PrePay Top Ups Via GPRS Connection

VeriFone says that the major Belgian wholesaler and distributor Lyfra-Partagro has begun supplying its customers with a new GPRS-enabled electronic (E-) top-up service based on VeriFone's Omni 3750. The solution will deliver prepaid mobile phone E-top-up facilities to Lyfra-Partagro's customer base of independent tobacconists, newsagents and kiosks. The project, which began with an initial order for 650 terminals, is expected to reach several thousand units by next year and is currently being rolled out in retail outlets across Belgium following a successful pilot in January.

Lyfra-Partagro, the leading wholesale supplier and distributor to Belgium's small and independent retailers, worked closely with software development company Androme to develop the application, which provides an easy-to-install solution using GPRS wireless communications, eliminating the need for additional ISDN or PSDN lines. The Omni 3750 interfaces with an external GPRS modem to connect to the wireless network. Androme, who developed the e-voucher application and server software, played a key role in the selection of the terminal platform.

"To ensure smooth communication with our web-based server, we needed a terminal which offered a TCP-IP stack and the ability to support the latest wireless communication standards," said Raf van Ham, general manager, Androme. "The Omni 3750 not only provides the full functionality we require today, but also offers modularity and the ability to upgrade, as well as a powerful and easy-to-use application programming interface to facilitate our own software development in the future."

Henri Vrancken, director, Lyfra-Partagro, who initiated the project, commented, "In the quick service retail environments operated by our customers, it's vital to ensure fast connection times -- without the need to wait for a dial-up -- and a high-speed printer to minimize queuing time. We are delighted to be able to deliver this important solution based on the Omni 3750, which allows our customers to maximize their profitability."

Posted to the site on 23rd July 2003