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Scan a barcode

Use the device camera to scan a QR code or barcode label and jump to the matching task point.

Required role

Technician, Mapper, Supervisor, Admin — any role with mobile.qr.scan.

Overview

Barcode / QR-code scanning is the alternative to NFC for opening a task point. It's slower than NFC (you have to frame the camera) but more forgiving — barcodes don't need a phone held right against them, they work on any reasonable phone, and they survive in conditions that degrade NFC reads.

Use barcodes when:

  • The site doesn't have NFC infrastructure installed.
  • The asset location makes NFC awkward (phone can't physically reach the tag).
  • The NFC tag on an asset is damaged and awaiting replacement.

The app decodes many barcode formats; the most common in practice is QR because it encodes more and decodes from further away.

Prerequisites

  • Your device has a working camera.
  • The app has camera permission (granted at first use or in OS settings).
  • The asset has a printed QR / barcode label bound to a task point.

Supported formats

Format Typical use
QR code Most common; highest data density; easy to print at any size.
Code 128 Linear barcode; fine for simple IDs.
Code 39 Older linear standard; still common on industrial labels.
EAN-13 Retail-style barcode; rarely seen in industrial plants.
UPC-A Same.
Data Matrix Compact 2D format; seen on etched asset labels.

If you have labels in a format not on this list, talk to your Mapper — they may need to switch label generators.

Steps

1. Tap the scan icon

Top-right of main screens. Same icon as NFC — the app decides which to use based on what the camera / NFC antenna detects first.

If your device has NFC, the default is NFC. Tap a second time (or swipe) to switch to barcode mode explicitly.

2. Frame the code

The camera view opens with a viewfinder overlay. Aim the camera so the code is roughly centred. You don't need millimetre precision — the decoder is fast and tolerates angle.

Tips:

  • Hold the phone 10–30 cm away. Closer isn't better; the camera can't focus.
  • Steady the phone. Shaking drops frame rate; decoder wants clean frames.
  • Good lighting helps. If the label is in shadow, turn on the device flashlight (icon in the viewfinder).

3. Wait for the decode

Typically under a second. The app vibrates and beeps (if sounds are on).

4. Result

Same as NFC: the matching task point opens. If multiple tasks are queued on it, pick one.

Work begins. Continue with Executing a task.

Drill into the asset to find the specific task point.

The code doesn't match anything in your company's data. Possible reasons:

  • The label was printed for a different tenant.
  • The task point has been deleted.
  • The code is from somewhere else (a shipping label, a vendor tag) that isn't meant for the platform.

Report to your Mapper.

Flashlight / torch

In a dark area:

  1. Tap the flashlight icon in the viewfinder.
  2. The torch turns on.
  3. Scan as usual.
  4. The torch stays on until you close the viewfinder or tap again.

Don't leave the torch on unnecessarily — it drains battery quickly.

Multiple barcodes in view

If two or more codes are in the camera's view (a label with multiple barcodes, or two adjacent labels), the decoder picks one (usually the largest / most-centred). Move closer to the one you want until only it is in the viewfinder.

Scan vs tree navigation

  • Scan: you're at the asset, have the label, want speed.
  • Tree (Hierarchy browser): you're not at the asset, or the label is damaged / missing.

See Browsing the hierarchy.

Offline scanning

Barcode scanning works fully offline. The code data is decoded on-device; matching to a task point uses the local cache. No network needed.

Differences from NFC

NFC Barcode
Speed ~1 second ~1–3 seconds
Proximity Must touch / be within a few cm 10–30 cm from camera
Robustness Tag-dependent; sensitive to metal, moisture Surface-dependent; needs clean, unobstructed label
Flashlight needed? No Yes in dark
Works through a phone case Sometimes Always
Works if label damaged N/A No — physical labels degrade

Most sites use a mix: NFC as the primary, barcode as the fallback for locations that defeat NFC.

Things to watch for

Use the flashlight

In a dimly-lit plant, the flashlight halves the scan time. It's not cheating.

Don't scan at extreme angles

The decoder wants the label roughly perpendicular to the camera. 30° off-axis is fine, 70° off-axis starts failing.

QR beats 1D barcodes at distance

If your plant supports both, QR is typically a better format — reads from further, tolerates more damage, encodes more data.

Troubleshooting

Problem Fix
Scan won't start Camera permission; check OS settings
Decoder can't see the code Clean the lens; improve lighting; use the flashlight
"Unknown code" Code doesn't match any task point; report to Mapper
Viewfinder freezes Kill the app and reopen; low-end devices occasionally hang
Decodes the wrong code (two in view) Move closer to the one you want