee, membership and loyalty cards.

The device can be purchased directly from ID TECH for under $50 and, unlike similar devices from payment providers such as Square and PayPal, the Shuttle can be purchased without committing to a payment application.

Today we introduced this feature on codeREADr for Android. In the coming months we will enable it for our iOS app and eventually for BlackBerry 10, if warranted by customer demand.

How does swiping compare with the other data capture types?

a. Scanning barcodes is the fastest capture method and the app user doesn’t need to hold the card to scan it.

b. Tapping NFC is not particularly fast (yet) but the app user doesn’t need to hold the NFC card to read it. Also, NFC tags can be more secure than barcodes.

c. Manual entry is slow but a good backup method in case the other methods fail.

d. Voice entry by name – or by the first few numbers of the ID – is surprisingly fast, especially when using an on-device database. The benefit with voice entry is that the card doesn’t need to have a barcode, NFC or mag stripe; all it needs is the printed name and/or an ID number. In fact, you could track & validate using any ID (e.g. a driver’s license, credit card, ticket or receipt).

e. Swiping magstripes is fast and efficient. However, the app user needs to hold the card to swipe it, unless the smartphone or tablet is mounted on a table or counter. When mounted, the card-holder can swipe the card themselves in the same way they swipe a credit card when paying for goods.

Considering the popularity of magnetic stripes on ID cards, we see this new feature as an important addition to our data capture capabilities. Even as IDs migrate to mobile IDs over the next few years, we expect there will be an ongoing need to swipe traditional plastic cards.

Augmented Reality – A Promising Technology for Asset Tracking

Assets with multiple barcodes positioned closely together can be challenging to scan.

Today we introduced augmented reality (AR) within the camera view of our SD PRO scan engine (Android OS now, iOS to follow later this year). It enables app users to preview the values of multiple barcodes simultaneously and then select the correct barcode to capture and submit to an asset database.

It’s a promising new technology, especially as we integrate it with the validation process over the coming months. What can we do? Future options include:

Decode + Validate + Auto-Selection

The codeREADr app would decode each of the barcodes in the viewing window; temporarily record all the values; check the values against a client’s database (or regex pattern); and then auto-select the correct barcode value for the scan record.

Decode + Record-All + Manual Selection

The codeREADr app would decode each of the barcodes in the viewing window; temporarily record all the values; present the app user with a list of the values after optionally checking the values against a clients database (or regex pattern); and then allow the app user to select the barcode value for the scan record.

The camera and focusing technology used on smartphones and tablets continue to advance along with codeREADr’s scanning and decoding technology. We see a future where the AR process, especially with validation, could significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of asset tracking applications.

Scan for Price with Smartphones

While codeREADr is now commonly used for commercial ‘Scan to Order‘ applications, we recently heard about a creative new way merchants can use our app. We call it ‘Scan for Price’. In essence, merchants dynamically provide in-store pricing, display useful item information in real time and collect item-level feedback when shoppers scan the item’s barcode.

Merchants may use the item’s barcode or alternatively tag items with QR codes, each with a unique ID. Using the barcode or QR code IDs, they build an ID database, associate pricing and descriptive text to each ID and then upload the file to codeREADr’s cloud-based servers or to their own servers. They can build the database with codeREADr’s Database Builder service, which builds the database directly on codeREADr’s servers, or they can use programs like Excel and upload it as a standard CSV file.

They then provide shoppers with the codeREADr app already installed on smartphones, iPods or tablets and make those devices available within the store. When the consumer scans an item’s barcode, the codeREADr app will check the database, fetch the pricing and related content and display it on the device. To survey the shopper, the app would display optional form entry or multiple choice fields after each item is scanned.

Benefits include:

• Easily change item pricing and descriptions in real time
• Present the most relevant, up-to-date information to shoppers while in-store
• Offer, change and remove special promotions in real time
• Collect item-level feedback directly from shoppers

Since the merchant guides the shopping experience, it can help combat showrooming. This is yet another application for codeREADr in the retail space, along with Passbook validation, asset tracking, event management and inventory control.

