mBeacon2 – A new family of wireless beacons has arrived

Multi-mode Beacon

Netclearance Systems, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based in-venue mobile engagement and analytics solutions, unveiled the world’s first multi-mode indoor location beacon (mBeacon2) designed to enable scalable mobile engagement campaigns. The solution works on all smartphone platforms, and is currently being piloted by some well known and popular brands and hotels.

A new way to deliver mobile personalization and engagement

The mBeacon2 platform is the industry’s first wireless proximity beacon capable of supporting Bluetooth LE and ultra-low power Wi-Fi (802.11) simultaneously in a single small form factor, and at an affordable price. This patent-pending design is capable of supporting all Android, Blackberry, Windows and iPhones (4s and above) including tablets, and is already compatible with the iOS 7 iBeacon framework.

Netclearance’s mBeacon2 unique solution can work with or without a mobile app, and combines indoor location based services with offline analytics under a single web based platform.

Offline analytics plus engagement – all in one package

Besides extending the support to mobile platforms beyond iOS devices, the proprietary Wi-Fi capability allows the deployment of an offline analytics solution with off-the-shelf Wi-Fi routers, thus eliminating the need for expensive and complex Wi-Fi infrastructure — at least a 10x or better cost reduction when compared with existing solutions.

“The mBeacon2 platform revolutionizes the way indoor mobile engagement and analytics is done by making it much easier to engage with consumers and analyze in-venue mobile behavior,” said David Fernandez, Founder & CEO. “We’re excited to give our customers a much more economical and comprehensive way to personalize the in-venue mobile experience, as well as the ability to collect analytics in a single affordable package.”

Of all the companies in the offline analytics space, Netclearance is the only one that works with any standard 802.11 Wireless Access Points (even an inexpensive consumer model from your local electronics retailer). The Netclearance platform eliminates the need to offer broadband services to end consumers by leveraging their existing 3G/4G connection, and can be deployed in less than 5 minutes (no Ethernet wiring required).

Extensible and affordable

The mBeacon2, which incorporates several pending patents, also features programmable control using open server APIs (REST), mobile SDKs and advanced analytics capabilities. The platform is shipping today and comes in various models depending on venue size and desired features. White-label custom housing is also available upon request.

Low Energy + Light Harvesting = mBeacon1-Lite

State-of-the-art Light-harvesting and Energy Storage

Energy harvesting is the process by which energy available in the environment is captured and converted into usable electrical energy. This energy can be stored in super capacitors for powering low energy electronics and for substituting for batteries. After several days of tinkering with duty cycles and efficient sleep modes we were able to apply the latest in light-harvesting technology to come up with our battery-free device called m1BeaconLite.

The patent-pending mBeacon1Lite, becomes the industry’s first battery-free proximity beacon solution capable of running without batteries. This revolutionary solution features the latest in energy-harvesting and storage technology that converts ambient light into a power source capable of handling a typical BLE application such as iBeacon and other proprietary formats in a small form factor at an affordable price.  The design is capable of using common indoor light sources such as fluorescent, incandescent and LED.

Energy harvesting delivers an scalable and environmental-friendly approach to indoor beacon deployments while reducing beacon equipment total cost of ownership. Most of indoors venues such as stadiums, retail stores, hotels, shopping centers have something in common, that is an abundance of ambient light. The tremendous operational and energy-harvesting efficiency of the m1BeaconLite, combined with our cloud based management and remote monitoring capability, enables our customers to realize the benefits of beacons without having to worry about battery-life or wired installations.

Unlike existing BLE beacons, the solution doesn’t require a battery to run; it utilizes a small photo-voltaic cell to convert ambient lighting into a stable power source that can power the beacon. The solution includes a cloud based server that can collect proximity, movements and dwelling patterns over time. In addition, the transformational solution provides powerful analytics under a single web based platform.

The most comprehensive family of beacons

The solution joins the mBeacon1, mBeacon2 and the mBeaconGW – Netclearance Systems, Inc. multi-mode proximity beacons. The m1BeaconLite is an affordable BLE-only and battery-free device that can be easily installed near ambient light sources. All Netclearance Systems, Inc. solutions, utilize beacon technology and feature an open server APIs (REST), mobile SDKs, and advanced analytics capabilities. In addition, Netclearance Systems, Inc. is the only company that offers a comprehensive web-based content and beacon management platform for all smartphones. It supports new and legacy smartphones by offering a unique low-power Wi-Fi and BLE beacon architecture that is compatible with all mobile platforms.

Beacons – A secure alternative to credit card transactions

POS malware threats on the rise

A recent report by the FBI offered more details about the extent of the security breach at retail giant Target.

According to the report the cyber-thieves were able to plant malware on tills and collected payment card data over the holidays. The thieves were able to gather personal data including card data on about 70 million customers.

The software used, sort of a virus code, is widely available on undergrounds markets and can be found for as little as $6,000. The FBI reports that more than 20 cases have been reported where similar malware was used to steal credit card data. The code was inserted on to credit and debit card swiping-machines, cash registers and other point-of-sale (POS) equipment without retailer’s knowledge and ran unnoticed for over 19 days.

The attack which is believed to have been one of the largest attacks in history in terms of duration and number of customer impacted clearly shows how primitive and vulnerable is the existing payment infrastructure.

Beacons as an authentication device

One alternative is the use wireless beacons during the payment transaction.
These beacons can be used as a method to conduct a contactless payment transaction where all credit card and financial information is only exchanged between the merchant and the payment gateway in the cloud. Hence, all personal information is protected from tampering as the payment transaction takes place in the payment network and no customer data is collected at the POS from the user.

