Let's talk about NFCs

Implementing the right technology plays a significant role when a business is looking for manageable growth. Having the ability to manage new assets as a business seeks to increase production is crucial to maintain the same level of quality and efficiency that facilitated the growth in the first place.

What is NFC technology?

Near-field communication, commonly known as NFC, is a technological tracking device (typically presented as a sticker or tag) that contains a small microchip that can be read by mobile devices to exchange content between devices quickly and easily (Source: Investopedia). This technology identifies key information linked to the asset being tagged.

How are NFCs used at FlexManager

At FlexManager, NFC technology links our clients to their data by Capturing Time and Attendance  for employees and contractors by swiping at a FlexManager kiosk is one application of NFCs. This is multi-purposed as it can link into the payroll systems while ensuring emergency preparedness by generating an accurate list of who is in attendance, should an incident arise.

Through NFC tagging, the task of Asset Management is much less daunting. Work orders, inspections, and maintenance tasks that are linked to the asset and are readily available for the user by simply scanning with their mobile device.

Let's hear from a Flex-pert

Find out what our account manager said about NFC usage by FlexManager clients
"Clients have said that it reduces the time and stress of maintaining assets, especially when it comes to finding out when it was last inspected, whether there are outstanding maintenance tasks, and establishing who oversees the inspections or the maintenance of that asset."

"A benefit that is consistently mentioned is that they operate at extreme temperatures. With our clients in Canada, even at -25°C, someone can conduct an inspection outdoors."

RFID: The Predecessor of NFC

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is another method of communicating information, using radio waves to transmit data between a tag and a reader. RFID laid the groundwork for NFC technology.

A key feature in which NFC is that the exchange between the reader and the tag is secure, with stronger encryption capabilities due to the close proximity (Source: SpotterSecurity). NFC also provides two-way communication, however the range in which it scans the tag is much closer than that of RFID, meaning the placement of the tag is an important consideration.

To find out more about NFC technology at FlexManager, please get in touch with our team through our Contact section, or view our NFC tag options in our Resources section. 

Authored by Gearoid Noone

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