Dive Brief:
- Near-field communication technology for contactless cards and mobile devices is expected to be mainstream in just a couple of years, and early adopters in higher ed have lessons to share.
- University Business reports that there are three key actions to take: create a rollout plan, support in-between stages that offer the technology in some places but not others, and get students involved to increase their buy-in with the changes.
- Contactless cards are a start for many institutions, but NFC technology for smartphones is the end goal, as students are less likely to lose them.
Dive Insight:
In terms of a long-term strategy, besides starting with the cards and moving to phone technology, several institutions started with payment systems and expanded using the technology to grant entry into dorms and other campus buildings. Security is a major reason many colleges and universities are making the switch. Swipe cards and those with a barcode are easier to replicate and more vulnerable to those who want to steal student information. Near field communication generally works when a card or phone comes within 4 and 10 centimeters of the other device. Information is then shared wirelessly. A major lesson from early adopters is that starting small is OK.