Skycore, a mobile value added service provider and developers of codeREADr, a commercial barcode scanning app and Software-as-Service (SaaS) platform, announced new codeREADr functionality, the reading and processing of data embedded in Near Field Communications (NFC) shelf labels.  With codeREADr, merchants can replace barcodes with NFC to simply tap to order items from suppliers while using the consumer-facing label for interactive QR codes.

When the NFC shelf label is tapped, the codeREADr app checks the embedded code against an on-device or online database. If the item is in the database, the app displays related information, such as item description, pricing, availability and (optionally) hot links for more information. The app user enters order quantities and, when done, uploads their order.  All of this information is invisibly embedded in the label, allowing room for a QR code for consumer facing engagement.

"Merchants currently use codeREADr for custom Scan-to-Order services by either scanning the UPC/EAN code on the item or scanning a special barcode on the shelf label, often representing an internal item number," said Rich Eicher, CEO of Skycore LLC.

The barcode app is available for iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices, however only codeREADr for Android is currently NFC enabled.