Bridging The POS GAP - Disruption is Overdue!

By Randy Smith,

Mobile Wallet Media

October 10, 2012

NFC is the Tortoise and QR/2D bar codes are the Hare, but is there a Cheetah that might chase down the Hare and further stall the Tortoise?

And in the end, who will be the Lion and King of the mobile payments?

In thinking of proper analogies regarding NFC in mobile payments and wallets, an 'Arranged Marriage' is what comes to mind. It best suites the incumbent parties (networks, banks and equipment providers) and leaves the groom (NFC-Wallets) and bride (merchants) hoping it works out well.

Why does NFC suite the incumbents so well? NFC requires a reader in the terminal and is designed work in conjunction with conventional banking and prccessing methods. As Jerry Seinfeld might say "Not that there's anything wrong with this." But as the marriage has been delayed, the bride is becoming restless and questioning if the arranged marriage will be worth it. Retailers, the bride, know what they want (MCX), but remain open to other suitors that are now wooing them away from the marriage with NFC: Pay with Square, LevelUp, PayPal, Apple (? - said no to NFC) and more! With NFC, it takes the phone and terminal to engage and so the retailers are looking at other options to fuel their desire to gain mobile payment engagement.

In relating NFC to mobile payments, the core purpose of mobile payments is enhanced convenience, speed, security and decreased costs for merchants and consumers alike. The NFC and Mobile Payments marriage may end up producing these results, but it sure seems like the marriage is traveling on a rocky road and is still yet a fragmented arrangement. A single standard has yet to emerge and merchants are wary of investing in technology that is not ubiquitous or may be 'Dinosaur Tech' in 6-18 months.

Continue to read the rest of the story.

PayPal + Discover = Dynamic Duo that could also be THE Disruptive Duo!

By Randy Smith,

Mobile Wallet Media

October 5, 2012

I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg here. Discover was once the 'New kid on the block,' as was PayPal. Now both are firmly established as the number 4 and 5 players in payments. These two companies have incredibly complimentary strengths. Discover has much room to grow and PayPal has always been the innovator and wants to expand it's presence from the online to the physical world. Their current partnership is one that is mutually beneficial. PayPal rides the rails of Discover's acceptance in the real-world stores and Discover taps into PayPal's Digital Wallet, alternative payment methods and their as 110-million+ regular users and 9-million+ merchants.

IF they can figure out how to BEST LEVERAGE each other's strengths, they could both DOUBLE their market share in as fast as 2 YEARS! Yes, I'm saying as they do on infomercials, "But wait there's more!"

Continue to read entire story.

Key Takeaways and Quotes from Mobile Engagement In Retail Conference

By Randy Smith,
Mobile Wallet Media
September 26, 2012

The Mobile Engagement In Retail Conference, in Denver on September 13-14, was a very well-rounded event. I gained new insights from experts in mobile retail, advertising, loyalty and payments.

Could Digital Watermarking replace QR or 2D barcodes? After seeing how Digimarc's technology works, my only question is why wouldn't it replace QR codes? It seems all that is needed is a branding and education campaign to make their tech dominant.


Digimarc's, Ed Knudsen explained how Digital Watermarks work much like a QR code scanner. Their app is called "Digimarc Discover App" and is avaibable for iphone and Android. To sum it up, the technology works by scanning digital or print images. Digimarc's code is not visiible to the human eye, but when scanned, works like a QR code. The user may be directed directly to a web page about the product or image content, page to buy the product featured or a coupon with a 1D or 2D bar code. It seems like the scanning of a Digimarc code takes just about as long as scanning a QR code. So for use with mobile phone or tablet app scanning, why are they better than QR codes?

Digimarc's Digital Watermarks are currently not better than QR codes, only because they are not understood or even perceived by consumers. When consumers see a QR or 2D bar code many if not most tech savvy cosumers recognize what they are and have used a scanner on their phone. This is not the case with DigiMarc's technology. However, QR codes are everywhere and are just plain ugly and do not work well to compliement beautifully crafted images.

