Adobe, Bar None

Joe Wilcox | March 08, 2004, 02:48 PM

Today, Adobe announced 2-D barcode technology that builds off the company’s success with PDF. I saw a demonstration last week of this impressive technology.

The problem Adobe is seeking to solve: Wasted time re-keying paper form information, a process that also could introduce errors into the data-entry process. The technology works like this: As the person enters information into the electronic version of the form, the process generates a barcode for retrieving the information. Adobe chose to support Extensible Markup Language (XML), which makes the data fairly consumable by many businesses--all with the ease of a quick scan using a standard 2-D barcode reader.

I can envision all kinds of uses. I’ve been having problems with my dentist because somehow the billing office is using some unknown address. How convenient if I could have entered the information into a form, hit print and brought that into the dentist office for scanning and importing into its database. Why not have a terminal in the office where patients enter the information?

In my past life as a reporter, back when I covered state and local government, I profiled the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and state of Texas tax systems. Both governments were trying to automate tax processes that were then largely done manually. Minutes are precious to states trying to bank tax payments so they will accrue interest faster. Then there is the issue of quickly pumping out those pesky checks to consumers hungry for their refunds.

A state or federal agency already heavily invested in PDF could use the 2-D barcode technology to speed the tax return process. Apparently, that’s what the U.S. Internal Revenue Service is considering. Today, Adobe announced that the IRS had entered trials with the 2-D technology.

The product makes sense in part because Adobe didn’t try to invent cumbersome new processes. The PDF form already is a familiar commodity as are 2-D barcode readers--hell, my local supermarket has a self-service checkout where the customer scans the goods. By extending something familiar, Adobe has positioned its 2-D barcode technology for brisker adoption than had the company chosen a build-new-processes approach.

Adobe hasn’t yet announced pricing for the 2-D barcode technology, which formally ships in the second half.