We have just released the latest ScanLife Mobile Barcode Trend Report for Q4 2011. This edition takes a closer look at the busiest quarter of the year for mobile barcodes and some year-end growth comparisons to 2010.

One of the report’s highlights shows the “hockey stick” growth of scans by quarter dating all the way back to Q1 2009. Last year saw a 300% increase compared to 2010. Looking at the chart below, its pretty amazing to see just how far mobile barcode scanning has come these past few years.

The holiday season proved to be another huge period for engaging new users as people are searching for product information and millions of new Smartphones were activated.

Other key takeaways from this report:

• Q4 2011 saw more scans than all of 2009 and 2010 combined
• Over 3,000,000 new ScanLife users were activated in Q4 2011

• Among marketers using the ScanLife platform, the Consumer Packaged Goods industry saw the most scans for the first time ever
• Half of our users report being 18-34, and 60% are male which is consistent with the previous report

A HUGE thank you to everyone to everyone who made these numbers possible!  This data is compiled from our platform users, app users, and other 3rd party apps/code generators.

You can download the full report here.

Be a fan, and scan for your team to win the Big Game!

The codes above use ScanLife smart code technology which processes the number of scans per code and converts them into voting results.

Two weeks ago, we released the results from a study that illustrate a high awareness and adoption of 2D barcodes among U.S. marketers. The survey gave us some tremendous insight into what marketers want out of 2D barcodes. Conducted through uSamp’s SurveyBuilder, the sample included over 100 marketers from both large and small businesses in industries such as retail, healthcare and entertainment.

2D Barcode Awareness & Adoption

The study showed that 50% of key decision makers are already using 2D barcodes as a part of their overall marketing strategy and 86% plan to use the technology in the future.  The level of awareness of 2D barcodes was similar among large and small businesses, with 95% and 89% respectively.

When asked what the format of choice was, it emerged that marketers favoured open source formats, such as QR codes. The chart below shows the level of adoption of the different formats.

One of the main concerns from the respondents was having a code format compatible with most scanning apps. As a result, it’s no surprise that QR codes make up the majority here.

Other factors for a successful campaign include:

• Access to analytics including basic usage.
• Demographics of users and
• Ability to edit or access codes at anytime from a web-based platform

Usage Scenarios

When asked if they were happy with their experience, those that used a paid service were 50% more satisfied than those using a freeware generator. As to how campaigns were being implemented, the table below shows the top code content of choice and the top three media placements.

To a large extent these results confirm our observations gathered through anecdotal evidence. They also indicate that 2D barcodes are set to become a standard in future marketing efforts.

In 2011 we saw some truly remarkable campaigns. This was only the end of the beginning.

Scan the Code to Help us Give to City Harvest

Note on how this code works:

The code above uses ScanLife “Smartcode” technology which uses real time data to dynamically update the content you see.  In this case, our system calculates the number of Total Scans on this code which is then formulated into the giving amount.  We only count hits to the page that come through the scan of a barcode whether it comes from our app or any other.

We have already made a $500 donation, and now you can help us give more!

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 4.0, includes a couple cool new features to make barcode scanning a bit more fun for the holiday season.  One feature allows users to customize the scanner screen by selecting from themes like “Top Gun” and “Holiday Cheer”.  Just go to the Settings screen in the app to change it any time!

Current theme examples from our app:

Now we want YOU to design the next custom Scanner Theme and be seen by millions of ScanLife users around the globe!

So whether you’re a Photoshop expert or just have a knack for basic design, we want to see your ideas.   Make it fun, make it cool, make it colorful – whatever you want!  Just remember to leave some open space in the center of the screen so you can see what you’re scanning…

What do you get?

The winner will receive a $200 Gift Card and have their personal Scanner design embedded in the next release of the ScanLife app for iPhone and Android!

Rules to Enter

1. Create any kind a visual representation of your idea – can be a rough representation or a finished design, but we need more than text.
2. Upload your design to our Facebook wall – www.facebook.com/scanlife
3. Get as many Likes as you can which will influence the final judging

Entries will be taken until January 1st, 2012.