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Scan for Price offers a simple way for merchants to connect with shoppers. Basically it requires nothing more than a database of IDs and associated text. For those designers and merchants who would like to take the next step in shopper engagement, we also offer the Skycore.com SaaS platform for designers, marketers and merchants to use for creating mobile-optimized Web content, Passbook Passes and mobile messaging programs.

New Services Added to Collect, Validate and Track Data with Smartphones

Based on the feedback from hundreds of clients, we’ve added several new standard Services for new accounts registering via the Web or app. Although these Services can be used as-is, they are primarily meant to give newcomers templates showing how to build Services. These Services can be edited or deleted and, as always, an unlimited number of full custom services can be created to meet your requirements. Here is the current list of standard Services:

1. Access Control and Ticket Validation: Scan a barcode (or search a database) to validate ID badges or ticket IDs at access points. [Best Practices here.]
2. Asset Tracking: Scan a barcode (or search a database) to track assets and update asset location & status. [Best Practices here.]
3. Attendance: Scan a barcode (or search a database) to check-in and check-out students, members, employees, etc. [Best Practices here.]
4. Database Builder: Create a database of inventory, assets and members. [Best Practices here.]
5. Lead Retrieval: Scan a barcode to record sales leads from trade shows and expos. [Best Practices here.]
6. Mobile Security: Scan a barcode (or search a database) to validate ID badges while mobile.
7. Safety Status: Scan a barcode (or search a database) to report safety & security status of equipment, access points and processes.
8. Scan to Order: Scan a barcode and enter a quantity for order entry, sample tracking, etc. [Best Practices here.]

More standard Services will be added from time-to-time, so if you have any suggestions please let us know!

Introducing Truly Professional Barcode Scanning with iOS and Android Devices

Amazing Scanning Video

Merchants, educators and enterprises are beginning to roll out iOS and Android devices for auto-ID and data collection (AIDC) applications. Why? Because traditional mobile computers can cost as much as $1,500 or more. Smartphones and tablets, with or without rugged cases, offer a low cost, easily replaceable and customizable alternative. In many cases, these ‘consumer’ devices are more convenient (e.g. smaller, lighter) and offer more features.

What was holding up adoption?

The camera on smartphones is excellent for scanning QR and UPC barcodes but has been far less efficient at reading the plethora of barcode symbologies used in most commercial applications. While some of those codes are being replaced by QR codes, most businesses will continue to use those other symbologies for a long time to come.

The barrier comes down.  Introducing codeREADr’s SD PRO scan engine for iOS and Android devices.

What makes our SD PRO scan engine special?

a) Speed – decoding measured in tens of milliseconds with many devices.

b) Accuracy – accurate decoding is essential.

c) Versatility- handling ‘exceptions’ is absolutely critical for seamless deployments.

1. Scan virtually all commercial barcode symbologies
2. Scan damaged barcodes
3. Scan partially obscured barcodes
4. Scan very small barcodes
5. Scan very dense barcodes
6. Scan at extreme angles
7. Scan poorly printed barcodes

What’s in if for you?

As iOS and Android devices continue to permeate the enterprise space, forward looking developers and IT managers will create new, revenue-generating and cost-saving services to track, validate, authenticate and collect data with these amazing devices.

Support

To receive the full benefit of SD PRO, you must use devices with auto-focus cameras. Most Android devices have auto-focus cameras. iOS devices with auto-focus camera’s include the iPhone 4/4S/5, the iPad 3, the iPad Mini and the iPod Touch 5th Gen. The iPhone 3GS has an auto-focus camera but is not yet supported (3/2013).

Try it Free

Download the codeREADr app to your phone. On the sign-in page (or in Settings), look for the ‘SD PRO – Try it!’ button. You can optimize scanning by selecting one or more the barcode symbologies and then tapping the ‘Scan Barcode’ button.

Samsung Wallet supported by codeREADr

Last week Samsung announced a mobile app allowing users to store and manage event tickets, boarding passes, membership cards and coupons in one place – it’s called Samsung Wallet. It is similar to Apple’s Passbook app.

