Cool Stuff
At designtype we are passionate about all the new cool stuff. If we see functionality and value, we use it, or recommend it to our clients. That said, we’d like to introduce you to Microsoft Tags.
Similar to QR Codes, MS Tags are 2D codes that trigger an action when scanned. MS Tags first appeared in 2010, and when added to “offline” materials, they help bridge printed material and mobile devices, such as the iPhone and Android. Simply put, it’s all about making it easier for your busy audience to connect with you, get your contact information or find your site.
Here is the big thing: Microsoft Tags offer branding customization in a very appealing fashion. Communicators and designers who’ve seen them discover creative ways to embrace mobile marketing in an easy to use, functional way. The added ability to deliver a different experience from multiple scans puts MS tags over top in the 2D barcode scene. It’s not only about marrying print-media and digital content anymore, it‘s about connecting, delivery of instant information, interaction and even entertaining your target audience in ways never seen before.
Try updating a QR code link or action, for example. Good luck. With MS Tags, you can update what your code does, when you need to update it. As a bonus, you can customize the design of it, with your own graphic or logo - the creative possibilities are endless.
Measuring effectiveness
How many times do you hear the client ask for some sort of ROI report? Marketers will be pleasantly surprised to find analytics capabilities built-in right into the Tag Manager app, so measuring how successful your campaign is can be done in a matter of minutes, thus providing full reports on scan frequency, time frame and user’s location. Personally, one of the most fascinating features I find is the app’s ability to provide a “heat map”, giving you exactly the geographical campaign’s hot spots that allows you to refine your message, rethink your strategy, and adjust your campaign budget.
Other benefits

If you have QR Reader installed on your mobile phone and have used it in the past, downloading MS Tag would give you a better perspective of the MS Tag advantages: faster scanning, support for multiple languages, location based GPS distribution, and tag design customization.
Designtype’s recommendation
When looking at all the different interaction sceneries for marketing, do not shy away from what is simply ahead of you. Your clients expect what works from you, and they want to stay ahead of their competition. MS Tags brings functionality to your marketing campaigns. Embracing them may be your best move for your next marketing campaign.
Milton
