Advantages of Data Matrix

The main advantages of Data Matrix codes are:

High information capacity

Whilst standard one-dimensional (1d) barcodes encode information in a single direction, two-dimensional (2d) codes, such as Data Matrix, store information in both directions, making use of both the height and length of the symbol and offering a higher information density using considerably less space than barcodes.

Number of characters contained in a code displayable on a mobile phone:

Barcode: 8 to 12 digits
Data Matrix: 98 digits or 72 alphanumeric characters

The only way for conventional barcodes to add further information is to greatly extend the length of the barcode making it far more difficult to display on a mobile phone screen.

Only a single SMS

Data contained in a Data Matrix code can be sent in one single text message (SMS) while more than one SMS is needed to send the same amount of data in a barcode. While a barcode always uses 3 SMS, a single SMS is sufficient to send a 16 digit number in a Data Matrix code and up to 60 characters of additional human readable text.

Individual coupons

Mobile coupons and tickets can be generated according to the specific customer's needs and requirements enabling a one-to-one approach and direct marketing.

Statistical data analysis

Additional information contained in a Data Matrix code can be analysed and collected for statistics.

Simple data encryption and data security

2d codes also bring more reliability and security because the stored data can be encrypted. Moreover, the high data capacity allows extra data to be added to the code providing both error detection and error correction.

High degree of redundancy and accurate reading

Because it can hold a much larger volume of data, two-dimensional codes like the Data Matrix provide an excellent amount of redundancy using error correction. Employing the Reed-Solomon error correction, Data Matrix codes can reconstruct up to 20% of damaged characters while barcodes have absolutely no error correction providing simply a check digit for basic error detection. If the barcode is damaged or looses any characters, those characters are lost forever. This enables Data Matrix codes to guarantee a fast and accurate reading where misreading is almost a thing of the past.