So it appears that all Digimarc needs to do is ramp up their publicity and media campaign to educate consumers, retailers and advertisers about their very cool and seamless tech. They have already struck big deals with major companies. Their use on Pinterest, the 3rd largest social network in the world with 104 million users, 80% of which are woman and half moms, is quite a compelling use of their tech. Digimarc's technology is also used for ID authentication and to prevent currency counterfitting. Think of how different the world might look without ugly QR codes and with the branding and advertising possibilities with Digital Watermarking. I don't think they will replace QR codes displayed for scan at POS.

Continue to read entire story at MobileWalletMedia.com.

Moneyball-Like Innovative Disruption is Cure for Mobile Wallet Dysfunction

By Randy Smith,

Mobile Wallet Media

September 21, 2012

"When defining moments come along you either define the moment or the moment defines you." Kevin Costner, Tin Cup (movie) - Don't let source of innovation derail you.

Apple's decision to not include NFC in their iphone 5 has extended the runway for disruption via alternative technologies enabling Mobile Wallets and payments.

Every move that is made by PayPal or Apple affects the entire sphere of the mobile payments and Mobile Wallet world. The non-inclusion of NFC by Apple will be sure to alter and delay Google Wallet & ISIS.

All Things Digital just published an article by Carey Kolaja, Chief of Operations for Global Product & Experience at PayPal. This article is a relevant part of the public conversation about the Mobile or Digital Wallets. I will also propose a philosophy that must be adopted to solve problems and engage innovation in general and specifically in this space.

Continue reading article at MobileWalletMedia.com

Tour de Mobile Payments - The Mobile Wallet & Main Street

By Randy Smith,
Mobile Wallet Media
September 12, 2012

How will mobile payments mesh best with Main Street?

It seems like it's gotten as complex and confusing as can be for retailers and even the mobile payment service providers themselves. 

We'll provide a legend to map out all the pieces, as well as strategy and opinion. At Tour's end the future of mobile commerce may be a bit more clear.

A foundation was laid for this article with our feature 7-Week Series, just completed on September 10th, "The 7 S's Required for Success in Mobile Payments." If you have not read it, you've missed much.

Before we begin the tour, let's look back at the history of contemporary mobile payments and wallets that has brought us to this point.

In 2008, Mocapay debuted at ETA and showed us an early vision of what a Mobile Wallet might look like. Another company, Mobibucks, also debuted at ETA in 2008, showcasing a solution that looks exactly like PayPal's 'Mobile Phone + PIN' entry on terminal solution (I reached out to Mobibucks, but never heard back for comment about PayPal's solution).

In 2009, MFoundry built the foundation for what would power the Starbucks Card Mobile App.

In 2010, SquareUp turned our heads by turning our iphones into a credit card terminal.  Also in 2010, TabbedOut launched by integrating directly to POS systems, thus enabling 'Pay at Table' transactions from the mobile phone without requiring a mobile POS device or to wait upon the server to pay and close out a tab. In the Summer of 2010, ISIS announced it was forming a carrier network. In the Fall of 2010, my former company, MobilePayUSA, followed by debuting at TechCrunch, giving us the first vision of what a 'Universal Mobile Wallet' might look like (Yes I'm a Homer). Paydiant and Cimbal showed us the way to turn a 2D bar code into a transaction ID and way to pay by scanning with a smartphone. And, Dwolla also launched reducing fees to 25 cents a transaction for merchants. 

In January of 2011, Starbucks Card Mobile launched and by March had already provided a solid proof of concept for the Mobile Wallet. Corfire was developed and would become the platform of choice for Dunkin Donuts. Google Wallet utilized MasterCard's PayPass to launch it's Mobile Wallet in the Summer of 2011.

2012 saw Visa debut V.Me at ETA, but has yet to make a push as a Mobile Wallet. PayPal, though it debuted a Digital Wallet in the Fall of 2011 and has showed us two alternative ways to pay, but has yet to debut a Mobile Wallet in the USA. PayPal has however shown us a preview of their Mobile Wallet plans in the UK.

