How to quickly convert StageNow PDF417 Barcodes to QRCode

Ian Hatton - January 26, 2024

Revised Feb24: added method of converting PFD417 files to QRCode directly on a PC (without scanning the barcode)

Overview

StageNow generates only PDF417 barcodes by default which are relatively low density in terms of the characters encoded per square cm of barcode . This means that the PDF417 barcodes are larger than the equivalent barcodes encoded using a different 2D symbology such as QRCode. When creating a staging profile barcode sheet for use on a customer site , there are several advantages to using a symbology such as QRcode instead of PDF417 including:

QRcode barcodes can include a customer or product logo in the barcode and can also be coloured. This allows generation of barcodes which look better for promotional purposes e.g. when including a Staging barcode in a product webpage or printed brochure
QRCodes can be included on a business card size label (as per the example below) e.g. if an ISV wanted to include a StageNow profile to deploy their application via a barcode included on their business card , this can work with QRCode barcodes but may not with PDF417 . The use of a single staging barcode to deploy a full profile uses the method detailed in my blog here: How to stage any size XML profile with a single barcode | Developer Portal (zebra.com)

Smaller self-adhesive labels with the required staging profile can be printed using Zebra printers and one or more QRcodes
A Zebra colour card printer such as the ZC100/300 can be used to print a single-sided plastic card for staging using XML+JS QRCodes whereas the print resolution is not sufficient for the equivalent PDF417 staging barcodes.
QRcodes are evolving with the use of Generative AI to combine the barcode with a complex image as per the example below (from https://medium.com/@ssmaameri/ai-generated-qr-codes-with-controlnet-huggingface-and-google-colab-a99ffeee2210#:~:text=They%20actually%20work%2C%20and%20can,model%20(e.g.%20Stable%20Diffusion). ). Note that this conversion is currently restricted to short QRCode payloads such as a URL or VCard .

ai_qr

Size comparison of a PDF417 JS staging barcode to configure WiFi profile vs QRcode equivalent:

Both XML and JS QRcodes for the same staging profile can be included in the same area as one PDF417 barcode:

xml_frame js_frame

Example StageNow QRcodes

Coloured background

coloured_bg

Different shape dots in the barcode (round dots in the sample below) :

qr_dot

Embedded company logo or product icon:

qr_zebra qr_sn

Method #1 – plain QRCodes

Use a cleanbooted A11/A13 device with a preconfigured internet connection
Open Chrome on device and scan the QRCode below to access the URL: https://goqr.me/

goqr.me

3. Highlight the text input field below and scan the existing PDF417 barcode:

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4. Scroll down to access the generated QRcode:

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5. On another device, run StageNow and check that the barcode reads correctly and the profile is processed. If StageNow reports an error , the most likely cause is that the barcode data includes additional characters e.g. if the Datawedge Profile0 is not set to default, there may be prefix and/or postfix characters configured.

6. If no errors when reading the barcode , download the QRCode image via Download button on device and transfer to PC in order to create a QR Staging barcode document

7. Press refresh button in Chrome menu to scan another barcode

Method #2 – enhanced QRCodes

Embedded logos and colour options are available using the enhanced QRcode generator at http://qr.io .
Open Chrome on device and scan the QRCode below to access the URL: https://qr.io/

3. Select the text option first and then select the text field before reading the PDF417 barcode.

ss3

4. Scroll down to access the additional options such as background/foreground colours, embedded logo and frames

5. After selecting the options , a revised QRCode will be displayed as per the example below. The easiest way to save this code is via a screenshot on the device or if you have the device connected to a PC via Vysor or similar , you can crop the barcode directly from the PC screen

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Method #3: PC-Based Conversion

Save the PDF417 barcode as an image
Load the image into the conversion form here: https://www.onlinebarcodereader.com/
Copy the generated hex string minus the final 0A e.g.

v1pic1

Paste into the hex to binary conversion form here: https://tomeko.net/online_tools/hex_to_file.php?lang=en
Select the output BIN filename and press Convert , binary file will be downloaded to your Downloads folder

v1pic2

In Zint Barcode Studio (https://zint.org.uk/) , select QR code, press the three dot button and select the BIN file . Converted QRcode will appear on screen:

v1pic3

Use the Save button to save the generated QRCode as an image file

General Notes

Multi-barcode profiles require a repeat of the steps above in order to convert each barcode in the profile
This method works for converting both XML and JS barcodes
Will also work with other 2D symbologies such as Datamatrix
Make sure there are no prefix/postfix characters added (default) in Datawedge otherwise the barcode will not be valid