By now I’m sure you’ve seen those strange little bar codes popping up everywhere.  It started on the internet with sites like Google places and has moved to just about anything.  Movie posters now have them, products, stores, just about any where you go today you will find at least one of them.  So what are they and what are they for?

These are called QR Codes.  Google says the following:

This unique bar code on the lower right of the sticker (known as a QR code) lets customers – and potential customers – instantly learn more about a business, by visiting a mobile version of the business’ Place Page on any supported phone. Here’s more on how it works and what you can do with it:

1. Make sure your phone can scan a QR code with its camera, either with an application that you download or via software that’s already installed on your phone. To find out what application to use for your phone, we recommend doing a Google search for the model of your phone along with “QR reader”.
2. When you see a QR code, use your phone’s application to scan it. If you’re scanning a QR code on one of the window decals that we’ve sent to thousands of U.S. businesses, you’ll quickly be taken to that business’ mobile Place Page on Google, where you can:
   • Read reviews to see what other users think about the business
   • Find an offer that the business has posted to their Place Page
   • Star the business to remember to check it out later, or to remember to visit again
   • Leave a review right after you leave the business. What’s a better time to write what you think, than when you’ve just visited?

From Website

Note: the above QR code is the Google Place QR code for SeTech Support.

So that is one way that QR codes can be used, but if it can be used to pull up a website and allow you to type in a review… think of all the other things it can do for you.  Obviously this only works with Tablets and phones that have a camera and have a QR reader installed.  There are several QR readers out there and if you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact us.

Smart phones are all the rage for business owners and now with so many Operating Systems (OS) there are many different choices. It can be overwhelming on a good day. Should a business owner go with Blackberry, or an Android phone, or even a Windows Mobile, or an IPhone? Also what about when one of these OS upgrade to the next version, what happens to the phone?

You will find a link to a great article about tips on how to buy a smart phone. As with anything else, if you aren’t sure if it’ll work with your current technology, feel free to ask your computer technician.

**Please note that SeTech Support does not endorse any particular model of Smart Phone. We will make recommendations based on a customers need but we do not have alliances with any particular carrier or type of phone.