This past Summer, Levelup and Kuapay showed us how to sprint with flair and relevance. After a Spring announcement, MCX revealed it's identity as a Merchant Coalition Mobile Wallet. Dunkin Donuts also got into the race and is powered by Corfire. And Moneto just recently announced it's Mobile Wallet works with PayPass. 

Will Apple's Passbook, teamed with the iphone5 (with NFC) and iO6 soon become a Mobile Wallet? 

Continue reading rest of article at MobileWalletMedia.com.

A Glimpse of PayPal Mobile Payments for the USA in the UK?

By Randy Smith,
Mobile Wallet Media
Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

Could PayPal's "Pay InStore App," now on trial in the UK, be a preview of the future of PayPal's mobile payments in America? It seems to be the 'Missing Link' to provide mobile payments in the US. It appears to work much like the famed, Starbucks Card Mobile App.





I like this solution. It is as it says in their video "FAST, EASY, SECURE AND SIMPLE."  The PayPal Blog announced in May of 2012 their "Pay inSTORE" app would be availble for use at Oasis and other major retail brands. This app is available on iphone or Android and allows customers to pay via PayPal. This app enables retailers to use their existing infrastructure to add mobile payments.

PayPal's UK, Pay InSTORE App may be used in one of three ways:

1) Mobile Checkout via ipads.
2) Scan a bar code from the app.
3) Type the number below the bar code directly into the payment terminal.

The Pay inSTORE app may also be used to redeem offers collected online and forwarded to phone app. PayPal users may also opt in to receive and redeem special offers using the app.To quote the PayPal video "The app works with or without signal." as well. This is big!

The UK PayPal In-Store Checkout, like it's 'Sister App' in America, allows users to pay without using their mobile phone. In America, users enter their mobile phone number + pin and in the UK users enter a user or transaction ID to make a payment. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this will require integration at POS to accept these transactions. Payment terminals are programmed or setup to accept only a certain range of gift card numbers. Each gift card provider gets certified on each terminal but merchant acquirers can program terminals to only enable transactions through their partner processor. Having users enter manuelly, a virtual card number, representing a credit card, does not make sense as it opens the gateway to incompliance with PCI.

PayPal's, UK inSTORE Checkout enables merchants, unlike in the US, to scan a bar code to enable mobile payments. It appears the POS register will need to be setup to scan a 1D bar code as a gift card. This can be fairly straight forward, if the merchant has access or ability to configure their POS software to make this adjustment. From there it gets a bit trickier.

Each POS software has a gift card port and some are hard wired to a single processor or solution. If the processor has partnered with PayPal, then they will be able to route the transaction for approval through PayPal. Of course it is possible, through their recent partnership with Discover, that PayPal transactions could ride the rails of Discover, with the processor routing the transaction as a credit card transaction. If this is the case, the processors would likely still need to convert transactions from a non-financial or gift card transaction to a financial or credit or debit transaction in order to reroute through Discover. This may be an unnecessary or not the most easy step due to legacy systems.

Processors such as Mercury, PayPros and Merchant Link may have a key advantage here to utilize their existing relationships with POS vendors. First Data, TSYS, Global, ChasePaymentech and Vantiv (5th 3rd) may also make a big play here and now if they choose to do so. Eventually the transaction would be routed to PayPal to gain the actual authorization using the user's chosen method of payment encased in the Digital Wallet.

Though PayPal may be offering a preview of their mobile payments future for the UK and beyond, it still will require some POS and processor integration. Could PayPal already be partnering directly with POS vendors such as Micros and NCR to create a direct connection to PayPal?

This is by no means out of the question and makes a lot of sense for them to do this very thing. By cutting out the processors, they are creating their own payment network with each direct connection to PayPal. However, I'm sure most processors would wisely partner with PayPal here to take advantage of the 100 million+ PayPal users that PayPal would want to route through their gateway. This seems to be the way to go and is a Win-Win-Win, with the third 'Win' being PayPal connecting merchants with their users.

If processors decide not to work with PayPal, then I'm sure PayPal, if it has not already offered POS vendors the option to connect their software directly to PayPal's API yet, will soon be announcing this soon. I'm not trying to trump PayPal's news or lead them down the road that is available to them, or maybe I am doing one of such? However, PayPal is not the only one that can, will or has already begun building direct payment gateways as such that connect POS to Mobile Wallet, but they will surely be a tough competitor in this space.

