CNECT Cloud Platform 2.0 WELCOME GUIDE

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1 CNECT Cloud Platform 2.0 WELCOME GUIDE Thank you for choosing Thinfilm NFC solutions. This guide will introduce you to version 2.0 of the CNECT Cloud Platform, the world s leading platform for NFC mobile marketing. You ll learn how to register users, navigate the updated user interface, and build your first NFC Experience. Let s go! 1. Register: It s easy to get started with the CNECT TM Cloud Platform. There are two ways to access the platform for the first time: By direct invitation - New Thinfilm customers receive an invitation from the CNECT platform, sent to the primary point of contact following your initial tag shipment. To accept the invitation and join the platform, click the link embedded in the invitation. If you have any questions, please contact support@thinfilmnfc.com Online registration - If your company already has an active CNECT Cloud Platform account, you can join your team by registering on Following registration, your Thinfilm representative and request activation of your CNECT Cloud Platform account. 1 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

2 2. Navigate: Once you ve logged in, use the navigation menu on the left side of the screen to switch between CNECT Cloud Platform features. You can collapse or expand the navigation bar using the menu icon in the top-left corner of your screen. Activity - This is where you can see a summary of tag activity in your account. Initially, the charts will be blank. As end users tap and generate data, this section will be updated with relevant statistics. Note that you must refresh the page to access the latest information. For a dynamic, live view, choose the Livestream option (below). Geography (Map View): One of the benefits of Thinfilm NFC technology is the ability to see, in real time, where consumers are engaging with your products. Geolocation data comes from one of two methods: 1. If the tag read takes place inside a native Android or ios app and the user has approved the collection of GPS location data, the CNECT platform records the phone-provided GPS data. 2. However, if the user does not approve the in-app use of GPS location data (Android or ios) or the user launches a browser-based (app-free) experience (Android only), the CNECT platform determines user location based on the user s IP address. The geographic location is approximated using data provided by industry standard databases. The CNECT platform also captures and displays information about the estimated accuracy of an IP-to-location translation. Various factors, including country and connection type, may influence the estimated accuracy level. In some cases, an IP address may be a generally reliable indicator of activity in a particular city or country. Note that in cases where a user is roaming outside of their country, the user s recorded location may be that of the user s home country, as cellular data is routed via the home mobile operator and uses that operator s IP address. The map has three viewing modes: 1. GEO-IP & GPS: Mixed data of approximated and precise location. Zoom functionality is limited and the map displays approximated locations. 2. GPS: Displays precise locations. Zoom functionality is enabled. 3. GEO-IP: Approximated locations only. Zoom functionality is limited. 2 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

3 Livestream - This is the heartbeat of the CNECT Cloud platform. This is where your team can see a heat map of tag activity worldwide (on a country-by-country basis) as well as a detailed list of the most recent taps on tags available in your account. You can also view real-time activity in full-screen mode using the full screen icon located on the top-right side of the map: You can also view real-time activity in full-screen mode using the full screen icon located on the top-right side of the map: Tag - This is where you organize and manage tag rolls, sub-rolls, and individual tags available in your account. Tag: the most basic unit of NFC management. Each tag represents a single item (such as a coaster, neck sleeve, or magnet), product package, or label. Each tag features a permanently encoded, unique randomized identifier that each that physical tag to digital experiences managed by the CNECT platform. Thinfilm offers two distinct NFC tag types: SpeedTap: Single-state tags with static identifiers, most commonly used in mobile marketing and supplychain tracking applications OpenSense: Dual-state tags in which the transmitted tag ID changes from sealed to opened state when an attached electronic seal sensor is broken Roll: the most common shipping unit for NFC tags. Each roll generally contains thousands of uniquely identifiable tags. Sub-Roll: the result of splitting a roll. A roll can be split only if it was originally shipped as a roll of wet inlays (die-cut, pressure-sensitive adhesive labels) and the sequence of the tags on the roll has not been changed. Tags Available for Assignment (Separated Tags): tags that no longer belong to a roll or sub-roll. For testing purposes and development of new concepts, you may choose to separate tags from a roll in order to manage them individually. Once separated, you can manage tags individually based on the unique identifier visible on the platform. 3 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

4 Products - This is where you define which of your end products will use NFC technology managed through the CNECT platform. Each Product is a label that can be applied to Batches to streamline reporting. While not strictly required, Thinfilm recommends creating Product labels and applying these to Batches to simplify analysis of all activity - across multiple batches - for a specific Product. In the Products section, you can: Create new Products using the Create Product button View existing Products in table form Note: information entered in the Create Product page is only for the reference and convenience of CNECT Cloud platform users. It will not be shared with end users and the Product URL is not used by the platform to launch digital content. Only URLs defined at the Batch or Experience level will be launched following a consumer tap of an NFC tag. Batches - This is where you create and manage tag Batches, which are the essential link between Products and units of tags, including Rolls, Sub-Rolls, and individual tags. Batches can include tags from one or more Products. In Batches, you can: Create new Batches using the Create Batch button. Set the default URL. This can either be the campaign URL or an evergreen URL that reverts back upon completion of an Experience defined in the CNECT platform. View existing Batches in table form. Note: the Batch URL serves as a default URL to launch the standard digital content for the selected groups of tags, as long as a tap does not match the rules of an active Experience. 4 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

