#TechDemo x Connect41
QR Code 4.0
NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is actually quite recent, having been developed in the 2000s, on the basis of another technology born in the 80s, radio identification, better known as RFID (if you'd like to learn more, you can find our #TechTalk interview on the subject, with Christian Mirus).
A brief history: in 2004, Sony, Nokia and Philips formed the NFC Forum to promote and standardize this technology. In 2006, the first NFC-compatible phones were launched, enabling contactless payments and short-distance data exchanges. NFC use became even more popular with the introduction of NFC technology with the iPhone 6 in 2014, but this paradoxically reduced the technology's growth, as Apple restricted its use to Apple Pay, a decision that prevented third-party developers from creating applications using the technology and thus limiting the innovations possible around it...
Since then, NFC technology has become widely used in a variety of fields and sectors: mobile payments, of course, public transport and interactive marketing, not surprisingly, and perhaps more confidentially, applications are also possible in industry, tourism, healthcare and even locksmithing.
NFC technology promises to become a key component of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the modern user experience.
43 customizable modules for immediate & secure sharing of whatever you want!
NFC technology could therefore be summed up as an enhanced QR code that simply activates at a safe distance from the transmitter, eliminating the need to activate a camera or third-party application - a significant gain in terms of user experience. This technology also stands out for its ability to store information "locally", which, unlike a QR code, makes it more reliable and less prone to alteration for network or hacking reasons, thanks in particular to the use of encryption and authentication keys.
Connect41, a start-up in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, has seized on these advantages and the infinite potential for communication, to put this technology at the service of SMEs. Starting with a connected business card service, Connect41 gives you access to no fewer than 43 modules enabling you to share all kinds of information and media, in a multitude of formats, securely and fully customizable.
NFC technology promises to become a key component of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the modern user experience.
This is the submerged face of the iceberg, as we've already seen with these first interactive marketing applications, but the start-up is going one step further, enabling these NFC chips to be inserted into labels. Today, they are used in particular on wine bottle labels, to create even more interactive user experiences, but tomorrow they could also be inserted in bracelets for connected watches, connected medical monitoring devices, logistical supports for more intelligent production chains, or to guide and enrich the itineraries of foreign visitors.
Connect41's presentation of its product & service offering may well spark a few ideas for innovation within your SME. From this ultra-connected & secure NFC chip, to your print & digital communication, via your workflows and artificial intelligence applications, your company's potential for digital transformation could be multiplied.
So if you've ever asked yourself∙e of these questions, among others:
- How can we make QR Code use more sustainable?
- How do you distribute recurring information on site while retaining the possibility of personalizing it and improving the user experience?
- How can I (re)connect my core business with the tools of my digital transformation?
Or if you'd simply like to learn more about the digital ecosystem and solutions in French-speaking Switzerland, join us on July 23, at 11:30 a.m. for live streaming, with Gérald Bertrandco-founder of Connect41, on the Alp ICT Youtube channel or on our linkedin account.
The monthly meeting place for SMEs to identify digital solutions
#TechDemo is the place to be for SMEs looking for digital solutions. Each month, we present a practical, innovative application to help you open up new opportunities, or simply make your day-to-day business easier. These events are free and require registration. They feature a 30-minute practical demonstration of the tool, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session.
