2D Barcodes: PDF417 and QR Codes

The standard printed barcodes we all see at supermarkets or local stores are no longer the latest trend.  Today, 2D barcodes, which have recently erupted in terms of popularity, are a different form of barcodes that are more updated compared to standard 1D ones.  The most common examples of 2D barcodes are QR codes and PDF417 codes.

Quick Response (QR codes) are most commonly seen today and consist of square arrays that look like large pixels in one large square.  It's a matrix type of barcode and can store anything from text, numbers, URLs, and even enable devices to execute certain commands.

Portable data file (PDF417 codes) are long and rectangular in shape, with rows of linear stacked codewords that make up the rectangular shape.  Probably the most notable feature for these barcodes is its error correction ability within its high resolution linear rows.  Because of this, if the barcode is defaced, it's not so much a problem.

Since PDF417 barcodes used linear stacked barcode symbols, displaying or printing these barcodes require high resolution.  This can pose as a challenge, because it would also require expensive, sophisticated equipment to scan these codes properly.  On the other hand, scanning QR codes is easier as resolution is not so important.  It uses image sensors and not linear scans, so simple smartphone applications or 2D point-of-sale scanners will suffice.

In terms of generating barcodes, it's easier creating QR codes than PDF417 barcodes.  There are a number of websites and resources that allow users to freely create QR codes.  A lot of the PDF417 scanners are private and require heavy investment or equipment, especially because these barcode types demand high resolution.  The popularity of QR codes is greater than PDF417 in this sense.

Another feature of QR codes is its reliability in storing a large volume of data.  If you look at the table below, you'll notice the differences in capacity for QR codes and PDF417 codes.

	QR Codes	PDF417
Numeric	7098	2710
Alphanumeric	4296	1850
Binary	2953	1018
Kanji	1817	554

Source: Digital Lab, QR Codes: a Point of View

Because of QR codes' large capacity, the one drawback is that the size of the barcode will be larger to store more information.  It will take up more room than the slender PDF417, and this is something that businesses may need to consider when printing or choosing it display it at various locations.  More space for the barcode means less space for other things.

Nowadays, QR codes are mostly used in mobile marketing and business and PDF417 codes are more used in ID cards and transport applications.  Both types of 2D barcodes are unique and host features that make it stand apart from other ones.  If you're business, it's up to you to decide the information you want encoded, how it will be displayed, and what type of barcode would be best suitable for your business goals.

Apple Passbook: Using NFC and QR Codes

Passbook, scheduled for release sometime in September or October of 2012, will become a native app for iOS6 devices.  In essence, it is a digital wallet which stores all your coupons, tickets, and cards into one easy to navigate application.  Apple is not equipped with NFC technology just yet, so Passbook uses 2D barcodes, like QR codes, to encode relevant information for each Passbook pass.  Similar to devices with NFC technology, Passbook allows for mobile marketing, coupon distributions, event ticketing, and mobile payments, but solely relies on 2D barcodes.

QR codes essentially provide most if not all of what NFC provides.  The use of QR codes can challenge NFC outlets as it costs much less to set up and does not have technological complexities tied into it.  The one downside to QR codes is that its security levels aren't up to the standards that NFC provides, but this is a minute handicap.  Even so, QR codes don't require heavy investment in infrastructure because many point of sale scanners or smartphone camera applications can easily scan QR codes.  This works well for businesses who already have 2D enabled scanners at their point-of-sale so they wouldn't need additional equipment.

In terms of consumer adoption, NFC isn't quite there yet compared to QR codes' popularity and use.  NFC's contact-less hardware is very high tech, but in achieving so would require purchasing expensive hardware to use at an outlet.  More consumers are aware of QR codes relative to NFC, as QR codes appear almost everywhere from magazines to billboards.  And the fact that consumers don't need to purchase additional equipment to scan QR codes makes it a more affordable and accessible tool.

Though the number of NFC users continues to grow, it's still insubstantial.  Adopting NFC technology and integrating it into smartphones may be popular in the future, but will take time.  Passbook is a way to rival mobile payment devices that are already using NFC technology, and Passbook passes are capable of carrying out similar transactions without NFC.  Eventually, Apple could adopt NFC so that credit card transactions are possible, but in the meantime it will stick with inexpensive 2D barcodes.

To create your own 2D barcode, either in QR code, Aztec, or PDF417 format, check out this Passbook Barcode Generator.