Why Secure Codes Must Go Beyond the Standard QR Code

Why Secure Codes Must Go Beyond the Standard QR Code

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of AIM Global

Automatic identification and data capture technologies are now embedded across modern supply chains, consumer engagement, and government programs. But as adoption has grown, so has a common misunderstanding: not every visible code is a security feature. A standard QR code can be highly effective for linking to information or enabling routine identification, but if it can be photographed, copied, and reproduced, it offers limited protection against fraud, counterfeiting, diversion, or misuse. 

For applications where trust matters, secure coding must combine authentication and traceability. Authentication helps determine whether an item is genuine. Traceability helps establish where it has been, whether it is in the correct channel, and whether its history is consistent with expectation. When these capabilities are combined, organizations gain more than a code on a product or document; they gain a practical mechanism for identifying copied items, duplicate events, suspicious movements, and abnormal supply-chain activity.

This is relevant across both commercial and government markets. In commercial sectors, the challenge may be counterfeit goods, gray-market diversion, warranty abuse, or unauthorized production overruns. In government applications, the same core issue appears in a different form: the need to protect secure ID, tax stamps, and secure documents from copying, substitution, and misuse. In both cases, a code that is easy to duplicate is not enough. 

A secure solution must also be practical to deploy. It needs to work within existing manufacturing and marking environments, whether printed onto labels and packaging or laser-marked directly onto the product itself. It must function reliably at production speed and across a wide range of substrates, from paper and plastic to metal, industrial components, luxury goods, and even diamonds. That flexibility is often what separates a promising concept from a scalable security solution.

Growing incidents of QR code related fraud, identity theft, and cyber-attacks have added a further concern. Threats such as Quishing (QR phishing) and QR-Jacking (QR code replacement) have led cyber security organizations, government agencies, and law enforcement to advise caution around the use of standard QR codes. This places QR code-based security solutions in a difficult position, particularly where the visible code itself can be copied or substituted and consumers are told not to scan. This challenge may increase further as initiatives such as Digital Product Passports and GS1 Sunrise 2027 expand the use of QR-based data carriers in the years ahead.

This is where iTRACE has established a strong position. iTRACE’s patented 2DMI technology is designed to move beyond the limitations of ordinary visible codes by combining secure authentication with traceability in a form that can be applied to labels, packaging, and products directly. With more than a decade of development and successful implementations across multiple markets, iTRACE has shown how secure coding can support both commercial brand protection and government applications including ID, tax stamps, and secure documents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of India’s leading private universities, with a campus population of over 70,000 students, faculty, and staff, set out to modernize its campus operations through intelligent automation. The objective was clear: deploy a scalable, secure, and reliable AIDC-based solution that could simplify attendance tracking, automate entrances, and streamline student leave management, while supporting high user volumes and daily peak traffic.

To achieve this, ID Tech Solutions designed and implemented a fully integrated AIDC Technology Solution combining facial recognition devices, automated turnstiles, and centralized management software.

Solution Overview

The deployed solution covers three core operational areas:

    • Attendance Management
    • Entrance Automation
    • Student Leave Management

The system includes 400 advanced facial recognition devices with a user capacity of up to 1 lakh users, ensuring scalability well beyond the university’s current requirement of 70,000 users. These devices are strategically installed across academic buildings, hostels, and campus entry points to capture attendance and access events in real time.

For secure and controlled access, IDT T8000 heavy-duty motorized turnstiles were deployed at key entrances. Designed for high-traffic environments, the turnstiles offer fast response times, smooth throughput, and reliable operation during peak hours, making them ideal for large educational campuses.

Technical Innovation through AIDC

The facial recognition devices enable contactless identification, eliminating the need for ID cards or manual registers. With high-speed face matching, large template storage, and accurate detection, the system ensures:

    • Fast user authentication
    • Elimination of proxy attendance 
    • High accuracy even during crowd movement

The AIDC framework automatically captures entry, exit, and attendance data and syncs it with the central platform. This real-time data flow provides administrators with instant visibility into campus activity.

The student leave management module integrates seamlessly with the access control system. Approved leaves are automatically reflected in access permissions, reducing manual verification and ensuring compliance with university policies.

Operational Impact

The implementation has significantly improved overall campus operations:

    • Attendance processes are now fully automated, saving time for faculty and administrative staff
    • Entrance automation has improved security and crowd management, especially during peak hours
    • Manual effort and paperwork have been reduced, improving operational efficiency
    • Real-time data availability supports faster decision-making and better planning

The system has also enhanced the student experience by enabling smooth, contactless movement across campus while maintaining strict access control.

About ID Tech

With nearly two decades of experience, ID Tech specializes in automating identity, security, and traceability through innovative and reliable AIDC technologies. Our solutions are designed to simplify operations, improve accuracy, and enhance security across high-volume environments.

