I got a bit inspired by @andrewtychen's great thread on the new NZ COVID-19 tracing app.
https://twitter.com/andrewtychen/status/1262639539962576896

I heard that MBIE would be releasing the ability for businesses to generate QR codes, so I decided to try and figure out how that process works.

First - how is MBIE going to be managing the generation of these QR codes?

I heard a rumour that it was going to be through a new tool they'd recently rolled out called "Business Connect".

I own a business and work with many businesses, but I've never heard of it.

So what is Business Connect?

"Business Connect is a new digital service platform that will allow businesses to apply for things like licences and permits from different government agencies in one place."

I guess if you want to tie these codes to NZBNs, this is the spot.

Now, I've never heard of Business Connect before, so lets try and register.

Oh boy, I think these folk might rely on RealMe a bit...

Luckily I have a RealMe account, but if I didn't it would be quite a process to get one before I could register with Business Connect.

Once I log in with my RealMe account, Business Connect prompts me to create a profile including a mobile number and email.

Once you enter your email address you hit the "Verify email" button and it sends you a validation code.

Ok, now a new page with a lot of text about verifying my business with NZBN number...

Lets hit the "Verify your NZBN" button.

This pops us into a new window where we sign in with our RealMe account.

But didn't we sign in with our RealMe account already?

Then, still in the pop up, it asks us if we want to allow Business Connect access to the NZBN Register.

I guess thats the whole point, right? Approve.

Now we're directed back into the original window. Success!

We hit "Continue" and we get a new page that says "Registration Complete".

Alright, I guess we go look at the Dashboard?

Hey hey! This looks like the jackpot!

We've already got an option for "NZ COVID Tracer - Business Location Registration"

So lets "Get Started".

What we need to know? We can create posters with a QR code for scanning and setup multiple locations that each have a unique QR code.

Interesting that even if you generate a poster, its entirely up to the business whether or not to display it.

Alright, first step is to find the business we want to create a QR code poster for.

We can start by typing the business name in the box and it'll populate businesses that are linked to your RealMe account.

So... hopefully you've already done that...

Ok, we've found our company. We can choose to use our Business Connect contact details for enquiries or we can specify different ones.

Alright, now we get to specify a location.

So I suppose you can register as many locations as you like against each NZBN?

Can I create a poster for our PrivateBox address?

Yep! Sure can!

Is there any verification of the details for each location? Nope!

I'm not sure why its telling me my posters are ready. I just created them. I know they're ready.

These posters look good. The QR code is MASSIVE.

No, there isn't normally a big blank space in the middle. I've blocked it out for... security?

I don't trust you lot.

Some first impressions:

- EVEN if you already have a RealMe ID that is tied to your NZBN, getting Business Connect setup and a poster created takes something like 12 different screens. That seems like a lot.

If you DON'T already have a RealMe ID, this is going to be an extremely long process. Some business owners I know already have that all set up. Many I know do not.

Many of those who do not are likely folks who are less tech adept and, for whom, this process will be hard.

I'm a bit confused as to why we need to go to such lengths to verify that I'm responsible for the NZBN number, but once I do that I can create a QR code for, literally, any location.

Why? Surely we want to reduce the friction to generating these QR codes.

This process also limits these QR codes to registered businesses. Surely we should be contact tracing other entities/events. Why tie it to NZBN?

TL;DR: If you own a business, are a bit on the techier end of things, and already have your RealMe sorted then this process is totally doable. It'll probably take you 10-15 minutes to generate QR posters for your locations.

How many small business owners fall into that category?

Compile @threader_app