Are you a business or a start-up, a craftsman or a trader? Are you wondering how to offer your customers the possibility of buying your products directly with their smartphone?
The answer is called Near Field Communication, or ” NFC ” to shorten it. This is a technology based on wireless data transfer that allows devices in close proximity to each other to communicate without an Internet connection.
It's simple, completely secure, and data transfers are fast.
In this article, find out everything you need to know about NFC technology.
What is NFC technology?
To put it simply: NFC is a contactless data transfer technology.
You are probably familiar with contactless payment thanks to your bank card. This technology has been widely adopted around the world today and is enjoying great success everywhere.
Invented by Charles Walton in 1983, NFC then used radio frequency identification (RFID to send radio frequencies to specific RFID receivers). However, NFC didn't really take off until 2004, when mobile phone companies began to take an interest in the technology's potential.
It wasn't until 2010, however, that consumers saw the first introduction of NFC to the smartphone market. Samsung first launched the product, with the Nexus S. This smartphone incorporated the first NFC chip.
How does NFC work?
For contactless payment to work, all devices involved must have an NFC chip. This chip enters into communication with another NFC chip belonging to another device and in doing so, the two devices can start sharing data.
For this to work, the two devices must be directly next to each other. The process is simple, efficient and almost instantaneous. No more entering a code! In stores, restaurants or hotels, you can pay in a single gesture with your bank card or smartphone.
Today, the NFC, by means of the bank card, has become democratized, but in London, it is struggling to take off on mobile phones. For businesses, however, offering contactless payment has become essential. Now let's see why!
The advantages of using contactless payment
The invention of NFC technology has radically changed the way we do our daily shopping.
Quick and easy payment
While NFC chips have always been in our credit cards, NFC technology has also enabled the creation of Samsung Pay, Apple Pay and Microsoft Wallet, allowing us to use our smartphone as a credit card.
Better communication between employees
Moreover, programs like Android Beam and Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 allow users to transfer photos, contacts and addresses quickly and reliably.
These services are not only for individuals and can bring a lot of benefits to businesses.
Better customer service
Create efficient and fast payment methods is the goal of any business, and NFC card readers provide this service to customers. In addition to other payment systems, mobile phone NFC can be used to help customers find product information. Indeed, by placing NFC tags on product labels, a customer can hover their smartphone over them and read the labels to learn more about a product or service that catches their eye.
What future for the NFC?
NFC seems promising for small businesses and especially for e-commerce. Imagine bringing your phone close to a web page and making a secure purchase in a single instant!
Consumers are adopting new technologies very quickly, so we can already imagine great success with the potential of this technology.
This kind of transaction could even revolutionize e-commerce. Within a few years, it is very likely that stores and sales areas will have to adapt more than ever to the new challenges of e-commerce.
So, are you ready to be a part of the game now?
