New releases from big players in payments

Three big names in payments, POS manufacturer VeriFone Inc., wireless network provider Verizon Wireless and payment processor First Data Corp., each released news about their vision for the next generation of payments on Tues., May 8, 2012.

VeriFone's SAIL joins social media, mobility

VeriFone introduced its open payment platform SAIL at the CTIA - The Wireless Association convention in New Orleans. Pete Bartolik with VeriFone Media Relations said SAIL features "quick and easy sign-up" and "cost-saving rates" and can be used on smart phones, tablets and POS devices.

"SAIL provides sophisticated reporting and integration with social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter and Yelp," Bartolik said. "iOS and Android users can obtain a free app – with bar code scanning capability – and card reader, and take advantage of flat rate plans of 2.7 percent for lower volumes, or higher volume users can opt for a 1.95 percent transaction rate with a monthly $9.95 subscription fee."

SAIL includes a mobile software development kit for developers to build their own VeriFone-enabled payment or marketing solutions. The platform also integrates with VeriFone countertop POS devices that support the Europay/MasterCard/Visa smart card, near field communication contactless and mobile payments.

The platform has a secure gateway with end-to-end encryption, real-time merchant fraud screening and application programming interface boarding, and merchant processing and settlement services. It can also connect with third party marketing, loyalty and social media tools.

VeriFone said it will distribute SAIL through its processors, ISOs and channel partners. Vantiv Inc, the third largest U.S. acquirer and largest U.S. PIN debit acquirer, will initially offer SAIL "to select merchants," the company added.

Affinity Solutions, First Data real-time coupon offers

Affinity Solutions Inc., a company offering retailer-funded rewards programs, and First Data released Coupon-on-a-Card, a real-time offer-redemption technology. The system was demonstrated at the FinovateSpring 2012 conference in San Francisco.

Coupon-on-a-Card utilizes First Data's OfferWise solution technology. Affinity is marketing Coupon-on-a-Card to financial institutions as a system to deliver and link credit and debit card customers to reward offers and then allow them to redeem those offers in real time.

When a Coupon-on-a-Card customer receives a merchant offer he can opt to accept or decline the offer. If he accepts, the offer is linked to his credit or debit card to be automatically redeemed at the time of purchase. The discount is deducted immediately at the POS.

Verizon mobile solution released

Verizon Enterprise Solutions introduced a new tablet-based solution featuring POS payments and inventory management at the CTIA – The Wireless Association convention.

The solution is a Google Inc. Android-based tablet that has no preloaded applications. Customers instead download enterprise applications from the Verizon Private Applications Store for Business. Verizon calls this "an attractive alternative to businesses' adapting off-the-shelf, consumer-grade tablets."

The company is marketing the solution to the transportation, retail and financial services industries. Verizon said Vantiv will be one of the first users of the new tablet solution.

Whether you want to upgrade your POS offerings, find a payment gateway partner, bone up on fintech regs or PCI requirements, find an upcoming trade show, read about faster payments, or discover the latest innovations in merchant acquiring, The Green Sheet is the resource for you. Since 1983, we've helped empower and connect payments professionals, starting with the merchant level salespeople who bring tailored payment acceptance and digital commerce tools, along with a host of other business services to merchants across the globe. The Green Sheet Inc. is also a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals.

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