As smartphone capabilities and usage continue to grow, developing effective mobile solutions becomes increasingly important. While early attempts at mobile-specific solutions, such as QR codes, never saw truly widespread success, NFC (Near Field Communication) stands poised to be the breakthrough mobile technology that will finally bridge the gap between the physical and digital world.
NFC chips don’t require power and are small enough to be integrated into virtually any display or print material, for example: POS, posters, tradeshow booths, direct mail, out-of-home advertising – even magazine ads and inserts. By simply tapping the chip with an NFC-enabled device, users can instantly be provided with a wide variety of online experiences.
Unlike QR codes, which require users to download and then launch a dedicated app every time they want to scan a code, many modern smartphones already come equipped with NFC technology. NFC’s growing installed base and ease of use make them the ideal way to deliver rich digital experiences to today’s increasingly mobile world.
However, NFC’s possibilities extend beyond signage and other advertising. NFC chips can be implanted in wallet-sized cards. This has incredible implications for retail; imagine an NFC-enabled loyalty card that shoppers could tap at displays around the store in order to have product information, deals and more sent to their smartphones. In addition to providing an enhanced consumer experience, retailers would receive detailed shopper behavior data via the unique analytics IDs embedded in each card.