ID Tech (https://www.idsolutionsindia.com/) is a trusted partner for India’s leading universities, where our solutions are widely used to automate student attendance, library systems, entrance and access control, and other campus operations. By combining technologies such as RFID, facial recognition, biometrics, and automated access systems, we help institutions build smart, secure, and future-ready campuses.

AIM Global Announces Top Innovators in 2026 Case Study Competition

AIM Global Announces Top Innovators in 2026 Case Study Competition

Pittsburgh, PA, May 12, 2026 – AIM, the trusted global authority in barcode, biometrics, IoT, NFC, RFID, RTLS, and RAIN technologies for over 50 years is proud to announce the winners of its annual Case Study Competition, spotlighting the next generation of innovators solving critical supply chain challenges. These pioneering solutions showcase forward-thinking strategies designed to strengthen global supply chain resilience and efficiency.

AIM experienced an unprecedented surge in interest for this year’s competition, yielding a record-breaking volume of submissions. The RFID category features three winners, a first time occurrence, highlighting excellence across healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. Furthermore, two winners are honored in the AIDC category for outstanding achievements in logistics and manufacturing.

“True innovation doesn’t just solve today’s challenges; it redefines the possibilities for tomorrow. We honor these partners for driving the technological advancements that elevate our entire industry,” shared Mary Lou Bosco, CEO, AIM Global.

 

Blockchain Winner

SAIT

Securing the blockchain category award for the second time, SAIT’s BeautyID enabled a cosmetic manufacturer to achieve full product traceability and anti-counterfeiting. Their solution blends RFID, QR codes, and blockchain to boost logistics, curb grey markets, and meet Digital Product Passport standards while preserving original packaging design.

IoT Winner

VueMed

MultiCare has achieved a new standard in operational efficiency with VueMed’s VueStat solution, transforming its clinical inventory management into a centralized, real-time powerhouse. The strategic overhaul cut manual scanning by over 50% and reduced travel costs by $120,000 annually, empowering the organization to scale effectively without added staffing pressures.

AIDC Winners:

Warehousing  – Loftware

 Lubrizol transformed its global labeling operations by implementing a cloud-based solution that seamlessly integrates Loftware with SAP. Moving from manual, pre-printed labels to on-demand automation, Lubrizol significantly improved regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Key achievements include reducing label stock types from 20 to 5, lowering maintenance costs by approximately 30%, and enhancing overall sustainability.

Logistics – Tactical Edge

Transforming logistics tracking for a major client, Tactical Edge’s hybrid solution integrated GPS and BLE technology to provide real-time, pallet-level visibility across all transportation modes—truck, rail, ship, and barge. This digitization effectively eliminated visibility gaps, streamlined operations, and cut infrastructure and labor costs.

RFID Winners:

Healthcare – Tadbik Advanced Technologies Ltd.

 Eliminating the blind spot in healthcare consignment, Tadbik’s innovative, removable RAIN RFID labels provided secure, serialized tracking without compromising manufacturer packaging for their customer. This solution offers fast deployment, superior inventory accuracy, and guaranteed protection for high-value assets.

Logistics – Anantics

 By implementing a mobile-first passive RFID solution, Anantics transformed how their customer tracks high-value infrastructure. Automating data capture via readers on maintenance vehicles, the system improved safety, provided real-time tracking, and eliminated substantial inventory write-offs.

Manufacturing – Zebra Technologies

 Addressing critical supply chain bottlenecks, Cepheid partnered with Zebra Technologies to launch an advanced RFID-powered inventory solution. This shift to a seamless ‘grab-and-go’ model transformed efficiency, cutting checkout times by over 95% and guaranteeing full digital traceability. As a result, Cepheid achieved a 15% increase in manufacturing output and a 10% surge in productivity.

Winners will be honored at industry events and will have the opportunity to present their winning case studies to industry peers. To learn more about the winning case studies visit AIM’s Resource Center.

 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact AIM’s headquarters by email or call +1.724.742.4470.

AIM Community and Innovation Take Center Stage at LogiMAT 2026

AIM Community and Innovation Take Center Stage at LogiMAT 2026

The 2026 LogiMAT show was a great success for AIM and its members as the show recorded the highest number of visitors ever.

Once again, the AIM Community Booth was completely sold out.

Participating members included:

BlueStar / Checkpoint / Deister Electronic / Dynamic Systems / Fraunhofer IIS / Gustav Wilms / Microsensys / Modi / SATO / Schneider-Kennzeichnung / Schreiner Group

The three daily shows in the AIM Tracking & Tracing Theater attracted even more visitors than in previous years. Immediately after the sessions, the T&TT partners were able to follow up with interested visitors and reported very promising leads.

