IBM's 'Anyplace trading' with PINPOS
Article from Retail IT Bulletin by Penelope Ody - July 2006
IBM's 'Anyplace trading' concept took a step forward this week with news that the innovative PINPoS unit chosen for the concept has achieved final certification for chip and PIN.
IBM is moving forward with its Anyplace Trading concept for mobile EPoS and is expected to have trials in place with the Arcadia Group - probably Top Shop - within the next two or three months.
The concept is based on an innovative mobile unit developed by Bristol Office Machines (BOM) with the help of payment systems specialist Connie Penn of Kilrush Consultancy. The unit combines a Dione Secura EMV approved EFTPoS terminal on one side with a PDA-style device capable of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPRS communications on the other. STS has provided the kernel for EMV processing and IBM has modified its StorePay EFT software to allow the unit to operate in standalone mobile environments.
Work began on the project in late 20045 and last month achieved its final certification. "One of the most important considerations in the mobile environment is the security of the data, from compromise, theft or damage," says Penn. "The unit is so small that it can easily be dropped, stolen, or damaged, so the important consideration is to remove the card data from the device while the transaction is being processed. So we are very pleased that Datacash the Internet payments services provider agreed to act as the switch and processor for the data."
According to Thomas Drohan, business development executive at BOM: "This is the first fully certified mobile point-of-sale solution with integrated online chip and PIN capability in the world. We believe that market demand for the solution is very strong in most retail, hospitality and service-based organisation."
For the past few months The Book People has been using the uncertified unit for its office-based selling operations. The company leaves a selection of books at major offices and then its staff return after a week or so to log sales and collect payment. "Now we have approval they will be able to take payment as well with the device," says Drohan. "In the interim they have been using the colour touchscreen side of the device for communications with back office and for sales reporting and analysis."
The Book People is using GPRS for ad hoc communications, although as Drohan points out, this is an expensive communications format so wherever possible he expects companies to opt for Wi-Fi or landline downloads once operators have returned to head office. GPRS will, however, be used for payment card authorisations once the unit is used in EFTPoS mode.
While the EFTPoS component of the PINPoS unit can produce the necessary printed receipts, it can also work with a Bluetooth enabled printer attached to a belt for producing separate receipts or other information.
At Retail Solutions last month the unit was shown by a number of exhibitors, including Torex, IBM, Itim and Pacific Retail - a newish player which acquired Epsilon from its administrators a year ago. Pacific is already demonstrating its StoreTrader application running on the BOM unit and director Mike Newman expects the unit to prove attractive to a variety of mobile retailers.
IBM is also expecting Anyplace Trading to have a wide appeal John Riccio, retail industry leader with IBM Global Business suggests that it could be used as a mobile EPoS system at fitting rooms, for example. "it can be a deterrent for shoppers to have to go an queue at a till after they have chosen garments in the fitting room," he says, "Why not use a device like this for the fitting room supervisor to complete the sale?"
According to Thomas Drohan, likely total cost of the unit will be comparable with a fixed EPoS unit - around £2,000-£3,000. "It may be the same price as a normal till," he says, "but you have much more flexibility as to how it is used."
Article from the Retail IT Bulletin website: www.theretail-it-bulletin.com.
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