Evey small business owner who take payments via credit card has at some point endured the frustration of having to apply and install credit card facilities. An amazing break though from Nedbank will now allow you to take payment via your mobile phone.

Not often do I or many other small business owners we are in conversation with have much good to say about banks in South Africa, but this really is an amazing new service.

This article from ICT world introduces the concept:

Nedbank has developed a mobile, cell phone-based, payment software solution that aims to allow merchants to process credit card payments without needing a point of sale (POS) terminal. The product can be used with any network, and costs less than POS terminals, Nedbank adds.

"Small businesses will be able to process credit card transactions via their cellphones without changing networks or compromising the safety of transactions. Hand in hand with this offering is a manual imprinter that enables the merchant to show proof of purchase," says Sydney Gericke, MD of Nedbank Card.

The technology, Nedbank iMPi, is aimed primarily at enterprises that have a low volume of transactions, and those which require mobility in their day-to-day business activities.

Nedbank's target market includes Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs), passenger transfer businesses, and mobile service providers, such as plumbers, electricians, courier companies and small medical practices, such as speech therapists.

"Nedbank iMPi is a highly cost-effective and convenient solution for small businesses - they can use their existing cellphone and they do not need to change networks. The technology is easy to use and can be used with GPRS, SMS or simple voice commands. Clients will experience seamless credit card transactions as the POS will be brought to them, thus limiting the need for cash or cheques on hand," says Gericke.

- ICT World