INDUSTRY COMMENT – PAYMENT SYSTEMS


Think before you choose M


ost technological innovations in society do not happen easily, or swiftly, or by themselves. Typically


there is an extended period during which proponents (including suppliers) of the innovation sing its praises before users themselves “get it” and appreciate, then eventually come to require, the benefits. At that point “push” turns to “pull” - because not providing the new functionality would be a barrier to business. It is a consequence of Covid that payment


systems in our sector have now passed that tipping point. The transition has become self-propelling. After a long time when those in the know have


been singing their praises, and especially of contactless, suddenly: - end users know how to use the technology, have the means to hand, and are in the habit of using it willingly - cash is far less prevalent, and even less in favour - some sites are becoming non-viable without a payment system fitted (either with or without a cash option), and that trend is accelerating. At the same time, there’s never been a better


array of solutions on the market, with ever- increasing transaction speed and functionality (including data granularity) at an ever lower cost. This may be invisible to the end-consumer – irrelevant even, but is key to all of us actually in the business.


SB Software managing director Simon Black advises operators to consider the role they want data to play for their business before settling on the right system. He comments as follows…


At SB Software, we integrate with all payment


systems we can. The more we know, the greater the benefits that can be brought on tap, such as single walk and visit-on-demand – increasing efficiency and flexibility, whilst ensuring that machines are stocked to the right levels. Here on the “other side of the mirror” we


know that not all payment systems are created equal. We will always get the most we can from whatever is installed, but before anyone commits


What more can contactless do? W


to a specific course of action, or provider, we advise that it’s worth taking a step back. First consider afresh the role that you are


looking for data to play across the business as a whole. Yes, now is the time to be putting payment systems to work on your behalf. But how much more should you be putting on the task list for data to achieve – to the benefit of your customers and your own business? And if not now, then when?


hile contactless is now a given for the consumer in almost all scenarios, Laura Barwell, business development manager at VMC says the challenge has moved on.


She says: “For vending operators it’s clear that this payment method has


played a key role in their survival, enabling them to maintain sales even during the lockdown periods. “Vending itself has gone through a major contactless evolution as a


direct result of COVID-19, meaning now the majority of machines are equipped with some form of cash free payment. It’s a clean and safe method that requires minimal staff intervention and reduces many of the manual tasks that were required to support a cash-led setup.” “However the challenge for operators now that contactless payment


has become the norm is to think more broadly about what else vending could do to support the environment it is in. “We’re keen to take things one step further and show them that


contactless payment does more than just speed up the transaction. With the power of VMC Flex in the background it can also incentivise spending with loyalty and promotions and bring vending machines back into the mainstream of catering operations.”


18 | vendinginternational-online.com


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