These types of mobile technology are all being implemented to help to add value to the experience for travelers.

The Balogna Airport has revealed that it will be using a range of different forms of mobile technology, including geolocation beacons, near field communication (NFC) tags, and even QR codes to help to enhance the experience of travelers who make their way through this location.

There are about 7 million passengers that make their way through the airport every year.

By using geolocation beacons with Bluetooth low-energy technology, and by combining that with NFC tags and quick response codes, the Balogna Airport is hoping to be able to reach as many travelers as possible, regardless of the model or make of their mobile phones. Using these various types of tech, it will become possible for the airport to send pro-active notifications to travelers such as promotions and alerts. These will be sent directly to the smartphones so travelers will be able to receive them when they are most relevant to their present locations.

For travelers to receive these geolocation technology based benefits, they must use the free BLQ Balogna app.

The purpose of the location based technology, the NFC tags and the QR codes is to make it possible for passengers to quickly and easily obtain the app and take advantage of everything the airport has to offer, no matter where they happen to be. The airport worked with Connecthings, a mobile tech company, in order to launch this project. The notifications sent to the app will be managed by airport staff who have access to a dedicated content management platform.

The airport’s IT & innovations manager, Silvia Lombardi, said that “Connecthings’ innovative solution will allow us to create new ways of interactions between our BLQ Bologna application and the dozens of installed, connected beacons within the airport – hence improving our customers’ dedicated information services.”

She added that these digital services give the airport the chance to engage with all visitors and travelers who find themselves there. It provides them with facilitated airport orientation so they will be able to use their favorite devices – which will automatically know where they are via geolocation – to find exactly what they need and learn about offers, opportunities and solutions of which they might not otherwise have been aware.

Ingenico Group compiles predictions being made by prominent mobile commerce players

With January coming to a close, predictions concerning how mobile payments will fare in 2016 are beginning to emerge. Ingenico Group, one of the world’s largest suppliers of mobile payments terminals, has aggregated the predictions coming from many of the groups most involved in mobile commerce. These predictions highlight the trends that are beginning to emerge in the mobile commerce space, which may go a long way in determining whether or not consumers will actually use their mobile devices to purchase products.

Mobile point-of-sale systems will be more common in the coming months

Creditcall, a payment service provider, predicts that mobile point-of-sale systems will become more common throughout the world. This is being driven by the number of credit card companies that are including new chips in their cards. Retailers are also driving the growing adoption of mobile point-of-sale systems, but they are also beginning to use mobile technology to process transactions made by consumers. More merchants are expected to begin using devices, like the iPad, to expedite the checkout process.

NFC technology is beginning to gain more support from retailers and other businesses

NFC technology is expected to see significant growth, in terms of adoption, this year. This technology allows for digital information to be transmitted over short distances. NFC has made up much of the mobile payments environment for several years and it is becoming more important for retailers to embrace this technology in order to effectively engage consumers. Retailers are also feeling increased pressure to embrace omni-channel strategies. Ingenico Group predicts that more retailers will adopt such strategies to provide better services and engagement to consumers.

Security remains one of the greatest challenges facing mobile payments

Security will likely be a prominent focus for those involved in mobile payments this year. Many consumers avoid mobile payments services because of concern that their financial information could be stolen and exploited. Organizations invested in mobile commerce are likely to make use of new technology to ensure consumer protection. An increased focus on security may ensure that consumers become more comfortable with the concept of mobile payments.