Introduction

You have likely encountered a person who tapped their phone on a card and forwarded their contact information, webpage, or social media page without typing even a single digit. That is NFC technology at work, and it is rapidly becoming the new standard for modern professional networking, particularly in this region of Qatar.

However, what is an NFC card, and how does it work? In this manual, we simplify it down to easy-to-understand terms – you do not need technical knowledge.

What is the abbreviation of NFC?

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It is a short-range wireless technology that enables two devices, or a device and a card, to communicate when they are within a few centimetres of one another. Imagine Bluetooth, except that it is faster, easier, and needs no pairing.

NFC uses a radio frequency of 13.56 MHz and has the ability to transmit data within less than a second. The same technology is applied in payment of contactless bank cards, hotel room keys and metro access cards across the world.

What is an NFC card?

An NFC card is a tangible card, typically the size of a normal business card or credit card, that houses a small embedded NFC chip. A small amount of digital data of a link or a vCard (virtue card) is stored in this chip.

When you tap your NFC-powered smartphone to the card, your phone immediately reads the chip and opens whatever is stored on it – your contact information, your website, your LinkedIn page, your Google review page, or any other website destination you select.

No app is required. The card does not require any Wi-Fi or mobile data. All the recipient does is tap and access your information instantly.

How does an NFC card work? Step by step

This is what happens when an NFC card is used:

• The chip within the card is an NFC chip which holds a URL or vCard information, coded during the production process.
• The smartcard user taps the card on any smartphone that supports NFC (most Android and Apple devices since 2018 have NFC).
• The phone picks up the radio frequency field of the card and reads the chip information in milliseconds.
• The browser or contacts application on the phone is opened, showing the corresponding page or storing the contact information.
• Your information is now known to the recipient without uttering a word or typing anything.

The card does not carry a battery, no power source or moving parts. It attracts the small portion of energy that is required to relay information straight off the electromagnetic field generated by the reading device- in this instance, the smartphone.

 

Which data can be stored in an NFC card?

In modern NFC cards (such as the etap.qa ones), it is possible to set up the cards to connect to a digital profile page, which includes:

• Name, job title and name of company.
• Physical address, phone number, and email address.
• Social media links (LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) and website links.
• A downloadable vCard to save to contacts.
• Your Google Review page – retrieving it with one tap to leave a review.
• A video introduction, product catalogue or portfolio.

Since the card is connected to an online profile, instead of having all the details on the chip, you can change anything at any moment, without having to reprint or even change the card.

Who uses NFC cards?

Professionals of all industries in Qatar and around the world use NFC cards:

Corporate professionals: Sales managers, executives, and consultants who do a lot of networking.

Small business owners: Shop and service providers who desire a contemporary and environmentally conscious method of sharing their information.

Real estate agents: Post property listings, contact details and portfolios with a single press.

Hotels and restaurants: Hotel staff, restaurant managers, and the service team that gathers Google reviews.

Freelancers and creatives: Designers, photographers and marketers who need a digital portfolio on the go.

NFC cards in Qatar

The swift digitalisation of Qatar, which is also in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, has predisposed NFC technology to the local business. Whether it is the corporate towers of Doha West Bay or the retail stores of The Pearl, the business community is moving away from the use of paper cards towards NFC solutions at an increasing pace.

etap.qa is the largest supplier of NFC digital business cards, Google review cards and RFID solutions in Qatar – providing free delivery in Qatar and the complete spectrum of PVC, metal and acrylic NFC products.

Frequently asked questions

 

Can NFC be used on iPhones?

Yes. All iPhones starting with iPhone 7 (iOS 13) and later can read NFC tags without any extra application. Android phones have been able to operate NFC since around 2011.

Is NFC secure?

Yes. NFC is a physical contact technology, which means that it is done at a distance of less than 4 cm. This complicates any possibilities of interception when it is done remotely. In the case of business cards, the information is not sensitive (the same information that you would place on a paper card) and hence there is no meaningful threat to its security.

Am I able to modify the data on my NFC card?

Yes, and with etap.qa NFC cards, you can have your card connected to an online profile, which you can update any time. All you have to do is log in and update your details, and anybody who scans your card will be able to see the new information instantly.

Ready to upgrade your networking? etap.qa offers custom NFC business cards with free delivery across Qatar. Order yours today at etap.qa.