Cambridge-based software company Orca Scan has partnered with the UK arm of the global not-for-profit association, GS1 UK, to revolutionise barcodes used in retail. 

The partners will assist brands in upgrading from traditional barcodes for retail products to GS1 Digital Link QR codes.  

This initiative marks Orca Scan as the first GS1-approved platform to fully integrate with the GS1 resolver ecosystem, providing detailed product information openly. 

The collaboration enables brands to create and manage bespoke QR codes using the Orca Scan platform, adhering to the GS1 standard.  

When scanned by a smartphone camera, the codes offer consumers instant access to product information including nutritional facts, videos and ingredient details, directly connecting them to the brand's digital presence. 

Orca Scan CEO John Doherty stated: "This solution will eliminate consumers' reliance on search engines for product information, eradicate the need for brands to send product details to retailers via spreadsheets, and negate the pre-reloading of databases with product data in point of sale and warehouse management systems. We are excited to bring Orca Scan's hyper-focus on simplicity to accelerate its adoption." 

With the phasing out of 1D barcodes by 2027, the global adoption of GS1 Digital Link is set to transform manufacturing, retail, and supply chains.  

Trillions of products will be linked to unique web pages that can be updated in real time.  

Orca Scan's innovative solution simplifies the transition to this new standard, enabling brands to engage with customers in unprecedented ways. 

The company has already worked with more than 355,000 users worldwide.