5 Experience Manager - This is where you create and manage unique Experiences (formerly Campaigns ) for your target consumers. One of the benefits of working in the CNECT platform is that you can create dynamic physical-digital experiences without writing any code. Experiences allow you to create rules that dynamically change the destination URL based on one or more predefined conditions. In Experiences Manager, you can: Create new Experiences by using the Create Experience button. Use the Actions column to edit, pause, or delete an existing Experience. Define rules based on Time of Day, Date Range, Location, Tap Sequence, and Time between Taps. Use the Advanced option to combine multiple rules for more complex logic. View existing Experiences in table form. Apps - This is where you can find links to native mobile applications that interact with the CNECT Cloud Platform: CNECT Mobile (Android only) can be used to manage and reassign tags on the go. Please contact your Account Manager for additional training on how to use this powerful tool to make your more productive. Thinfilm Authenticator (Android only) is a powerful verification tool to help you quickly test the status of a Thinfilm Tag. SpeedTap Tags return a valid status if configured correctly; OpenSense Tags return a sealed or opened status. For more information on SpeedTap and OpenSense, please refer to the Tags section of this document. Thinfilm NFC Tag Scanner (ios only) is our best-in-class NFC tag reader, designed for an optimal user experience. 5 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

6 Developer - This is where your developers can find the documentation required to implement the CNECT Cloud Platform SDKs that connect the platform to native Android and ios mobile applications. You ll also find a technical summary of Thinfilm NFC tags. Support - This is where you find FAQs and troubleshooting tips. There is also a link to contact our world class customer support team. 3. Create Now that you are oriented with the features of the CNECT platform, let s set up your first Experience using Thinfilm SpeedTap NFC tags: 1. Review available tags First, navigate to the Tags screen to review active and available Rolls, Sub-rolls, and Tags. You must have at least one available Tag in order to create a Batch or Experience. 2. Create a Product In Products, Click the Create Product button Fill in the form with product name Add a SKU or product reference number, if available Add Product URL this is used as a reference value in the creation of Batches. However, because the platform directs users only to URLs defined at the Batch or Experience level, changes to the URL listed in the product entry will not change any URLs defined at the Batch or Experience level Add an optional product description to identify any unique properties or variations Add an optional product photo that will appear in the CNECT Cloud Platform UI for quick reference Add an optional photo of the NFC tag placement on the product as a reference of the call to action implemented on that product. This photo is not currently used elsewhere in the platform. Finally, click the Create Product button to save your new product 3. Create your first Batch In Batches, click the Create Batch button. Add a Batch name. Accounts that manage multiple brands and products may want to develop naming conventions to simplify filtering and analysis. Thinfilm recommends Brand_Product_Campaign_FormFactor_ Batch ID such as: ABC Brewery_XYZ Lager_New can launch_coaster_rep 1 ABC Winery_XYZ Wine_Sweepstakes_Neck Sleeves_Distributor A Assign the Batch to a Product. Multiple Batches can be assigned to a Product, but only one Product type can be assigned to each Batch. Enter the URL manually or select Copy URL button to copy the default URL set up in the Product entry. Always set a URL at the Batch level so that there is a default URL active whenever there is no active Experience (or when the conditions of an Experience are not met). You will assign Expereience-specific URLs (which override Batch URLs) in Experience Manager. 6 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

