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The Greatest Show on Earth

L adies and gentlemen and ISOs of all ages! Step right up and see a tiny tool connect the world! Witness the mobility of payment processing from a device that's no bigger than the palm of your hand! We draw your attention to the center ring - let's give a warm welcome to . Apriva!

Founded in 1996 under the name NetFrontier Communications, a Scottsdale, Ariz., Web site and application hosting service, Apriva is a wireless application service provider (WASP) aimed at providing business customers with complete wireless solutions, including application software, wireless network access, wireless communication devices and peripheral hardware.

Apriva focuses on integrating mobility, technology and real-time information into user-friendly wireless solutions. Performing with small, powerful personal wireless devices, Apriva's technology and the Internet extend the geography of business to a global arena by providing:

+ Client-side software: the application that resides on the wireless device (or "client").

+ Server-side software: the application that resides in the Apriva data center or at the customer's data center.

+ Hardware: Apriva distributes the supporting wireless devices (RIM 850, 857, 950 and 957). In addition, Apriva manufactures the hardware peripherals required to enable its applications.

+ Airtime: Via Motient and Cingular.

Professional services, Apriva provides integration into the customer's existing applications as well as custom application development.

The Green Sheet got tickets to Apriva's big top and experienced firsthand the wonders of wireless, starring RIM 950 (Cingular/Mobitex) device, RIM 850 (Motient/DataTac) device, Apriva M500 magcard reader, Apriva B500 bar-code scanner and Extech Mini Thermal IV. Here's a recap of the products that entertained us:

Enter the very compact RIM Wireless Handheld device unit. It fits in the palm of your hand, even with the Magstripe reader attached (Apriva peripheral). The magstripe reader affixes to the bottom of the unit as a cradle would. Very easy to attach and very lightweight, it simply clips onto the bottom of the RIM device. Apriva also has a bar-code reader - even smaller than the magstripe reader.

Rounding out the Apriva troupe is an infrared-enabled Thermal printer. It also is very lightweight and comes in a case that conveniently hooks to a belt. It does not attach to the RIM device. It is a stand-alone peripheral. Also worth noting: Apriva realizes not every printer is the right performer for the job, so Apriva gives merchants the flexibility of using their own printer. Apriva products will work with the ExTech Thermal IV or any IrDA printer.

The RIM unit is extremely easy to use. With the magstripe reader attached, you simply scroll to the Apriva POS application, select it by pressing down the scroll button, and swipe the credit card for a sale. Once the card has been swiped, the unit prompts the user for the amount of the sale.

After the amount is keyed, the unit then transmits the data to the processor for authorization. The POS application connects to a number of large card processors across the country and can process transactions in seconds. Once authorized, the unit prompts the user to print a receipt, which can easily be printed to the wireless printer attached to your belt.

Read and transmit data anytime, anywhere from bar codes, credit cards and smart cards - ladies and gentlemen, let us hear your applause!

The Apriva POS application is a full-functioning credit card application. Features such as Sale, Offline, Authorize, Verify, Refund, Batch, List and Adjust are appealing to a mobile merchant. Plumbers, automotive glass repairers, electricians, contractors - they all can take a credit card payment or confirm a check upon completing their repair work onsite, on a freeway or at a person's home. Delivery services also can track the status of packages in real time - where's that pizza!

Apriva is making life easier for ISOs and merchants. All terminals are Web- based configured. Information isn't stored on devices. Instead, all data is stored at the server level.

Need to configure one terminal or 10,000? No need to punch in keys on individual devices. It's all done through a Web-based control panel. With full Web-based batch reporting device configuration, merchants never touch the terminal. Changes are configured remotely through the Web.

Apriva's proprietary software also enables employees to access and update data from their organization's computer system.

Admission prices to Apriva's big top: RIM pager, about $400; Apriva Magstripe Reader, $250; and the ExTech Mini Thermal Printer, $350. So, for about a thousand dollars, the merchant has a fully functioning POS terminal with E-mail capabilities, address book, calendar, alarm, calculator, memo pad and task scheduler.

That is roughly the same cost as a wireless terminal with a printer without the capabilities the RIM/Apriva devices offer. Apriva also can help you develop custom applications.

Information: www.apriva.com.