Near Field Communications

What is Near Field Communications (NFC)? Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled handsets with RFID tags give you a guaranteed proof that an employee was at a particular location and what they were doing whilst there - by simply touching a location tag with their NFC handset.  The NFC handset is also an ideal tool for the Lone Worker Protection (LWP) and Touch RFID makes it easy for employees to instantly transmit that they are in danger.

Security Guarding	Domiciliary Homecare	Contract Cleaning

How Does NFC Work?

Employee carries an NFC-enabled handset (i.e. Nokia 6212 classic - pictured  containing the RFID application. Employee Visits locations i.e. office, warehouse, customer, vehible, assests etc that have a pre-positioned RFID tag. Employee touches RFID tag with handset, this identifies who and where they are. The handset displays a set of location-sensitive options that the worker chooses from - this may be a simple list of choices or a data entry request i.e. job number, mileage, status etc. All of this data is immediately transmitted via GPRS telephone network in real-time to the client's other IT systems.

Variations

"Touch & Go"

In this instance the worker simply touches a tag and walks on.  This can be used by security guards on tour or homecare night shift workers.  No user input is required because they have proved their prescence just by touching.

"Tag comes to Phone"

Another scenario whereby tags are used to identify individual people (they are ID tags).  The tag goes to the handset - the handset becomes a "mobile clocking machine".  An example of this would be a construction site where the manager has a handset and the workers clock in/out on this using their ID tag.

"Lone Worker Protection"

LWP would apply where the worker carries an Alert tag, this could be in the form of a separate plastic card or keyfob, a tag stuck behind their ID card or concealed inside a pen or matchbox - it could even be woven into their uniform.  As soon as they are in danger they simply touch the tag with their phone - or descreetly place the alert tag in the same pocket as the phone).  An instant silent alarm is sent to the control room.  The application can also dial a pre-determined number and leave the phone line open.

Suggested Users

• Security Guards - static sites, mobile patrols, keyholding - guard tours, incidents, vehicle reports.
• Contract Cleaners - time in/out, work done, products used, competitors products on site, etc.
• Domicillary Homecare - proof attended, work done, incidents, follow-ups, well-being.
• Care Homes -night tours, incidents, residents well-being.
• Construction Sites - works in/out
• Property Maintenance - inspections, work done.
• Equipment Maintenance and Inspection
• Asset Management and Stock Checking
• Holiday Reps - time in/out hotel/offices/, reason for visits.
• Recruitment/Contracting Agencies - working times

Key Features

• A fully configurable mobile user-interface builder to create context-sensitive phone menus for whatever types of users are required in whatever sector the customer is in - security guards, cleaners, homecare workers, property management, supervisors etc.  Different users can touch the same tag and get different menu options relevant to their job type at that location.
• Over-the-air software distribution to multiple groups of users.  Need to add new functionality?  Just amend the appropriate menu options and mass transmit in seconds to all relevant users.
• Off-line feature that queues transactions should the user be out of mobile signal range - for example, underground.  When in range again, outstanding date is automatically transmitted.
• Web-based back-office for management reports and to administer phone menus, mobile users, web-users, location tags, etc.  No software is installed on the client's system; it all runs over the Internet.
• Simple integration to the client's own IT systems via standard XML/SOAP interfaces which communicate with operational databases.  Data is passed in real-time from handset to client back-office applications.

Benefits of Touch RFID

A Single Device - the user only needs a mobile phone to prove where they went, when and what they did whilst they were there.  Lone Worker Protection (LWP) can quickly be configured as standard.

Cost-effective, simple to install and maintain and easy to use - little or no training is necessary to use these devices.

"Clocking in" can be performed anywhere.  An RFID tag can be placed anywhere the employee visits - office, the customer, vehicle, warehouse etc.  This gives guarateed proof that the member of staff has attended, also allowing small amounts of location data to be entered.

RFID cuts out the gap between pen/paper and PDA for data capture purposes, solving the problem where PDA's would be over-kill for the users needs - simplifying and streamlining time management.

Unlike GPS (SatNav) there are no civil liberty worries and it works where there is no mobile signal - i.e. underground  or indoors.  RFID tags can also be used to identify individual assets, people or products present at the same location.