What is mobile barcoding?

Mobile bar coding takes place when a bar code in the form of a Text SMS is delivered to a mobile phone. Recipients save the SMS, arrive at the destination and present their SMS bar code to be scanned.

The idea works like this:
Marketers use SMS to distribute alphanumeric coupon codes to consumers who have "opted-on" to receive them. The recipients can then redeem those at a normal register, where a salesperson Scans in the code.

The coupon codes can be set to expire after one use or after a certain date, or can be configured to allow consumers to share them with others.

For marketers and retailers looking to drive store traffic and sales, the scenario would seem to make a good deal of sense. Offline couponing in the form of newspapers' so-called Free-Standing Inserts (FSI) is a tried-and-true practice in the marketing business.

Paper-based couponing is a big business, but a very inefficient business. But when you have a consumer with a cell phone, and they can receive their coupons there ... it makes for a much more efficient process. It's not like they'll forget where the coupon was, and the logic of when it expires and all that is digital. It's a way for people to make money and cut the costs out of the coupon processing side of the business.

The consumer most likely to participate in a mobile messaging campaign also represent a highly sought-after target audience, which marketers are finding increasingly difficult to reach by traditional media.

Mobile Barcoding applications

a. Propriety printed media:
Use mobile bar coding as business cards, tickets ( e-ticketing ), billing, coupons, gift certificates and more.

b. Mobile advertising of products:
Discount vouchers on beverages, CD's, books, games and more. Client presents his mobile phone at pay point - bar code is scanned and discount processed.

c. Mobile bar coding during events:
Ease the administration tasks during events - whether it is a concert, soccer game , cycle race, running event or conference or any other event.

Example: Delegates sign up and pay online via a web site or via a Premium SMS Campaign. As confirmation they receive a barcode on their mobile phone. The delegates save the SMS Code on their phones and produce it upon registration at the event.

d. Mobile Coupons :
It is now possible for retailers and brands to transmit bar codes/coupons as picture/text messages which can be scanned and integrated into EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) systems. For the first time, the loop between mobile marketing and the point of redemption will be closed. Retailers and brands will now have access to a new mobile marketing mechanic and CRM tool.

The crucial difference mobile and paper coupons

The crucial difference between paper based coupons and sms couponing is the ability to effectively track campaigns. Mobile vouchers are much more accountable. You know hour to hour, day to day what is going through the till and can track whether campaign are doing well or badly. If they are floundering, you can try and improve the offer mid-campaign. With paper vouchers, however, they have to go to the reconciliation house, and you have to wait for reports to come back. With paper based coupons often left pilling up at home along with other items of waylaid mail, the immediacy of electronic vouchers represents another marketing upside. Consumers can be reminded that they have an unused coupon on their phone via text message from the retailer-a great way to drive store profits.

The biggest advantage of sms-couponing is the instancy of it, the fact that it could be done the moment a person needs it.

So what makes this different?

• The solution is secure

• Completely measurable and controllable

• Tracks consumer behavior form initial contact through to in-store redemption.

Why use Coupons/Barcodes for Advertising?

• 85% of consumers like coupons

• 86% open direct mail pieces

• 72% frequently use direct mailers

Who uses Coupons?

• 83% women use coupons. 31% of these use at least 5 coupons every week.

• 5% men use coupons. 19% of these use at least 5 coupons a week.

• 40% of all consumers receiving coupons share them with others.

Couponing – Benefits

• Can help secure distribution

• Can be specific to a particular retailer

• Intelligent tool for introducing a new product to an existing range or attract new buyers to an existing product

• Stimulates sales

• Shapes consumer behaviour

• A measurable support mechanic for consumer advertising

• A subtle tool for softening a price increase

• Controllable – through over redemption insurance

• Increased Customer Loyalty

• A new revenue stream

• Security

• Accountability

• Brand Building

• Stimulating Trial

• Innovative Marketing Solutions

Redemption process

• To redeem any relevant offer the customer simply displays the SMS barcode embedded on his mobile phone

• Cashier scans the barcode displayed with barcode reader

• Our system identifies a Mobile Loyalty Member at point of purchase through their barcode ID and detects available offers

• Once a coupon is redeemed, it is automatically cancelled

Higher Redemption Rates

Mobile coupons that are stored and carried in the phone have higher redemption rates than paper coupons because they are not forgotten, or left at home. Mobile-coupons can drastically reduce delivery and redemption cost, trigger impulse buys, and offer these benefits:

• Send offers to customers in real-time that are location based

• Track results by customer, the exact time and purchase location

• Offer rewards based on redemption and referrals

How it Works

The server facilitates the speedy and reliable sending and receiving of mass SMS's to the mobile base. On the Client side, Decoding of the SMS , OCR Scanning , Redemption and Transaction control are all part of the system.

Full reporting, routing,database driven and self-repairing functions are just some of the many features found in this feature rich technology.

See also

• Barcodes
• Barcode printer
• Barcode Scanner
• RFID
• Universal Product Code (UPC)