Smartphone Technology Benefits for Business

Scanning the little barcode-like box on price tags with a smartphone opens up a wealth of online information.
"It makes it a little bit easier for customers to check product availability and things like that right from their phone," said Casey Hay of Best Buy in Appleton.

They're called QR codes or quick response codes and in the case of a business like Best Buy, they're a useful new tool for shoppers.

"It's just to make it easier for customers to have product information at their fingertips," said Hay.
But businesses aren't the only ones taking advantage of the technology.

"It's something they can do 24/7," said Robb Waugus of the Salvation Army-Fox Cities.

Waugus says the organization has always been on the cutting edge of technology. The Salvation Army has introduced credit card readers and donation by texting in recent years. Waugus says the organization will be using QR codes on Red Kettle Match Days every Friday in December.

"We have to continually look at how we can reach out to the donors, to help make gifting a little bit easier for them during the busy Christmas holidays," said Waugus.

The technology allows you to learn more information about a product by scanning the code, or in the case of the Salvation Army, takes you to a website to make a donation.  Making a contribution is as simple as picking up your smartphone, downloading an app, scanning the code and making a donation.

During the holiday season the QR codes can stand in for busy customer service representatives.  "It's an easy way especially now during the holidays for customers to grab product information if there isn't an associate readily available and actually check and see if there is stock on the item,” said Hay.  Giving the little box the power people want at their fingertips.

Originally posted on http://www.fox11online.com