Discussion: Addressing Persistent Scanability Concerns
Following up on our earlier discussions about scannability, I wanted to dive into some of the more persistent concerns that members of our community are raising. We know that "scanning" is a baseline requirement, but as technology advances, the way IDs are verified is also changing. Are we keeping up?
One major concern is whether the encoded data is "future-proof." A barcode that scans today might fail tomorrow if the jurisdiction updates its internal database formats or adds new data fields. The best vendors are those who stay on top of these changes and update their encoding algorithms regularly.
What to Look for in a Truly Reliable Barcode
- Data Sequencing: The information in the 2D barcode must follow the exact sequence required by AAMVA standards for the specific state or province.
- Encoding Accuracy: There should be no "garbage characters" or malformed data strings within the barcode.
- Verification Tools: Some vendors now offer their own "verification check" where you can see a digital preview of what the barcode contains before the card is printed.
I always recommend testing your new cards with multiple different scanning apps to ensure they are being read correctly by different software. What are your recent experiences? Have you encountered any scanners that were particularly "picky" or that flagged your IDs even when other apps said they were fine? Let’s share our findings.
