Let’s talk some more about QR codes. With QR codes, you have the ability to add a hyperlink to the QR code which will open a specific web location.  Most QR codes are static, which means that you can only add a link when the tag is created.  This means you have to think very carefully about where you want to “point” the QR code.  There are dynamic QR codes that can be generated but the process is more complicated than using static codes.

If you are using a third-party tag printer, you need to provide the specific web location that you want the scan of QR code to take someone, and provide that information to the printer so they can create the codes properly.  

The problem with pointing your QR codes (assuming they are static) to your current CMMS system is what happens if you want to change CMMS software.  If the QR code goes to let’s say Archibus and you want to change to Asset Works, you have to retag, as it is highly unlikely that Archibus is going to repoint you to one of their competitors..

As a result, before you start printing or ordering tags you need to think about where you want them to point before you move forward.  There really are three options:

First option, you can point them towards your current CMMS system.  If your CMMS is deeply embedded within your operations and it is highly unlikely that you will ever change, this will probably make the most sense.  However, this is a “forever” type decision.  If you, or some future person sitting in your seat wants to change CMMS systems, you would essentially have to retag all of your equipment with new tags that point to your new CMMS system.

Option 2 is to point them to a website (your intranet site perhaps) that you control.  At that point you can build the infrastructure to repoint the QR code to the proper place within your current CMMS system.  This essentially would mean that the QR code would take a user to your server and then you would redirect it to your current CMMS system.  If/when you change systems your IT team would have to adjust the location that it sends the user once they are directed to your site.  If you have a robust IT team that includes web developers this is probably the best option as you are in total control. 

The third option, if you don’t have a skilled IT development team on-staff, is to work with a QR code warehousing company.  In this case your QR codes would point to a third-party web location and then they would redirect to your CMMS.  In the event that you change your CMMS, you would work with your provider to repoint to your new system.  There would obviously be a fee associated with the warehousing and the repointing, but in general the fees are relatively low for each tag compared to the price of retagging or hiring a robust IT team.  

There is no right answer that suits all organizations.  The main point of this post is to point out that you should make sure you are thinking about your QR codes, and you pick a path forward rather than just go ahead and produce QR codes that go nowhere, or somewhere that you don’t want them to.