There is still, as I pointed out in my prior article on PayPal, another way to avoid this problem of integration, of which Square may have the same problem, and seamlessly use their partnership with Discover to enable their new 'Pay InStore' app, thus requiring no software or hardware integration at point of sale.

I again offer my consulting services. PayPal, networks, processors, POS vendors or Mobile Wallet companies such as MCX please reach out to discuss how we might work together. I look forward to talking to innovative people and companies soon!

Yes, I understand this is not normal journalism, but I'm not a normal journalist. I invented one of the original Mobile Wallets and have been an entrpreneur most of my life and a journalist for less than 30-days.



About Mobile Wallet Media
Mobile Wallet Media is a news media, analyst, marketing and consulting firm focused on the future of mobile: payments, marketing, loyalty commerce, security, prepaid, virtual currency, daily deals and the convergence of them all with social and local. The Chief Editor, Randy Smith, was the primary founder, inventor and former CEO of MobilePayUSA, a TechCrunch Disrupt Award Winner.

The Mobile Wallet Olympics Have Begun!

By Randy Smith, Mobile Wallet Media
Monday, August 27th, 2012


This is week 5 of a 7-Week Series: The 7 S's Required for Success in Mobile Payments

Let The Games Begin!

Time is money in business and retail and possibly even more so with Mobile Wallets. The wallets that will make the biggest impact will be the one's with the most transaction SPEED at Point of Sale and most easily and seamlessly integrated with POS.

During and since the London Olympics, a fast and furious slate of news about Mobile Wallets strolled across our screens seemingly every other day. With all the pomp and positioning on par with the actual Olympics, I believe the 'Opening Ceremony for the Mobile Wallet Olympics' has officially taken place.  But rather than just two weeks of competition, the 'Mobile Wallet Olympics' will play out over the next 2-4 years.

The race for victory in mobile payments is much like the actual Olympics. In the actual Olympics there are a multitude of athletes, events and countries with clear-cut favorites and the underdogs, of which we love to see both win medals. With the Mobile Wallet Olympics, rather than people and countries competing for medals, there are products and companies competing for market share vs. medals. The top 3 companies that end up on the medal stand will garner most of the money and market share, but like those that make it to the finals in the actual Olympics, there will be victory and rewards to share in as well. And of course there will be many companies partnered to support and give their marque product, their Mobile Wallet, the best chance for success.

In replacing our good old friend the 'Mag-Stripe Card,' mobile payments cannot be slower. At POS the NFC Tap and the 2D bar code scan appear to be the clear front runners. Either of these mobile payment methods seem to be just as fast as cards or cash.

For Mobile Wallets to succeed they need SPEED of adoption and integration. The more simple, more options and more reasons merchants have to adopt technology, the more likely they will do so. Be it Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps in recent Olympics or Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Nascar on the race track, less drag and better mechanics are two key differentiators that set them apart from the rest. Of course a high level of talent must serve as the foundation for success to redeem these benefits. A merchant without a 2D bar code reader rigged for coupons or payments will soon be requirements to compete in market that is getting ever faster and efficient.

For readers not akin to sports analogies, please forgive me as I am a avid sports fan and ex-athlete (football, basketball, volleyball, hockey and baseball). Hopefully it still helps with perspective and vision.

For a POS mobile payment method to become a standard, the easier and more quickly it is for merchants to integrate, may make all the difference. Right now is seems that 'NFC is the turtle and the 2D bar code is the hare' in the race for standardization, but this race will tighten as more reasons are added for merchants to adopt new NFC or 2D bar code equipped terminals.

I found a good summary article, describing 'Future-Proofing' payment terminals. This article by MerchantAccountGuide.com, quotes Mike Duffy, president of Chase Paymentech: "As emerging payment options gain adoption in the U.S., merchants are looking to make the customer check-out process as easy and safe as possible. The Future Proof terminal is a one-stop solution for merchants to keep accepting today's forms of payment and prepare for new consumer payment preferences on the horizon."

