First Windows NFC app hits from Wireless Sensor Technologies, partners with UPM RFID to boot

First Windows NFC development app hits from Wireless Sensor Technologies, partners with UPM RFID to boot

The announcement came yesterday that Windows 8 would support NFC in tablets, PCs, laptops and other devices. GoTotags, which is a subsidiary and software division of Wireless Sensor Technologies, have already launched a Microsoft Windows NFC application and NET-based software development kit (SDK) which gives Windows computers access to NFC functionality. Wireless Sensor Technologies are becoming a larger and larger player in the NFC space and have also partnered with the mighty UPM RFID to supply custom NFC tags through their BuyNFCTags.com online store.

What makes the Los Angeles and Seattle outfit, Wireless Sensor Technologies, different to most NFC tag stores? Its commitment to offer developers strong APIs and tools to develop applications. Now that the company has partnered with UPM RFID the quantity, supply and costs of its NFC tags is assured. UPM RFID and Wireless Sensor Technologies have joined forces to deliver near field communication (NFC) products and services to seamlessly connect the physical and online worlds (read internet of things) via wireless sensors and devices. UPM RFID are supplying Wireless Sensor Technologies with a host of NFC tags and inlays which will now be added to the store’s already popular NFC readers, software development kits and unique NFC products, as well as customization services including printing and bulk serialized encoding.

Windows NFC application and development tools backed with UPM RFID NFC tags and killer support for developers, Wireless Sensor Technologies has it all

To extend the basic NFC tag capabilities, GoToTags is developing a set of online application programming interfaces (APIs) and services that provide ownership, location and other meaningful meta data to NFC tags, along with a rich set of data analytics. GoToTags has already launched an Android app and an API that fulfills a similar role, but with the introduction of the latest and greatest version of Windows and its support for NFC that was partially developed by NXP semiconductors (who are being called the Intel of NFC), Wireless Sensor Technologies has positioned itself as an OS agnostic provider of NFC tools for developers and marketing firms the world over.

“We believe NFC is a revolutionary technology and are delighted to be working with UPM RFID to provide the full ensemble of technologies and customization services to make their tags ready for use by businesses and end-users,” says Craig Tadlock, CEO of Wireless Sensor Technologies Inc.

“Windows 8 probably won’t be released for around 18 months based on history. With GoToTags developers can add NFC applications today,” Craig Tadlock told NFC Rumors. “We have built the products, services and tools to enable NFC today. Developers don’t need to wait for Windows 8 to add NFC functionality, we have the software stacks they need today,” added Tadlock.

UPM RFID are the 100-pound gorilla of NFC tags, RFID tags and inlays. Their partnership with Wireless Sensor Technologies could set in motion a definite move in the online NFC tag store market place. Up until this point, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of NFC tag stores appearing online with no clear brand leaders. The Indentive Group have already started to emerge as a leader with their support for developers and now BuyNFCTags appears to be siding up at the top echelons to provide strong competition and trusted resources to the Identive Group. We are not suggesting that other stores are not positioning themselves the same, but it is a positive move for the industry and consumers to have some key players focusing on customer service and added services to take the NFC tag industry in to the next era of NFC marketing and tools.

“Wireless Sensor Technologies are meeting growing NFC technology needs with their ability to supply diverse requirements, from tags all the way to hardware, software and solutions. Working with Wireless Sensor Technologies, we’re helping deliver a comprehensive set of NFC products and solutions to this exciting market,” says Jan Svoboda, Sales and Marketing Director of UPM RFID.

Yesterday, near field communications took a big step towards becoming ubiquitous with the support of Microsoft’s Windows 8 in multiple device form factors that will support NFC. Google is already on the NFC train and has championed the nascent technology for the last year or so. However, for NFC to reach its full potential of bridging the online and offline worlds, NFC tags need to become more available and more cost effective. In many ways it is a simple matter of supply and demand and with demand rising and UPM RFID’s unique ability to supply tags look set to become a part of everyday life. With BuyNFCTags, the ability to support developers and marketers in creating immersive experiences that use NFC tags demand will surely rise.

What we do know for sure is that we should keep our eyes on Wireless Sensor Technologies. With support for NFC  Windows today rather than waiting for Windows 8 and Android, and now with its announcement of a deep strategic partnership with UPM RFID, they have been placed firmly on our list of near field communications up-and-comers.