NFC wave is coming

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a method of wireless data transfer that is a feature of almost every mobile phone on the market these days. An NFC chip forms a wireless link when activated by another, for the transfer of data. This is commonly used for features such as Apple and Android Pay, linking a smartphone with a smartwatch or pair with speakers and many other functions.

NFC has been around in Android phones since 2010 and on iOS since 2014. Android phones can read any NFC tags however NFC usage on iPhone has been limited to Apple Pay only. Recently at WWDC 2017, Apple introduced Core NFC framework in iOS 11 that enables other apps to detect NFC tags. Enabling NFC to apps other than Apple Pay opens a whole new opportunities.

Companies(retail, healthcare etc) have not been not fully committed for NFC usage in the past because it was only available on Android platform where iOS has 45% of US market share. Opening NFC to other apps on iOS would open lot opportunities in retail, healthcare, supply chain and IoT.

Here are 5 use cases that would help retail.

1. Nutrition Info and Recipes:
Companies can only print limited information on Nutrition labels on products. Using smart labels on products, customer can just tap and access a lot more information about the product including nutrition info, how the raw material was sourced, its health benefits, how to better use the product etc. These smart tags can also provide recipes.

2. Quick Shopping List and Replenishment:

Running out of milk? How many times, we need to type products manually in shopping list. Using smart labeled product, just tap your phone to the NFC label or if the refrigerator is equipped with a smart device, just tap the product with the device, shopping list is updated.

Remember amazon Dash Buttons? Soon, FMCG companies will start putting NFC labels on product and product can be replenished by just tapping phone on it and one tap purchase on smartphone. Prescription refills will also be easier using NFC smart tags.


3. Counterfeit- Identify Authentic Products
NFC labels will empower customers and stop them buying counterfeit products. Companies can make sure original products is reached or consumers and no counterfeit products are added at any stage of supply chain. Customers will also find out how product and its raw materials were sourced.

4. A Quick Access to User Manual and Training Videos
Customers want a frictionless experience. Why do we need to search for user manual and training videos? Using NFC chips on products, user can just tap NFC chip to access user manual and training videos.

5. Context Transfer to Associates

Customer is at home and found a product on retailer's app and it shows product's availability at nearby store. When she reaches the store and does not find the product, she will ask for associate for help. Associate will ask customer to find the product code from customer's app or associate will manually search product in her app to locate in the store or nearby store. NFC can help here. By tapping both phones, customer product details can be transferred to associate's smartphone. It is just frictionless.

Amazon's entry in physical retail is putting pressure on B&M retailers to invest in in-store technology to provide frictional less and personalized experience. NFC will surely find its spot in retail. If you are aware of any story about NFC in retail, please share in comments.

..View by My Friend Krishna

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