NFC RFID 3D objects, the new protagonists of marketing events

Last Updated on Thursday, 28 February 2013 11:21 Written by Administrator Monday, 25 February 2013 16:44

With 3D printer it’s possible to design, create and manufacture plastic objects with an embedded NFC or RFID tag for any kind of marketing event or customer engagement strategy

Gaming in the sales events is the new tendency already adopted for the most pioneer companies. In any kind of event, from concerts to festivals, conventions to press presentations it’s possible to add some media and virtual content to objects through an RFID or NFC tag and increment the participation and interaction of users and customers.

The three-dimensional plastic objects capture immediately the attention and help people to understand specific products or processes. It started in 2012 with when Apple launched the first reproduction of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch modules  in 3D objects with a RFID tag integrated.

Theis process is breaking the boarder between gaming industry and the real world. The NFC RFID tags built into toys or small plastic reproduction of objects (known as “3D Printable” figures) can be easily scanner by readers to become integrated in games of consoles or smartphone’s  applications.

In some concert or public events they have also tried this new technology.  The size of the objects can be chosen up to 15 cubic centimeters (0.9 cubic inches), also the type of tag and the colors.  The price of the final product will depend on the quantity of cents per cubic, plus the cost of the selected tag, plus shipping.

Once the customer is satisfied with the design and final result they can produce large scale manufactured products if the customer is interested in use it as object to give to their public or just some model if they should be use for commercial purpose.

Some examples can be: the Audi new vehicle launched, with a small figurine containing a built-in NFC RFID tag. Or the case in which a beer brand offered the technology for attendees at music festivals, allowing them to play games in order to earn a free beer—once they provide identification proving they are 21 years of age or older. 

NFC will be leading the MWC 2013

Written by Administrator Thursday, 07 February 2013 13:17

Near Field Communication will be a key issue in the next Mobile World Congress

From 25^th to 28^th of February at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona the MWC will take place as a global meeting of exhibitors, vendors, and attendees. The use of NFC will be presented through an interactive experience to show the power and possibilities of this growing technology.

All the agents of the field would be able to exchange information and practices and conduct transactions and partnerships. The benefits from NFC go from venue access to retail transactions or transport, among many others. Payment industry (the most known in its implementation) is not the only one that can get the most of what this technology offers.

The aim is to show first-hand how to improve business and processes through NFC advantages and showcase an integrated range of mobile NFC services.  The Congress will show by itself how NFC technology can manage attendances and access control as it would be the main technology for all this issues.  There will be several NFC touch points to provide different information to users as for example the possibility of downloading conference sessions or other material, it will be even available information on restaurants and tourist attractions in the city.

These points will be installed also along the walkways and the entrances and halls. Users through their NFC cards will be able to access to the Congress area and to all the information available in linked smart posters. They will also be able to pay in different enabled restaurants or shops around the city.

A dedicated NFC Centre will be placed in the middle of the Congress square to allow users to see NFC-enabled handsets and their capabilities as well as gaining information on the NFC ecosystem, NFC smart posters, NFC partner pods and a dedicated NFC support function.

For more information:

http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/ 

NFC implemented in London to pay the Metro

Written by Administrator Friday, 21 December 2012 11:30

All major European cities plan to implement the NFC technology for payments in public transport, London has been the pioneer

The contactless payment project based on the Near Field Communication (NFC) started in the known and mythical red double-decker buses that cross  the streets of London. Now it is the turn of the Metro and after it will be successively  extended to the entire public transport network.

This project was developed to be presented in the Olympics, but for some harmonizing problems with the payment services of the banks that support the project, has been postponed until today.

Through several NFC readers and through a common software all the tickets’ payment will be efficiently managed. Users are able to make payments through their smartphones and also through cards authorized to carry out transactions in proximity (credit, debt or purchase cards).

Currently Londoners have the Oyster cards to use public transport that will be implemented with an NFC tag to allow contactless payments.

The difference between the Oyster  model and the NFC based one is that NFC one has the advantage of adopting the industry standard, that as its name indicates, is a standard and is open, not closed as the proprietary technology used by Oyster. Anyone who wants to will be able to develop applications and services without having to pay for licenses, with mutual benefits.

In this first phase it will be possible to pay only one way tickets to encourage the adoption of the new service and to make this more familiar to Londoners. In the coming months the software that will also manage transport passes will be implemented and the number of NFC cards and smartphones will be multiplied.

In these first months we will be witness of the evolution of this project, unique until now, cause it will involve all the transport network of the city and, in case of success and positive results it will be replicated in many other major cities that will surely follow the example of London.

For more information visit:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/26416.aspx

http://www.emvco.com/specifications.aspx?id=21

2013 will be the year of the NFC technology

Written by Administrator Tuesday, 23 October 2012 15:51

The agreement between the main mobile phone operators will ensure that in 2013 we all will be able to pay with our smartphones

The main suppliers of mobile telephony in Italy (Italia, Vodafone Italy, Wind, 3 Italia and PosteMobile) have signed an agreement to ensure the spread of NFC technology (Near Field Communication). By the end of 2013, about the 80% of smartphones will be equipped with NFC technology  while the number of stores with POS-enabled contactless payment will be more than 150,000. Operators have not only agreed for the platform development but also for the maximum dissemination of NFC terminals.

The main aim is to develop a common platform for payments through mobile phones that will also allow the dissemination and success in a national level of payment services through smartphones. In this process, the banks will have a primary role, having to adapt themselves to the innovation offering solutions related to mobile payment.

The platform is based on NFC technology that provides short-range wireless connectivity (up to 10 cm), ensuring full interoperability of technical solutions according to the standards GSMA, the international association of mobile operators.

In addition to NFC, the key of the system working will be the sim cards of operators through which it will be possible to manage every aspect to ensure the security and integrity of payments.

Do not stand back and get on the bandwagon of the NFC!