QR or RFID?

In the events industry, keeping track of equipment is a crucial part of event management. Two technologies you can use for equipment tracking are QR scanning and RFID scanning. Both use handheld scanners to collect data. In this post, we look at the pros and cons of each and give some advice on how to choose between them.

QR scanning

QR codes are 2D barcodes that you scan with a handheld device with a camera. They can hold anything from simple text to website links and contact details. In the events industry, QR codes are often printed on equipment tags or labels, so they can be scanned quickly.

Pros

• Easy to set up: QR codes are quick and easy to generate and print.
• Affordable: QR codes are a cost-effective way to track equipment. You can print them in-house and don't need extra hardware.
• User-friendly: most people already know how to scan a QR code, so training your team is usually quick.
• Versatile: you can also use QR codes for other things, like event tickets and marketing.

Cons

• Short range: you have to scan QR codes up close, so they're less suited to equipment that's spread out over a large area.
• Line of sight needed: the scanner has to see the code, which can be hard when a label is in an awkward spot.
• Easily damaged: scratched or damaged codes can be hard or impossible to scan.

RFID scanning

RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags are small, passive tags that respond to a signal from a handheld scanner. Attach them to your equipment to track where it is and where it's going.

Pros

• Longer range: RFID scanners read tags from a distance, so they work well for equipment spread over a large area.
• No line of sight needed: the scanner doesn't need to see the tag, so you can scan equipment that's hidden or inside a case.
• Durable: RFID tags are made for tough conditions, so they're less likely to get damaged or become unreadable.
• Accurate: RFID scanners detect tags reliably, so you can track equipment movement in real time.

Cons

• More expensive: RFID needs dedicated hardware and software, so it costs more than QR scanning.
• Training needed: your team needs some training to use RFID scanners well, as the technology is more complex than QR scanning.

Choosing between QR and RFID

When you choose between QR and RFID for equipment tracking, think about the size of your events, the equipment you track and the resources you have. QR scanning is more affordable and user-friendly, which makes it a good fit for smaller companies. RFID is a better fit for larger companies. In the end, the right choice depends on your company's needs and goals.

Still not sure? Try a sample pack or let us help you choose.