While Chase and Verifone lead the market in showcasing of 'Future-Proofed' terminals, Merchant Account Guide describes Merchant Wherehouse's terminals as follows:

"The company introduced its "agnostic" Genius platform, which can be integrated into any POS system, regardless of device or operating system. Like Verifone and Chase, Merchant Warehouse has also been throwing around the "future proof" label. And it claims that Genius can "integrate every conceivable transaction technology, payment and type and customer engagement program" -- including  NFC, EMV, QR codes and mobile payments, as well as loyalty, gift and reward programs."

In my opinion the 'Four Horseman' of the Future-Proofed terminal must include the following types of readers: 1) EMV, 2) NFC, 3) 2D bar code and 4) mag-stripe. Of course 2D bar code readers are an investment ($150 - $300 each) some retail merchants have already made. It's my strong bet that many more of the Mobile Wallet apps will use, like Starbucks and LevelUp, the display of a 2D barcode to enable mobile payments. If the payment terminal has a 2D scanner, it will be able to capture the card credentials, actual or tokenized, and process the transaction with any POS system, without integration.

A 5th horse in the race for alternative payments may very well be Pay-Pal's 'In-Store Checkout's Mobile Number + PIN' solution. I know I said in my last article this solution, "as is," is not secure enough to scale without massive potential for fraud, but I think they will soon rectify this problem. When they do, this will be a very convenient and secure product.

Most POS software allows for configuration of their software to scan 2D bar codes for the purpose of payment. This is already being done with gift cards. However, is there enough value for the merchant to buy and configure their software to do as such if they have not already done so? Well, with Square and LevelUp already processing their mobile transactions as such, I think there might be. An additional question that must also be asked is:"Will there be added difficulties to connect closed loop with open loop or the proprietary Mobile Wallet platform? I believe that the 2D bar code will become a standard for processing mobile payments and that all Mobile Wallets must have a 2D bar code display option to process payments.

Future of Mobile POS
I believe 2013 is going to be a huge year of adoption of mobile POS solutions. This is due to the perfect storm of mass adoption of smartphones, payment apps and ipad mobile POS solutions that increase speed, convenience of checkout for merchants and consumers alike. Plus mobile POS checkout can also enhance margins for merchants and discounts for consumers. All the momentum in the media with major retailers like JCPenny and Starbucks making moves to fully embrace mobile POS and payments, will readily move the adoption meter to include Tier 2 and 3 stores. Don't be surprised if you see signs at the mall this Fall featuring mobile payments during our first 'Mobile Christmas.' It is prime time to be in the retail POS industry!

Merchant service providers or resellers need to provide case studies or paint the picture how employee costs may be cut by improved SPEED of order processing and checkout combined with the opportunity to "up-sell customers." I see mobile POS being used to accomplish both by extending the reach and capacity for order-taking and checkout.

In restaurants, mobile POS enables a server to add an order in seconds without duplication, delay or increased chance of errors. The time freed up for servers will enable ample time for up-selling and providing better service, thus consumers will be more satisfied and more likely to return sooner and more often. At a busy night at the bar, a "line-busting" mobile order capability could increase orders by 15-30% or more. Bottom line is adding Mobile POS technology can cut employee costs and enhance service and sales.

Merchants can effectively market these solutions by tying to loyalty and 'Offers tied to enrollment.' Smartphones and tablets are everywhere now and "Cool, Convenient and Savings" is the way to sell. The new mobile channel will move to eventually tie all campaigns under one coherent marketing umbrella. Loyalty programs tied to paper or plastic have long restricted the adoption rates of consumers. Who wants to carry around a card for every store they frequent? Merchants may empower their customers to "Go Mobile and Earn Special Rewards." Once customers are on a Mobile POS or Mobile Wallet platforms, merchants are enabled to extend personalized offers based upon past order history or proximity offers using GPS and coherently tie to all other marketing channels.




