In a commendable showcase of resilience, the incubatees at Hong Kong’s Smart Government Innovation Lab have sustained their releases of novel and relevant innovations despite a tumultuous economic landscape brought about by COVID-19.
Recently another firm within the space announced a solution; it is now ready to be acquired by companies and institutions.
Solution description
The solution is a new mobile platform with handheld devices for on-site inspection and remote work duties, developed by a local NFC Touch Limited, a company that specialises in, as its name suggests, Near-Field-Communication.
It is an exciting mobile technology for both enterprise and field mobility. It offers the following:
- Electronic proof of presence – with a simple check-in and check-out that ensures efficiency in time and attendance. It can confirm locations in areas that are remote or without connectivity to allow accurate monitoring of remote work carried out.
- Streamlined workflow – it can direct employees to perform tasks once they have tapped on their staff card, even opening their Operation app with pre-populated field or asset information.
- Improved data accuracy – the solution can automatically identify assets, equipment, or locations. Data is uploaded in real-time onto a server, allowing management to have an overview of the most update understanding of the work completed.
What is NCF technology?
Near-Field-Communication is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over short distances. NFC offers a low-speed connection with a simple setup that can be used to bootstrap more capable wireless connections.
NFC technology allows phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices to easily share data with other NFC-equipped devices. It evolved from radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology.
The firm’s solution is innovative because it uses a version of this technology to enabled data sharing and monitoring over longer distances (i.e., in remote locations).
Application Areas
The solution can be applied across a variety of areas including Broadcasting, City Management, Climate and Weather, Commerce and Industry, Development, Education, Employment and Labour, Environment, Finance, Food, Health, Housing, Infrastructure, Law and Security, Population, Recreation and Culture, Social Welfare as well as Transport.
Technologies Used
The solution employs the latest Mobile Technologies.
Use Case
The solution offers tremendous value to companies seeking to:
- Improve accuracy and efficiency as well as reduce errors and time lost in the task associated with transcribing data to back-end systems
- Monitor and document the progress of work in the field and communicate data to back end systems in real-time, or as soon as connectivity is re-established or at predetermined intervals.
Any industry with field staff, remote assets or inspection/service tasks may find that the solution could greatly increase their efficiency, accuracy, speed of operation and quality of customer service whilst significantly reducing costs.
About the Smart Government Innovation Lab
The HKSAR Government established the Smart Government Innovation Lab in 2018 to explore hi-tech products such as AI and relevant technologies, including machine learning, big data analytics, cognitive systems and intelligent agent, as well as blockchain and robotics from firms, especially local start-ups.
The Lab is always on the lookout for innovation and technology (I&T) solutions that are conducive to enhancing public services or their operational effectiveness.
I&T suppliers are encouraged to regularly visit the Lab’s website to check on the current business and operational needs in public service delivery and propose innovative solutions or product suggestions to address them.