Retailers update POS for Mobile Barcode Technology

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Retailers update POS for Mobile Barcode Technology.

EPoS manufacturer J2 Retail Systems has partnered with Motorola to ensure that its POS terminals can support the latest 2D scanners enabled to read barcodes on paper labels as well as reflective surfaces such as mobile phones and computers.

Mobile tagging is a 2D electronic barcode that can be stored on a mobile phone.  The impact of this simple technology for retailers and consumers is wide-reaching with a massive range of potential applications.

Says J2's UK Sales Director, Richard Heitmann: "Customer-driven adoption of the mobile barcode is the latest challenge facing retailers today.  Those unable to process mobile barcodes at the point-of-sale may lose out to innovative competitors who can.  Mobile barcode initiatives return big benefits for large and small retailers alike. They're very low cost, very green and can be executed in seconds."

Continues Heitmann: "Increased usage of mobile barcodes offers a fantastic opportunity for J2 partners in a still relatively untapped market. J2 is looking for key partners to support the mass market breakthrough of mobile barcoding by pushing deployment of the new 2D image scanners."

2D Barcode Applications include:

• Mobile Loyalty and Gift Cards - New mobile phone apps allow customers to convert physical loyalty cards to virtual cards stored on their phones. Gift cards can be purchased and delivered to the recipient in seconds for the ideal last-minute gift.
• Mobile Coupons - Mobile coupons are already popular with consumers and generate very high redemption rates.
• Mobile Ticketing - 2D Barcodes enable guests to buy and store tickets for concerts, films and sporting events.
• Mobile Shopping - Allows for on-the-spot electronic purchases from magazine/billboard advertising using a secure payment system.
• Opt-in Marketing Programmes - Enable highly-targeted, cost-effective campaigns. Customers can provide access to GPS data on their phones to enable retailers to send the latest offer when they are in store or in the vicinity.
• Product Packaging - Consumers scan barcodes onto their mobile phone and link to the internet for additional product info/usage/recipe information.
• Customer Self-Service - Consumers interact with a manufacturer for trouble-shooting.   A mobile barcode can link to an FAQ page or an online store for spare parts/accessories.
• CRM - Once a customer has downloaded a mobile barcode, it opens up a channel of direct communication between retailer and consumer.