Smartrac’s Khoshniyati Talks COVID-19 Test Kits, Blockchain And The Value Of NFC Forum Membership

Member Spotlight 

Smartrac is an engaged, active member of the NFC Forum.  One of the reasons for Smartrac’s involvement wth the NFC Forum is because of the participation of Amir Khoshniyati, its NFC Business Lead, and others at Smartrac in NFC Forum activities. It is not unusual to find Khoshniyati, staffing an NFC Forum booth at a trade show or a Smartrac employee contributing to an NFC Forum project.

NFC and Blockchain COVID-19 Test Kit Created In Three Weeks

When we reached out to Khoshniyati recently for this Member Spotlight he shared some news with us about a new COVID-19 test kit using NFC and blockchain.  It was created by Smartrac and its partners in three weeks in April and already has its first customer.  It provides an end-to-end solution that authenticates COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE).

We wanted to hear more about Khoshniyati but first we had to ask him about the COVID-19 test kit.

1. Before we talk about you we’d like to hear more about the COVID-19 test kit that was just released. Can you tell us how it works and what it consists of?

A number of companies came together to develop this solution in response to the Pandemic.  The blockchain platform was developed by Citizen’s Reserve and SUKU and enables instant verification of authenticity and provides end-to-end supply chain transparency and provenance while reducing counterfeits. Avery Dennison’s Digital Identity Platform is managing the data that feeds the blockchain and provides users with the authentication content. Smartrac contributed NFC tags that are blockchain-enabled and technically impossible to clone, hence authenticity verification is guaranteed. The NFC tags provide the assurance needed for all patients globally and an additional layer of security with the foundation of blockchain.

2. How did the COVID test kit come about?  Whose idea was it and how did the collaboration start?

We were able to globally scale to the market demand bringing together the market development, operations and platform teams to deliver the complete solution in a three week timeframe. The first order was delivered last month.   It was a quick turnaround but test kits and PPEs are important in the fight against COVID-19.  We prioritized this effort.  It’s great to be able to work on a project like this that has the potential to save lives.

Find Out More About The Benefits Of Contactless Solutions and Payments

3. Now for some questions about you. As NFC Business Lead at Smartrac what are your responsibilites?

I work extremely closely with and between the Product Management Teams and Global Field Organization helping to bring the value of NFC technology and our products to Smartrac and Avery Dennison customers. I also work closely with customers and with customers’ operations and marketing teams to ensure the application of the tags are seamless and overall value is recognized. As an advocate of NFC and our product’s alignment with the NFC Forum,  Smartrac customers and partners are always on the forefront of best practices, standards and receive the full value of NFC technology.

4. You live in California and must have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.  What’s the one thing you are looking forward to doing once the COVID-19 restrictions are over?

I am looking forward to getting back into the gym and visiting my favorite local restaurants! It will also be a bit sweeter to see more people start to adopt and utilize tap-to-pay technology in an effort to reduce physical touch!

5. We started this Member Spotlight talking about Smartrac’s invovlement in the NFC Forum.  So I have to ask, what value does NFC Forum membership provide Smartrac?

The NFC forum has always been a great association for us to partner and participate with. It has directly helped us to align with the leaders in this technology space, learn from each other’s best practices and collaborate in our efforts to provide each product a digital and unique identity.