Built to last: how MpicoSys’ NFC epaper labels power Casala’s Zifra chair numbering system

When Casala needed to number thousands of chairs across large event spaces—project-based seating, changing layouts, and no easy access to power sources—it posed a tough challenge: how to identify each chair clearly, flexibly, and without relying on batteries or messy wiring.

The Challenge

• Venues where chairs are moved, stored, reconfigured often require visible, durable numbering.
  
  
• Traditional labels, batteries, or cable-based signage either degrade quickly, need frequent maintenance, or limit flexibility.
  
  
• Casala wanted a system that would endure heavy use, weather and environmental changes, and still work cleanly without constant maintenance.
  
  

The solution: NFC-powered epaper labels (Zifra)

MpicoSys responded with the Zifra chair numbering system: NFC-updated, ePaper (eInk) labels that require no battery power, no wired infrastructure.

Key features:

• They use ePaper material that consumes energy only when updating the display; once set, the display remains visible without ongoing power.
  
  
• NFC (Near Field Communication) enables re-writing or updating labels easily—ideal when chair assignments or numbering schemes change.
  
  
• Robust materials and engineering ensure durability in real-world conditions—indoors, outdoors, in storage, and in transit.
  
  

Proven in the long term

• Casala and MpicoSys rolled out Zifra in 2009 / 2010 (in fact, the system has been in production and evolving for over a decade).
  
  
• Zifra has gone through several generations (I, II, III) and is still fully operational today.
  
  
• The system has required essentially zero maintenance, delivering on the promise of durability and sustainability. Updates are done remotely via NFC; there’s no need for regular battery replacements.
  
  
  
  

Why it matters: sustainability, flexibility & low total cost

• Environmental footprint is minimized. No batteries to replace, no cables to install, no energy drain when static.
  
  
• Flexible updates: layout changes, new seating plans or number sets can be managed seamlessly via NFC.
  
  
• Longevity: a system deployed in 2009 still in operation in 2025 shows that thoughtful design and quality materials pay off over time.
  
  

If you’re creating logistics products, don’t just stick to the usual — add smart, battery-free tech like NFC and ePaper to make them more advanced. Whether it’s numbering chairs, tagging racks, labeling outdoor gear, or managing tool inventories—these systems offer reliability, sustainability, and cost savings over their entire lifecycle.

Contact MpicoSys and explore how you can integrate no-battery epaper + NFC solutions—built to last, proven in use, and ready for the future.