Umm… What does this anagram mean ???

N EAR F IELD C OMMUNICATION (NFC)

What Is NFC ? NFC is a standards-based short-range wireless connectivity technology that makes life easier and more convenient for everyone, by making it simpler to make transactions, exchange digital content and connect electronic devices with a touch. It is compatible with millions of contactless cards and readers already deployed worldwide. IT IS AUTOMATIC NFC is bridging the gap between both the physical and virtual worlds. By bringing two devices near each other, there is a virtual reaction. So the key feature of NFC is : IT IS AUTOMATIC ! There is no need to launch an application. It just works ! In more technical terms, NFC defines the way two products communicate with each other. NFC is short range wireless RFID technology (10 cm) which uses low speeds ( kbps) and a low friction setup (no discovery, no pairing), which then allows two devices to automatically start communication when they are close to one another.

A Quick History Lesson On NFC 1973 : Charles Walton (father of RFID) was the first to patent a RFID pass card that would allow access to a locked door with the swipe of a “key card”. It was this technology & the way it was applied that influenced the invention of NFC 2002 : Fast forwarding to the beginning of the millennium, Sony and NXP Semiconductors invented the new NFC technology : Many cellular telephone companies committed to the idea of incorporating NFC and many had already begun incorporating it in production : The specifications for several “receiving” devices such as NFC Tags, smart tags were set and many of these ideas began to circulate to various companies for incorporation. These technologies would allow the user to collect videos, music, photos, product information, etc... just by waving their phone by the receiving or sending device : Peer to peer (P2P) applications were applied to NFC technology which allowed its users to send pictures, music and movies to other NFC enabled phones using blue tooth or other NFC connections

What Does It Mean For Access Control? The Access Control industry is going mobile!  NFC-enabled smart phones provide the industry with new ways to create, use, and manage secure identity.  By using capabilities inherent to the smart phone, end-users have a device that provides access to the front door of their home and workplace and secure access to corporate networks and equipment.  NFC offers users wireless management for their access control system.  The platform combines mobile data communication with NFC technology to generate and reprogram access cards, create new system users without physically delivering a card, make changes to remote client access without having to reprogram the door controllers or cards, generate remote visitor access, cancel access for lost phones and reactivate them if they are found. The platform can also incorporate access to many different facilities in the same phone.  An employee could use their phone to enter a building and behind the scenes middleware will capture the information and relay it to the time and attendance and access control management software.

NFC Ecosystem

What is a NFC Tag ? Technologically, they are a type of RFID chip or tag. They re designed to support NFC mobile device uses. The 3 parts of the TAG The CHIP The ANTENNA Collects radio energy from the mobile phone when the phone is passed close to the tag This energy is fed into the chip which receives just enough power to start it up and have brief conversation with the phone This communication uses the same radio waves that powers the chip. The whole thing can then be done in a single smooth pass. Reading an NFC tag takes less than a second The paper or vinyl STICKER

NFC Intuitive Interactions require no more than a simple touch Open and standards-based The underlying layers follow universally implemented ISO, ECMA an ETSI standards Inherently secure Transmissions are short range Security-ready Has built-in capabilities to support secure applications Interoperable Works with existing contactless card technologies Technology- enabling Facilitates fast and simple setup of wireless technologies Versatile Suited to the broadcast range of industries, environments and uses

WOW!!!!! This is the technology of the future !!! To infinity and beyond, the future in this technology will only be limited by the manufacturers’ imagination. Anyone reading this who has not yet jumped on the bandwagon… Get with the times !