ARTICLE: How to Use NFC Tags

ARTICLE: How to Use NFC Tags

NFC stickers can be used in Reach to assist with Kiosk sign in and sign out (SISO) transactions. They will reduce physical touch contact with kiosk screens and are an ideal tool in the COVID-19 environment where reducing surface contact is a recommended practice. Scanning NFC stickers when they are being used in Reach is accomplished through using the Reach Student Life Management app. 

You MUST program the NFC stickers using the Reach Student Life Management native app downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App Stores


What is NFC?


NFC stands for near-field communication and it allows phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices to easily share data with other NFC-equipped devices. It evolved from radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. An NFC chip operates as one part of a wireless link. Once it's activated by another chip, small amounts of data between the two devices can be transferred when held a few centimeters from each other. 

NFC Tag Specifications

Any NTAG215, 13.56MHz tags will work as long as they support the ISO 14443A protocol. These have been tested and will work on the Reach system. 

Enable NFC Scan Option on the Mobile App

To enable the NFC Scan option on the mobile app, open System Configuration > QR and NFC and change setting #3716 Show NFC on Mobile App setting to Yes


Programming NFC Tags

Open the Reach Student Life Management mobile app on an NFC enabled phone. Log in using a staff account and from the home screen navigate to More on the bottom menu bar and then select  Program NFC.

Ensure setting 3716 "Show NFC on Mobile App" is turned on in System Configuration > QR and NFC before trying to program NFC tags


  1. Under the Associated Entity dropdown, select the location where the NFC tag will be located. NOTE: a location need to be set up in your Reach web portal before programming an NFC tag to that location, System Configurations > Locations
  2. Give the tag a nickname.
  3. Generate a random security code by clicking the green button on the right.
Tap the write button and touch the NFC tag to the phone. To review or deactivate an NFC tag, navigate to System Configuration > Identities on your web portal. In the case where you have multiple entrances to a location, you can program multiple NFC tags to correspond to the same Reach location. Simply give them a different nickname to help you differentiate them. 

Using NFC Tags

Open the Reach Student Life Management mobile app on an NFC enabled phone. Log in using a student or staff account and tap SISO icon in the top right corner or the SISO under Current Location.  Then select the NFC SISO button. Touch the phone to the NFC tag to SISO to the new location.  The student/staff's location will automatically update throughout the Reach system, displaying their new location.





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