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NFC Check-In via Smartphone
Ubiqod enables users to clock in seamlessly and contactlessly using the NFC feature on their personal or professional smartphones.
Advantages and Disadvantages of NFC Check-In
NFC has many advantages that appeal to smartphone users equipped with this technology. Increasingly recognized and utilized by the general public, it is particularly popular for contactless payments with mobile devices. NFC offers an interesting alternative to QR codes, especially since, with Ubiqod, its use does not require installing a dedicated app; everything is done through the user’s regular web browser.
The option in Ubiqod to link the user’s smartphone with a time tracking ID further enhances the experience: the user simply needs to indicate whether they are arriving or leaving.
Advantages of NFC Time Tracking
Harder to duplicate than QR codes
It is very easy to generate a QR code from a URL. Encoding an NFC tag requires more knowledge and resources, although it is relatively accessible (see below). Duplicating the tag also requires proximity interaction, which limits risks.
Simple to use
Once mastered, NFC technology offers an especially smooth experience. Simply approach the smartphone to open the Ubiqod time tracking interface. This experience can be further enhanced with the use of NFC-compatible smartwatches.
Disadvantages of NFC Check-In
Less known to the general public than QR codes
Since COVID-19, many people have learned to use and scan QR codes. NFC, though more promising, is a technology that is less known to the general public, and usability tests show that users struggle to adopt it. However, in a professional context, a brief training session for staff can overcome this issue.
Compatibility and activation of phones
Not all smartphones are equipped, and NFC must be activated to work.
More complex security
Unlike with QR codes, which can be secured with Ubiqod Key, using standard tags does not offer a comparable level of security without a dedicated App.
Creating an NFC Tag for Time Tracking
Purchasing NFC tags
It is possible to buy blank NFC time tracking cards that can then be encoded using an app and a smartphone. Some providers may also handle the data encoding (which simply involves entering the tracker’s URL into the tag).
Downloading an app
To encode an NFC card or badge yourself, you need to download an app. We recommend NFC Tools in the Pro version for Android smartphones. If you need to write several tags, you will need to buy specific equipment and software connected to your computer.
Writing/encoding the tracker URL (NFC Tools PRO)
Step 1: Add a URL type record in NFC Tools
Use the tracker URL in Ubiqod (tracker menu, QOD tab):
To facilitate the entry of the URL in your NFC tag writing tool, you can use the tracker’s QR code in conjunction with a QR code/barcode scanner.
Step 2: Confirm and write the tag
Write-Locking the Tag
To prevent the tag from being reused for fraudulent purposes, it is recommended to lock the tag for writing with the app after encoding the URL. This operation is irreversible, but thanks to Ubiqod, you can still evolve your interface without having to re-encode the NFC tag.
User Experience for NFC Check-In
Activating NFC
For this to work, the user must have a smartphone compatible with NFC technology and have this feature activated.
Passing the Smartphone over the Tag
The user must bring their mobile device close to the tag to trigger the opening of the interface in a browser. It is preferable to know in advance where the NFC chip is located on the smartphone, as this location can vary between brands and models (although it is often placed at the top of the device).
Completing the NFC Time Clocking
Once the clocking page is opened, the process is the same as what is activated with scanning a QR code or using a kiosk!
