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What can NFC technology be used for other than contactless payments?

Near Field Communication is now widely known as being the technology used for taking payments. However, unknown to many it proves its convenience within other industries for its different capabilities. Check out these NFC use cases surrounding access and identification and ways Sentry Interactive utilises the technology.

What is NFC?

NFC technology is a wireless communication technology that operates over short-range, at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. The transmission range of NFC is up to half an inch, creating secure data transfer between NFC devices.

Today, there are over 2 billion NFC-enabled devices, the majority of which are mobile phones that run operating systems such as Android and iOS devices. However, most users don’t understand the potential uses that the technology they have in their pocket holds.

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NFC payment technology

‍Most commonly NFC has been leveraged as a contactless payment solution used within mobile payment apps such as Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay. This demonstrates the technology’s reliability to transfer sensitive financial data. 2007 was the first year NFC was used as a method of payment through an NFC enabled phone, the Nokia 6131 NFC, in the same year the first contactless NFC cards were issued by Barclaycard. Its versatility and ability to be used for a variety of other applications are mostly unseen.

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NFC uses beyond contactless payments

‍The large potential of the technology beyond payments lies in its secure ability to protect user credentials as well as being a real-time updateable technology to provide variable information. With broader knowledge of its ground-breaking developments making processes more efficient, the technology can be brought to a large number of users by the adoption from businesses in various industries.

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Hospitality

NFC has multiple capabilities within the hospitality sector, in mobile credentialing, access control and capacity management. In the hotel industry, time and money can be saved using the technology from a staffing perspective as well as for guests. Guests have the ability to skip face-to-face check-in and go straight up to their rooms where they can enter with their NFC-enabled room key on their mobile phone. Staff can also control specific access to certain areas remotely, a VIP for example would be given freedom of access to the VIP lounge, however, other guests will have restricted access. Staff are able to focus their attention to other tasks to ensure optimum customer satisfaction rather than time consuming admin tasks such as issuing physical cards, badges, or tickets.

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Disney World provides a major example of NFC technology being rolled out in hospitality to allow contactless access to a variety of services. The Disney MagicMobile is set to replace the MagicBand NFC wristband this year, it is being rolled out first on iPhone to provide a contactless digital pass that can be added to a user’s digital wallet. This NFC pass can be used for access to the park and its NFC activated digital experiences as well as for entry to the park’s hotel rooms. Providing an interactive, efficient experience.

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Healthcare

‍Healthcare is an industry that has seen large amounts of research and development into the application of NFC technology and an industry that can benefit greatly from its implementation. It allows processes to be sped up, from patient registration to staff access control. The automatic updatability of NFC technology means digital records can be updated in real-time and kept safely, this helps with staff organisation. Helping to locate patients as well as understand their requirements by simply being able to scan an NFC tag on a patient’s wristband with an NFC enabled device is an easier, more accurate and comprehensive process. Regarding infrastructure and resource security, NFC tags can also be stuck to and used to track hospital equipment and medicines, reducing potential loss from theft. As for data security, NFC tap to access devices that contain medical data provides an extra level of security.

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Automotive

‍The idea of using your smartphone as a key to unlock and lock your car is becoming more and more of a feature with large car manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Ford, and Genesis. These manufacturers have partnered with Samsung over the past couple of years to enable NFC digital car keys. More recently this year we have seen Apple introduce its Apple NFC CarKey feature into their Wallet app, the CarKey feature will allow users to open their car using the iPhone or AppleWatch and even share keys. Hyundai have planned to add support for this feature for selected models released in the summer. In cars NFC is being used for keyless entry as well as to turn on the ignition. Via a car manufacturers NFC app one can tap the door handle to unlock their car and then place their phone on a wireless docking station which starts the car engine up, the whole process is keyless, secure and fast.  

‍The process of a digital NFC vehicle key isn’t only convenient for private car owners. Car rental companies are using it for remote deployment of their cars and for having the ability to only allow access for a certain time-frame. For car rental companies such as ZIPcar it works perfectly due to them having cars dotted all over cities which would need many man hours to hand keys over every time a customer wants to use a car or van for a short time frame. Customers can use the NFC-enabled smartphone and tap it on the windshield to enter the vehicle they have been granted access to.    

Access Control

NFC mobile technology creates a convenient and flexible access control experience. Wave goodbye to unsecure corporate, commercial, and institutional badges and cards, an NFC-enabled smartphone is the only key or credential required. Sentry Interactive provides a unique example using NFC for access control by using the user’s phone as the active NFC reader and pairing it with a passive NFC door tile. This means that no new door reader hardware is required to activate NFC mobile access, the user’s smartphone is the reader. Sentry encompasses the idea of cloud-based NFC access control by integrating with existing physical access control systems to enable the ability to open doors with both iOS and Android NFC without having to replace hardware. Building managers and admins are able to streamline their processes through instant mobile credentialing. A user can be granted access to a door or doors from anywhere at any time for any amount of time, this makes for a much more efficient process whilst maintaining the same or higher levels of security.

