Smart Technology Solutions Ltd. (STS) announces that, on behalf of Canon's strategic partner, ECR Retail Systems, it has developed the software to provide chip & PIN functionality for the Canon KT-1 Mobile Point of Sale terminal. Through this work, the Canon KT-1 PoS will be available for use in the UK and Ireland for the first time as a fully bank-accredited chip & PIN enabled Hand Held Terminal.
ECR Retail Systems is talking to a number of train companies with a view to providing a mobile, integrated till system based on the Canon KT-1 PoS. Train personnel will be able to process credit and debit card payments for refreshments, and provide printed receipts, for passengers at their seats.
Simon Pont, chief executive officer of ECR Retail Systems, said: "With exclusive rights on the terminal's use as a Mobile POS system in the UK and Ireland, ECR Retail Systems expects the unit to be used to cut queues, improve the use of retail space and enable at-seat or outdoor card payment processing for the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors."
The Canon KT-1 PoS payment terminal is able to transfer payment information over GPRS, Bluetooth and wi-fi to transactional, retail and financial management systems. With online card authorisation enabled by STS software, the device takes on numerous potential new applications: for instance, in providing for credit and debit card payments for Christmas trees in store car parks; cutting queuing times for customers by accepting payment anywhere in the store; or allowing market traders at outdoor fairs to accept card payment for high-value items.
Japanese manufacturer, Canon, has over 30% share of the handheld terminal market in its home territory, but has never previously ventured into Europe.
In November 2006, ECR Retail System identified the Canon KT-1 PoS as the ideal portable EPoS device for its customers and struck its exclusive agreement with Canon. ECR Retail Systems then approached STS for the development of the software which provides the device with its chip & PIN functionality and enables it to communicate with EFT systems.
Simon Pont said: "Our customers are telling us that the arrival in the UK and Ireland of the chip & PIN-enabled Canon KT-1 PoS is what they've been waiting for."
He continued: "With their heritage in, and focus on, the Japanese market, online EFT approval was not something Canon had previously needed for the terminal. We were astounded at how quickly Smart Technology Solutions were able to develop, test, and deploy the chip & PIN functionality. Our partners at Canon were also hugely impressed at just how straightforward and easy it was to work with STS and get the work done."
Cameron Olsen, vice president of business development at STS, said: "At STS, we pride ourselves on the capabilities of our technology for making simple the integration of the different elements of retail systems. We're delighted to have opened up a range of commercial opportunities for ECR Retail Systems and its partner, Canon."
He continued: "The arrival of the Canon KT-1 PoS in Europe is a clear indication of the current interest in the region in portable payment devices. Handheld terminals are set to be the retail technology trend across the continent over the next couple of years."