A beacon for example can be used in very close proximity “whisper mode” where the smartphone must be within inches to trigger a payment. An additional form of authentication such as PIN, screen touch gesture or voice biometrics can be used to authorize the transaction on the cloud.

mBeacon2Pay – A gateway-agnostic mobile payment solution

Netclearance Systems, Inc. mBeacon2Pay is a patent-pending beacon based and gateway-agnostic mobile payment solution that can be used to incorporate an extra layer of security in payment transactions that could make these types of attacks a thing of the past.

The mBeacon2Pay solution’s interoperability extends into software, too, as it can easily integrate with mobile apps thanks to Netclearance’s SDKs and REST-based server APIs. Meanwhile, mBeacon2Pay is by default compatible with a variety of PCI-compliant gateways, including PayPal, Stripe and Braintree, to name a few. This allows customers the flexibility to choose the network that best fits their needs without being locked into a single mobile payment app or provider.

For more information on our contactless payment solution please contact us for a consultation.

Beacon Hub – Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon to Wi-Fi Gateway Solution

Track assets wirelessly and easily

The m2GW software solution, in concert with the m2Beacon, becomes the industry’s first wireless proximity solution capable of simultaneously receiving Bluetooth LE packets from BLE-enabled tags – the m1Beacon – and transmitting them in a Wi-Fi payload to a cloud-based server. This revolutionary solution features a single small form factor at an affordable price.  The patent-pending design is capable of leveraging an existing Wi-Fi infrastructure or an inexpensive off-the-shelf Wi-Fi router to transmit the Wi-Fi payload to its server destination.

Unlike existing BLE-based RFID solutions, the solution doesn’t require an app-enabled handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet, to scan and discover BLE tags or beacons. The solution includes a cloud based server that can collect proximity, movements and dwelling patterns over time. In addition, the transformational solution provides powerful analytics under a single web based platform.

Netclearance Systems, Inc. – The leader in integrated proximity marketing and insight solutions

The m2GW solution joins the suite of insight solutions that deliver real time data in enabling workplace management solutions for both employee and asset tracking – Netclearance Systems, Inc. Workplace Management & Insight Solutions.

NCS also provides customer mobile proximity marketing, engagement and insight solutions that help clients drive greater revenue and garner increased engagement with their customers – Netclearance Systems, Inc. Customer Insight& Engagement Solutions.

Workplace analytics plus customer insight and engagement – all in one easy, affordable solution

“Based on this new and innovative design, the first application we are offering to our hospitality and retail customers is the ability to deploy a single multi-function beacon that can be used for workforce tracking and asset tracking in addition to customer insight and engagement. Our solutions allow our customers to leverage a single beacon for multiple uses to maximize ROI,” said David Fernandez, Founder & CEO. “We’re very excited to give our customers a better return on their investment by being able to offer proximity based marketing and content for all mobile operating systems and phones. In addition, we can now offer the ability to track employees’ movements, assets’ location and dwelling patterns at the same time under a single web-based management platform.”

By combining and leveraging the infrastructure for both NCS Workplace Management & Insight Solutions and NCS Customer Insight & Engagement Solutions, the need for two separate infrastructures – one for engagement and another for tracking – is eliminated. NCS customers will enjoy an increase of greater than 10x ROI when compared with other disparate solutions.

The software works with both the mBeacon2 and the mBeacon1 – Netclearance Systems, Inc. multi-mode proximity beacons. The m1Beacon is an affordable BLE-only and battery-operated device that can be easily attached to employees’ id badges or uniforms and other assets.  All Netclearance Systems, Inc. solutions, utilize beacon technology and feature an open server APIs (REST), mobile SDKs, and advanced analytics capabilities. In addition, Netclearance Systems, Inc. is the only company that offers a comprehensive web-based content and beacon management platform for all smartphones. It supports new and legacy smartphones by offering a unique low-power Wi-Fi and BLE beacon architecture that is compatible with all mobile platforms.

The integrated workforce tracking and customer engagement solution is shipping today and comes in various price models depending on the venue size, number of employees, types of assets and desired features. For more information please contact us at sales@netclearance.com.

5 Reasons Retailers Should Embrace Mobile Shopping

Mobile Shopping is Growing at Warp Speed

According to a recent Deloitte study, mobile-influenced purchases are projected to grow from $159B to $689B by 2016! The smartphone is the new shopping companion, and consumers are rapidly taking advantage of the proliferation in mobile applications and mobile services. The smart retailer will embrace these mobile-enabled shoppers with open arms.

Retailers Rejoice

The rise in mobile shopping represents new opportunities for retailers. Mobile devices not only provide an additional channel of communication with customers, but also the ability to significantly improve the in-store experience.

Retailers that understand and welcome the mobile shopper will receive many benefits including: 

1. Increased foot traffic – Retailers can use mobile geolocation and mapping services such as Foursquare, Google, Facebook Places and Now to draw new customers in-store.
2. Increased Sales – Retailers can capitalize on the instant shopper gratification and savings provided by mobile coupons and personalized recommendations.
3. Real-time Analytics and Testing – Retailers can gather detailed information about a customer’s shopping behavior, leading to more relevant offers and in-store conversions.
4. Influence Path to Purchase – Retailers can use mobile applications, real-time product recommendations and special discounts to entice shoppers to move to high value areas of the store.
5. Reduced Staff Costs – Retailers are now able to let the mobile shopper speak directly to store personnel and/or backend systems, providing efficient and enhanced customer service at lower costs.

The Bottom Line

Retailers need to take action now. By proactively engaging the mobile shopper and improving the in-store experience, retailers will be ready to reap the benefits of the mobile shopping revolution.