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iBeacon technology was introduced by the technology giant, Apple in the year 2013 with an aim to revolutionize the existing user experience offered by mobile app development companies along with transforming the mechanism of advertising by targeting genuine and right audience.
Although people are yet to live the technology completely but as far as company reports are concerned, they reflect an upward growth with an optimum moving-forward rate. Introduced with iOS 7, the technology has managed to impress business owners with its capability to tap relevant set of audience at the right time.
How the iBeacon Technology Works?
Beacons are the small devices powered by BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) that connect the world of devices (iOS/Android) for data transfer via in-built Bluetooth transmitters. They are tiny pieces, which are easy to install that can be done by simply sticking them on any solid surface like wall, beneath the table, door, window pane etc. Bluetooth helps these physical entities to connect with smartphones for adequate information transfer that enhances the much-needed user experience.
Consider an Example for Better Understanding
Say, for example you arrive at the airport and receive the tasks list you need to accomplish before heading towards your desired terminal for boarding. You get details of all the active check-in counters of your airlines, a map with the nearest counter and the best possible way to get there and an estimated time for you to reach there. iBeacon technology can aid in achieving the same out of the world experience.
Here’s How the Passenger Experience at Airports Can be Soured Up?
Imagine entering the airport with all the necessary checks aligned especially for you. Your boarding pass and baggage tags are ready, you get a notification with directions to your desired terminal, estimated time to reach there, estimated waiting time and lounge location and much more. It sounds like a dream but it’s not especially in a connected world, thanks to iBeacon technology. Airport goals that can be achieved by effectively implementing technology,
- Locating spots at the airport
A map for locating the desired terminal is old school. With the modern technology, a standard route map can be replaced with an in-app navigation tool can do wonders in locating special spots at the airport like restrooms, waiting lounges, popular food joints, money vending machines, enquiry desk and much more.
- Real-time alerts
The real-time alerts can be a boon to passengers who like to drool over those duty-free deals and often miss the all-important announcement of gate change or flight delay at the airport. With alerts being fired at the passenger’s smartphone in real-time can curb such situations.
- Notifying passengers to be document-ready
Beacons can notify passengers of the list of documents to be presented at the counter, so that document checking process can be carried out in a hassle-free and smooth fashion without delay. EasyJet is using this technique from the past three years at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, London Luton Airport and London Gatwick Airport.
- Personalized deals and discounts
Food joints, brand stores and others at the airport can target passengers through personalized deals and coupons after teaming up with airlines for profile details of travelers. An alert shoot to passengers can notify them of the store’s exact location, deal and promo offer for the first-time buyers.
Final Words
According to a report, about 83% passengers carry smartphones and iBeacon can certainly be a revolutionary technology for enhancing experience of travelers at the airport. Industry names are currently only scratching the surface with new tech innovations at the moment, but the time isn’t far when beacons will take over completely. Mobile app development companies constantly work to adhere with new tech schemes that change the face of existing system completely.