Business Card QR code setting available for NFC writing?

Report · Sep 13, 2023

Hello,

Sorry I searched previous posts and didn't see anything, please delete if needed.

We are moving from our printed business cards to a single printed PVC card (Magicard, IDP, Fargo, etc.), and I am having trouble finding out of any of the current NFC readers/writers/software have the ability to do the same "business card" setting in indesign when creating a QR Code? The business card setting in indesign doesn't need webhosting/URL, and that's what we are looking for. As far as I can find, the reader/writers want to use the vCard setting which requires a URL? Does anyone have any experience with the issues I am having?

Thanks!

Report · Sep 13, 2023

I'm not at all clear what your issues/problems are here. 🙂

But you can use InDesign's QR code generator to create any form or standard of (alphanumeric) code and content. Here's a fairly comprehensive guide, including instructions on how to get around ID's outdated v2.1 vCard format:

https://nitrosyncretic.com/DPR/dpr_qrcodes.php

Let me know if that leaves you with any questions.

Oh, and kudos for being savvy enough to steer away from the sites and services that tie QR codes, access and functionality to pay services (or worse). Calling them pirates and scammers is kind. QR codes do not need ANY online support of any kind.

ETA: On rereading your post, I see you want to write NFC data in vCard format. I'm sure it can be done, but as NFC is not really an open-network standard, I am not sure you will find any useful solutions. NFC is usually for security or account access, not general data transfer, and I can't really see many who want your "business card" info having a compatible system. I'd stay with QR codes that can be read, parsed and the data managed by a wide variety of devices and systems.

Report · Sep 13, 2023

Hi James,

Thanks for the info! You're correct, we were looking for an NFC writer that would write the same vcard/contact/business card QR code format that indesign does, as it doesn't need web hosting. We were looking at the wakdev page on recommended readers : https://www.wakdev.com/en/apps/nfc-tools-pc-mac/nfc-readers-for-nfc-tools-pc-mac.html and had hoped that their NFC Tools software would have had a similar option to the QR Code "business card" setting in Indesign. Oh well, we will probably stick to the QR Code and people will just have to scan it with their phone to add the person's contact info to their phone's contact list.

Report · Sep 13, 2023

I think NFC is just too niche and narrowly implemented, at least for real world use. They work fine in closed ecologies like a company facility, but as a means to pass along "business card" info you're going to have to walk 7 users out of 10 through the process. You will have much greater usability and "useful use" from a QR code, which a great majority of phone users now know how to manage.

Report · Sep 13, 2023

Yeah, we just wanted to be slick and have the "tap to share" function of the NFC card instead of scanning the QR code with a phone and importing. I know there are companies like tap tag that offer that functionality, but they all require paid subscriptions and hosting, and with over 2500 employees, we wanted to find a solution without hosting.

Thanks again!

Report · Sep 13, 2023

Oh, completely understood. I stuck QR codes all over everything before anyone knew what they were or had a reader. Then I wised up. 🙂

You can do the NFC thing in a few years, when... oh, I dunno, direct DNA scan is the new trendy thing. 😄