How can you smoothly manage the process of implementing 2D codes and maximise the opportunity they represent? That's what Domino explains in a short, easy-to-use guide.

It's an evidence that agro-food professionals will not have escaped: 2D codes have already begun to replace the traditional black and white striped codes on product labels. Although the move to 2D codes is not mandatory, the global standards organisation GS1 is working with manufacturers and retailers to encourage the adoption of 2D codes in point-of-sale systems, and has developed GS1 Augmented QR Codes for this purpose. To help brands move into the new world of 2D codes, the Djazagro exhibitor Domino has just published a short guide to help professionals migrate to the new standard.

 

The benefits of 2D codes

If you're a brand and want to stay ahead of the game, it's time to start thinking about how you're going to manage the global migration to 2D codes’ warns Domino, which listed the benefits of this new standard:

  • Less space,
  • Greater resistance to damage and wear,
  • And especially a greater amount of embedded information (international GTIN code, uniform resource locator, lot or expiry date data, serial number, etc.).

 

GS1 Augmented QR codes offer multiple benefits to brands and consumers through a single code, providing data-sharing capabilities in all areas, from shipping and logistics to after-sales service, consumer marketing and product end-of-life management’ sums up Domino, before describing the different data elements that brands can use and discuss the advantages of adding variable, unique or lot-level data.


How do you get started?

To conclude, Domino offers some advice on how to launch into the GS1 augmented QR code adventure, taking advantage of all the possible functionalities and keeping only those that are necessary and appropriate. ‘The new GS1 standard for QR codes offers a great deal of flexibility and allows brands to create and use them according to their individual needs. The minimum requirement is that they contain a GTIN in order to be used at the point of purchase, with the possibility of adding other levels of details if necessary. The more accurate the product information, the greater the benefits for brands and consumers are. However, adding variable data can require additional implementation work. Brands need to think about their objectives beforehand and ensure that they build the functionality from the start, rather than trying to modify a system at a later date' Domino summarises.

As a result, brands wishing to use static QR codes may only need to update the packaging artwork and homepage to link to the new printed code, while those wishing to take advantage of other benefits by including variable data in QR codes will need to create an implementation roadmap and talk to their suppliers and partners to define requirements and create content. But in any case, these brands will also need to ‘ensure that their production lines are equipped with high-speed variable data printing equipment and automated vision systems to ensure that the codes can be scanned and that all the information are correct'. And for this, Domino is obviously ready to support them...

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