About Mobile Wallet Media
Mobile Wallet Media is a news media, analyst, marketing and consulting firm focused on the future of mobile: payments, marketing, loyalty commerce, security, prepaid, virtual currency, daily deals and the convergence of them all with social and local. The Chief Editor, Randy Smith, was the primary founder, inventor and former CEO of MobilePayUSA, a TechCrunch Disrupt Award Winner.

A Square Peg in a Round Hole! Is Pay With Square Scalable?

By Randy Smith,
Mobile Wallet Media
Friday, August 24th, 2012


I love the Starbucks Card Mobile App. It is fast, simple, convenient, fun and rewarding. However, 'Pay with Square' may have a tough time scaling as fast as other Mobile Wallets, like Google, MCX and ISIS, if they fail to simplify integration at POS.

The Pay with Square Video showcases a long overdue and brilliant customer service feature, making it much easier for hospitality employees to provide 5-Star service. I spent several years in the 80's and 90's working in guest services for luxury hotels and in the restaurant industry. Therefore, I understand very much about high-end customer service in the hospitality industry. Pay with Square is great, but it may prove difficult to get their software installed quickly unto POS systems.

Pay With Square will require custom software to be loaded onto 'Locked-Down POS Terminals' and PC's or tablets, which may or may not be unlocked. Locked means the system is 'locked-down' and access to load new software is often controlled by POS Dealers, POS Network Security Firms or POS Providers themselves. Unlocked systems are open and able to download new software without working with the dealer or POS provider. Either way, the fixed systems do not like new software on their platform, much like our bodies do not like viruses or cancer.

Systems are locked down to prevent hackers or viruses from infiltrating the POS software, stealing data and corrupting the system. A 'Secure Network' is set up by merchants to protect the communications between mobile POS and fixed POS systems, as well as the back office, central network or payment processor.

Most 'Fully Integrated Systems' are locked down and many ‘Stand Alone’ PC's are also locked down. POS tablets are less likely to be locked down, unless they are issued by a POS Dealer or POS security firm to better secure the devices.

So Starbucks, Square and all merchants running their stores on Locked-Down, Fully Integrated Systems, will have potentially huge integration challenges or equipment costs to add Pay with Square. For a merchants to accept Pay with Square the merchant has the choice of using Square Register via an ipad or integrate with the merchant's current POS system.

If a merchant wants install Pay with Square on their Locked-Down, Fully-Integrated System, they will have to coordinate the unlocking of the system. Now this would get you Pay with Square, but this would be a stand alone system. Yes, this can be done, but this does not make sense as the customer or the cashier would have need to manually enter the amount due. This leaves too room for mistakes by cashier or customer and a process of closing out the transactions with their current POS system would need to be established as well. This makes no sense to do this unless they were just showcasing a proof of concept. Since Square needs a highly scalable system, this is not the solution.

However, it might make more sense if Square separates out the 'ID recogniztion' from the actual payment authorization. Or if they could authorize transactions separately from the existing POS and then merge the transaction data back in real-time ito balance and reconcile the cash register ledger.

The most likely solution for Square is to integrate fully with POS systems, like TabbedOut, Paydiant or MocaPay have already done. They would start with the system(s) Starbucks is using and try and integrate with the top 10 systems by early next year. This too, is not a straight forward process, as connecting to each POS system is a very different process.  There is another, more scalable way to do this, but I'm not at liberty to discuss publicly, as it could potentially reveal MobilePayUSA trade secrets.

Other than integrating to dozens of POS Systems, I don't see how Square will scale quickly with installing Pay with Square. This could be a very viable route if they have enough people assigned to integration. Within 3-months they could accomplish integrations, then run 3-months private pilots and be ready by Q2 of 2013 for launch of Public Beta. Many merchants have older POS systems, which they very likely would be required to replace or upgrade if they wanted to accept Pay With Square or several other mobile payments solutions. Maybe I'm wrong about all of this and Square has some unique integration method up their sleeve? But it does appear Square will still have to work within the limits of known integration methodology.

So one may ask, "Will this not lead to merchants switching over to Square Register and tablets?" Yes and no. This is a function of size and complexity of their store ordering system and size of their chain.

