Quick Response (QR) Codes
Video by John Arnsdorf, Product Marketing Manager, XMPie
In today's mobile society, the integration of such digital technology as QR codes within one-to-one marketing is a trend that is gaining momentum at a very fast pace. They offer a unique way to use the print component to drive a response through other media.
So, what is this technology? Why should you include them in your marketing? Why use XMPie?
QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that have significantly greater storage than that of a traditional barcode. They were originally used for tracking parts by vehicle manufacturers, but are now quickly gaining popularity with the mobile phone industry. When incorporated into one-to-one marketing communications, smartphone users can scan and decode them with a QR code reader to be automatically linked to websites, pictures, videos, product reviews, social media sites, etc.
The XMPie Advantage
Creating personalized QR codes with XMPie is easy. XMPie's Automatic Dynamic Object Replacement (ADOR) technology gives it a unique edge over other technology providers. This is because with XMPie software, you never have to worry about the information in the QR code (i.e. Jane Doe's contact information) matching the information in the personalized communication piece on which it was included (i.e. Jane Doe's business card). Consistency between the QR code and its context is automatic because XMPie encodes and images a QR code in the same step, leaving no room for mistakes in selecting the code image for a given individual.
This differs from non-XMPie solutions in that many times the creation of a QR code image and the coding of the image are done by separate tools. The room for errors in selecting the wrong image is wide open, and the process coordination investments in order to minimize these types of errors are very high. Hence, with XMPie, a match is effortless - it's just built in - and creating QR codes is really simple and reliable.
Just Five Easy Steps
Process for Creating QR Codes in XMPie
1. Open static art in InDesign
2. Link to data source
3. Create a new Content Object (information to be encoded into code can be a combination of static text and variable text)
4. Create a graphic box on the design where the QR Code will go
5. Select the new graphic box and double click the Content Object to link the two together
QR codes are soon-to-be-everywhere, and they make it easier for your customers to access the information you want them to respond to. And with XMPie and the uProduce Marketing Console, you can track QR codes just like any other event or action in a campaign.
