BARKCODE’s Erickson responds to QR code criticism

Rating: Why we are using Scanbuy’s EZcode not QR codes

Following our previous story revealing that Barkcodes are not standard QR codes here, BARKCODE’s Laura Erickson has responded to ciritcism of the company’s choice of 2D (two-dimensional) barcodes … As the co-founder of BARKCODE, I can tell you that we were the first to market with two-dimensional codes for the purposes of reuniting lost pets with their families. And, we actually started with QR codes. But while QR codes may be great as a marketing tool, we found that it didn’t quite cut the mustard for reuniting lost pets with their owners. Here’s why…1) Size really does matter. Since dogs and cats come in all different sizes, we needed to find a two-dimensional code that could work with all pets. As you know, QR codes are best read when they are 1-inch in diameter. Now add the spacing for directions (for those that are somewhat tech challenged) and whew… you’ve got yourself a pretty large tag.

By utilising Scanbuy’s EZcode, BARKCODE is able to create a pet ID tag as small as the size of an American nickel (and still provide instructions for as many as three different ways to access the pet’s profile.) BTW, our large tag is slightly larger than a quarter.

2) Scan and Send Feature, Although 30 million smartphones already have ScanLife preloaded (and another 10 million users have downloaded the app) the finder of a pet wearing a BARKCODE ID Tag doesn’t need the ScanLife app to access the pet’s info. Now they can simply take a picture of the code with their camera phone and MMS to 43588 to receive multiple back-up contacts. BTW, despite the phenomenal increase of smartphone purchases, there are far more Americans that carry a cameraphone than carry smartphones. And as you stated in your original story, we do have a unique URL address for non-camera phone users as well.

3) Scanability – The density of the EZcode is far superior to the QR code which makes it much easier to scan (or take a picture of the code) while the tag is still on the dog so the scanning process of our BARKCODE Pet ID tag has a higher success rate. Some companies have tried to reduce the QR code to the same small size as the EZcode. However, the density of these reduced QR codes dramatically reduces the ability for smartphones to then access the pet’s info. We are constantly amazed at how ScanLife is even able to decode blurry images of the EZcode.

4) Security – The EZcode is a more secure code as it can only be created from one platform unlike the QR code which can be generated from multiple open sources (and as of yet, these vendors do not supply cross referencing control mechanisms). [This is probably a reference to the fact that a mobile barcode clearing house didn't take off - Ed.]

Overall, (as a pet owner myself) size, ease of use (having directions for those finders that are not tech savvy), and security of the EZcode trumped the QR code.

As for Jim’s question re: SMS*, one of the reasons why we created BARKCODE was after finding pets that did have an ID Tag with a phone number but the number was either old or went to a home answering machine. (In one case in particular the owners were out of town). So, SMS to one phone number would not have helped in these instances.

We also discovered that there is no one scanner that can read all microchips (not to mention that chips move inside the animal so detection is a problem.) The beauty of BARKCODE is that the owner can update their pet’s tag 24/7 since it is password protected. So if you do go on vacation, you can always list the pet sitters name & number first. And if your pet is ever found injured you can include vet information, pet insurance policy number and a comment where you give the authority to have your pet treated.

Soon, we will be making a big announcement regarding our partnership with the American Red Cross as well as some technological enhancements of our tag. This will help municipalities not only save many more pets’ lives but will also help local governments/taxpayers save money. This will be achieved by reducing the number of lost pets that need to be housed at a local shelter.

Lastly, we want to thank all the folks at Suzuki and their advertising agency Siltanen and Partners. In less than ten days, they made what we thought was the impossible happen. They featured BARKCODE on their website and made it possible that for each of the 1,000 free tags redeemed on their site, $3 would be donated to the American Red Cross. For anyone reading this story – if you haven’t already – please go to www.kizashikicks.com or BARKCODE.com to receive a free tag. Even if you don’t have a pet yourself, it makes a great gift for your pet loving friends (plus you are helping the American Red Cross!) We are always looking to improve our services and would love to hear what GoMo News readers think.

* Jim’s question: “I assume this tag is supposed to connect lost pets with owners, if so that is a great idea. I am a big fan of mobile barcodes. However as a dog owner, I don’t want to be dependent on a person who finds my dog having a single proprietary code reader on their phone. Wouldn’t SMS be a simpler better method, or call an 800 number?”