I recently read an article on how NFC is a far superior technology to SMS 2D Barcodes, however it also argued that Barcodes via SMS either 1D or 2D also had their benefits.
I am a huge advocate of technology and NFC I believe will be a very important technology for us all in the next 10 years. However as an independent Smart Technologies Consultant it is my obligation to advise my clients on the best fit solution for their requirements and most importantly the most one that is financially achievable. For me this may well be a much more simplistic solution which was reinforced to me recently when I met with a football club from the 3rd tier of English football. We discuss the prospect of a multi application smart card for their Season Tickets which would allow them to deliver many different services to their customer, generate more revenue and potentially increase attendances by up to 10%.
This particular client already looked at a number of technologies and was not prepared to consider the use of smart cards This was not because they were closed minded to the technology on the contrary they were and are happy to use what ever technology is bet for their needs. They also had a tight budget and limited scope to change some of their infrastructure or operational processes due to relationships with partner organisations.
All they planned for the next five years was to re-engineer ticketing but not to get caught into investing in technologies that were over complicated or prohibitively expensive. After reviewing all the options it was clear that smart cards were not appropriate and NFC would have been the sledgehammer that pulps the nut in to submission and would have broken the bank.
Looking at the requirements, financial constraints and contractual terms with partner organisation I advised 1D barcode card for season tickets with standard printed tickets print at home and SMS 1D barcodes ticket options for all other match day attendances. Other than do nothing this was the most efficient and effective approach and is how the club will be proceeding and I should add without my services. Not because I was ineffective but the solution I recommended was only for a single application, ticketing, and thus their existing supplier could meet their needs.
Sometimes the best option for your clients is one that means you don't get paid, and that is the point of this blog. ALWAYS recommend the best, most appropriate solution for the client even if that means potentially loosing business.
And back to the original question of which is the most effective technology 1D Barcodes, 2D Barcodes or NFC............................... the answer MUST always be I don't know until I have seen all your requirements for now and the future, then we need to balance that with cashable benefits.
Steve Beecroft
Smart Technologies Consultant
Consulting Smart Ltd
Joint Chairman SmartCard Networking Forum
See www.scnf.org.uk
t: +44 (0) 208 123 0811
m: +44 (0) 7855 364493
m: +44 (0) 7050 244614
skype: Steveyb1
No comments:
Post a Comment