Now get creative and good luck!  If you don’t have the current ScanLife app, just go to www.getscanlife.com from your mobile device.

We’re thrilled to announce the release of the ScanLife Mobile Barcode Trend Report for Q3 2011. This edition marks the one year anniversary of the inaugural report, so we have  focused on how far mobile barcodes have come in the past 12 months.

One of the report’s highlights is the total number of scans processed by ScanLife to date. Through September, we’ve seen over 20 million scans, representing a 400% increase from 2010 during the same time period. This massive number shows just how explosive growth has been for mobile barcodes.

Other key takeaways from this report:

• 2D code activity continues to rise at an impressive rate, as 44,653 2D codes were generated from the ScanLife platform in Q3 of this year.

• Another demonstration of scan growth is around our single largest customer campaign.  A year ago the largest campaign saw 65,000 scans and in Q3 a customer completed a 6-week campaign that netted over 400,000 scans.
• The number of countries scanning in a single day also increased from 77 to 128, a 66% increase.

• Female scans increased by 13% and now represent over 40% of the ScanLife mobile app audience.
• Over the past year, the Grocery (food & drink) category jumped from 14% to 40% in all 1D products scanned.

A big thank you to everyone who made these numbers possible!

You can download the full report here.

If you’re like us, you’re always disappointed after you scan a QR code and receive a poor user experience. Either it links to a complicated PC formatted website, or it’s not providing additional value (i.e. simply a home page).  The content after the scan is really the most important piece to any successful QR Code project.

To make this easier, we have come up with the Custom Menu Code which is available right from the ScanLife platform with any of our Pro Accounts.

This new code action allows you to easily mobilize your brand – and your code in a matter of minutes.

• Upload your own image for a product or logo
• Choose up to 7 different code action options like a web link or a pre-filled email or just display some text for a coupon offer
• Easily connect users to your Facebook, Twitter & YouTube pages
• Choose from a couple background templates

Creating a Custom Menu Code is simple, just follow these steps:

1. Upload an image

2. Choose a background color

3. Enter headline & body text

4. Choose your menu items

Custom Menu Code Examples

Scan each code below to try it yourself!

Comscore just released some dedicated survey results validating the growth of QR Code adoption in the United States.  The survey found that more than 14M people scanned a code in the month of  June alone! This reinforces some of the numbers we’ve been estimating of around 40-45M people in the US that have downloaded a barcode scanning app in the past year.

Some other great stats tell us where people are scanning from (both the media and the physical location):

What really strikes us here is the wide variety of places that codes are being scanned from.  50% from magazines is to be expected, but almost 12% from TV is amazing!

Some other suprising stats here:

• For a technology  that is best “on the go”, it’s amazing that 58% scanned from home (presumably where they have a PC).  This shows how reliant people have become on their mobile device for more information.
• Retail is an obvious place to be scanning, but it is also encouraging to see that 25% have done so from a grocery store where most people have little time to spare.

The survey also includes information on demographics of people scanning, much of which reflects data from our latest Trend Report.

Gender: Males make up 60% (exactly the same as our data)

Largest age group:  24-34 at 37% (we showed 33%)

Again, great to see a large 3rd party like Comscore start releasing some data on the behavior and adoption of QR Codes.   We hope this will encourage everyone to get involved if you haven’t already!

Taco Bell and MTV have teamed up to help promote this year’s MTV Video Music Awards with the help of ScanLife. The fast food chain has placed QR Codes on all of their “Big Box Remixed” packages and large cups. The codes deliver all kinds of VMA content to users including teasers, sneak peeks, artist interviews and performance footage.

Even better, the content changes on a weekly basis, so users can expect to receive a different experience for scanning throughout the six week campaign. The scan rates are already into the six-figure digits, and you can find out more about it from their website.  Don’t have an app?  You can even use our Scan and Send service by just snapping a photo of the QR Code and texting it to 43588.

They did a great job with explaining how it all works, so check it out, and head out to your nearest Taco Bell and join in on the fun!