The larger the retail chain, the less likely they will want to swap out their current system to Square Register. It will be really hard to convince major retailers to change out their entire systems just to accept Pay with Square! We've already seen that most major merchants dragged their feet to pay for terminals with NFC. POS registers cost up to $3500 each, the POS software they run is most likely already works great and is secure.

Retailers would only want to adopt Square if they had simple ordering needs at POS, like a coffee or sandwich shop, and they were unhappy enough with their current system. It makes complete sense for new merchants with simple software needs, as the cost to get up and running with ipads and Square Register is as much as $3,000 less per register. By the way I do think Square Register has a huge potential merchant base, merchant's with fairly simple software needs, but it will have a tough time convincing 'Top Tier Retailers' to rely on Square as the platform to run their stores.

Unless a merchant is committed to being an innovator, like Starbucks, Square will truly a 'Square Peg in a Round Hole' and is not likely as scalable as NFC or QR code generation and scan like Starbucks Card Mobile. If Square sticks to Starbucks Card Mobile model and ditches or keeps their very cool, customer service tool separate from payment, they may scale at a pace equal to many current competitors.




About Mobile Wallet Media
Mobile Wallet Media is a news media, analyst, marketing and consulting firm focused on the future of mobile: payments, marketing, loyalty commerce, security, prepaid, virtual currency, daily deals and the convergence of them all with social and local. The Chief Editor, Randy Smith, was the primary founder, inventor and former CEO of MobilePayUSA, a TechCrunch Disrupt Award Winner.

Mobile Wallet Media Update

Mobile Wallet Media ‏@MWMediaTweets

Were more than just relevant news stories on the #mobilewallet & #mobilepayments.
We now offer a @cnbc video archive! Click here to view page

Battle for Mobile Payments

WED 15 AUG 12 | 01:20 PM ET

Mobile Wallet Media is a media, analyst and consulting firm focused on the future of mobile commerce. The company mission is to highlight industry innovation and provide insights and opinions that will be relevant and forward-looking. The author, Randy Smith, is the primary founder, inventor and former CEO of MobilePayUSA, a TechCrunch Disrupt Award Winner.

Retailers Stepping Up To Build Own Mobile Wallet Network

By Randy Smith, Mobile Wallet Media
Wednesday, August 15h, 2012

It has always baffled me as to why retailers have not banded together to form their own mobile wallet network. The benefits are too many to not engage in doing so.


Today with the announcement of Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), leading retailers Wal-Mart, Target, 7-11, Best Buy, CVS, Darden Restaurants and more, a much anticipated 'Retailer Mobile Wallet Network' focused on serving their customers has formed. MCX has not revealed the technology to be used to enable their mobile wallet, nor have they hinted as to when the service will be available.

In the release Mike Cook, corporate vice president and assistant treasurer at Wal-Mart said “MCX will leverage mobile technology to give consumers a faster and more convenient shopping experience while eliminating unnecessary costs for all stakeholders. The MCX platform will employ secure technology to deliver an efficiency-enhancing mobile solution available to all merchant categories, including retail stores, casual dining, petroleum and e-commerce.”

Over the past several years, the goal to create a standard format enabling simple, fast and secure mobile payments, via a mobile wallet, has proved to be a long and drawn out process.

NFC tech, long used in Japan for conducting mobile payments, has been the leading choice of Google Wallet, ISIS (Carrier network), Visa, MasterCard, PCI (Payment Card Industry - card data security rules) and payment terminal manufacturers such as Verifone. NFC tech has been slow to gain traction because retailers have not wanted to pay for the replacement of existing terminals, that may end up needing replacing again if they jump too early. Alternative methods have been introduced by Square and LevelUp that use scanning of 2D bar codes displayed on
mobile wallet smartphone apps.

No matter how you slice it, it seems there is always a 'chicken and egg' problem that will not go away. But now with the retailers 'flexing their mobile muscle,' it is beginning to look like there is no clear favorite to dominate as a single format (I already went over in depth in my previous article). But just like retailers must embrace Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and accept all four major payment brands, they will also need to accept other payment networks beyond their own. This is about consumer reach.

