1. Home
  2. guides
  3. Item Link QR codes

How to track assets using QR codes

Orca Scan gives every item you track its own unique, permanent QR code and item.link web address. Unlike UPC, EAN and other product barcodes you may already use to track it, each Item Link identifies one specific physical item. Scan it with any phone to view, update or collect data without an app. The same address also works as an API endpoint.

The sheet owner sets what happens when someone scans an Item Link QR code. This can be changed at any time without replacing the QR code.

Mode What the person scanning sees
Do nothing The Item Link is valid but disabled
Show details Show selected data about the item
Collect data Show a form to view or update the item
Redirect to URL Open another website with the Item Link attached

Product barcodes such as UPC and EAN identify a product type, so multiple identical products can share the same barcode. Item Link adds a unique identity to each individual item without replacing its existing barcode.

  1. Log in to the Orca Scan web app
  2. Select the sheet you want to enable Item Link for
  3. Click Settings on the toolbar
  4. Select Item Link from the menu
  5. Choose what happens when an Item Link QR code is scanned 3.choose an item link mode
  6. Configure any additional options for the selected mode
  7. Click Save
  1. Select a number of rows in your sheet Item link select rows
  2. Open the Labels panel and select Item Link label Item link select label
  3. Click Print or Download

Every item.link address is also an API endpoint, allowing other systems to access data about that specific item. Sending an HTTP GET request with Accept: application/json returns JSON instead of the web page:

# run this in your terminal
curl https://item.link/14k7rZpycx3kiK6qtw -H "Accept: application/json"

Item Link responses use the same structure { mode, data, schema, links }:

{
  "mode": "collect data",
  "data": {
    "name": "Awesome Fresh Car",
    "quantity": 76,
    "location": "51.8811280, 1.1314275"
  },
  "schema": {
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "name": { "title": "Name", "type": "string" },
      "quantity": { "title": "Quantity", "type": "number" },
      "location": { "title": "Location", "type": "string" }
    }
  },
  "links": [
    {
	    "rel": "update",
	    "href": "https://item.link/14k7rZpycx3kiK6qtw",
	    "method": "PUT"
    }
  ]
}

The schema describes the fields in data, including their names, types and formats, so software can understand the item without prior knowledge of the Orca Scan sheet.

Modes

The mode determines what data and links you get back:

mode data links
do nothing empty none
redirect to url empty rel: redirect (GET)
show details read-only field values none
collect data current item data rel: update (PUT)

Updating an item

When mode is collect data, the rel: update link tells the client the item can be updated with a PUT to the supplied href:

curl -X PUT https://item.link/14k7rZpycx3kiK6qtw \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "quantity": 77 }'

PIN protection (optional)

A collect data Item Link may be PIN protected. If it is, the first request returns 401 with a schema asking for a PIN and a rel: next link to POST it to:

{
  "mode": "collect data",
  "data": {},
  "schema": {
    "properties": {
      "_pin": {
        "title": "Please enter the 4-digit PIN",
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  },
  "links": [
    {
      "rel": "next",
      "href": "https://item.link/14k7rZpycx3kiK6qtw",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  ]
}

POST the PIN and follow the redirect to access the data:

curl -L -X POST https://item.link/14k7rZpycx3kiK6qtw \
  -H "Accept: application/json" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "_pin": "1234" }'

Status codes

Code Meaning Body shape
200 Success { mode, data, schema, links }
204 Update succeeded (empty)
401 PIN required or invalid { mode, data, schema, links }
404 Item Link not found { status, error, message }
500 Server error { status, error, message }

A 401 indicates that a PIN is required or invalid, follow the rel: next link to submit it. Errors (404, 500) return:

{
  "status": 404,
  "error": "Not found",
  "message": "Sorry, we were unable to find what you're looking for"
}

No. Existing UPC, EAN and other barcodes continue to work normally. Item Link adds a unique identity for an individual item.

No. Every item gets an Item Link, but you only need to print and attach the QR code when you want to use it on the physical item.

No. Item Link QR codes can be scanned using a normal phone camera without an app or Orca Scan account.

Yes. The sheet owner can change its mode without replacing the printed QR code.

What happens if the item’s data changes?

The Item Link address and printed QR code stay the same, so you can update the item’s data without replacing its label.

Yes. Each Item Link identifies one individual item rather than a product type.

Yes. The item.link address can be accessed directly by a browser or used as an API endpoint by another system.

Need help tracking assets using QR codes?

We’re happy to help, chat with us live or book a free implementation call.

Ready to start scanning?

Get Started Book a demo