QR Codes & Traceability

WARNING FOR ALL PARTS OF A SUPPLY CHAIN
Normal QR codes can be easily copied and reproduced, and cannot be used to guard against counterfeiting, diversion, or production over-runs.

For applications that are not aimed at consumers and are intended for closed environments, such as in the case of B2B, security, integrity, and reliability is critical. A proprietary code, such as 2DMI from iTrace Technologies, or HD InfoCode+ from HD Barcode are examples. As a case in point,  2DMI can not be cloned successfully, incorporates layered authentication, is robust in that it can be read even with physical damage, and has proven to be 100% effective in detecting bogus (counterfeit) parts and products. 

One such study that validates this was recently completed by a major aerospace company. Contact GlobalAutoID to learn more.

For applications that are not aimed at consumers and are intended for closed environments, such as in the case of B2B, security, integrity, and reliability are critical. A proprietary code, such as 2DMI from iTrace Technologies, or HD InfoCode+ from HD Barcode are examples. As a case in point, 2DMI can not be cloned successfully, incorporates layered authentication, is robust in that it can be read even with physical damage, and has proven to be 100% effective in detecting bogus (counterfeit) parts and products.

Unlike a symbol such as QR Code, 2DMI can not be decoded or “read” by an off the shelf reader or smart phone that lacks proprietary, and closely controlled software, ensuring the integrity of the encoded data. The encoded information is tightly controlled which ensures the authenticity of the data and maintains the integrity of the supply chain.

This controlled access is particularly valuable in industries where counterfeit parts pose serious safety and liability risks. In aerospace, defense, automotive, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, a single fraudulent component can compromise an entire assembly, leading to catastrophic failures, regulatory penalties, and loss of life. By restricting decode capability to authorized parties equipped with vetted software, proprietary symbols create a trust boundary that publicly accessible standards simply cannot enforce. Every scan becomes an authenticated transaction rather than an open lookup, giving organizations confidence that the part in front of them is the part its markings claim it to be.

Marking a proprietary symbol is no different than that of one such as QR Code. Typical printing methods as well as DPM (Direct Part Marking) technologies may be employed. Marking technologies include most print methods, thermal and thermal transfer, laser (etching/annealing), impact (dot peen), chemical etch, etc. Marks may be overt or covert and may be directly applied to the product or on associated packaging.

The choice of marking method depends largely on the substrate material, the expected lifecycle of the part, and the environmental conditions it will endure. Metal components destined for harsh industrial or military use, for instance, typically benefit from laser-etched or dot-peen marks that survive abrasion, chemical exposure, and extreme temperatures. Labels and packaging, by contrast, may utilize thermal transfer printing for high-resolution marks that remain readable through distribution and retail handling. In some deployments, covert marking techniques—such as UV-readable inks or micro-text embedded within the symbol—add yet another layer of security invisible to the unaided eye, detectable only under specific lighting or magnification conditions.

Importantly, the robustness of proprietary symbols extends beyond their resistance to counterfeiting. Physical damage during transit, handling, or prolonged use can degrade traditional codes to the point of unreadability, creating gaps in traceability precisely when they matter most. Proprietary codes engineered with error-tolerant architectures can remain decodable even when a significant percentage of the symbol surface is obscured or destroyed. This resilience ensures continuous traceability throughout a product’s lifecycle—from manufacture through installation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning—without the blind spots that erode confidence in conventional barcode systems.