There are many, many applications for NFC technology — from the chip embedded in your credit card to streamlining other technologies, such as Bluetooth pairing. The combination of close-range data transfer, ease of use, and versatility make NFC perfect for environments where data transactions have a requirement for location-specific access (for example, you don’t want your credit card chip to be accessible from more than a few centimeters away). Below are some of the most common uses for NFC (note that this is far from an all-inclusive list).
Common Use Cases
Identity Validation/Access Control — Many access control systems use NFC technology to validate identity and allow access to secure locations.
Attendance Tracking — NFC tags are frequently used in ID cards and badges for attendance tracking and record keeping.
Asset Identification and Tracking — NFC tags can store important information regarding the assets they are attached to (such as serial number, purchase date, asset value, last maintenance, etc.)
Payments/Transactions — Smart cards and contact-less payment methods use NFC technology.
Wireless Pairing — NFC tags can be used to allow for quick pairing between a Bluetooth device (with an NFC tag) and an NFC-capable Bluetooth device, such as an Android phone.
Digging Deeper
In addition to the common use cases mentioned above, NFC technology can be implemented in a nearly endless number of applications; here are a few examples.
Transportation — Public and private transportation methods (such as taxis and buses) can benefit from using NFC tags that, when scanned, will direct the passenger to an application, URL, or payment method.
Restaurants and Accommodation — Restaurants and other customer service oriented businesses can benefit from using NFC tags to quickly and easily deliver data such as menus, promotions, Wi-Fi passwords, and other information.
Customer Support — NFC tags are often used as a way of tracking asset information—such as serial numbers, purchase information, lifespan, etc.—to allow for streamlined customer service and support.
Tourism — Tourist locations, such as museums, can benefit from using NFC tags to easily store and deliver information regarding historical events, descriptions of statues/sculptures/artwork, etc.
Networking — NFC technology provides an easy method of quickly exchanging contact details at networking events.