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Cape Town – The journey of mobile payments and solutions has come to the point where big retailers are no longer the privileged few who have access to the technology and benefits.
So says WiGroup CEO Bevan Ducasse, whose local mobile transacting platform provider has been at the forefront of steering the vehicle on that journey.
In this story:
- Video: An introduction to WiGroup (Interview with Fin24 and WiGroup)
- Video: Bringing WiGroup to SMEs (Interview with Fin24 and WiGroup)
- Video: SA needs data tariffs lowered (Interview with Fin24 and WiGroup)
- Video: What is point-of-sale mobile transacting? (Promotional video)
- Video: Using mobile transacting to drive sales (Promotional video)
Mobile payments for small business
Ducasse said that retailers of any shape and size can now unlock the power of mobile transacting with the announcement that WiGroup is opening its platform to smaller retailers.
wiPlatform integrates to retailers’ point-of-sale systems and enables them to accept any kind of current or future mobile payment, loyalty, reward or couponing app the market has to offer. Apps and services already integrated to the platform include MTN Mobile Money, FlickPay, M-Pesa, TuYu and Gift It.
Ducasse gave an introduction to WiGroup, explaining how it travelled a journey of exploration, adaption and agility to find the right solution at the right time.
Watch:
As simple as possible
Howard Moodycliffe, head of marketing and international at wiGroup, said they had made smaller retailers’ entry to the world of point-of-sale integrated mobile transacting as simple as possible.
“Recent high-profile mobile payment app launches have created a groundswell of interest in mobile transacting at the consumer level,” he said. “wiGroup has made the entry into accepting any application smooth and seamless through existing and on-going integrations to point-of-sale systems, as well as several other options should a retailer not have a till.”
According to Deloitte’s 2014 Global Powers of Retailing report, South Africa’s five biggest retailers contributed more than R375bn in global retail revenues. “wiGroup is integrated to over 50 000 till lanes across the country, mainly in tier one retail and has processed over R2.5bn,” he said. “Now, for the first time, smaller retailers will have access to an enterprise-level mobile transacting platform that was traditionally the reserve of the market leaders.”
Focus on interoperability
The roll-out of wiPlatform to small businesses would focus on footprint rather than transactions or profit, said Ducasse.
“ … We want to put the railway lines down,” he said. “And once we’ve got the railway lines down in all of these stores, then the apps can plug in.”
He said the most important aspect of this part of the journey is the interoperability of the solution. “Because if the banks, the retailers, and the app providers are all working together to create some type of standard, that makes the most sense for us as an economy, and that’s really what we’re trying to achieve.”
Watch the full interview:
SA needs lower data costs
Asked what barriers stand in the way of the journey with mobile solutions, Ducasse highlighted the access to data.
“I would love to see data just become free,” said Ducasse. “Data is such an important part of everyone’s lives, especially now for the lower LSM.”
“It’s the way they connect to the world,” he said. “If we can see the data tariff being lowered, that would be huge…”
Watch the full interview:
Competitive edge
“Technology can play an integral role in enabling smaller retailers to enjoy a competitive edge over other companies regardless of their size,” said Moodycliffe. “Mobile is also making payments affordable when contrasted with the cost of putting down expensive card terminals with high fees.”
“Over and above seamless enablement and cost savings, small merchants for the first time are able to run closed loop loyalty programs and targeted voucher and coupon campaigns without requiring the capital for typical enterprise solutions,” said Moodycliffe. “We’re likely to see more innovative uses of wiPlatform as retailers become more comfortable with the technology and consumers have a chance to see what works for them.”
A starter pack containing introductory documentation, frequently asked questions and tips for making the most of the platform will be given to all retailers that sign up for wiPlatform. “The platform is already integrated to most major point-of-sale systems servicing the retail and hospitality markets. It has never been easier for retailers to unlock the powerful benefits of mobile transacting.”
What is point-of-sale mobile transacting?
Watch:
Using mobile transacting to drive sales
Watch:
- Fin24.