The retailers should most definitely maximize their marketing reach, but the bottom line is they still have to get their customers to return to their stores. Reaching customers through various and many marketing channels has always been a winning strategy, and nothing will change here.

In the release, Mark Williams, president of financial services at Best Buy said “As merchants, no one understands our customers’ shopping and payment experience better than we do, and we’re confident that together we can develop a technology solution that makes that experience more engaging, convenient and efficient".

A key advantage for MCX is the cost savings to deliver mobile payments, offers and loyalty through their own platform. I imagine that the retailers themselves have hired a consulting firm to work with them on this to deliver and manage the solution. If so, they will still need to 'put their pants on one leg at a time' and have to pay someone, but the costs are likely to much lower. Their are a ton of moving parts and various POS systems that need to be integrated and connected to a single platform.

I know very well this model is a very real possibility, as the company I founded, MobilePayUSA, has a 'Universal and Patent-Pending Solution' that sounds much like the MCX solution. The retail network proposed by MCX brings added disruption not only to the payments space, but also the mobile loyalty and advertising space. I am writing two series (The 7S's Required for Success in Mobile Payments and SuperCommerce) this Summer and Fall that speak directly to this upcoming disruption and merging of payments, marketing and mobile.

Mobile Wallet Media is a media, analyst and consulting firm focused on the future of mobile commerce. The company mission is to highlight industry innovation and provide insights and opinions that will be relevant and forward-looking. The author, Randy Smith, is the primary founder, inventor and former CEO of MobilePayUSA, a TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Alley Winner.

LEADING RETAILERS FORM MERCHANT CUSTOMER EXCHANGE TO DELIVER MOBILE WALLET

Press Release issued by MCX

MCX boasts unmatched scale and consumer insights for developing a mobile-commerce solution
DALLAS (August 15, 2012) – A group of the nation’s leading merchants announced today that it has
formed Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a new company dedicated to offering consumers a versatile
mobile-commerce experience that will combine the convenience of paying at the register with
customizable offers.

Development of MCX’s mobile application is underway. The initial focus centers on offering merchants a
mobile-commerce solution capable of seamlessly integrating a wide range of consumer offers, promotions
and retail programs. The application will be available through virtually any smartphone.
MCX includes merchants such as: 7-Eleven, Inc.; Alon Brands; Best Buy Co., Inc.; CVS/pharmacy; Darden
Restaurants; HMSHost; Hy-Vee, Inc.; Lowe’s; Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Sears Holdings; Shell Oil Products US; Sunoco, Inc.; Target Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Combined, these initial members serve nearly every smartphone-enabled American and account for approximately $1 trillion in annual sales. While
current MCX merchants have unmatched scale, MCX intends to address the needs of financial institutions
and merchants of all sizes to better serve consumers in the growing mobile marketplace.

“MCX will leverage mobile technology to give consumers a faster and more convenient shopping
experience while eliminating unnecessary costs for all stakeholders,” said Mike Cook, corporate vice
president and assistant treasurer, Wal-Mart. “The MCX platform will employ secure technology to deliver
an efficiency-enhancing mobile solution available to all merchant categories, including retail stores, casual
dining, petroleum and e-commerce.”

“We believe MCX is uniquely qualified to offer the most comprehensive mobile payment options for
consumers,” said Terry Scully, president of financial and retail services, Target. “By participating in MCX,
merchants are in a position to effectively deliver innovative payment approaches that aren’t available
today.”

“As merchants, no one understands our customers’ shopping and payment experience better than we do,
and we’re confident that together we can develop a technology solution that makes that experience more
engaging, convenient and efficient,” said Mark Williams, president of financial services, Best Buy.
MCX expects to announce additional members during the coming months.

Visit MCX at http://www.mcx.com or for more information, email info@mcx.com


Mobile Wallet Media is a media, analyst and consulting firm focused on the future of mobile commerce. The company mission is to highlight industry innovation and provide insights and opinions that will be relevant and forward-looking. The author, Randy Smith, is the primary founder, inventor and former CEO of MobilePayUSA, a TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Alley Winner.