Electronics and maintenance products distributor RS Components is offering marketers a selection of near-field communications (NFC) tag boards, with an evaluation kit, as part of its new range, which includes the Panasonic NFC tag platform.
The evaluation kit also includes a genetic microcontroller board. Embedded NFC tags that are designed using these tools enable users to communicate with smart posters, home appliances, wearable devices or office equipment such as printers.
The tags allow for the transfer of data – such as a Web address, text or numbers – between two devices using wireless technology.
The smart tags are microchips that are embedded into mobile devices, a flyer or wristband.
The technology enables users to hold an NFC-compatible device near an NFC-tagged menu in a restaurant, for example, and the entire menu, including the ingredients used for meals and the nutritional information, is available for perusal on a user’s mobile device.
“The range is targeted at marketers, as it creates new ways of connecting and engaging with customers while capturing visitor behaviour and preferences in real time. This technology also integrates marketing promotions at the point of sale, therefore enabling interested visitors to buy products instantly. Customers can buy their items of choice or tickets, or even register for events by simply waving their smartphone at a special pad or sticker,” explains RS Components South Africa GM Brian Andrew.
He adds that it is more convenient for end-users when they use this technology because it enables them to make contactless payments, share information, present an NFC version of a transportation ticket, such as a train ticket, or track patient information and see doctors’ notes in real time.
Andrew states that technology company Samsung has aggressively pursued the incorporation of the technology in its devices, as did electronics company LG, which has incorporated the NFC technology into its electronics and appliances, such as washing machines, vacuum machines and refrigerators, enabling users to control their appliances remotely.
RS Components offers a wide range of NFC-related products that include evaluation boards, antenna boards and target boards.
The company holds more than 2 500 brands, with global companies – Panasonic, Texas Instruments and STMicroelectronics – supplying NFC products to RS Components.