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M-Commerce and QR Codes … Would they go a long way ??

By Praful Tickoo on 11 Comments / 4443 views

I was surfing through this article and realized how M-Commerce is seeing a dawn in India. 

“HomeShop18 has introduced a cutting edge Virtual Shopping Wall with Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. (DIAL). The Virtual Wall ‘Scan N Shop’ offers premium merchandise to consumers at Terminal 3 (T3) domestic side of New Delhi’s IGI Airport (IGIA). The wall lets consumers view a large range of products like consumer electronics, mobiles, tablets, clothing, accessories, fashion jewellery, perfumes, etc. on dynamic screens.

Scan N Shop flyers will be able to order by simply scanning the QR code displayed against each item or over the phone at the call centre. HomeShop18 has also enabled the convenient cash on delivery payment method to drive trials and will follow it up with mobile payments subsequently.

Sundeep Malhotra, Founder & CEO, HomeShop18 explains, “With the Virtual Shopping Wall, HomeShop18 embarks on the next major journey into mobile-commerce (M commerce). By bringing M-commerce to India, HomeShop18 is taking the convergence of mobile and retail to a new high. The idea behind ‘Scan N Shop’ is to enable tech-savvy, smart-phone and tablet users to experience a smart new way of shopping. In DIAL, we have found a true innovator as a partner. T3 is a marvellous lifestyle destination and ‘Scan N Shop’ couldn’t have found a better location.”

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While I appreciate the concept and the ease it brings to consumers, a thought struck my mind: Can this help reinvigorate QR codes ? I mean, with all the hullabaloo that the advent of QR codes had created, they haven’t quite managed to deliver the promise. To me the reason is simple: It adds an unnecessary layer between a consumer and a product necessiating the need to have a smart phone with a QR code scanner installed. Add to it the fact that just by looking at 2 differnet QRs you just can’t fathom what they point toward.

Now that M-Commerce is the next “in” thing, do QR codes have a last chance of redemption ? Or will they flatter to deceive again ? I believe the latter is closer to reality. Commoditization of knowledge, more intelligent Operating Systems in smart phones and path breaking research in Mobile Visual Search (MVS) will lead us to an era where our phones can directly “talk” to the products sans any mediation.

While that would be an extremely exciting time for M-Commerce, poor QR Codes may fade into forlorn anonymity. While this is my take on the alliance, I would love the views, opinions of the group.

Thanks,

Praful

 

 

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11 Comments

  1. This is just copy paste of idea prevalent in southeast, it was one of the top 10 innovations of 2012…but nice one

  2. Yes it is …. but the first thought that came to my mind after reading was … is it too antiquated a concept now … because to me QR codes have outlived their life

  3. QR codes need to be intelligently used. They are not merely redirectors to site or something but can do much more. See this.

    I feel that as visual and easy coding system, which can be read by any computing device with camera, they have an edge over barcodes and over RFID/NFC devices where hardware may be a limiting factor.

    We are developing a smart-usage of qr-code application where we’d like to generate patient identification and doctor signatures using qr codes. Still in conceptual stage but definitely working on it. 

  4. Hi Saurabh … Thanks for sharing the info …. I would like to know more about the app that you are using … would love to know how Healthcare sector is leveraging modern technology !!

  5. Sure. We can take it offline. You can connect wi’me at s.bhatia(at)tsmls.org please.

  6. Dear Sir,

    Really Intrigued by your product. Would love to know more. 

    Anand

  7. The first usage of the above innovation was in south korea by target used to beat a large rival.

    We have a QR Scanner that can scan logos and images to redirect you to a particular area of interest. This along with technology that can tell you how many people scanned the logo with what device.

    We believe this is the future and more consumer friendly, but will only see mainstream once we go OEM.

  8. I guess QR codes can be used for some ‘interesting’ purposes as well. Somebody forwarded me this link a couple of days ago..Just check this out:

    https://ibnlive.in.com/news/a-hotel-room-decorated-with-porn-hidden-…

    Reading this story, I guess you might change your apocalyptic predictions for QR Codes 🙂

  9. Hey Nikunj,

    That link was just awesome, wonder if anyone would dare to do it in India!

    I guess we just need to think of more innovative ways of using them but unfortunately, consumer friendliness does not exist in cryptic graphic. 🙁

  10. Hi Nikunj ….. What brilliant usage of QR codes …. simply superb !!! And yes …. now I know what industry holds a lease of life for them … 🙂

  11. Its all about the most optimal way of bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds–if you think of it scanning QR codes involve a series of steps that the user has to go through before reaching the desired state (from the marketer’s PoV). But with NFC, its a direct link. So, I would put my money on NFC technology overpowering QR codes in the near future. Also, we need to look at the ecosystem of adopters–NFC has been around but didn’t get the traction since Apple never embraced it..but with Google Wallet and Nexus 4 in the fray, NFC has got a boost and there’s no looking back in my mind–its just a matter of time before the cost of the chips comes down to make for a feasible business process. My $0.02

    Cheers!

    Arindam

    http://www.flixstreet.in

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