The Lyon-based company Wiziway has developed a revolutionary technology that allows you to connect a paper document to electronic Internet resources with a single click.
The Wiziway solution consists of a small marker – a tag, and a Clicker, which is an optical reader connected to a personal computer. The marker is a printed mini-pictogram with an area of less than 3 mm², representing an Internet address that can be modified at any time. Markers can be placed in all types of graphic format files. They can be created and inserted manually or automatically in batches, if the document format allows it.
The marker is read by the Clicker, connected to the PC’s USB port. A simple click with the reader on the marker is enough to immediately open the corresponding website encoded in the tag on the monitor. The Clicker can be installed on any personal computer equipped with a CD-R. Both its use and installation do not require any special IT knowledge.
The Wiziway technique was developed by Thierry Lamouline, president and founder of the company, at a time when he was responsible for product catalogs at a world-class industrial concern. In response to customer demand, Thierry Lamouline sought and developed a solution that would allow for an interactive link between paper media and the Internet.
The small size of the markers compared to traditional barcodes allows them to be placed practically, while maintaining aesthetics, on documents such as: catalogs, plastic cards, mouse pads, discount coupons.
Wiziway applications potentially cover all areas of activity: updating or loading a document for printing, price lists, product specifications, publication of regulations and legal documents, terms of sale, personalized offers and promotions, video files with assembly instructions, animations presenting the operation of devices, customer testimonials, interviews, etc. According to Eric Léopold, Commercial Director of Wiziway, thanks to this solution customers have access to a catalog that is editable on paper: a fully interactive, true portal with the company’s offer.
Currently, Wiziway technology is developing very rapidly in Europe. It is already used by large and medium-sized enterprises from various areas of activity. These include: Manutan, Haléco, Alcatel Diffusion, Crédit Agricole Uni-Edition, France Abonnement, Legris industries, Axa IM, Francis Lefèbvre Formation, LMC, Fiducial Office Solution, etc.
Wiziway technology is protected by numerous international patents. It was implemented with the support of the French Agency for Research Valorization (ANVAR) Rhône-Alpes.