Luke Coleman, Communications Day - Wednesday 10 October, 2007
Optus has signed a deal with local business Mint Wireless to provide a wholly Australian-made mobile credit card payment system. The Mint system is expected to be sold in Optus stores from November as part of a mobile payment bundle package, with Optus calling the system "perfect for small businesses."
The system allows users to process credit card payments using a BlackBerry or Windows Mobile smartphone, along with a pocket-sized card reader and printer. Users will swipe the card, then have the payment processed wirelessly over the Optus network. Transactions are kept in a user's Mint online administration system, which can be downloaded into MYOB or QuickBooks. Optus will offer a subscription to the the Mint service with the BlackBerry Curve or O2 Xda Atom Life smartphone, in a voice and data plan.
CommsDay spoke with Mint Wireless marketing director Nigel Turner, who says the small Australian business would love to eventually take the product global. "That's the intention," he said. "We've got to prove it in Australia first and then see its potential in other markets... we're making sure we get it right in Australia first." Turner said the company was targeting "a variety" of businesses, but said the Mint system is a perfect fit for small businesses. "Instead of lots of paper and invoices, you'd have your inventory on the phone. It's a mini-payment management and invoice system... we call it a portable cash register," he said. "Largely, [users would be] tradespeople who have trouble getting paid on the spot," he said, adding that Mint was "talking with some larger companies and franchises" including gardening franchise Jim's Group.
Mint has "talked to other telcos" but is currently "working full steam ahead with Optus," according to Turner. Mint CEO Alex Teoh said, "we believe Mint is something that Australian businesses, large and small, have needed for a long time something that enables faster payment, and significantly reduces administration time. We're delighted to be working with Optus because, together, we're making it more affordable and extending the benefits to businesses nationwide." |
