Apple’s latest iOS 18.0.1 update has introduced a feature that will significantly change how businesses operate. 

This update opens up the iPhone’s NFC (Near Field Communication) antenna, which now allows iPhones to act as both NFC transmitters and receivers. Essentially, businesses can use iPhones for various tasks that previously required additional hardware - like payment terminals, security systems, and even employee management tools. 

The update will be beneficial for every business, providing simple, streamlined, and affordable solutions. 

Pretty exciting, right?

Let's explore what this new NFC access means for businesses, highlight the ways it can enhance daily operations and how we're thinking about it at Cheers

Accept Payments Anytime, Anywhere

The biggest immediate benefit for businesses is the ability to accept contactless payments right on an iPhone. With NFC-enabled iPhones, there is no need to invest in card readers or external terminals. All a business owner needs is their iPhone, which can now serve as a payment terminal by receiving payments through NFC.

For small businesses or those that rely on mobility - such as market stalls, food trucks, and pop-up shops; this is a game-changer. Customers can tap their contactless card, Apple Pay, or even their directly to the iPhone to make a payment. This makes transactions faster, more convenient, and seamless for both businesses and customers.

The new feature eliminates the need for extra hardware, making it especially useful for startups or mobile entrepreneurs. A boutique owner who sets up at a market or a traveling food truck can now conduct business anywhere, without having to worry about setting up bulky payment systems.

Instant Feedback: Collect Customer Reviews with Ease

Customer feedback is crucial for any business to grow, but gathering reviews and feedback on the spot has always been a challenge. With the iPhone’s enhanced NFC capabilities, businesses can now make the process more efficient and interactive. Imagine a customer finishing their purchase, and with a simple tap of their phone to yours, they can instantly leave a review.

Whether you own a restaurant, a retail store, or offer personal services like a hair salon, NFC-enabled reviews can lead to quicker responses and improved customer engagement. This instant interaction will help businesses maintain a positive reputation and address issues on the go before they escalate.

For example, a restaurant could ask patrons to tap their phones to leave a review while paying their bill, reducing friction for the customer and ensuring the business receives valuable feedback immediately.

At Cheers, we have built our platform around this concept, using NFC-enabled badges to simplify review collection and increase online visibility for businesses. Our clients have seen significant improvements in their monthly Google reviews, and with iPhones now offering the same NFC functionality, Cheers is positioned to scale this process even further. 

Businesses will no longer need physical badges to gather reviews - employees can manage everything with a tap of their iPhone.

Simplified Employee Clock-ins and Access Control

Managing employee attendance and access to certain areas of the workplace can be time-consuming and costly, especially for businesses with many staff members or multiple shifts. Thanks to this new iOS update, businesses can now use iPhones as a clock-in system. Employees can clock in and out by simply tapping their phones or badges on a central iPhone, simplifying the process and reducing the need for time-consuming paperwork or expensive systems.

This solution not only makes tracking employee hours easier, but it also offers potential for enhanced security. Companies can use NFC technology for access control - employees can tap their phones to gain entry to secure areas. Whether you run a large office building or a small co-working space, this feature reduces the need for physical key cards or security tags.

With iPhones acting as the receiver, there’s also less risk of losing physical keys or badges, and employee data can be securely stored thanks to Apple’s robust privacy features.

Loyalty Programs and Customer Engagement

NFC is also great for businesses that run loyalty programs. Previously, businesses would need to issue physical cards or set up complicated digital systems to track customer points or rewards. Now, all of this can be handled by an iPhone. Customers can tap their phone to a business’s iPhone to check their loyalty points, redeem offers, or add new purchases to their rewards.

This level of interaction simplifies customer engagement and enhances the overall shopping experience. Retailers can boost customer retention by making it easier for customers to use their loyalty rewards without the need for physical cards, which can easily be forgotten at home.

Restaurants, cafes, and gyms are just a few of the businesses that can benefit from NFC loyalty programs by improving customer relationships and increasing repeat visits.

Managing Inventory and Simplifying Operations

The iPhone’s NFC capabilities aren’t limited to customer interactions - they can also help streamline behind-the-scenes business operations. For instance, businesses can use NFC to manage inventory efficiently. Attaching NFC tags to products or storage units allows staff to quickly scan items using their iPhones. This can really cut down on the time needed for stock management and reduce errors caused by manual input.

Warehouses, retail stores, and even small e-commerce businesses would really love this feature because it helps them to always know what’s in stock and where to find it. Integrating NFC tags with an inventory management system means that updating records becomes as easy as scanning an item with your phone.

At Cheers, we are focused on becoming a comprehensive platform for managing all aspects of in-person business operations. With the ability to track inventory, gather reviews, and manage employee performance all through a single app, we are making it easier for businesses to operate seamlessly and efficiently.

Security and Privacy: Apple’s Built-in Protection

A concern many business owners may have when it comes to using new technology is security. Apple has ensured that NFC interactions on iPhones are protected with the same high level of security that users expect from other Apple services. With the Secure Enclave and biometric authentication, businesses and customers can rest assured that their transactions and data are safe.

Whether it's a customer making a payment or an employee clocking in, all NFC transactions are protected by Apple’s privacy and security protocols. This means businesses can take advantage of the technology without sacrificing the safety of sensitive information.

Future Possibilities for Business Growth

As more businesses adopt NFC technology, the possibilities for future applications are vast. Can you imagine a world where phones handle not just payments and customer reviews, but also event ticketing, building access, and product authentication? Apple has already hinted at expanding NFC functionality to include things like government IDs and health cards in future updates, which could be invaluable for businesses in industries like healthcare, hospitality, and retail.

With iPhones now capable of handling so many tasks, businesses have the opportunity to reduce costs and increase efficiency while providing an enhanced experience for customers and employees alike. 

The potential for integrating NFC technology is limitless.

Rounding Up

The iOS 18.0.1 update marks a major shift for businesses by giving them access to NFC functionality without requiring specialized hardware. From accepting payments to gathering reviews, managing employee time, and controlling access to secure areas, the possibilities are endless. As more businesses adopt this technology, it’s clear that the iPhone is not just a communication device, but a central hub for managing modern business operations.

For business owners, this is a great time to explore how these new NFC features can streamline your operations, improve customer engagement, and boost your overall efficiency.

Cheers is already embracing this NFC technology to help businesses increase efficiency, improve customer engagement, and simplify operations.

If this Is something your business needs (and it does)... get started with Cheers today

Cheers🍻