THE ABC’s OF NFC

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a form of contactless communication between devices that allows a user to wave a smartphone over another NFC compatible device to send information without needing to touch the devices together or go through multiple steps setting up a connection. It uses electromagnetic radio fields to allow the two devices to exchange data when passed about two inches from each other.

So, how do different devices talk to each other? Your smartphone or other NFC compatible devices send out radio frequency signals that interact with an NFC tag found in other places. The signal creates a current that flows through the NFC tag and allows the device and the tag to communicate with one another. One device is passive and only sends out information while the other, the smartphone, is active and can send and receive information.

NFC has been successful because of interoperability, the ability of different information technology systems and software applications to communicate, exchange data, and use the information that has been exchanged. That interoperability is maintained through the NFC forum, a prescient group founded in 2004 by Sony, Nokia, and Philips. It enforces strict standards that manufacturers must meet when designing NFC compatible devices

Can replace barcodes with intelligent NFC tags allowing smartphone users to interact with objects to find out information about almost anything such as learning more about a product they want to buy

The most useful thing that has been done with NFC tech is contactless payments Masterpass Apple Pay Google Wallet PayPal Android Pay Samsung Pay

Less than 20% of Americans used contactless payments in the US last year, but they are wildly popular in the UK, Australia and Canada. They’re quite secure because global PCI compliance standards requires all electronic devices to tokenize credit card data - so your customer’s credit card information is never stored directly on their phones PCI compliance standards less than 20%

WHAT’S THE SMARTEST CREDIT CARD EVER MADE? Your phone WHAT’S THE SMARTEST CREDIT CARD EVER MADE?

YOUR SMARTPHONE?

NFC not only allows businesses to provide fast and secure ways for customers to pay, but it can also store coupons and redeem customer loyalty points without having them carry extra cards. It also offers ways to send information to customers using smart posters and displays with a NFC tags.

NFC can unlock your car, adjust your seats, admit you to your secure parking garage, gain access to your office building, clock in by swiping your device, pay for vending machine snacks or check in/out for breaks in seconds.

On your commute, you can pay for your bus or train pass and wave your phone to go through the gates. Tapping your phone at a kiosk gives up-to-date information about schedules and delays, while interacting with ads and bulletin boards lets you access coupons or learn more about current events in your area. .

On the way home from work you stop to buy groceries On the way home from work you stop to buy groceries. Coupons and customer reward points are already pre-loaded on your smartphone and are applied to your total automatically when you check out. Payment occurs when you wave your smartphone over the card reader

To keep track of patients, their treatments, and their medications, hospitals are incorporating near field communication tech into their medical systems. By carrying a smartphone, nurses can track the time they spend with a patient and what medications or treatments they administered simply by swiping the phone over an NFC reader to record that information into the system.

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING (OOH) From real estate signs to ads at a bus stop, brands can take advantage of NFC technology to pass information, deals, and coupons to potential customers. A “House for Sale” sign could have a tag holding information about the property along with pictures of the inside and a link to the realtor.

NFC tags can help visitors to museums, parks, and other buildings see and hear relevant information about what they’re looking at -- famous art, memories, statues.

Buy concert tickets and use your NFC compatible smartphone to gain access to the event, then interact with smart posters for information about the band, the current schedule of events, and upcoming performances. When you’re thirsty, just wave your phone at a merchant's register to buy a drink.

You can share games, links, and info with friends as NFC can establish a Bluetooth connection between your phones for sending large amounts of data … even send money to each other with the wave of a smartphone.