IFPL unveils its new solution for train operators to increase their revenue streams through on board sales.

IFPL’s first work on Near Field Communication (NFC) was five years ago. Today, we have developed a device which tackles the issue of making secure payments on board. The device includes a chip and pin reader to increase the payment options. It has three main uses:

• Payments
• Data transfer / exchange
• Wireless connections

Mobile phone technology has moved into producing phones with radio frequency identification (RFID). This opens up a whole range of facilities from purchasing to downloading information. Currently contactless technology allows people to make low value transactions without a PIN. Technology is being developed to allow (with the use of security) people to make larger purchases and download purchases such as music.

This opens up the option for operators to increase their revenue streams through on board sales. For low cost operators this could signal the start of pay as you go in-train entertainment during a journey. NFC is the way future passengers are likely to pay for items and operators would be able to simply add the IFPL NFC system without having to have the complexity of a chip and pin system.

Lesser known uses for NFC include tags which contain small amounts of information. Tags work by picking up a signal from a NFC device (that is held up to it) from which it draws enough power to send information back to the user. This is primarily going to be used for advertising, for example posters for on-train events or promotions, but more intuitive purposes could easily be applied.

“NFC works with most contactless smart cards and readers, meaning it could easily be integrated into train payment systems,” said Sam Blakeley, IFPL’s product development engineer.

Business development manager, Neil Thomas will be at the Railway Interiors Show in Cologne, Germany. He will be pleased to discuss your requirements there, to arrange a meeting please email him at neil.thomas@ifpl.com.