The great news is that codeREADr can already read, track and validate not only all Passbook barcode symbologies (QR, Aztec and PDF-417) but also all Samsung Wallet symbologies (Codabar, EAN 8/13, UPC A, Code 39/128, Interleaved 3 of 5, PDF-417 and QR).

Attention Pass Developers:  You can easily integrate codeREADr into your solution using our extensive APIs. Reach out to us if you need any help.

One App, Any Pass

Last October we posted an article about Fake Passbook Passes and how important it is to validate them. Today we are officially announcing that codeREADr is the first smartphone app that can now scan all three Pass symbologies, including  Aztec, PDF-417 and QR codes.

As a result  of this capability, we are introducing an innovative program for Pass redemption – namely ‘One App, Any Pass’.

Background

One of the gating items holding back broader adoption of Passbook is the capital expense for purchasing the imaging scanners required to scan mobile barcodes (i.e. barcodes presented at the point of service on a consumer’s phone). This is especially true for schools, healthcare facilities, enterprises and many merchants (e.g. restaurants, salons, etc.) that don’t already have or need barcode scanning hardware for other uses.

An alternative to buying imaging scanners would be to use smartphones, tablets or music players (e.g. iPod touch devices). These devices have intuitive user interfaces and can easily scan mobile barcodes using their built-in camera. We’ve been preaching this since 2009, especially for tablets and iPods which don’t require carrier plans when used in WiFi enabled environments.

We’ve seen substantial and growing interest in the use of smartphones for data collection and validation in the education, healthcare and enterprise verticals. However, for the retail vertical, adopting smartphones will still leave a significant issue  – namely program management and integration with multiple Pass opportunities.

What’s the problem?

Every coupon, deal, voucher, gift card and loyalty card provider that generates a Pass will also need to provide merchants with a way to track, validate and redeem their Passes. Each will likely provide a mobile barcode scanning app and expect participating merchants to learn how to use it and train their staff accordingly. That’s fine for one Pass provider. And maybe for two.

But what about all of the other fabulous marketing opportunities available? How will they validate their Passes? We think an non-integrated approach to Pass validation will be a significant limitation, hindering a broader deployment of Passes in the retail environment.

We believe there’s a future where a single, provider-agnostic app could redeem Passes from multiple Pass providers. In this way, merchants and their marketing agencies could work with any Pass provider while supporting validation and reporting using an app they control. This could make their life simpler and their programs more effective.

One App, Any Pass.

Merchants could build their own Pass validation apps using the one app approach. However, they could save time and money by instead using the codeREADr platform, leveraging our four years of real-world experience and focused investment on scanning technology and data validation using iOS and Android devices.

Merchants and Pass providers can freely brand the codeREADr app – in this way they are the solution provider and we are just the code reader.  And they can use our Web UI or extensive APIs for reporting and integrating administrative functions with their own Web portals and databases.

How can we do it?

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Beam and Redeem Passes via NFC

I thought you might be interested in this news:

Attido Mobile (http://www.attidomobile.com), developers of the PassWallet app which supports passes on the Android & BlackBerry platforms, and Skycore LLC, developers of the codeREADr app (https://codereadr.com) which supports the redemption of passes on both Apple’s Passbook and Attido’s PassWallet, have today announced the capability for PassWallet passes to be presented and redeemed using NFC-enabled Android devices.

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Guided Access for iOS 6

Want to stop an app user from accessing the Internet or making phone calls? With Apple’s Guided Access feature (iOS 6+) administrators can now limit access exclusively to the codeREADr app.

Many of our enterprise & ticketing clients have requested this feature. Whether for mobile ticket validation, asset tracking, attendance, lead retrieval or any other commercial barcode scanning or NFC reading application, when issuing devices for specific tasks they sometimes want to restrict device access. With iOS 6 it’s quite simple.

To activate Guided Access go to Settings >> General >> Accessibility >> Guided Access >> and follow the instructions.