In your daily routine, you may use swipe cards to get on the bus, park your car, or go to the gym. But what about using your phone in the same manner to pay for a cup of coffee? Next month coffee giant Starbucks is rolling out mobile payment systems in the form of an iPhone app across 700 of its stores in the UK.Similarly, back here Vodafone recently started testing its live Near-field communications (NFC) technology at two cafes in Auckland and Wellington, as well as entering into a trial with BNZ. NFC technology allows the user to wave a phone over a payment kiosk, utilisng a chip inside the smartphone. Although this mobile wallet technology has been operational in Japan since 2004, it does make for exciting news. This new mobile-based method is quick, simpler and crucially, more secure than anything we’ve got available at the moment. According to telecommunications research firm Telesyte, the Australian mobile services market will grow from around 29 million subscriptions this year to 35 million by June 2015. This is due to the increasing popularity of tablets, as more people own two or three mobile devices. Additionally, a recent study conducted by marketing research firm YouGov found 42% of smartphone owners want to use their phones as mobile wallets. As such, forward thinking innovative businesses may be able to leverage this technology and increased demand for mobile devices to their advantage. Introducing a mobile payment app adds value to customers, giving them more choice and reasons to shop at their local coffee shop or bank, in turn streamlining the businesses processes and efficiencies.
Following on from this, Toyota recently unveiled their latest concept car,
which could be mistaken for a giant smartphone transformer. What might be best described as a smart phone on 4 wheels; this car demonstrates the leading edge of innovation and technology. Acting as a personal computer, the car allows drivers to connect with dealers and others by simply tapping the touch-panel door. As another frontrunner of innovation, Microsoft recently released a this video predicting the sleek, wireless, connected gadgets we’ll all enjoy by the year 2019. This is a wonderfully produced vision of the future of mobile and remote business solutions, celebrating business travel and efficiency. It depicts how future technology will help us make better use of time, attention and strengthen relationships by getting things done at home, work and on the go. Although one cannot predict the future, as IRIS Product Director Paul Sparkes states “at IRIS we too are constantly looking forward, analysing trends, and gathering insights to gain a deeper understanding of how our developments in software and technology can further develop the remote working capabilities of our products”. Keep an eye on our blog in the New Year for exciting new product release from IRIS, such as Exchequer LIVE Mobile, as well as the lastest on GoldMine Mobile CRM.
Lastly, was your business one of the 200,000 affected by the power outage to the North Island yesterday? Although power has been restored to 90 percent of customers, Auckand has an unfortunate history with power cuts, suffering a five-week long blackout in 1998. Unexpected events such as these require planning and forethought as to how your business and staff will react. Check out our recently published whitepaer, a handy 7 point check list for dealing with the unexpected.
Follow Palladium Technology:
