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| FlexStr8 NFC-Enabled Label |
FlexStra8
has developed the world’s first NFC-enabled color label clip-on encoder using
the TM-C3500 printer. With the clip-on
NFC encoder, FlexStra8 has made it easy to upgrade a TM-C3500 to encode and
print NFC labels.
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| FlexStr8 Encoder/Software |
To learn more about NFC, read this Wikipedia description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication
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| NFC Tag |
And to learn more about the FlexStr8 NFC solution, check out their
video. This 3 minute video tells you
much more about the technology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbw4cW02N-s. Pay particular attention to the potential applications FlexStr8 sees
for this solution.
According
to Eric Casavant, FlexStra8 Product Engineer, “for $1,199, you get everything
you need to start encoding and printing NFC enabled labels; clip-on encoder,
label design/encoding software and 500 labels.
With the potential of this technology, it’s a great and affordable way
to test how NFC enable labels would benefit your operation. In one easy to use
solution, you can print color labels for your products on-demand with an
imbedded NFC tag.”
Continuing, Eric
says, “more and more consumers have smart phones with NFC enable readers. Now,
labels can do more than support your brand or provide use instructions. You give your labels a voice; a way for your
customers to interact directly with your company”. To see a list of available NFC enable
devices, check out this Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFC-enabled_mobile_devices
After working in the RFID market for some time, (check out my Linked-In profile to see more about my experience in RFID: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guymikel), my focus in my discussions with FlexStr8 was on the
potential applications for the technology; the combination of print on-demand
color and NFC. Here are a few examples.
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| NFC Enabled Color Label |
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| NFC Directed Website On My Nexus 5 |
First, you can now direct your prospects or consumers to a specific URL, to provide more specific information than what’s
written on the label. For example, you
can:
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- Provide addition use directions or product manuals. For example, GHS label information or SDS sheets.
- Tie consumers directly to your social media pages.
- Offer specific language based on the default language of the browser settings of your customer.
- Make it easier for customers to repurchase your products by directing them to the product purchase page.
Second, you can use the NFC chip to launch an application on the
customer’s smart phone; or take the customer to the app store to download and
install an application. Now your label
can become a means to distribute applications your company builds to strengthen
your relationship with customers. For
example, our customer Hummingbird Nectar can not only connect customers to
their Hummingbird cam: http://www.hummingbirdnectar.com, but also provide an application that make it easy to
identify specific species of hummingbirds (if available).
Third, event organizers can load v-card information onto a
NFC tag; to make contact information readily available. Lead tracking at events just became easier to
do.
Fourth, the NFC tag can be used as an anti-counterfeit
device. Now you can encrypt a unique
identification on the NFC tag that connects to a cloud based database to
confirm the product as valid. According
to Eric, “FlexStr8 can provide the cloud based database; or will work with our
customer to integrate the solution into their existing online validation
tools.”
Overall, the FlexSt8 application enables companies to
connect with their customers, providing significantly more value that what’s
available from a standard label. To learn more or to purchase your FlexStr8
encoder to add to a TM-C3500, contact us.
And begin testing how NFC capabilities will improve your products.
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670
#colorlabels
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