QR & NFC in Cleaning

QR & NFC are currently the best known examples of technologies that cater for contactless interaction. What is it and what can you do with it?

A QR-code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode which is a machine-readable optical label that can contain information about the item to which it is attached. A QR-code consists of black squares arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be scanned by taking a photo of the code. 

NFC stands for “Near Field Communication” which enables short-range communication between compatible devices. For NFC to work, you need at least one transmitting- and one receiving device. When using NFC, you can either use passive, or active devices. Passive NFC devices are small transmitters that do not need a power source to operate, such as a tag or sticker. These devices can only connect to active devices like smartphones or touch payment terminals.

In essence, QR and NFC can be used for similar goals. QR is often the cheaper option and can be scanned with almost all smartphones or tablets. The downside is that QR codes are very easy to duplicate. As a result, QR codes are not very effective for purposes that require location information to be registered by scanning the code, such as time registration.

NFC is harder to tamper with and only requires a scanning device to be held close to the tag to scan the code. In the cleaning industry, NFC & QR applications are becoming more common and have been used for time registration for a while. Now, more cleaning companies are discovering the widespread opportunities with the technologies. One interesting new application is asset management.

With asset management you can manage your machinery and keep track of their whereabouts and status. If some of your machines or inventory need periodic audits to comply with regulations, simply scanning their code can reveal all essential information and documentation. Cleaning companies have also implemented asset management to track usage and operating status of their machines. By digitizing their inventory, cleaning companies ensure effective maintenance and compliance.

Other applications of asset management using QR & NFC in the cleaning industry are:

• Proof of presence, in which room usage and employee routing are monitored
• Tracking of other assets such as vehicles, hotel rooms and bungalows.

Although QR & NFC have been known to most people for a long time, its applications in different industries are only now coming to fruition. We expect that more innovations will arise from QR & NFC technology, especially in the cleaning industry. It is only a matter of time that these technologies will be widely implemented in many organisations.