The T&TT Show partners for 2026 were:
All for One Group / Balluff / CANCOM / Datalogic / Leuze / Logopak / Omlox (PNO) with Flowcate and SynchronicIT

Demonstrated solutions included Print & Apply solutions, commissioning processes, AIDC solutions for production processes, AI-supported quality management using vision systems, RTLS solutions, and data integration into ERP and SAP systems. Once again, it was especially interesting to see that we were able to attract non-members to the Tracking & Tracing Theater (in contrast to the AIM Community Booth, which is reserved exclusively for members).

In the AIM ident-Experts Forum, Leuze, Balluff, and Microsensys delivered insightful presentations on how AIDC technologies are enabling the digitalization of the supply chain.

Looking ahead to 2027, next years LogiMAT will be held in Stuttgart, Germany on March 16-18. 

 

 

Connecting Ideas, Leaders, and Technology: AIM India’s Highlights from Key Industry Summits

Connecting Ideas, Leaders, and Technology: AIM India’s Highlights from Key Industry Summits

AIM India was pleased to participate in the India AI Impact Summit 2026, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. Ms. Mamta Bhatnagar, General Manager at AIM India, attended the summit, engaging with policymakers, technology leaders, and industry experts from across the country. The event provided an excellent opportunity to explore the increasing convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Automatic Identification & Data Capture (AIDC) technologies. Together, these technologies promise to enable smarter decision-making, improved traceability, and greater operational efficiency across diverse industries.

AIM India Participates in the Rising Bharat Summit

AIM India recently participated in the Rising Bharat Summit, a prominent event dedicated to showcasing India’s advancements in growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The summit served as a valuable platform for engaging with the diverse voices shaping the nation’s future.
The event facilitated insightful discussions among policymakers, business executives, innovators, and changemakers, focusing on India’s dynamic economic landscape and emerging opportunities. Conversations centered around technology, manufacturing, governance, and the crucial role of industry in fostering a stronger India.

Ms. Mamta Bhatnagar, General Manager at AIM India, engaged with industry leaders and connected with emerging influencers who are actively contributing to the evolving business ecosystem.

Insights from Chintan Shivir on Strengthening India’s Medical Devices Export Ecosystem

On March 14, 2026, Director Sanjive Mehta and General Manager Mamta Bhatnagar represented our organization at the Chintan Shivir held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The event, centered on “Achieving 30@30 – USD 30 Billion MedTech Market Size by 2030,” provided valuable perspectives on the future of India’s MedTech industry.

 

Sessions focused on critical areas such as global trade deals, strengthening the Indian MedTech ecosystem, building “Brand India,” and navigating regulatory challenges. The event offered insightful, forward-looking discussions on the sector’s growth potential and future direction.

Aligned with this vision, our organization remains committed to integrating AIDC technologies to enhance resource management, operational efficiency, and scalability, thereby supporting the continued growth and global competitiveness of the MedTech sector.

Shaping India’s Future: AIM India at the Times Now Summit 2026

AIM India’s General Manager, Mamta Bhatnagar, participated in the Times Now Summit 2026 – Roadmap from Vision to Reality, held on March 26th in New Delhi. The summit convened leaders in policy, technology, and innovation to discuss India’s trajectory, with a focus on leveraging AI and technology for a more efficient future by 2047. These discussions, ranging from navigating the AI revolution to powering India’s journey to 2047, directly align with AIM India’s core mission: to drive the adoption of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technology. By enabling businesses to transition from manual processes to automated, data-driven solutions, AIM India champions data integrity, process efficiency, and smart automation – values critical to India’s growth as a global powerhouse. We are proud to contribute to the ongoing conversation shaping India’s future.

Interactions Sparking Possibilities and Inspiring Progress

We recently had the distinct pleasure of hosting Yaw Peng, NG, Head of Business Development – Asia Pacific at EM Microelectronic, during his visit to India. Mr. Peng connected with Sanjive Mehta, one of our Directors, at the Grand Hyatt, Gurgaon.

The conversation proved both insightful and inspiring, exploring the vision underpinning various AIM chapters. Discussions centred on how each chapter drives regional impact and collectively contributes to the growth and awareness of AIDC technology. The exchange of ideas, complemented by engaging discussions, moments of levity, and informal refreshments, created a genuinely enriching experience.

 

We are enthusiastic about future prospects and anticipate building stronger synergies with AIM Asia and its constituent chapters. The opportunity to unite all chapters in a collaborative session, fostering the exchange of ideas and the development of meaningful advancements within the AIDC industry, is a prospect we keenly embrace.

Here’s to stronger collaborations, bigger ideas, and shaping the future of AIDC together!