ScanLife was launched in Beta in 2008.  At the time, cameras were terrible, and we had a perfect answer to bring 2D codes to millions of phones.  The answer was in the form of the EZcode which is an awesome solution, but it had one stigma – proprietary.  While marketers and publishers loved the technology, we quickly realized that they did not love it’s limitation of reach (only compatible with the ScanLife app).

So, in 2009, we made the specs available for the EZcode, but more importantly added open source QR Codes to our platform and to our application.  Since that time, the world of open source mobile barcode scanning has exploded.  The ScanLife platform has generated tens of thousands of open QR Codes which can be read by any standard app.  Therefore, we are seeing millions of scans per month and seeing 4x growth versus 2010.  Clearly this was the path forward for both marketers and users.

This week, Microsoft Tag made their decision to enter the world of open standards – almost 3 years after their product was launched.  We applaud this decision, and only wish they saw the light sooner.  In that time, consumers and publishers have been unnecessarily confused by a closed code format which only works with a single app.  We believe more open QR Codes will only mean more value to both end users and the businesses that use them to connect the physical world.

We know for a fact that code publishers choose “open” because the most important thing is reach.  Scanbuy just conducted an online survey among marketers, and the numbers speak for themselves (more details soon):

• 85% agreed that audience size is critical when choosing a 2D code solution (ranked highest of any feature listed)
• 73% of those using codes today are open code formats which ScanLife already offers (QR, Datamatrix, or EZcode) with QR Code being the most popular of any format.

The world of 2D codes will continue to evolve and we believe the best way for that to happen is by building from an open source symbology or “gateway.”  What you can do from that gateway is endless, and a managed platform (like ScanLife) can help harness that potential by using real time data, dynamic code actions and mobile formatted content.

Open is good, open is powerful.  Now let’s work together to unleash it’s full potential.

ScanLife gave a webinar entitled “Understanding Mobile Barcodes” hosted by Verizon on March 3, 2011.  It covered a variety of topics including:

• Barcode 101:  What, Why, and Where
• Activating a Barcode Campaign
• Barcode Strategies & Tactics
• Campaign Examples & Best Practices
• Developer Tools & Customization

Get your free download of the Netsize Guide 2010 right here!

This is a comprehensive annual industry report, documenting the state of the global mobile content and services market.  It includes in-depth research and exclusive interviews with industry executives (including Jonathan Bulkeley, CEO of Scanbuy).

Click the above image, or this link.

Scanbuy and NeoMedia announced a cross licensing deal today which we hope will move the mobile barcode space to new heights in the United States.  Both companies have invested a great deal of time and resources in developing our intellectual property, and we are pleased to have finally come to a fair agreement.

Our technology inter-operates with any mobile operator, any handset, any geography and any barcode format – that flexibility is critical to making this a viable and long-term solution.  Scanbuy’s current patent portfolio covers the entire mobile barcode space, and we will continue bring innovative solutions to our partners and customers.

Thanks for your support,

Jonathan Bulkeley, Chief Executive Officer

Click Here for Press Release

Part of what we try do here is educate and clear up any confusion around the mobile barcode space.  One big misunderstanding is the difference between QR Codes and 2D barcodes.  Often times, people use them interchangeably which is making a lot of people pretty confused.  While some may say its semantics, it’s really important at this stage in the technology to be educated around what is what.

2-D, or two-dimensional barcodes are really any geometric pattern of images or modules that can be read by an optical scanner.  Under that category, there is a wide variety of different code formats or symbologies. (more…)

The first real topic we thought we would cover is the what and why of 2D barcodes.  Like any new technology, adoption is driven by the user – what will this do for me to make my life easier or better?  So, we’re going to start with a focus on the user and get to the “code publisher” or the business later.

We first need to generally define a 2D barcode since we often forget many people are starting from square one.

(more…)

Welcome to our first ScanLife post!  We have a lot that we plan to cover including tips to using 2D codes, new code projects from around the world,  ScanLife feature announcements, and more.

This is a very fast-moving and sometimes misunderstood space, but we will try to make it plain and simple because that’s what makes it so great.

We ask that all of you add your feedback and knowledge for the benefit of the community, but please keep it friendly!

You can also follow us on Twitter for more rapid updates (@scanlifesupport).  Or you can scan this code to see our profile:

Thanks for joining us!