The lastest ixkio product features and updates.
We've updated the plan structure to better reflect how people are using the ixkio platform. Our new Flex plans now focus on API, Redirect or Direct Response with the ability to add additional modules as required.
The new, more flexible plan structure is designed to allow customers to tune their plan exactly to their requirements instead of paying for features that aren't used.
Additionally, our new Flex Direct plan brings the powerful authentication and tag management features together with an easy to use drag and drop style page designer. Dynamic data, full tag authentication, tag assignment and more - all in a single package.
For our customer base on our older plans - Flex, Flex Pro and Flex Alpha, there's no need to change plan. Contact us to discuss options and to find out whether the new plan structure might save you money.
We've added a new 'Core' data store at the Batch level called Batch Codes. Available on plans, this additional field provides substantial advanced flexibility in the management of grouped tags sharing the same SKU number or generic ID. Batch Codes can be dynamically integrated into a redirect URL using subtags.
Batch Codes can be used during Assignment or with Locus to move tags around the platform with mobile tag scans.
We've modified the 'Switch' feature on Assignment to allow quick changes to where scanned NFC tags will be assigned. Switch now works with Batch Codes to allow a series of items with the same SKU to be quickly assigned to a Batch.
For example, a collection ot t-shirts has been fitted with generic NFC tags from a pool Batch on ixkio. On ixkio, you enter that t-shirts SKU as a Batch Code. You can now scan one of the SKU barcodes (EAN, QR code or a QR code printed from ixkio) on the item and then quickly assign all those tags with a simple scan to that Batch on ixkio. A quick scan of another SKU with the Switch feature and you can start assigning to another Batch. Super quick - super flexible.
For our users that have implemented QR code only solutions, we now also added the ability to assign (and Check) QR codes. The Asssign feature on the mobile app will launch a QR reader instead of an NFC tag scan.
We've upgraded the Locus tag management system through the whole platform including major mobile app upgrades. Locus is used for moving, naming and controlling NFC tags once they are in place. All Locus features are now App based instead of mobile browser based and we've added a heap of new features including :
We've also substantially modifed the interface to allow for easier Locus setup including modification of displayed data, post submit functions (such as marking as assigned) and more.
But that's not all. We will shortly be adding even more Locus features including the ability to add photos to a Tag Code, geolocation support and more advanced tag management for check in/check out scenarios.
Ixkio is already one of the most advanced NFC tag management platforms available. And we are making it even better.
We've beta launched support for additional NTAG424 authentication encoding formats on both API and Redirect response modes.
The latest changes allow for support of encypted CMAC and PICCData in six different formats - up from the original two - with multiple key support. Settings for different encoding formats are managed at the Tag Code level allowing for different tags - event within the same batch - to be encoded in different formats.
In addition to the latest platform changes, support for the new encoding formats is being built into the latest App release to allow for authentication NTAG424 tag encoding for custom API structures.
Full release is expected in June 2024. If you are an existing ixkio customer and are interested in beta testing the new NTAG424 encoding formats for either Redirect or API, contact us for the features to be enabled on your account.
We've released some additional updates to the NTAG424 encoding feature available through the ixkio mobile app.
Flex Alpha users can now encode NTAG424 tags for API response mode. We've added the ability for API users to add their own domain name URL and then dynamically encode authentication NTAG424 tags using their own domain for authentication via ixkio's API. Ixkio will automatically generate the keys and store against the tags. It's also possible to encode the tags dynamically using the CUID (customer unique ID).
The structure of the URL can be modified using the ixkio subtags system to control where in the URL the count, unique code and CUID/XUID are placed.
For customers using their own custom domain on ixkio with Redirect Response mode, it's now possible to encode NTAG424 tags with the ixkio App with that custom domain.
We are currently beta testing :
- more flexibility in the API encoding to include NTAG424's encrypted meta (count + UID) mirroring option
- dynamic unencrypted encoding of the tag UID within the URL
Clusters have now been released in full across all Flex Alpha plans.
Clusters allow the categorisation of Batches to provide a more manageable system on large scale deployments. By using Clusters, Batches can now be marked and filtered by additional parameter - such as colour or size. This allows Batches of tags to be released under the same Tag Group while still being able to manage at scale. Cluster information can of course be dynamically included in CodeLink, API response or Redirect URL as required.
