NFC based Attendance system

[JacobParticipant]

I work for a school and i am looking for an attendance solution that can read NFC tags so a student can “swipe” in or out of the school building.

Students will have NFC stickers on their phones. I’d like to have an iPad/Android tablet that could run an app that records the time and student and saves it to a (preferably web based) attendance system.

I’d also like the ability to have students manually sign in on the iPad/Android, in case they don’t have the NFC tag with them.

Does such a system exist? How do I best go about this project?

• This topic was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by  Jacob. Reason: formatting

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Jacob, we have built these solutions for different customers but don’t currently offer a “one size fits all” product for you to use. So you can try to build it yourself (with help from us) or wait until we finish the “one size fits all” product we have been working on. In either case we will first need to determine specifically which type of NFC stickers the students have on their phones. To find out you will need to scan them with an NFC capable Android phone running the NFC TagInfo app. Some details on how to read the tag information is here. Once I know the tag type and make, I’ll be able to provide more insight on to how the solution should be built.

[JacobParticipant]

Richard,

At the time they don’t have any stickers. We’d get the stickers that work with a solution that can support our needs.

Thanks,

–Jacob

[RichardKeymaster]

Ok, that helps. Basically, the most effective option for reading NFC stickers on phones is using a FloJack reader. The cheapest option is to use Android NFC devices if you have them. Most people don’t have them but they often have iPads or Android non-NFC tablets on hand. So the FloJack works elegantly to add NFC reading function to these devices you may already have. That said, the FloJack isn’t compatible with all iOS or Android devices. Best to check this list first to make sure devices you have are supported.

Let me know specifically the phone/tablet models from the list you intend to use and we can discuss further options.

[JacobParticipant]

Richard,

We have a few iPad 2 tablets we could use for this project.

[RichardKeymaster]

Ok great, then the best solution for your needs is the FloJack. We have a basic SDK that will allow you to create the app you need. Will you be coding this up yourself or through an independent iOS developer?

[JacobParticipant]

Would like someone to build something that can manage the users / tags as well as send the “tap” data to a web-based system that can be configured to do the reporting we need.

Do you have someone in mind who can help us?

Thanks,
–Jacob

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Jacob, we have a few options for developing a custom solution for you. We have an SDK and Cordova Plugin that allows web developers (HTML/CSS/JS) to build what you are describing while running on the iPad. This is currently available in beta to customers that purchase more than $1000 worth or products from our store. Otherwise, we provide these development services at US-based market rates. What sort of budget are you working with?

[MarkParticipant]

Hi Jacob,

We (HID) make a variety of tags that could be used in the use case you’ve described. If you’ll be placing the sticker directly onto the phone, you’ll need something that can be read on metal so the phone does not interfere with the communication. There are also form factor options like a key chain tag or ID card for people that don’t want to attach to the phone.

How many students will be using the system?

Thanks,
Mark

[JacobParticipant]

Mark,

Roughly 250 students at first. If you know any developers who could work with your SDK to help capture the entry/exit taps and send them via API to a website, feel free to contact me directly.

Thanks,
–Jacob

[MarkParticipant]

Hi Jacob,

Yes I know a company that does attendance systems and already has the app and back end. They could potentially use the flomio SDK to integrate with their existing system.

I’ll send an email introduction.

Thanks,
Mark

[MarkParticipant]

Hi Jacob,

Could you send me your direct email? mrobinton at hidglobal dot com

Thanks,
Mark

[MikeParticipant]

Hi all,

I’m actually trying to build the same thing, but I think I am running into some compatibility issues. Our university uses ID cards with RFID built in. We have HID iClass DH cards, which meet ISO 15693 protocol on 13.56 MHz. Note: I’m speaking what was previously a foreign language to me about 2 weeks ago. Here’s the data sheet:

https://www.hidglobal.com/sites/hidglobal.com/files/resource_files/iclass-card-ds-en.pdf

I bought a FloJack and then installed the ACS MobileMate just to test it out. The app reads my card when swiping just fine, although I get an error that looks like it’s simply looking for data in a different format. When I tap my University ID card, however, I get nothing. I tested by tapping my credit card and it works just fine so I don’t think it’s the device.

Any ideas?

Many Thanks,

– Mike

[RichardKeymaster]

Hey Mike, your issue is because the FloJack (v2) doesn’t support reading ISO15693 cards. Only ISO14443A/B cards. Our FloBLE device supports ISO15693 but we haven’t gotten to production yet so only have prototypes available. Because the prototypes are assembled by hand they are pretty expensive at $1000/ea however in production we are expect to reach a $59.99 price point. Your other option is to just use Android devices.

[MarkParticipant]

Hello Mike,

As someone working at HID, I can tell you that iCLASS is not a standard’s based card. We have a new generation of access credentials, called Seos, which is very standards based and can be used with Android and other open devices.

Feel free to reach out to me: mrobinton at hidglobal dot com to discuss the options you would have to solve your problem.

Thanks,
Mark

[mariano.liuParticipant]

Hello Richard,

May I have some info as well please? I need to build a similar system for my institution. Thank you kindly.

mariano.liu@gmail.com

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