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Growing range of services using POS terminals

In earlier posts we already discussed how POS terminals have other applications than just accept credit card payments.

With the end of terminal exclusivity, card processors like Redecard and Cielo are looking for new ways to use their network of POS terminals.

• Redecard now accepts transactions from Multiplus, a company that creates loyalty programs, among them the loyalty program for TAM airlines.
• Cielo is launching a platform that allows stores to use POS terminals for promotions and loyalty programs. The first project to be announced is the development of a loyalty program for Cacua Show, a chocolate chain with stores all over Brazil. Cielo will charge the retailers for every transaction. 

According to Rômulo de Mello Dias, CEO of Cielo, the retailer will have control over all information. For example, when that user last visited your store, how much he spent and what they spent it on. All essential information for any loyalty program.

We more than agree with all of this.

And while it is possible to set-up a computer network to collect all this information, using POS terminals for this has many advantages.

Their low cost and availability are drivers behind the increasing market that uses POS terminals in different ways. 

Proof of that is our growing number of clients that use POS terminals for things like: ticket management, sell credit for cellphones, bill collection for utilities companies, control fleet expenses, manage meal cards, create loyalty programs and promotions,...

More info on the Estado(Portuguese).

POS in action: bill collection for utilities company

A network of POS terminals can be a good alternative to a complex computer system, as we have said before. This article gives an example of a company using these machines to do house-to house bill collection for water and energy consumption.

Company

The company provides a service to collect the money that is owed for water and electricity use. In Brazil this process works like this: 

• An employee from the water company comes to the house, checks the meters, and takes down the consumption levels
• Then these data are transmitted (traditionally with PDAs) to the central computer system of the money collection company.
• Finally these data are processed an invoice is created and sent to the customer.

POS terminals in action

Consider how a point of sale terminal can simplify this process:

• The employee puts in the consumption on the POS keyboard
• The data get automatically transmitted to the server. 
• These data are communicated back to the terminal. 
• The built-in printer creates a physical invoice at the spot. Which can  be presented and paid on the spot. Or when the customer isn't home, put into the mailbox for later payment.

Advantages

The system using point of sale terminals simplifies the process, cutting labor and administration costs. 

And because the process is easier and the invoice reaches the customer a lot faster, the owed money will be paid quicker, which improves the cash flow.

This program was developed in a language called POSXML on our WALK platform. Maybe WALK can also help you to simplify your POS application development. Let us know!