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2 March 2022 | QR CODE| Blockchain | Traceability
QR MULTIVERSE
In India, QR codes rose to popularity on the backdrop of digital payments, including apps like PayTM BharatPe QR, which gave the Indian citizens a convenient method to make payments at stores or even pay their utility bills. Since then, the government and private organizations have discovered innovative ways to use QR codes to help the general larger community.
The coronavirus pandemic directed the widespread use of QR codes. The 2020 onset of a novel coronavirus pandemic resulted in global demand for a standard that could convey large amounts of information without humans touching physical items. QR codes provided such a solution. The more immediate benefits (around that time) offered by QR Codes are COVID-related. They are instrumental as a touch-free, socially distanced way of accepting payments and limiting physical interaction with customers.
Diversity in Usage: With access to mobile smartphones, the appeal of using QR codes in the modern market is likely to become the new normal and also a valuable investment tool. QR Codes have become a part of widespread use amongst different stakeholders with varying degrees of accomplishment. Besides payments, other large scale QR deployments include the Identity project, Document Authentication, Vaccine Certification, Covid-19/Diagnostic reporting standards, ticketing, media ads, brand engagements and product packaging, including traceability.
Evolution of QR
A QR code ( quick response code) is the matrix barcode (or the two-dimensional barcode)invented in 1994 by the Japanese automotive company Denso Wave. A barcode is a machine-readable optical label containing information about the item to which it is attached. In practice, QR codes often have data for a locator, identifier, or tracker that points to a website or application. A QR code uses four standardized encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary) to store data efficiently; extensions may also be used.
The Quick Response system became popular outside the automotive industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity than standard UPC barcodes. Applications include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, and general marketing.
A QR code consists of black squares arranged in a square grid on a white background. An imaging device such as a camera can be read and processed using Reed–Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted. The required data is then extracted from patterns present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image.
There are no copyright or patent restrictions on using QR Codes, and you can use them for your personal use or commercial use.
DENSO WAVE, the inventor of QR Codes, has passed on the enforcement rights, so as long as the QR Code is in line with ISO and JIS standards, you should be fine.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the trending examples of QR applications across various dimensions: –
A. Super Bowl commercials with QR code:
Coinbase debuted a new commercial featuring a bouncing QR code during Super Bowl LVI that gained massive traction. The one-minute commercial by Coinbase showed a QR code bouncing from corner to corner of the television screen. Reports suggested that Coinbase shelled out $14 million for a minute-long advertisement to attract the spectators’ attention, all for a QR code.
The MAJOR TAKEAWAYS and talking points were because of:
• Retro feel for the target audience
• CLEAR call-to-action
• Customer engagement
B. Research/Study Based Application at Vikram University
For the convenience of the students and visitors, QR codes are being installed on trees located on the campus, which was initiated by Dr Mukesh Vani of the Environmental Management School under the direction of its chairman, DM Kumawat. By scanning the QR code, meaningful information about the tree will be available. The QR code will also give information about the botanical, the local name of the tree, and information about its medicinal properties. The project was majorly undertaken to significantly benefit the researchers and students working in botany and agriculture.
C. Craftsmanship and Originality
Authorities in Kashmir have launched a QR Code-based mechanism for the certification and labelling of handmade carpets for its region, famous worldwide for their rare craftsmanship and quality. The first of its kind in India would ensure customers get authentic Kashmiri carpets.
Blockchain and QR.
IN A BLOCKCHAIN, secure QR codes can be considered just like the immutable ledger. And the benefit is that the validator-user can still validate without being part of a network (which is the requirement in Blockchain) as the verification is decentralized.
The critical factor differentiating blockchain-based QR Codes from regular ones is their immense Blockchain technology after a QR code gets scanned. At the time of generation of the QR code, the system puts a unique hash value into the QR code. Now, when the user or even consumer scans the QR code to access the information or data, the system first cross-checks the hash value in the QR code. It compares the hash value of the QR code to the hash value of the Blockchain. If it matches, only then can the user access it. It makes the entire system incorruptible, immutable, self-patchable, self-expandable in the absence of negligible points of failure. The fact is once there is a hash value in the QR codes, nobody can even touch it.
The unique hash technology makes it challenging to hack the system as the attackers would require different computers to tamper with the data. The ways DNAs and fingerprints cannot be tampered with in any way; so are these unique hash values. You can never find any two hash values the same. Hence, it is clear that a blockchain-based QR code is safer than the general one, and they are undoubtedly a future-proofed solution.
