This issue we chat to Harlem Kitesurfing about the Booomtag NFC technology they are integrating into their products.

Harlem Kitesurfing - Booomtag NFC Technology - Interview with Alex Morgenstern

Alex, we chatted a little bit about the NFC technology being featured in your products a couple of months ago, where did the idea come from and why do we need it?

The idea behind the Booomtag platform was born when Booomtag founder Rogier Dekker found a kiteboard in on the beach with a telephone number on it. Unfortunately the number was written with a ‘waterproof’ marker and the last digit was missing. It took a few tries to dial the right number and connect to the rightful owner to get her board back. The idea was then born to integrate NFC tech and the Booomtag system on all our products to help riders retrieve their gear.

Does everyone need to have the app for this system to work? Is it a simple process for someone like the coastguard to reunite owners with their gear?

The platform itself is a web browser based platform, so accessible with every web browser on your phone. So the phone only needs to have an NFC reader integrated. Older models might need a (free) NFC app to read the data, but most smartphones since 2015 are equipped with a NFC ‘reader'. With the current developments around COVID-19 and preferred contactless-payments and Apple pay this technology is going to surge and become even more widespread. 

How hard was it to implement the idea into the products, were the factories open to the new system?

This varies per product and per factory. New steps in any production process will always be a challenge but right now even the factories see this platform as added value for the product of any of their clients and they have started offering Booomtag as a service.

What are the main advantages for the customers with this product?

Gateway communication between finder and owner (Huge privacy update in comparison to writing your name on your product)
Protected product for Lost-scan-found and Anti-theft
Transmittable ownership when resell
One account for all your registered gear
Enhanced safety (direct SAR communication)
Insurance coverage
Full control over privacy and interaction settings (per brand and per product)
A connected brand for direct interaction

Does it add to the cost of the kites and boards at all?

We offer this product without any additional cost to the customer. The cost for production and service is covered by Harlem Kitesurfing. The goal is to make the sport safer.

Where do you see this technology headed in the future?

NFC technology will be widespread and integrated in all devices due to the demand for contactless payments and other systems. Also we are entering a digital time, so Harlem Kitesurfing together with Booomtag are aiming to be an industry standard for safety, lost-scan-found and anti-theft. The focus is on surf and (outdoor) sports gear. We offer: One user-account to overview and control the status of your gear and brand communication.

By IKSURFMAG

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