NFC Checkpoints
Nicholas Hillier avatar
Written by Nicholas Hillier
Updated over a week ago

NFC Checkpoints make it quick and easy for students to use their phones to 'tap' the checkpoint and be signed into the location assigned to that checkpoint.

NFC overview

What does NFC mean?
NFC stands for near-field communication. NFC works between two different devices making a connection from a short-range to exchange data.

How is does it work with Orah?
NFC Checkpoints have been designed for student use to check into locations or activate passes through Orah. Once the NFC has been configured by a staff member through the iOS Orah Staff App or web application, students will be able to open their Student App to scan the NFC chip and update their location or activate pass. Additionally, updating their location when returning from a pass at the NFC Checkpoint will end their pass.

You can also configure a location to require a pass. For example, if a student checks into the library, we will prompt them to fill in a library pass so you are aware of their return time.

What devices are required?
Students will need to be working with an iPhone 7 or higher as NFC was only introduced to Apple from the iPhone 7. Most Android devices from 2012 on will have the NFC built-in.

What do they look like?
NFCs are small yet durable (shown below).

Ordering

Ordering NFC Checkpoints

NFC Checkpoints are sold in packs of 5 or 10. Simply contact your Customer Success Manager or email support@orah.com to place your order or to find out more.

Configuring your NFC Checkpoints

1. Assign an NFC Checkpoint to a location

iOS

Using the Orah Staff App on an iPhone 7 or higher, navigate to the 'More' section and select 'scan NFC Checkpoints'. Scan your NFC Checkpoint and then you will see a form where you choose the location to associate that checkpoint with from the location tree. You can also rename it if you wish.

*Image coming soon*

Web app

As an account administrator, using app.orah.com on your web browser navigate to the Location Manager. Simply select the location from your list, scroll to the Connected NFC Checkpoints sections, click create new checkpoint, and input the code on the back of your Checkpoint to the UD field and save.

2. Confirm the connection was successful

You can check to see if the connection was successful by reviewing the assigned location in your Location Manager as the IDs will now be displayed.
If you cannot see the connection displayed, please refresh your page. If they are still not showing, please go through the assignment steps again.

3. Settings

Once you've confirmed your NFC Checkpoints have been assigned to the applicable location, you'll need to update your location settings so students can check in and out of this location and also update your pass settings if you wish to allow students to activate and end their passes via NFC.

Location settings

Under Check-In Methods, please toggle on the NFC options that you wish to use.

Pass settings

Under step 5. Workflow of your pass settings, simply apply the Student App to schedule, activate, and/or end phase of the pass workflow. Once you've selected the Student App you should see the NFC Checkpoint option appear, tick this on, and then assign all NFC locations or pick the locations you wish to apply this process to.

If you have any questions after reading through, click the blue chat icon at the bottom right-hand corner of this page. This will start a conversation with one of Orah's Team.

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