7 Add parameters so you can identify NFC-origin visitors in your web analytics. You may add utm strings directly into your target URL, or you can select the check boxes under Advanced to automatically append utm tracking codes to the destination URL. Tag ID (utm_tagid= b f6dc6b0) where the tag ID is the unique tag identifier Device ID (utm_deviceid= cq8u3rerorj azon) where the device ID is a CNECT platform-generated ID that is not the smartphone s permanent device ID Source (utm_source= thinfilm-nfc) where you can define the utm source label. By default, Thinfilm recommends thinfilm-nfc. Select the Search fields to see the Rolls, Sub-Rolls or individual Tags that are available for assignment to the Batch Assign Rolls, Sub-Rolls or individual Tags to your new Batch. SpeedTap and OpenSense tags cannot be combined in the same Batch, so please create separate Batches for each Tag type. (Advanced) OpenSense Tags require 3 URLs for each tag state: Sealed / Opened / Tampered. Please contact your Thinfilm Account Manager for help setting up OpenSense Batches. Select Create Batch to save your changes. Use Experience Manager to define the parameters and content for an NFC mobile marketing program. If the Batch URL is sufficient (without rules), skip Experience Manager and proceed to Test your Tags. 4. Create an Experience (previously called Campaign ) In Experience Manager, select the type of Experience you want to build. CNECT Cloud Platform 2.0 offers pre-built templates to simplify creation of effective NFC Experiences: Event. You define the URLs launched during the duration of the Experience. You can set each Experience to run during specific dates that correspond to your broader marketing initiatives and campaigns. For example, you might run a sports campaign during a major international sporting event or a holiday campaign during certain times of year. Time of Day. You define which URLs are launched on different days of the week or different times of day. For example, you may want to deliver special healthy eating messages on the weekend or deliver breakfast recipes only between 6 am 10 am. Tap Sequence. Many consumers tap more than once, so this Experience type allows you to deliver unique content in response to each interaction. For example, products with long replacement cycles, such as liquors, could deliver new cocktail recipes to customers over time. Timed Sequence. You define the pace of a sequential digital Experience by setting minimum time thresholds between taps. For example, a brand may want to initially deliver a coupon for eye shadow when the consumer is contemplating purchase in store, followed by a how to video no less than 30 minutes later (when the consumer is assumed to have purchased the product and brought it home), followed by an offer to buy complementary products 7 days later, once the consumer has had a chance to wear the eye shadow. Location. You define which URL is launched based on the mobile user s detected location. For example, brands that utilize destination or event marketing may want to deliver one experience when the consumer is at an event site, followed by another experience when the customer returns to their home city. Advanced. You combine rules for more complex customer journeys based on a combination of time, location, and/or tap sequence. 7 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

8 Create an Experience name. Most clients deliver multiple Experiences over time and may optimize Experiences during the life of the campaign. Thinfilm recommends the following Experience name format: Brand_Product_Experience_Content. XYZ Brewery_ABC Lager_Location_East-West XYZ Winery_ABC Wine_Timed Sequence_Sweepstakes Assign Batches to the Experience. You can assign multiple Batches of the same Product type to the same Experience. Complete the rest of the information including start and end date for your Experience. At the end of the Experience, the tag will revert to the URL you set at the Batch level. As a best practice, always set a URL with high-quality content at the Batch level. Consumers often engage with NFC tags well after a promotion ends, and it is important that these consumers have a quality, branded experience. Click Next to move into Configure Behavior. Complete the required fields. Each Experience type has unique requirements. Select Save to save and activate your new Experience based on the defined parameters. To temporarily disable an Experience, select the Pause icon under the Actions column of the Experience Activity table. 5. Test your Tags Thinfilm recommends, as a best practice, to validate that the consumer experience works the way you expect. Validating a few tags can help you troubleshoot and identify any gaps or errors (such as typos in URLs that you have manually entered). As a best practice, we recommend that you create and assign one or more Test Batches. To isolate activity on Test Batches, be sure to update Test Batch URL s utm parameters (for example, to utm_source=thinfilm-test). This will allow you to filter test traffic out of your web analytics. Use Test Batches for internal QA, sales reps and distributors, and other employees who are not end customers. Android Users NFC-capable Android phones generally do not require pre-installed apps to read NFC tags. To read a tag, hold the back of the phone near each NFC tag that you are testing. Make sure the phone screen is on and unlock the lock screen, if needed. You may need to move the phone slightly to find that phone s NFC touchpoint location (technically, the site of the phone s NFC antenna). A phone model s NFC touchpoint location does not change. Once the phone detects the NFC tag, it will launch the mobile browser (or, when more than one browser is installed, give the user a choice of browsers). If the browser does not launch, check the phone s settings to make sure NFC is turned on. Apple Users Unlike Android phones, iphones require NFC-enabled apps to read tags. To download our recommended NFC scanner app, go to the Apps section of CNECT or the Apple App Store to download the Thinfilm NFC Scanner. All readers are not created equal, so we recommend using and promoting the Thinfilm NFC Tag Scanner for the best user experience and optimal results. 8 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide

9 Here are our best practices for testing an Experience: Verify that the correct content launches when no Experience is defined. In this case, CNECT will launch the URL configured at the Batch level. If you have configured an Experience, verify that the correct content launches when the Experience s defined conditions are satisfied. Specifically, verify correct content triggered by Tap Sequence, Timed Sequence, Time of Day, or Location. Touch the same phone to the same tag multiple times to walk through all stages of an Experience (if configured) Verify that tag activity is recorded in the CNECT platform, including the Livestream and Activity sections Finally, check the analytics on the web server hosting your NFC-triggered content. Google Analytics has a real time feature to allow you to immediately view site visits. Ensure that your visits are identified by Source = thinfilm-nfc-test OR thinfilm-nfc (if you opted to not create a test batch). 9 CNECT Cloud Platform Welcome Guide