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Conclusion

So it can be seen that NFC technology can be and is being used in many different ways across multiple industries and holds particular advantages over bluetooth technology. There is large potential for the technology and this has been heard with it set to grow exponentially over the next five years. It is not all that easy, every implementation of NFC has its challenges from further integrations being required for example with vehicle locking systems through to a lack of infrastructure to start with. 

‍To find out more about NFC technology and how it can be used within access control, contact a member of our team.

"Sentry’s smart software solution provides the ability to scale and modernize our full portfolio whilst simultaneously enhancing the level of security that our buildings have."
Tobie ChapmanEstates Manager, Colliers
"Sentry’s solutions have been instrumental in amplifying our commitment to innovation. It seamlessly blends with our mission of providing smarter buildings for our customers."
Megan PatelFacilities Manager, BE Offices
"We’ve chosen Sentry as the go-to solution for all our future sites, making it the gold standard for access control in our spaces. This decision ensures that every new location benefits from the same consistent, streamlined, and secure entry experience."
Ben NewtonHead of Operations, Patch
"We have two sites each with different access control systems, neither of which support smartphone access. We were worried we'd have to start from scratch at huge cost but the Sentry Mobile Access system has slotted in right alongside. It's inexpensive, simple to install, and easy to operate"
TomDirector at Cowork
"Since integrating Sentry Mobile Access with our existing ACT door access control hardware we have been able to provide smartphone touch free door entry to our tenants, particularly important during these times where tenants need to feel at ease"
FreddyCEO at Savvy
"I can strongly recommend their mobile access software solution works perfectly alongside my existing Paxton access control hardware"
LisaFD at Estate Insurance Group (EIG)
"Being a multi-tenant building landlord, I need to be able to provide access for multiple tradespeople, and have visibility of the comings and goings to ensure my buildings are secure and run efficiently. Being able to issue visitor passes for specific entry and exit times solves the need to be at the building to let the workmen in".
NickChairman at Property Consolidation, LLP
"Sentry Interactive was the logical access system for us. The UI is intuitive and easy to navigate, and when we need support the team are beyond helpful. We'd highly recommend Sentry Mobile Access to anyone".
SarahProgram Manager at Cisco
"Big fan of Sentry Mobile Access! The app is really easy to use and if you have any problem the support team is really quick and helpful. Everyone in the office comments on how fantastic it is".
ChristillManager at Rainmaking Loft
"It was simple and straight forward to operate, easy and simple to install on my Android phone. I am really impressed. This block also had electronic gates, which I did use, again worked well to get in".
MarkElectrician, RMG Managed Property
"I love Sentry Interactive. It's made my life easier and helped provide additional logs of all time stamped comings and goings from the building. It’s also help me to save money and time".
ArilmaOffice Manager, Property Consolidation LLP
"It seems super safe. The app is really well designed and easy to use. The widget is very convenient to open the door from a distance (especially in times of Covid, when it is nice to avoid touching door handles, etc)".
PedroTenant, RMG Managed Property
“I ended up with a large amount of empty office space that I didn't know what to do with following the pandemic. Sentry Interactive was the perfect solution to sub let the space for coworking. This enabled me to turn desks into hot desks to enable flexible working and use for existing employees that wanted to return to the office”.
LucMD at Liberty Resourcing, Ltd
“Sentry Mobile Access is exactly what I need. I required a room to perform consultations with clients and found an existing office that would be ideal. I pay for the room only when I need it, I turn up and tap to unlock. I can even unlock with one tap on my Apple Watch. It’s simple and easy”.
CharlotteCEO and Founder at The Health Nutritionist
“I required a place to work from and host client meetings in downtown Lisbon. I book and pay for the meeting room a few times a week. To enter the meeting room I use NFC on my iPhone and touch the phone against the tile that has an NFC chip built-in to unlock the door. The Sentry app is easy and quick to use. Works just how I need it too”.
LéoCreative Art Director at LB Dsgns
“After WFH for sometime I got tired of the lack of space, distractions and no separation between work and home. I wanted some flexible workspace every now and then but didn’t want to pay WeWork prices. My friend recommended Sentry Interactive to be able to hot desk at the same place she does. It’s simple to book and pay for the space as and when I need it. All I need is my smartphone to unlock the office door for the time I’ve paid for”.
EliseCRO Specialist at Swift Monkey
“Being a multi-tenant landlord for a few office buildings there are times when space isn’t being used fully. I was able to use Sentry Mobile Access to help fill up the empty space I had when tenants couldn’t come up with internal uses for it. It’s been easy to attract new flexible workspace tenants thanks to Sentry’s app”.
NickChairman, Property Consolidation, LLP
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William Bainborough

Board of Directors

William is an experienced British entrepreneur, founder, and accomplished board executive and advisor for a number of businesses. He is the CEO and co-founder of Doordeck, the world’s only true cloud-based access control aggregator. He is also the managing director and founder of Group Secure, a leader in providing security, CCTV, and access control solutions, products, and installation for high-net-worth individuals in the UK. 

