What Is RFID and How Can It Help You?

Introducing an effortless way to check-in and out of workspaces.

How and why we’re the first to employ RFID technology – to make your working day easier

Last week we announced that we had launched a new contactless desk and room booking solution using RFID technology – a first in the facilities management industry!  

But, what is RFID, and why have we decided to use it?   

Firstly, there are two types of RFID – active and passive. Active RFID, which has some sort of power supply, like a battery, is used for tracking cars etc. Passive RFID, however, has no power. It relies on sensors picking up information when a passive chip is placed within a close proximity.  

Here at Cloudbooking, we’re using passive RFID. What that means is we’re placing RFID stickers on each team member’s laptop, so that they can go to any desk, place their laptop down, and a carefully placed sensor will pick up their information. Name, surname and username – and log them directly into the system – thus booking that desk for them instantly. The tag has no power until it comes into contact with the sensor. It’s a bit like a contactless credit card. Each RFID tag will be unique to that user, so when a user sits down at a desk, we’ll know who they are and we’ll log them in. 

This means that users no longer need to pre-book. It also means that if a user decides to go home early, we can release that desk after a set time period of no activity, for other users to book.   

How does it work?

Let’s say they sit down at 9am and we book it for the whole day. But then they decide to leave at lunchtime. We monitor it, and if they don’t return within two hours (can change to different time duration), we cancel the booking and free the desk up. 

Users can also use their smartcard to book a desk or room through one of the Cloudbooking interactive kiosks, which feature colleague search, employee smart card authentication, and a 3D floorplan, and can be positioned as you enter each floor. This means users simply tap their card on the screen, select a desk or a room, and start using it!   

This, in my opinion, could revolutionise room and desk booking. We don’t rest on our laurels – we’re always trying to push the boundaries and give our clients a service that will genuinely help them and make their working day easier. That’s why I have grey hair!  

From a user’s point of view, the benefit is that it’s easy and hands-free, and from the employer’s perspective, desk and room booking utilisation is improved. Historically, employers have had to rely on employees logging themselves out when they vacate a room or desk – which many will forget to do. With this solution, they no longer have to worry. We’ll give them two hours and if the desk or room isn’t being used, then we’ll free it up.  

By Conrad Jagger, CIO at Cloudboking

To find out more about the solution, or request a free demo, please email sales@cloudbooking.com