"...And on the eighth day, God perfected the wireless credit card point-of-sale solution," thus making it possible for vendors from around the globe to perform their credit card and other POS terminal functions from virtually anywhere. And, as a result, bringing new wireless developments out of the woodwork, so fast that one has to try not to blink to keep up with it all.
Everyone seems to be talking about his or her wireless solution. You read in these pages first, about CellGate Technologies' big order from Tellus Technology (99:03:02), for 100,000 Cellular Digital Packet Data terminals. The CDPD terminals are being developed for use with CellGate's patented wireless solution. Terminals are being developed to work as add-on units to the merchants already existing POS equipmentóas well as stand-alone units. The size of the order, coupled with Tellus' engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities, allows CellGate to offer their exclusive service at a cost to merchants much lower than traditional fixed business lines.
On the heels of this news comes a bulletin from BellSouth Wireless Data, announcing an important new alliance with VeriFone, Inc. According to the release, products will be introduced later in the year to develop end-to-end, wireless POS solutions that will operate seamlessly with BellSouth in processing credit card and debit card transactions over the huge BellSouth Intelligent Wireless NetworkSM.
With these big players expanding the perimeters of the wireless game, you can almost hear the joyful laughter emitting from the offices of Paynet Transaction Services of Concord, CA. After all, Paynet has been deep in the wireless transaction business for nearly five years utilizing terminals manufactured by Lipman USA, and has worked hard at bringing this aspect of the transaction business to the forefront.
It was Paynet who first attained exclusive contracts to bring their wireless solution to the souvenir vendors at the Super Bowl and the Final Four basketball finals in Florida, tripling the amount of credit card terminals at those events. The Paynet terminals, coupled with service provided by BellSouth, made it easy for fans to purchase official memorabiliaósince terminals were everywhere. With the Paynet/BellSouth service, the average transactionóand there were over 4,000 of themótook under ten seconds. Paynet was also the exclusive wireless provider for vendors along the recent Rolling Stones concert route, and is currently the doing the same for vendors on the George Strait tour. Paynet has established relationships with specialty retailers, such as Donna Karan, and is the wireless POS provider for the prestigious Mercedes Open. And, for the fourth year in a row, Paynet will be at the U.S. Tennis Championships in New York.
According to Kevin Wellington, Director of Special Events at Paynet, the future of wireless is wide open. "Anywhere where phones can't go that's where you target. Like the short-term merchant carts located in the middle of malls. There are no phone lines for temporary businesses inside malls."
And what about the more traditional vendor who simply wants the freedom of utilizing a terminal where ever they want. (Can you say "sidewalk sale"?) "There are all types of different solutions-terminals that attach to the cash register, units that hook into the existing POS terminal óthey come in all shapes and sizes. We've got it all. It just depends on what the customer needs," Wellington said.
ISO opportunities are available. To reach Paynet Transaction Services, call (925) 688-0600. To reach CellGate Technologies, contact (561) 999-9077. To reach Bell South Wireless Data, contact Linda Maia Lopes at (732) 602-5119.
