Terminology
Barcode Message
The data that is encoded into a barcode and displayed on a digital pass. This message can be unique to each pass or common across multiple passes.
PassKit Portal
A platform or system that allows users to create and manage digital passes, including the configuration of barcode messages.
Pass ID (${pid})
A unique identifier associated with each digital pass. The short code ${pid} is used within the barcode message, especially when using apps like PassReader or CodeReadr, to ensure the pass can be identified.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique identifier for a product, often used in retail for inventory management.
Point of Sale (POS)
The location or system where transactions occur, typically involving the scanning or manual entry of barcodes.
Alternative Message
Optional text displayed directly below the barcode.
Barcode Message
The PassKit Portal allows you to choose from the available Barcode encoding formats, and will adjust the Pass layout accordingly. You provide a message that will be encoded within the Barcode. This can be:
You would use this for a Membership Card, a Loyalty Card, an Event Ticket, a Boarding Pass, or a Store Valued Card. Basically anywhere you want to identify the individual Pass holder or;
Common for each Pass
You might use this a coupon where you just need the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) number embedded in the barcode so it can be recognised by the Point of Sale.
Message encoding
The message encoded in the Barcode is just data, there’s nothing that limits you from using it to carry additional information.
When using the PassReader app or CodeReadr app you must encode the Pass ID into the barcode, using the short code ${pid}
For example, suppose you need to scan a pass when network access is not possible (perhaps onboard a ship). This would make it impossible to communicate with the PassKit server in real time. You can sign the data you need with a private key, and use the result as a barcode. Although this approach doesn’t let you impose a one-time-use pass, it could be useful where passes are valid for a predictable period of time.
Alternative Message
Optionally you can include alternate text that is displayed immediately below the barcode. You can enter whatever you want here but it’s common to display the barcode number, or the unique identifier that you want your staff to key in to the Point of Sales terminal, just in case the scanning equipment doesn’t work.
With Google Wallet, if the Alternative Message is not supplied, the barcode contents will be displayed.