Scanbuy Adds 'Scan & Send' Feature to Give MMS Capable Camera Phones Access to Mobile Barcodes Without an Application

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Scanbuy, Inc. (www.scanbuy.com), the global leader in mobile barcode solutions, today announced that it has greatly expanded on its "Scan & Send" service with the addition of MMS support and now supporting all major open barcode formats.  This groundbreaking and industry consolidating capability allows any MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) capable camera phone to leverage the ScanLife technology to scan barcodes without any mobile application. The feature makes standard barcodes accessible to more than 190 million U.S. camera phones.  The system uses standard code formats which can be accessed by the tens of millions of people that already have a barcode scanning application. Scanbuy is currently the only mobile barcode solutions provider offering this complete service.

Users can snap an ordinary picture of a standard barcode, and send it to the ScanLife system by MMS to 43588 or email to [email protected].  The Code Management Platform decodes the image as if it was being done by the ScanLife app on a phone and instructs the phone to take the assigned action for that code.  Actions include linking to specified content, like a video, saving contact information, dialing a phone number and many other actions enabled by ScanLife.  If the user's phone supports it, they will also be given an option to download the free ScanLife app to make their future scanning easier and faster.

The Scan & Send system works with QR, Datamatrix, EZcode, and even UPC codes with an autofocus camera.  These devices can access the ScanLife Shopper engine which provides a wide variety of information from product UPC codes like prices, reviews, coupons and more.  Customers that create and manage 2D codes can access ScanLife's integrated analytics platform to gain insight on every engagement.  This solution is being introduced as a U.S. based service available to customers of the top three carriers (Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Sprint) using the common short code of 43588.  For customers on other carriers, sending the picture via email allows for the same user experience overall with a few more keystrokes.

"The Scan & Send system is a great way to reach feature phone users and allow them to utilize standard mobile barcodes," said Mike Wehrs, CEO and President of Scanbuy. "Scanbuy's technology now allows a brand, agency or retailer to reach at least 80% of today's camera phone users with industry standard barcodes.  The user experience now ranges from taking a picture and sending it (a seven keystroke solution) to a zero click, very fast recognition when using the ScanLife app on the over 190 models of phones that are supported.  Mobile barcode scanning is becoming mainstream with a 1600% increase in traffic in 2010, and tens of millions of users equipped with barcode scanning apps.  This is a perfect time to open the technology to even more users who want to connect from the physical world."

To try the service, an image of a code can be sent to 43588 or [email protected], or to get the ScanLife reader, visit www.getscanlife.com from a mobile browser.  

About Scanbuy

Scanbuy is the leading global provider of mobile barcode solutions that use the camera phone as the link between the physical world and the digital world. The ScanLife solution consists of a multi-barcode reader application and interoperable Code Management Platform. The technology has been successfully deployed and supported by leading mobile providers and handset manufacturers in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Italy and Denmark. Media companies and marketers use the solution to create and manage measurable 2D barcode campaigns, extending brand engagement onto mobile devices.

Scanbuy has the largest and oldest patent portfolio of any company in the industry, with over 30 patents granted covering the entire solution. The company's investors include Motorola Ventures, Hudson Ventures, Masthead Venture Partners, and Longworth Venture Partners.

For more information on Scanbuy, please visit www.scanbuy.com or www.scanlife.com.

SOURCE Scanbuy, Inc.