NFC in time control automation

Business need

One of our contractors conducts the business of providing customers with a sports facility, the use of which is settled based on the actual time spent on the facility. Due to the need to optimize the above business process, we received an inquiry regarding the possibility of providing an IT system that would meet the following requirements using NFC technology:

1. Registration of the moment the customer enters the facility.

2. Tracking the time customers stay at the facility with an accuracy of 1 second.

3. Possibility to verify the calculated value by bringing the NFC silicone wristband close to the reader.

4. Recording the moment the customer leaves the facility and calculating the due fees

The NFC solution

To meet the above requirements, we have proposed a solution with the following components:

1. Opaski zbliżeniowe RFID NFC MIFARE 1k

2. RFID NFC W20AUSB programmer

3. Dedicated software for MS Windows

The process carried out by the provided system involved registering the wristband (by approximating it to RFID reader) and issue it to the customer when starting to use the service and the need to re-register the wristband when leaving the facility.

The prepared dedicated software is responsible for communication with RFID reader, keeping records of people staying at the facility and calculating due fees.

Benefits

The implementation of the proposed system allowed us to significantly shorten the time needed to serve customers, thanks to the use of:

1. Registration of customer entries/exits by bringing the MIFARE silicone wristband close to NFC W20AUSB reader.

2. Allowing quick and precise control of the currently accrued time.

3. Automation of time recording and calculation of due fees.

Costs

Total implementation cost (dedicated software, proximity wristbands, NFC programmer) did not exceed 2000 PLN net.