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VeriFone and BellSouth Wireless Data Launch Omni 3200M Wireless POS Terminal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

VeriFone, a division of Hewlett-Packard Company, and BellSouth Wireless Data have introduced the Omni 3200M, a wireless POS terminal that accepts debit-card, credit-card, and EBT payments without the need for a phone line. This terminal is the first wireless POS solution resulting from the strategic alliance between VeriFone and BellSouth Wireless Data.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Omni 3200M speeds up payment transaction times to 6 to 8 seconds, reducing processing time compared to land-based transactions, which can take up to 16 seconds.
  • Nova Information Systems is currently undertaking a pilot project using the Omni 3200M, with VoicePointe, a cellular-phone retailer in Norcross, Ga., participating in the pilot.
  • The terminal is ideal for businesses that need to transport a terminal to various points of payment, such as malls, airports, or stadiums, and can also be used to temporarily expand checkout lanes to meet surges in customer volume.
  • The Omni 3200M is geared toward businesses that want to "cut the wire" for faster transactions and higher throughput at the point of sale, while cutting costs associated with installing and maintaining business telephone lines.
  • The core technology of the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network provides extensive and seamless coverage nationwide, high reliability, low latency, and other key features for merchants and bank acquirers.
  • The strategic alliance between BellSouth Wireless Data and VeriFone is eliminating barriers for merchants and bank acquirers to conduct point-of-sale transactions wirelessly, providing a solution that is low-cost and processes transactions quickly and reliably.

Statistics:

  • The Omni 3200M processes transactions in 6 to 8 seconds, compared to 16 seconds for land-based transactions.
  • VeriFone has shipped more than 7 million electronic-payment systems, which are used in over 100 countries.
  • BellSouth Wireless Data operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, covering more than 93% of the urban business population, with a total population of 200 million people.
  • HP has 83,200 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year.

Sources:

  • "VeriFone and BellSouth Wireless Data Help Merchants 'Cut the Wire' and Lower Costs With the Omni 3200M" (Business Wire, Jan. 17, 2000)
  • "About VeriFone" (VeriFone, http://www.verifone.hp.com)
  • "About BellSouth Wireless Data" (BellSouth Wireless Data, http://www.bellsouthwd.com)
  • "About HP" (Hewlett-Packard Company, http://www.hp.com)

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