How Wetag gives urban trees a digital identity with QR code scanning

Wetag is a smart asset-management platform that connects trees and other physical assets in the urban environment with a persistent digital identity. Its mission is to help cities identify, monitor, research, and maintain their assets throughout their entire lifecycle.

Digital identities for urban trees in Tel Aviv

Wetag is used for urban forest research and municipal tree monitoring in Tel Aviv. Each tree has one digital identity, but the experience changes according to the person scanning it. Municipal workers can inspect and update records, researchers can collect structured field data, contractors can access maintenance tasks, and members of the public can view relevant information or report an issue.

Why outdoor QR code scanning is demanding

Because the scanner is used by many different people, Wetag cannot control which phones, browsers, or cameras they use. Scanning must also work outdoors in bright sunlight, rain, difficult angles, and with tags that may remain in place for many years.

QR code scanning in Wetag’s mobile web app with STRICH

Wetag tested several barcode scanning solutions before choosing the STRICH Barcode Scanning SDK. STRICH delivered the best overall experience, combining reliable scanning, simple integration, a polished interface, and excellent support.

STRICH is integrated directly into Wetag’s mobile web application. Users scan the QR code attached to a tree or asset and are immediately taken to the correct record and workflow.

In one recent case, Wetag needed to scan inverted QR codes with white markings on a black background. STRICH already supported this through a simple configuration setting, allowing the new codes to work immediately without a custom implementation.

Why a web app instead of a native app

Many of the people who scan a tree, such as members of the public, prefer not to install a separate app for it. With a web app, scanning the tag is all it takes: users land on the right record without installing anything, whether they are municipal workers, researchers, contractors or passers-by.