What could possibly make more sense for the modern vending machine than to integrate mobile commerce functionalities?
Apparently, the folks at USA Technologies agree. The makers of wireless, cashless payment and M2M telemetry solutions for small-ticket, self-serve retailing industries has announced that approximately 7,500 vending machines in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah will be targeted for mobile payment acceptance.
The service will be powered by USAT’s NFC-enabled ePort technology and ePort Connect service.
The Isis Mobile Wallet is expected to simplify the shopping and paying experience as consumers make vending machine purchases with a simple tap of their phone. As of September 30, 2012, approximately 50 percent of USAT’s ePort Connect service base of 174,000 connections utilized NFC-enabled ePort technology.
“Our work with Isis is a great example of how we are executing our comprehensive mobile payments strategy, including leveraging USAT’s growing footprint of NFC enabled touch points to bring more value to our customers,” says Stephen P. Herbert, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of USA Technologies. “We also believe that our work with Isis sends a clear message to vending companies in these two cities—and to the broader market we serve—that there is tremendous opportunity in cashless adoption. Through the Isis Mobile Wallet, we believe these merchants will have unparalleled new opportunity to attract consumers as well as participate in marketing programs with global brand names.”
Do you think vending machines and mobile commerce make sense together? Please weigh in with a thought or comment below.
