NFC Forum intros New 'Implementer' membership level

WAKEFIELD, USA: The NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association that advances the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, today announced a new membership level called "Implementer" designed to further the NFC ecosystem and broaden the organization's global reach.

Implementer membership is targeted at companies directly implementing NFC solutions in the field worldwide. It complements existing NFC Forum membership levels which are primarily targeted at technical specification development.

As more commercial NFC applications are developed and deployed, Implementer membership provides a platform for companies that work with NFC on a daily basis.

Available at an annual cost of US$5000, the Implementer level entitles members to an array of benefits, including participation in NFC Forum marketing events and Plugfests, access to member resources, discounts and input to Forum marketing efforts. Implementer membership is the most affordable level of NFC Forum membership available to for-profit companies.

"No one knows more about customer needs and best practices than the companies that deliver NFC solutions around the world every day," said Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. "The Implementer level brings NFC Forum membership within reach of these organizations, and as we work together to build the future of NFC, their knowledge and expertise should prove to be very valuable."

Implementer members are entitled to:

* Access to the NFC Forum members-only website (excluding Technical and Compliance Committee areas);
* Attend Plenary meetings;
* Attend and participate in Marketing Committee Working Group and Task Force meetings;
* Review pre-release drafts of specifications during the Committee review period;
* Participate at member rates in NFC Forum marketing-related events;
* Participate in NFC Forum members-only Plugfests; and
* Receive member discounts on product certification.

In addition to the Implementer level, the NFC Forum offers for-profit companies the following membership levels at the annual fees indicated: Associate (US$10,000), Principal (US$25,000) and Sponsor (US$50,000).

Non-Profit membership is available to not-for-profit institutions for an annual fee of US$1000. The NFC Forum recently enhanced benefits for all existing membership levels.