William established his first business at just seventeen and brings 20-plus years of in-depth experience and industry knowledge. He has a proven track record for building businesses from the ground up—and then leading them to profitability and a successful exit across a myriad of sectors including hospitality, retail, security, telecommunications, and e-commerce. William’s leadership, vision, and experience in creating cutting-edge SaaS-based technology platforms will prove invaluable for Sentry Interactive moving forward.

Denis Hébert

CHAIRMAN & CEO

Hébert began his career at Honeywell International where he held several leadership positions including Managing Director for the Automation and Controls business in France and eventually President of the NexWatch Corporation from 1999-2002. Hébert led HID Global as President & CEO over a transformative 12-year period from 2002-2015, where he provided strategic guidance and grew the business tenfold through a mix of strong organic and acquisitive growth. Most recently, Hébert was President of Feenics Corporation which is a cloud-based access control company that was successfully sold to ACRE LLC at the end of 2021. Hébert also served on the Board of Directors for the Security Industry Association (SIA) from 2009-2020 and was nominated to be Chairman of the Board for SIA from 2016-2018. He is currently Chairman of the Board for Nightingale Security based in Newark, CA.

Stephen Taylor Matthews

Board of Directors
Stephen is a very accomplished attorney, member of the Texas State Bar, licensed commercial real estate broker, and an avid philanthropist. He is an experienced executive board member, serving in leadership positions for more than 20 community councils and corporate boards—ranging from Boy Scouts of America to the ABBA Business Leaders Council, and most recently the American Bank BOD, the Real Estate Council of Austin, and the Marbridge Foundation BOT. With more than 35 years experience, Stephen and his firm, Barrond & Adler, L.L.P. are devoted to eminent domain cases in Texas.

Jon Davis

Board of Directors

Mr. Davis is an Experienced corporate board member, having served on boards of public, private equity-backed, and venture-backed companies. Jon possesses deep industry expertise in dairy, food processing, food technology and manufacturing, and food, beverage, and entertainment services. 

During Jon’s tenure of 25 plus years, he’s led operations, research and development, and mergers and acquisitions. He’s served as CEO and has been the founder and active board member for many successful enterprises—from startups to billion-dollar corporations. While COO and CEO of Davisco Foods International, Jon built a state-of-the-art cheese plant which was awarded the United States Dairy processing plant of the year in 2005 by Dairy Foods magazine. Currently, Jon is active with several non-dairy projects, including investments in local real estate, the Wayzata Brewworks, and his latest venture the new CōV restaurant in Edina’s Galleria.

Joe Caldwell

Founder and Chairman of the Board

Joe is an American entrepreneur, investor, and accomplished executive. He has co-founded, founded, and led many successful businesses, including US Internet, a leading fiber internet service provider, Securence, a leading provider of email filtering software, and Ravon, an industry-leading digital voice communications service. 

It was Joe’s venture, Municipal Parking Services (MPS), that inspired him in 2020 to start Sentry Interactive, an advanced touchless and staffless detection platform.

Caldwell currently serves as CEO and Chairman of the Board for Municipal Parking Services (MPS), a global tech company based in Austin, TX responsible for inventing and patenting technologies that assist in parking and security enforcement.

Joe was named one of Minnesota’s 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders for the past two years—and is a seasoned corporate board member. He’s served on boards of public, private equity-backed, and venture-backed companies—and has deep industry expertise in all aspects of digital technology.

Jason Bohrer

Board of Directors

Jason Bohrer is one of the visionaries behind our mission to bring people back together safely and securely, in any environment, through Sentry’s advanced digital communications and detection platform. With over two decades of senior leadership experience, Jason’s track record of success spans across sales, operations, product innovation, strategy, and technology for domestic and global companies like Bexar Technology Partners, CPI Card Group, HID Global, and Motorola, Inc. Prior to launching Sentry Interactive, Jason was actively involved with several key technology transitions across multiple industries, including the contact and contactless EMV transitions in the U.S. payments industry and the adoption of smart card and mobile technologies in the global access and identity market. Jason was an inaugural member of the University of Chicago Executive Institute and holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. He also serves as the Executive Director for two industry-leading not-for-profit organizations: the Secure Technology Alliance and the U.S. Payments Forum.
Brent Terry

Brent Terry

Chief Operating Officer
Brent Terry leads the operations and solutions organizations at Sentry. This includes all product innovation, development, and operations management. A veteran in the technology space, Brent has more than 30 years of experience across a myriad of industries, like physical security technology and building automation, SAAS, hardware and software product development, internet, digital TV, interactive TV, digital media, telecommunications, and medical products and services. Prior to Sentry, Brent has spun up successful startups and led high-performing teams for some of the biggest global, Fortune 500 companies, including ARRIS, Conerco, Motive Communications, SeaChange International, and IBM. Brent holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Louisiana. He also is the committee Chairman and Program Director for a non-profit organization responsible for the rollout of smart cards for physicians and first responders.