Blockchain-enabled QR code provides a wealth of information to the users on the backdrop of Trust, Transparency and Traceability. The digital possibilities of QR codes and the potential to leverage them in commerce have become more mature over the last two years to bring visibility and transparency for all product movements across the supply chain. The proposed framework of TRST01 focuses on digitizing data of the entire supply chain management and then using these data in the Blockchain platform for traceability and accessibility by the consumer.
The Main Benefits include traceability, data immutability, and trust creation.
Conclusion: In Industry 4.0, Consumers are more concerned about product use, provenance and sustainability. Over time, all available brands should provide the information or answers consumers seek. Hence on the application level, the blockchain value-addition to various brands and businesses will continue to rise as consumers demand accurate and trustworthy information.
Reference
Why does Secure QR code score over Blockchain?
1. https://www.qryptal.com/blog/why-choose-secure-qr-code-over-blockchain/
Is Blockchain QR Codes Safer Than Normal QR Codes…
2. https://proofeasy.io/blockchain-qr-codes-safer-than-normal-qr-codes/
What’s a QR Code? It’s the Comeback Kid. Code Blog Shares…
3. https://codecorp.com/about/blog/qr-code-the-comeback-kid
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Sailaja is a successful entrepreneur who believes in her passion and dedication. She has a master in business management from Herriot Watt University. She worked as a CEO for a Pharma chain in Hyderabad, and years later, she pursued her dream for pastry and got a degree in pastry from Le Cordon Bleu College, London. She started and established her patisserie in Hyderabad, getting the tastes from Global travel, infused her finesse to products taking her brand a notch higher.
Krishna Vallapu is a technology evangelist and Entrepreneur, graduated from Nagarujuna University and trained in IIM, Ahmedabad. Proven track record in building futuristic products, surpassing goals, and expectations for quality. Superior expertise with developer supervision and client relations. Out of box thinker who thrives in collaborative environments, working across business and technical teams.
Inder has an MBA in Finance in India. Utilizing his Finance background he rose through the ranks in the banking sector in the US and then after receiving his MS in Healthcare Services Administration he started his career in healthcare at the Tufts Medical Center, Boston.
Inder’s growing understanding of the expanding role of technology in healthcare caught the attention of the bureacracy and was invited to work on the Patient Privacy and Electronic Records Committee for the State of Massachusetts and later on at the State of Georgia Department of Health and Human Services. These were in the years immediately preceding the development and roll-out of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Sensing a rise in ERP movement, Inder joined a software company and worked on managing ERP solutions projects in the manufacturing sector where his clients included the Coca Cola Company, Sara Lee, International Paper, Siemens (Canada) etc .
In 2008 he came to India with the aim of realizing his cherished dream of working in India. He served as the CEO of a EMR software company, and later on led the Digital Transformation at several hospital groups as a group CIO and Vice President. Inder has to his credit, several published articles in national and international healthcare technology management and as an invited speaker at various private and government conferences. He has also been cited in several articles and studies including one at the National Library of Medicine in the USA.
In his spare time Inder indulges in travel and reading.
A versatile and passionate leader with 20+ years of expertise in IT Business & Product Strategy, Market Access & Distribution models and Talent Acquisition. Seasoned Investor. Founded multiple successful businesses & Angel Networks.
An IIM – K alumnus, before embarking on his successful multi sector entrepreneurship journey, Puru served various Fortune 500 companies in Senior Leadership roles. His last corporate stint was with Bank of America.
Suraj is an entrepreneur, with more than 2 decades of experience in creating various successful enterprises, a seasoned investor funded multiple startups, specialize in creating healthcare delivery infrastructure, board member and strategic advisor, skilled in Healthcare, Telecom, IT Strategy and Market outreach.
A Technology Leader and Entrepreneur with a proven track record of building and managing innovative solutions in digital content delivery. Demonstrated history of delivering strategic solutions in Cable, Media & Entertainment industries. Expertise in building interactive ad solutions, advertising platforms, Live Streaming(QAM, OTT, PPV), subscription-based Video (SVOD, AVOD, TVOD) services, Cloud DVR, and Broadband/WiFi services at scale across a multitude of infrastructure options(On-Prem, Hybrid Cloud, Cloud Native, Cloud Agnostic). A strong business development professional and an entrepreneur at heart with a Master of Technology focused in Computer Science from Birla Institute of Technology.
An Investment Banker, Startup coach, Mentor, Strategic planner. Sector expertise Social, Agritech, Edutech, Healthcare, eGov Strategic Planner, M&A, Transaction Structuring, negotiations and valuation, An IIM-A Alumni with more than two decades of experience.
