Five From Five: Scanbuy CEO Sees More Brands & Carriers Moving To Barcode Scanning Apps » mobilegroove

We conclude our series of five innovators in mobile codes (and the year 2010) with Mike Wehrs, CEO of Scanbuy. By way of background, Scanbuy is the leading global provider of mobile barcode solutions that use the camera phone as the link between the physical and digital worlds. The company’s ScanLife solution – which consists of a multi-barcode reader application and interoperable Code Management Platform — has been deployed and supported by leading mobile providers and handset manufacturers in the U.S., Mexico, Chile, Spain, Italy and Denmark. Scanbuy has the largest and oldest patent portfolio of any company in the industry, with over 30 patents granted covering the entire solution.

Mike’s top five predictions for 2011 are:

1.      Mobile barcodes will be used by more than half of Fortune 100 brands by the end of 2011.  This will not only include 2D codes like QR, but we will also see a number of CPG brands leveraging their UPC codes on packaging to connect to the consumer.

2.      Over 100 million people will be using barcode scanning apps across North America and Europe alone by the end of 2011

3.      At least 5 more top tier mobile operators will be offering mobile barcode services directly to their subscribers.  This will be in addition to Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Telefonica, and America Movil.

4.      Data will become the most important benefits for marketers and the ability to purchase in one-click will be one of the primary experiences for consumers after the scan.

5.      Most retailers will have a barcode scanning feature embedded in their mobile apps to give consumers relevant content

In closing this year’s “Five By Five” series, I wish to thank Mike and our four other innovators – Diane Strahan (Neustar), Laura Marriot (NeoMedia), Joe Spiteri (Mobile Data Systems), and Phillip Warbasse (Warbasse Design). I also wish to thank the enthusiastic followers of MSearch Groove for the tremendous feedback to this charter series, and wish everybody in the mobile codes ecosystem a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

Looking forward to more “interactivity” and “interconnectivity” as we head into what surely will be an exciting, hyper-competitive and hyper-creative 2011.

Peggy adds: We step up our analysis of the exciting mobile codes pace on Tuesday (January 4). Upcoming coverage includes more Five From Five interviews and an exclusive podcast with Laura Marriot, CEO, NeoMedia. So please check back!

This entry was posted on Friday, December 31st, 2010 at 4:59 pm and is filed under Barcodes, Mobile Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.