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Key Takeaways

  • QR code tracking bridges the gap between physical assets and digital data, allowing businesses to efficiently track and manage inventory, machinery, or tools through a simple smartphone scan.
  • When implementing QR codes into an organization, it’s advisable to use durable, high-quality tags, dynamic QR codes and to prioritize security.
  • While many business processes happen digitally, organizations still need a way to bridge the gap between the physical world and digital data. QR codes make it easy for employees to access and log information with a simple scan, significantly speeding up workflows.

    Instead of manually tracking products, internal assets, or machinery, simplify everything by switching to QR code tracking. This technology goes a step beyond traditional barcodes, making it easier than ever before to exchange information.

    In this guide, we’ll explore why QR code tracking is more than just a digital convenience and share expert best practices for making the most of QR codes in your business.

    Scanning a QR code on a package
    Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels

    What Is QR Code Tracking?

    Quick response (QR) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that store more data than a traditional barcode. These square-shaped, black-and-white patterns go beyond simple data encoding, offering a digital gateway to real-time tracking.

    QR code tracking is a more straightforward way to track physical assets in your organization, whether that’s machinery, tools, or computer hardware. Nearly all smartphones can scan QR codes, giving employees an accessible way to pull software logs, URLs, or even safety videos with one quick scan.

    QR code tracking systems can also track data like:

    • The number of scans
    • Geographic location of the scans
    • Time and date for each scan
    • Type of device used

    QR code tracking has many applications, including:

    • Healthcare: Healthcare providers use QR codes to check patients in, access medical records, or track medications.
    • Logistics: QR codes help companies track shipments, verify deliveries, and manage inventory.
    • IT: There’s no need to track device repairs or upgrades manually. IT techs simply scan the QR and quickly log all data in seconds.
    • Military and defense: Defense organizations often need to track the location and history of their equipment. Durable QR codes speed up this process, reducing the need for manual tracking in potentially critical situations.
    Scanning QR Code in a Warehouse
    Image by metamorworks via Shutterstock

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    The Benefits of QR Code Tracking

    QR code tracking is a powerful tool that offers many benefits, including:

    • Valuable data insights: Simple barcodes can provide some information about your assets, but QR codes can transmit more information. This data is instrumental in building audit logs, spotting fraud, and generally staying aware of the movement of assets throughout your business.
    • Operational efficiency: QR codes are more convenient than barcodes because they don’t require specialized scanners. Your team just needs a modern smartphone to capture an image of the code. QRs make it easy to track inventory and shipments, all while reducing the time and labor costs associated with traditional tracking methods.
    • Multimedia content: Barcodes transmit data, but QR code tracking allows you to add multimedia content. For example, you can direct employees to a link tree, where they choose to log asset maintenance, read SOPs, or access safety information videos in one place.

    Check out the video below for more information on using QR codes to track inventory and assets:

    Three Best Practices for QR Code Tracking

    1. Choose Durable, High-Quality QR Codes

    The more durable the label you use, the longer the lifespan of the QR code. Experienced providers like Camcode connect organizations with the proper labels, substrates, and fasteners for your specific use case.

    Whether you want simple paper tags for temporary tracking or durable metal tags that can withstand harsh environments, we’re here to help.

    2. Use Dynamic QR Codes if Possible

    Your tracking system will generate the QR codes for you, which you can print internally or send to a partner like Camcode for printing. However, not all QR codes are the same, and you should use dynamic QR codes instead of static QR codes for the most future-proof solution.

    Static QR codes don’t allow you to change the URL connected to the code without changing the code itself. So, if you change your tracking system, you’ll likely need to buy all new static tags.

    That can get expensive, especially if you frequently make changes. Go with dynamic QRs instead, which allow you to change the destination URL without changing the code or tag.

    3. Prioritize Security

    Nearly anyone can scan a QR code. That’s great for accessibility, but it can also be a security issue. Work with your IT team to ensure the QR codes only link to secure websites and that you have protocols in place to handle data securely.

    It’s also important not to display QR codes in public-facing spaces where customers might try to access private URLs.

    Final Thoughts

    QR codes are an innovative and flexible way of storing data, and can be utilized in a variety of ways to benefit your organization. Ultimately, however, they’re only as good as the labels they’re printed on, which is why you need to ensure that your labels are able to withstand the environment you’ll be using them in.

    Call us today at 1-800-627-3917 for some expert advice on which labels are best for your business. Alternatively, see our quality firsthand for yourself: request a free Camcode label sample kit now.

    A QR code scanned by a phone
    Image by sitthiphong via Shutterstock

    Frequently Asked Questions

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    Our sales engineers are experts in automatic asset tracking, tagging and identification,a nd can answer all your questions. Get in touch now.

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