We are now beta testing multiple Cluster options and Cluster based rules for release later in July 2024.
We've launched v4 of the ixkio mobile app with a number of improvements and updates including :
Ixkio users can now encode their own NTAG424 tags directly from the mobile App. Ixkio will create the keys, automatically assign them to your Tag Codes and manage all the settings. Can be used with custom domains and coming shortly, API response modes.
We've improved the Check feature to provide more information including tag authentication confirmation for NTAG424 tag users :
Android users can now benefit from faster tag encoding by using the continuous encode mode. No screen taps are required between encoding large number of tags.
Smart Assign allows our mobile app users to dynamically change assignment batch destination via a QR code scan.
Administrators can generate Smart Assign QR codes for Batches within the Console. These can be printed out or emailed as a pdf directly to factories or production lines. Users on the ixkio mobile app who are assigning NFC tags to specific product lines can then scan the QR codes to change assignment Batch.
For example, a Smart Assign QR code might be created for a 'Blue Handbag' and a 'Red Handbag'. On production, the mobile user would first scan the Blue Handbag QR code and then start assigning tags which would be moved into the Blue Handbag batch. Then, they can scan the Red Handbag QR code to start assigning tags to the Red Handbag batch.
Smart Assign provides a dynamic ability for factories and production lines to have limited but flexible control over assignment.
With the growing demand from our customers to store additional data for product passports and similar applications, we've expanded the number of Extended Data fields available on our Alpha plan and have now incorporated Extended Data into the Flex plan.
We are also currently beta testing with a limited set of customers a more advanced Extended Data management system. We expect this to be released by early January 2024. If you are an existing customer looking for more advanced Extended Data options, drop us a message and we can discuss options with you. ate
It is now possible to set a time period that will automatically log users out of our App.
Our App will then require users to log back in if they wish to continue using it.
We've added a new option for mobile app encoding. Currently, to prevent accidental duplicate encoding, ixkio stops Tag Codes being re-encoded with the ixkio mobile app if they have already been encoded.
For customers who want to encode a large number of NFC tags with the same Tag Code, we've added 'Encode Unlimited' which will ignore a Tag Codes Encode status and allow for endless encoding.
Tag Codes now have Encode Status alongside Assignment Status. The Encode Status flag can be used for your own use for keeping track of which Tag Codes you have encoded. However, it's primarily designed for users encoding using our ixkio mobile apps as a mechanism to prevent accidental duplicate encoding.
We have now updated our iPhone and Android Apps to allow users full Assignment features. We are now retiring mobile browser based Assignment. The latest Apps are available on the Apple and Google Play stores.
Our powerful Codelink has been upgraded to allow the dynamic linking of both Core and Extended data from ixkio to your landing pages. Customers using ixkio to store product related data such as serial numbers or manufacturing information, can now pass this dynamically to landing pages using CodeLink with a single line of javascript. CodeLink works with Shopify, Wix, Webflow, Squarespace and custom built websites.
From December 2023, it will no longer be possible to encode tags through a browser/USB device. However, it is now possible to encode tags through our new mobile app!
This app is available on Android and iOS.
Ixkio now allows the creation of multiple CodeLink codes for more advanced multi-site management.
With the latest upgrades to our CodeLink system, all the functionality of direct response can be built into existing systems such as Wix, WordPress, Shopify, Webflow or Squarespace.
We have launched our new Ixkio App that can encode tags with just your mobile phone and works across all plans including Lite!
Stay tuned for future updates and additional features.
Ixkio's CodeLink system is now available for use on all ixkio Flex plans. CodeLink allows the transfer of tag related data - such as serial numbers of manufacturing data - between ixkio and landing pages without complex server integration.
CodeLink works with both Standard (NTAG213, iCODE SLIX) tags and Authentication (NTAG424) tags. On the on Flex Pro and Alpha plans, CodeLink can also be used with Authentication tags to help protect the landing pages from unwanted hits - creating a secure link between the authentication tag and the page content.
We've created a new Shopify App that enables product data stored within ixkio to be dynamically passed onto existing Shopify pages.
This is only available for users on our Flex Plans.
New 'Reserved' Assignment Status on Tag Codes prevents multi-user accidental encoding of the same Tag Code