We always strive to create new and exciting ways to help frontline workers get their job done with Power BI Mobile. We’re excited to announce a new feature specifically designed for this purpose: NFC Tag Support in the Power BI Mobile apps!
This feature allows frontline workers to quickly find and access their data in the field, creating a seamless connection between data and the physical world. Imagine a retail manager pulling up the latest inventory data by tapping their device on an NFC tag placed at the entrance of a stockroom, or a production worker tapping a tag on the machine in front of them to view its performance data.
Setting up NFC tags is easy!
The first step in setting up NFC tags is purchasing them. Once you have, the setup is straightforward and is done directly from the app. You do not need an external app, desktop or service to set up the NFC tags with the data you need. Start by choosing the Power BI item you would like to register on the tag. All types of Power BI items, including reports, scorecards, dashboards, as well as sets of items like workspaces, folders, and apps, can be registered. Open the item you would like to register in the Power BI mobile app and start the registration process.
(Please note that this feature is only available on NFC-compatible devices)
You have the flexibility to determine how the item should open, you can decide whether or not it should open in full screen mode. For reports, you also have the option to register them in their default state or in their current state (with all applied filters, slicers and current open page).
When that’s set, a screen will appear letting you know that your device is ready to scan. Tap your device on an empty NFC tag to register the item on the tag. Now you can place the tag with the Power BI item wherever it makes sense. Once placed, the tag can be used by you and others in your organization to access the item with a simple tap.
Reading a Tag is effortless!
Reading a tag is just as simple. First, you must have the Power BI mobile app installed on your device (and ensure that the device is NFC compatible). To read a tag, just tap the device on the NFC tag, similar to making a payment with a mobile wallet. The Power BI app doesn’t need to be open.
In iOS, a push notification will be sent, and tapping it will open the item in the Power BI app. On an Android, the item will instantly open in the app. If a user doesn’t have permissions to access the item, they will be taken to the request access flow.
To conclude, NFC tags in Power BI Mobile provide a seamless and efficient way to access data in your work environment. This functionality allows users to easily read or register items by tapping their NFC-compatible devices on the tags, enhancing productivity in various real-world scenarios. This feature is particularly beneficial for frontline workers in retail, manufacturing, and healthcare, ensuring fast and accurate data retrieval.
Now is the perfect time to enhance your data accessibility by integrating NFC tags with your Power BI items. Download the Power BI mobile app, purchase NFC tags, and start setting them up today for a more connected and efficient workflow.