QR Codes on Certificates - Lets get this going!

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36 comments

  • Shane Darwin

    With the ability for an external party to validate the authenticity of the cert from the QR code

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  • Corrie Emery

    I might be missing something, as we dont use QR codes on out certificates, but cant you just create the QR code and add it as an image to the certificate. can you provide an images of what your suggesting?

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  • Jill Keen

    Yes, can this be implemented ASAP - especially with a Certificate Validation function.

    Other SMS's do have this feature/function - for example Wisenet!

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi All,

    Thank you for your comments and votes on this suggestion.

    Our Product Team have considered a certificate validation feature and it remains something that we want to implement.

    Kind regards,
    Rod. 

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  • Jill Keen

    Has there been any further uptake on this function?  I have recently seen the code on a student competency card and when scanned, it allows them to produce an entire list of qualification and or UoCs that they have completed with the one RTO

     

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  • Shane Darwin

    Seconding Jill's comments, we have recently been the victim of fraudulent statements and would love a QR validation facility ASAP

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Shane and Jill,

    One of our developers is actively working on this task this week.

    We're aiming to have something released within the next month. I have also been commenting over here:

    https://axcelerate.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/community/posts/360005867355-QR-Codes-on-Certificates-Lets-get-this-going-?page=1

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Shane Darwin

    Thanks Rod, can't wait to see the finished product!

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  • Jas G

    That is great news Rod! Looking forward to it :)

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  • Mary Lia

    This will be great to have!

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  • Paul Deverix

    Looking forward to seeing the outcome of this. 

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  • Pip Austin

    Has anyone verified a cert with a QR code?

    Bit of a pain having to download a QR scanner on staff members devices when you operate via email and online.

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  • Adrian Date

    The SMS I used previously had QR code’s - it’s easy and you can use any smart phone camera - don’t need qr scanner. Normally the QR code is hyperlinked and clicking on the code

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  • Pip Austin

    I've received them without a hyperlink but just saw one come in with a hyperlink, that is definitely something that needs to be included in this feature!

    I guess it is better than waiting to hear back from an RTO when you request a Certificate verification.

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Philippa,

    As Adrian said, you will be able to scan a QR code with most smartphone cameras. You will not need an app. The camera will then open up a website which is our public verification page.

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Pip Austin

    Hi Rod,

    As Adrian said, some QR codes are able to come with a hyperlink that can be clicked meaning you can verify without needing to use a smartphone. As a person that is often verifying certificates, this would be something I would like to see in this feature so that those who work on their computers don't have to involve their personal smartphones in the process of verifying a certificate.

    Thanks,

    Philippa

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Philippa,

    We will also have a page where certificates can be validated. So you could include the link on certificates, however, I don't think we have built the feature to have a link version of the QR Code. If using the link, you would need to enter the certificate number and surname.

    Cheers.
    Rod.

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  • Adrian Date

    Hi Rod,

    I like the words “built”, when can we expect this to be live ?

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Adrian,

    We still have a little bit to tidy up, but hopefully, we can release it sometime in early to mid-October.

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi All,

    Just a quick update to let you know we're getting closer to releasing this functionality. We're now just adding the final touches on the validation page.

    Link to add a QR code to your certificate

     

    Example of placement of the QR code

     

    The unique QR code will be generated when the template is generated for your student.

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  • Adrian Date

    so can we add the QR code to certificates now ?

     

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Adrian,

    Not just yet, but you will be able to in an upcoming release. As I mentioned, we're just finalising the verification page designs and then we can release the full feature.

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi All,

    Just an update to let you know the new functionality will be in our next release and be available for use from Thursday, October 8. We will create some SHOT videos to go with it soon, but check out our release notes that will be. published later today.

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Michael Jones

    Thank you for working on this.

    Two questions:

    1. I notice that the course code is not included on the validation page. Is there a reason for this? It's not a big deal, as we can include the course code in the description
    2. This is potentially more serious - the validation output page does not differentiate between a certificate awarded for successful completion of the entire course, and a Statement of Attainment issued for partial completion. Axcelerate distinguishes between these using red or blue icons, but the validation page is identical for a full qualification or an SOA issued when only one unit is passed. As the overall purpose is to improve the integrity of Axcelerate-issued awards, and reduce the risk of photoshopped awards being passed off as the real thing, would it not be important to include a point on your validation page that specifies whether this is an award for a Completed courseStatement of Attainment or Specific units of competency only (as specified when the certificate is being issued? This could be sorted out by one more field in the validation page, 'Certificate Type'. Would that be possible?

    Thank you again!

    Michael

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Michael,

    Thank you for your feedback.

    We will implement the following two changes:

    • add Course Code
    • add Certificate Type

    We will aim to have these added into the November 18 release.

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Michael Jones

    Thank you!

    Another question or two:

    We have a number of students with one name only, some with only a surname, and others with only a first name, as according to their passport.

    We are, of course, bound to record their name as it is written in their passport (or other ID documents), and for example, the USI verification service will not work unless their name is recorded correctly.

    However the Axcelerate certificate validation function only operates with a surname and a certificate number.

    This means that those students with only a first name will not be able to have their certificates validated. 

    1. Will a QR code be generated for a student with only a first name? (The link refers to the surname, and potentially it may generate an error at time of certificate generation if that field is blank)

      I assume there would have to be some kind of IFERROR statement. However I am concerned that such an error may prevent certificate generation.

    2. Will a QR code link function correctly for a student with only a first name? That is, if I scan the QR code, will it direct correctly to the 'Certificate validated' page? (same reason)

    3. Is it possible to modify the search parameters to something similar to the Axcelerate 'Search contact' box, where if the surname field is blank, the code will then search the first name?

    4. Would it be possible to include search for Axcelerate ID in the same search box?

    Thanks

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Michael,

    The system would now currently assume they will have a surname. We will create a solution to accommodate instances where the student does not have a surname.

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Michael Jones

    Thanks Rod,

    A quick search shows that we have about 120 current students without a surname. It is reasonably common among their particular demographic.

    A test run shows that a QR code will be generated and inserted on a certificate for a student without a surname, but scanning that QR code gives a 'No certificate matches these details' message. This probably means that the QR code generated for this certificate will never work, and after a 'No surname' solution is implemented, we'd have to issue a new certificate with a new QR code.

    I imagine this would mean that until the 'no surname' solution is rolled out, we'd have to use an alternate certificate template, without the QR code for them.

     

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  • Rod Staines

    Hi Michael,

    I cannot commit 100%, but we're intending to handle a lack of surname on the validation side. If there's no surname registered (and stored) when the award is generated, the validation page will handle that scenario without any changes to the QR Code.

    Cheers,
    Rod.

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  • Deirdre Ackerman

    We do not have full qualifications on scope, only standalone units of competency. These UoCs are listed under the qualification Standalone Units of Competency. System was set up this way as advised due to um... can't remember it was so long ago... I'm thrilled to bits that QR codes can be inserted to certificate templates. My concern is that, upon scanning the code, the result shows 'Certificate successfully validated', our logo, 'Award Recipient', [client name], 'Award', 'Standalone Units of Competency'... 

    I'd rather have a list of units because Standalone Units of Competency means nothing.

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