This is an email I sent to a customer this morning. I thought it was worth sharing.
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Here's a link to our site for uploading XML files…and automatically generating a URL & corresponding QR code.
This allow us to embed an unlimited amount of data into a 1" x 1" code that travels very well on paper medium. The quality level we use allows for approx. 30% of the code to be missing/unreadable…and it still works. It works from a PDF, on-screen or scanned image files (300 dpi recommended). Our QR Codes rendered at 1" x 1" also work after faxing (usually 200 dpi standard). Using a site like bitly.com to shorten the URL can produce QR codes that can be even smaller like 3/8" x 3/8". At that size…they could be placed inside a door opening on a floor plan (not ideal for us…but possible). This would be useful for Architects like CannonDesign who use a "pie" symbol next to each opening. And, could contain all the data about that opening (wall thickness, anchor types etc)
Key Benefits:
1. Provides data-sharing benefits of BIM, but on jobs with 2D paper-based construction docs.
2. QR Codes can be read by $300 USB hand-held scanners for desktop use, wireless 2D bar-code scanners ($500-600) as well as smart-phones (with free/cheap app)
Aside form that, the technology is free to use.
3. Because XML is a text-based technology…you can use text-compare utilities to evaluate changes between versions. More robust data-analysis & comparison is available with custom-programming
4. XML is very easy for modern programming languages (e.g. Microsoft .Net) to digest, and can store a virtually unlimited amount of data. This allows for time-saving imports into programs like T.O.P. (Total Openings Pro), avoiding manual data re-entry
5. QRXML.com (by TOAD, LLC) provides free storage of XML documents stored on Amazon web-services.
6. XML can also store binary data, such as images & PDFs, or even DWG files form AutoCAD.
Imagine a Door Schedule QR code containing schedule data, elevation images, cross-section details and PDFs of related specifications.
Generating all of this could be automated by AutoDesk developers, making it a seamless process for the Architect.
7. The QR Code simply encodes a web-URL to an XML file. The XML files could also be "nested".
So, for example, a master XML file could contain links to other XML files with content.
This allows for a very organized & inexpensive way to manage & share data to multiple stakeholders.
8. All of the tools are non-proprietary. Users could choose to host their XML files on SharePoint, FTP, Website or other online Content/Project Management System
I created QRXML.com as the engine for bar-coding features within our software (TOAD-CRT).
But, it's such a powerful tool and so easy to use that I decided to make it accessible for anyone to use for free.
We didn't invent QR codes, XML files, or web-hosting. But we are surely among the first (if not the only) to leverage all of these technologies together.
QRXML makes it possible to publish an entire "web" of documents in a very small, easily-portable 2D-bar-code image.
We welcome the opportunity for dialog with the Architectural community.
TOAD, LLC is available for custom-programming to provide seamless integration with other business process software.
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