Mobile Real Estate Tagging: Interactive 2D Barcode Reader
I wanted to share something with you today that is really, really cool. It’s Mobile Tagging: the Interactive 2D Barcode Reader from Microsoft. What if your potential customers (both buyers and sellers) were walking around with a 2D barcode scanner in their pocket? Well, they are. And the next question is how can this impact your business?
Here’s a summary from Microsoft about the Microsoft Tag technology:
Microsoft Tag is a breakthrough technology that transforms everyday things in the real world into live links to online information and entertainment.
From your mobile phone, simply snap or scan a Tag image anywhere you see it – in editorials, advertisements, product packaging, signs and storefronts – and gain instant access to Websites, videos, reviews, schedules, contact information, social networks, discounts, promotions and more!
All you need to do is download the free Tag reader on your web enabled camera phone and when you see a Tag, snap or scan it to interact with the world around you in new ways!
For today’s demonstration about the new technology from Microsoft, I set out to see how hard/long this would take. I’m happy to report that it took less than 5 minutes to get setup and running with Microsoft Tag. That’s right, I had this technology implemented and running on my phone and my site in under 5 minutes.
In today’s example, I’ll be using my profile from a new site that we launched this week – Real Estate Agent Resume. The possibilities are endless for real estate applications.
Example of using 2D Barcode Reading on your social profiles
After working at CareerBuilder for all those years (8 actually), resumes are very near and dear to my heart. I always thought it would be cool to give real estate agents a way to share their ‘public’ real estate resume if you will…and those ideas all culminated into the launch of a new site which we rolled out this week: Real Estate Agent Resume.
I’ll be using my profile on REAR as the example of how the Microsoft Tagging platform can be implemented, but you can easily use any link, URL, landing page, etc. for combining Microsoft Tags and your online presence.
You might be wondering what the differences are between Microsoft Tag and QR Codes. That article goes over the advantages/disadvantages of each type. In a nutshell, Microsoft Tag will allow you to create a unique tag that can be tied directly to any page, site, URL, etc. (Think your home page, Twitter URL, Facebook Profile, you name it). You can then print that tag out, put it on a listing flyer, business card, heck, even your car window if you wanted.
Next, anyone with a mobile device using the Microsoft tag reader just snaps a picture of your tag and voila, they’re taken directly to your URL that was associated with that Tag.
Creating and using your first Microsoft Tag
Creating a new tag is very simple. Once you’re logged into your account, just click create Tag, then assign a URL to the tag you’re creating. After tag creation, you’ll see it in your list of available tags to manage like so:
From here, you can download, email, print and take actions on the tag. If you wanted to get the tag as a PDF or JPG to use inside a flyer or on a site, just download the tag. Here’s my tag I created for my profile page on Real Estate Agent Resume:
If you’ve downloaded the Microsoft Tag Reader to your phone – (Currently supported OS/Devices include: Android,Blackberry,iPhone,J2ME,Java 2 Micro Edition,PalmOS,Symbian S60,Symbian S60 1st Edit,Symbian S60 2nd Edit,Symbian S60 3rd Edit,Symbian S60 5th Edit,Windows Mobile,Windows Phone), take a picture of the tag above with your phone and you’ll be taken directly to my profile page on REAR.
There are so many uses for this application in the Real Estate space – I’d love to hear what you all think? Do you think Microsoft Tag will catch on? If so, how can you see yourself using it?
Cheers, Matthew
Useful links from this article:
Download the Microsoft Tag Reader to your phone
Tag and QR code differences
Microsoft Tag
mlbroadcast
Posted at 11:26h, 19 MarchI think you will see these type of tags (more commonly referred to as QR codes which stand for Quick Response) used on signage and other places such as mall kiosks etc. It will follow other industries like Chevrolet, which recently tested QR codes at SxSW http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1043…
Andy
Posted at 14:39h, 19 MarchYou are absolutely right about barcodes being a great idea for use by Realtors. Having a barcode on all printed materials as well as For Sale and For Lease signs will be a reality shortly. I was a Realtor back in the eighties and remember how cell phones made a huge difference… barcodes may not be as big, but they are going to help. I'm not so sure Microsoft Tag will be the technology that catches on though, it more likely will be QR Code. I started a small website about cell phones and the new use of barcodes, hoping to help educate those who are new to all of this (as I was just a short time ago). On the main page I explain why I think QR Code might be taking a lead.
Thanks
Andy 🙂
— http://www.cellphone-barcode.com —
David Marine - Coldwell Banker
Posted at 07:06h, 22 Marchthis very cool. we used this similar technology for our Coldwell Banker app on the Microsoft Surface, where agents could just slap their custom bar code down on the Surface and it would bring up their listings on a map. I like that this application is being encourage more for use on social spaces than on yard signs as I'm not sure how many folks are walking up to yard signs to use this.
matthewswanson
Posted at 13:42h, 22 MarchVery good points David about the yard signs. I could see a drive by buyer possibly using this from their cell. It's so nice that MSFT and others are making this easy, even for non technical folks to create interesting technology for use in the real world. Cheers, Matthew
cozmiuk
Posted at 08:25h, 05 AugustWe've had the same type of technology implemented last year in our University's library.
Kim Wallace
Posted at 17:22h, 09 MayYes, Matthew, I think there's great potential for the 2D Barcode Reader in the Los Angeles real estate business. I think more and more people will have a shortcut to the tag reader on their phone.
Kim Wallace
Posted at 00:22h, 10 MayYes, Matthew, I think there's great potential for the 2D Barcode Reader in the Los Angeles real estate business. I think more and more people will have a shortcut to the tag reader on their phone.
Manila Real Estate
Posted at 08:45h, 20 AugustThis is a very interesting technology. This could help well if you are selling properties and want to show them on the web. Just snap it and the needed information shows. I could think of a hundred ways to use this tool, the possibilities are just endless!
Sohiwolf
Posted at 20:55h, 15 MarchIf you don’t have the capability of loading apps to your phone but can do text messaging you can use a mobile platform called IZIGG. Instead of a barcode your customer simply needs to text your “mobil name” to 90210, they get a mobile business card and you get their phone number to call while they are standing right there in front of the property you have for sale. If they aren’t interested in that property you can send a text message to your data base anytime you have a new listing. To learn more check out the website, watch the video in the cell phone shaped screen in the middle then watch the 4 videos to the right and learn how to do your own mobile marketing. If you have any questions: Text Nanette to 90210.
Jim
Posted at 15:57h, 11 MayHello,
I know I am a bit late on this thread. Today I was looking for info on QR readers because everyone in my office is starting to use them and I wanted to understand them more. I guess the concept has really taken off, but I don’t ever hear about the Micro soft reader you are talking about here, is it still being used and if so would an app like my iPhone QR reader be able to read the Microsoft one or would they have to use the MS reader.
Real Estate Services
Posted at 11:01h, 09 AugustWhile we remain a locally owned and operated company, a rarity in the real estate world.
Lora Aroy
Posted at 03:26h, 23 SeptemberCreating a new tag is very simple. Once you are logged into your account, just click create Tag, then assign a URL to the tag you are creating. After tag creation, you’ll see it in your list of available tags. You can download more tags from web.