NFC (Near Field Communication) is, as its own name implies, a proximity technology that allows for the easy exchange of information between devices.
It is a technology that offers several advantages to the proper maintenance of equipment and buildings. By placing NFC tags, technicians and maintenance managers are able to easily identify all types of equipment in locations, buildings, and even cities, making it an ideal complement to asset management software.
The integration of NFC technology with facility management software is revolutionising how maintenance teams approach equipment identification and monitoring across buildings and locations.
Imagine if you could have all of your equipment identified and monitored in real-time? Imagine being able to access all of that information from anywhere? This is now a reality.
NFC tags are made to be as sturdy as possible. They are resistant to extreme weather, strong sunlight and abrasive materials and can be placed on any equipment irrespective of their location and weather conditions. As a rule of thumb, each tag should be able to withstand 10,000 readings (around 27 years in the case of a tag that is read every day).
The durability and reliability of NFC tags make them ideal for tracking equipment and resources over extended periods. Modern maintenance operations require comprehensive tracking and management of equipment, parts, and resources, which is why many organisations are turning to inventory management software alongside innovative technologies like NFC.
However the benefits of NFC technology in maintenance are not limited to the simple identification of spaces and equipment. A correct implementation of an NFC-based system enables managers to automatically register the presence of technicians on-site. At the same time, a technician can gain access to all information he/she needs by simply engaging an NFC-enabled smartphone with any of the tags, creating seamless integration with field service management software.
As a result of NFC technology requiring close-proximity to function, it becomes necessary for maintenance technicians to be on-site at all times to register tasks. This integrates a degree of transparency to operations which is positive for encouraging a positive work ethic.
The transparency and documentation capabilities of NFC technology make it an excellent companion to compliance management software for maintaining regulatory standards and ensuring accountability in maintenance operations.
NFC has also helped to improve the maintenance of equipment and buildings by dramatically simplifying the processes required for them to run. Previously complicated and bureaucratic systems weighed down by paperwork can be seamlessly replaced by cmms software integrated with NFC technology, creating a maintenance management programme which is infinitely more simple.
Organisations implementing NFC technology often integrate it with their cafm system to create a comprehensive maintenance management solution that replaces traditional bureaucratic processes.
Infraspeak are a great example of a company using NFC technology to support evidence that innovation in maintenance management is possible. Many more changes are expected to happen in the near future, either in communication with, or indeed between, equipment, and in the management of resources.