Tag: visa

Mobile commerce may have a bright future

| October 21, 2013

Executives envision a promising future for mobile commerce

The future of mobile commerce is beginning to become a prominent subject around the world. People everywhere are beginning to rely more heavily on mobile technology in the daily lives, which is leading to a growing demand for comprehensive mobile commerce services. Executives from some of the leading companies in the mobile commerce sector have begun offering some insight into what the future may hold for the mobile space and for commerce in general.

Retailers are beginning to develop their own technology

Richard H Harris, CEO of payment technology pioneer Ensygnia, claims that retailers and vendors will play a major role in determining how individuals interact with the world around them. Retailers have begun to take matters into their own hands by developing their own technology and software as a way to engage consumers that are becoming increasingly mobile. Much of this technology is taking the form of mobile commerce platforms, which allow consumers to pay for products with their mobile devices. These platforms are also being equipped with social networking tools as well in an attempt to increase dynamic interact between consumers and businesses.

Mobile Commerce and ConsumersMobile commerce could change the way consumers interact with businesses

Sam Shrauger, head of digital for developed markets at Visa, claims that mobile commerce and technology will become a more integrated part of daily life. Shrauger envisions a not-too-distant future wherein consumers can walk into a restaurant and their meal is waiting for them at their table, having ordered the meal from their mobile device in advance. Similar occurrences may be seen in the retail sector as companies work more closely together to take advantage of mobile commerce.

Technology is becoming more mobile-centric

Carey Kolaja, vice president of global solutions management with PayPal, notes that loyalty programs and point-of-sale systems targeting mobile technology have advanced more in the past year than they have in the past decade. The momentum growing behind the mobile space is likely to propel mobile commerce to new heights, especially as more consumers gain access to smartphones and tablets and wearable technology moves from science fiction to reality.

Vodafone tests mobile commerce platform in New Zealand

| September 11, 2013

Test launch of mobile commerce platform begins in New Zealand

Vodafone, a global telecommunications organization, is one of several companies in its industry that have been showing aggressive interest in mobile commerce. Consumers are becoming more involved in mobile technology, leading to a growing demand for a more convenient, tech-savvy form of commerce. Vodafone has been working to position itself as a leader in the mobile commerce sector by meeting this demand with its SmartPass platform. The company has recently begun a pilot test for the platform in Auckland, New Zealand, before an international launch later this year.

SmartPass leverages the power of NFC technology

The SmartPass is based on NFC technology and leverages NFC in order to facilitate mobile payments. The technology is quite common in the mobile commerce sector, forming the backbone for the majority of other platforms that could be considered competitors to SmartPass. The platform was developed with the help of Visa, which also has a vested interest in mobile commerce. The pilot launch of the platform is meant to expose consumers to mobile commerce and provide merchants with an effective way to engage mobile consumers.

Mobile Commerce VodafoneNFC-enabled devices still rare among consumers

Vodafone expects the pilot launch to last at least two months, hoping to solve some of the undiscovered issues that the SmartPass may have during that time. The company is aware of the low availability of NFC-enabled devices in the consumer market, but does not anticipate this to be a significant problem. SmartPass, like other NFC-based mobile commerce platforms, can only be used by NFC-enabled devices. These devices are becoming more common, but many consumers have shied away from mobile commerce because they are unwilling to purchase a new, expensive smartphone or tablet just to be able to make a mobile payment at a physical store.

SmartPass to function as mobile wallet

The SmartPass is not only able to facilitate mobile payments, of course, as it is also designed to function as a sort of digital wallet. The platform is capable of storing a variety of financial information that could be used by consumers at any given time. Like other platforms, SmartPass is also expected to keep track of special offers that consumers receive from merchants and the brands they are interested in.