The New African IT Gold: Near Field Communications

Near field communication, abbreviated NFC, is a form of contactless communication between devices like smartphones or tablets. Contactless communication allows a user to wave the smartphone over a NFC compatible device to send information without needing to touch the devices together or go through multiple steps setting up a connection.  

 With the right applications NFC can be used in contactless transactions, data exchange, and it is simple to  setup compared to that of  Wi-Fi. Aslo NFC device works with an unpowered NFC chip called "tag"

This is one technology that has great potential for the African market and for the up and coming young entrepreneurs. It endless possibilities, low technical infrastructure and little or no reliance on power means it can be use even at the remotest regions of Africa, couple with increase mobile use by the day is mind blowing. It may have it security issues but i still think we can make most use out of it.

Benefits of NFC for Individuals

Contactless Payments
The most well-known use of NFC technology is for contactless payment. Customers can swipe their smartphone over a card reader to make a purchase without fumbling through credit and debit cards or counting out cash. This technology allows the customer to load multiple cards and choose which one they wish to use for each transaction. Not only does this save time, but it also reduces the chances of losing a credit card that comes with carrying multiple cards around. Hmm I just lost my NHIS card and I don’t have any valid ID on me so couldn’t cash a cheque  at the bank.

Information Sharing
The small size of NFC tags and their lack of a battery, relying instead on radio frequency signals sent from a smartphone or other NFC compatible device to operate, let them go virtually anywhere. From posters to museum displays to library books, an NFC tag can hold information that a user can then swipe their phone over to read. From art galleries to schools, NFC tags are used to transmit information about famous artworks or display personalized student schedules and current event updates. Very ideal for advertising agency and other independent brand promoting projects.

Transportation
Subways and trains require a rider to purchase a ticket based on the number of trips they plan to take and are easily lost in the shuffle of the morning commute. Some cities now offer a NFC or a FeliCa -- popular in Japan -- version of a train ticket. Swiping a smartphone not only allows the passenger access to the subway but also keeps track of the number of trips he has left. Passengers can come and go much faster and easily pay for extra trips. Imagine picking the metro bus or the trotro and having to swipe , how cool is that !. This will help cash collection hence improve the revenue base, people can buy a month ticket and the bus company can project revenue.

Health Care
As advances in medicine and technology increase, the focus is on creating better healthcare systems. With NFC technology, hospitals can better track patient information and doctors’ notes in real-time. Each time a nurse or doctor visits the patient, they can make a note of a change in recommendations and record which medicines were administered. This helps prevent the wrong medications from going to the wrong patient and creates a streamlined system focused on the best in patient care. I always have this feeling that those born in crowded general hospitals may have been swapped at child birth and this NFC will curtail these mix ups. Am not saying if you behave or look different from any of your family members you might be a victim of  child birth mix ups :)

Social Networking
Social networking is booming, and NFC tags are looking to get in on the action. From swiping a smartphone to check in at a location to bumping phones with a new friend to exchange contact information, NFC allows users to interact with each other and update their location and other info without any unnecessary log-ins or tapping through menu screens. You can never tell if you getting the right number from a girl, this makes it a whole lot easier. No more, "the number you are calling does not exist".

Benefits of NFC for Business

Businesses can benefit from this technology as well. Managers can communicate quickly with employees and a business, whether big or small, can improve customer satisfaction through contactless payment and information systems. For a business owner this is good but the kind of employees I know naaah!!

Staff Communication
NFC tags allows employees to check in at their current locations and record time spent on the clock and time spent on break. This will be very good for the civil service in checking wastage, only God know how long some spent at work.

Real time updates, tracking employees and reading updated notes from staff or managers can occur through the use of NFC. If a customer needs help, all a manager has to do is wave his/her smartphone over an NFC tag with the relevant information to check who is in the department and free to help the customer.  I am sure this won’t go well for workers but for an employer this is the right tool, no more idling time, you get value for your money.

Improved Customer Service
Taking the hassle out of paying at the store seems to be NFC’s driving force. Creating faster, more efficient ways to get through the checkout line is a goal for many companies, and NFC card readers offer this service to customers. In addition to payment systems, NFC can be used to help customers find information. By placing NFC tags in product displays, a customer can wave his smartphone over it to learn more about a product or service that catches his interest cutting down on wait times -- something every customer appreciates. This will help most companies, trust me sometimes you wonder if these customer service personnels are trained i.e. banks

Whether you work at a large corporation, run a small business, or fund a non-profit organization, NFC technology has several benefits that can help you with time management, employee tracking, and customer satisfaction. As the technology grows, more merchants will find themselves moving toward NFC technology for completing their transactions.

The NFC Forum promotes the potential for NFC-enabled devices to act as electronic identity documents and keycards.  This is ideal for all those forge documents that are out there.i.e certificates.

source: nearfieldcommunication.org

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