Demystifying IT Buzzwords - Nearfield Communications
16 July 2008In this series of articles, our IT Director helps demystify some IT buzzwords that every business manager should understand. This month: Nearfield Communications or NFC.
Those of you who have travelled on the London Underground will be familiar with an early adaptation of NFC – the Oyster card. This technology allows communication between two ‘close proximity’ devices, in this case, the Oyster card and a base unit which can not only read the card, but update information held on it [in this case, the amount of credit left on the card].
Viewed as a revelation when they were introduced onto London’s transport system in 2003, they will look pretty tame when the next generation of this technology makes its appearance within the next year. Transport for London has already begun a trial of intelligent posters which, when a mobile phone is in range, transmits information such as station maps, live travel updates and route planning details. Cinemas could likewise broadcast vouchers for a film to those passing by, and Manchester City has already trialled a system that allows some supporters access to the ground using NFC at the ticket gates and linked to the supporters' mobile phones.
