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Using QR Codes (#NTCQRC01)

What is a QR Code?

Some information obtained from Wikipedia:

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and comparatively large storage capacity. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. It was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

Although initially used to track parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR codes are now used over a much wider range of applications, including commercial tracking, entertainment and transport ticketing, product marketing and in-store product labeling. Many of these applications target mobile-phone users (via mobile tagging). Users may receive text, add a vCard contact to their device, open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), or compose an e-mail or text message after scanning QR codes.

They can generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several pay or free QR code-generating sites or apps. Apps for scanning QR codes can be found on nearly all smartphone devices. QR codes storing addresses and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) may appear in magazines, on signs, on buses, on business cards, or on almost any object about which users might need information.

Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser. This act of linking from physical world objects is termed hardlinking or object hyperlinking.

 

Why would I want to use a QR Code & where would I put it?

You may wish to use a QR code to link from an invoice or letter, to your website - or from your brochure / business card to a vCard. QR Codes can also be used to display a text message with a secret codeword, discount offer or similar. You could place different QR codes on your business cards, brochures, on the footer of your invoice, on your trailer signage, etc.

 

How do I generate a QR Code?

1. Visit one of the many free QR Code generation websites; we recommend this one. Use the tools provided to create your QR Code; be it a link, vCard, text message, etc.
2. When done, generate your QR Code and save the resulting image.
3. View the QR Code in an image program on your computer, and 'Copy' it that that it's on the clipboard.
4. Switch over to StorMan, and select Maintenance then Letter Graphics.
5. The Letter Graphics section will now open. At the top, you will see 5 different tabs. In most cases, Picture 1 is used for your logo, so click across to Picture 2. If you already have an image in this field, you may wish to select the next tab - until you find a tab with no images contained within.
6. Once you've found a blank tab to use, click anywhere in the background area; it should turn black. Now press CTRL+ V (on PC) or COMMAND + V (on Mac) to 'Paste' the image from the computer's clipboard into the space provided on screen. You should see your image within the background area now. This is the size at which your image or logo will appear within any documents you include it on, in StorMan... so if it's too big (or too small), make adjustments to the size of the image using the image editing software on your computer.
7. Click OK to save & close Letter Graphics. You have now added your QR Code into Letter Graphics, which you can now reference from invoices or letters (aka notices) in StorMan.

 

How do I put a QR Code (or other image) onto my invoices?

See: #INVLOGO01.

 

How do I put a QR Code (or other image) onto my Notices?

For email Notices, see #NTCUREN01. For print Notices, see #NTCURPN01.

 

Video:

On Wednesday 19th March, 2013 we held a free StorMan PowerSession webcast on the topic of Using QR Codes in StorMan. You can download / view the webcast recording below...

• Using QR Codes in StorManThis is a StorMan PowerSession webcast video recording