Are you familiar with NBS? NBS Technologies is a Toronto-based manufacturer and marketer of POS products. The company has enjoyed a leadership role in the Canadian POS market for 25 years and currently has the largest installed base of terminals in Canada. They've also taken the lead in the percentage of shipped terminals at 43% of the Canadian market. You may not know much about NBS Transactions but you should get to know them because they're coming south.

But, don't worry, Hypercom and VeriFone. They're not looking to take over or steal market share. Mike Mulcahy, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for NBS says, "NBS has had success in Canada and has a strong base. We have a reputation for reliability and responsiveness. We are not attempting to come into the states and go after the market leaders. We are looking for niche market, which is why we went into wireless."

Mulcahy knows what he's talking about, as this 20-year veteran of the POS industry is at the hub of NBS Transactions. Mulcahy began his career as a cash register sales representative. Two years later, he was an account representative with California Retail Data Systems. He quickly rose to the position of VP of Sales and Marketing. When Mulcahy joined the company, annual gross sales were $300,000. Five years later, annual volume was $12.5 million. Additionally, while Mike was with the company, California Retail Data was listed in INC. magazine's "Top 100 Fastest Growing Independent Companies" three years in a row.

After his stint at California Retail Data Systems, Mulcahy created tremendous success for Panasonic's POS Systems. He was challenged with creating a dealership base for the company and during his four-year tenure, he increased the dealer program from 8 to 20 dealers and Panasonic's volume rose from $15 million to more than $50 million.

After accomplishing what he wanted to at Panasonic, in 1990 Mulcahy started Pacific Data Systems, a POS dealership. Later, in 1992 he organized Bankcard Systems of San Diego to sell credit/debit card hardware and processing. Mulcahy operated Pacific Data Systems for four years.

In 1995 GEAC Computer Corporation LTD., a Canadian computer company, was searching for a proven team-builder and Mulcahy was their man. Approximately one year before he came to GEAC, the company purchased Fastfax, a manufacturer of POS high-end terminals designed for the quick service industry. (Customers include Burger King, White Castle, Taco Bell, etc.) When GEAC purchased Fastfax, they needed to rebuild the sales organization, which is right up Mulcahy's alley. At that time Mulcahy received calls from NBS Transactions, but he was happy with GEAC. NBS continued to pursue him and it paid off. Based on a shift in direction, Mike realized he could do what he enjoys and what he excels at, team building, if he decided to go with NBS. He has been with the company for two years.

Products

As you may know, NBS manufactures the Freedom I, Freedom II, the Integrator, and US PINpad products. The U.S. PINpad offers enhanced security, robustness, and an affordable price tag. The company also recently acquired C&D Technologies, a developer of wireless solutions for credit and debit processing. As a result, we will see more wireless products from NBS.

The Freedom I is rechargeable, which is not unique, but the fact that the unit can charge while it is working is. Power supply is low consumption and the unit can process 75-150 transaction per charge. Additionally, no external charger is needed as the charger is inside the terminal.

The Freedom II, which will be available in September, is a wireless product that includes an integrated printer and PINpad and is approximately one inch larger than Freedom I. Finally, NBS's Integrator is an information entry device that replaces mag strip readers and PINpads. It is smart card ready and comes with four SAMs. It can also hook it up to a LAN system.

If you call on niche markets or if you haven't been able to sign a merchant because he has a specific need, NBS could be your solution. As Mulcahy says, "Our programs are accessible, tool kits are available, and half our customers in Canada do their own software. We build all our own products. We support customers and ISOs writing their own programs to customize the products they sell." For more information about NBS Technologies call (514) 639-6511.