How Operators Can Streamline Their Cashless Payment

Managing a global business is hard, especially when it comes to implementing new technology, but it doesn’t have to be. By making smart decisions upfront in the purchasing process, operators can avoid pain points in inventory, terminal management, and payment processing later on. 

So, when it comes to cashless payment integration, what should global operators consider? Read on to see how streamlining hardware, investing in a comprehensive solution, and picking the right payment system supplier can make all the difference.

By choosing just one type of cashless payment hardware to install across their entire field base, global operators can simplify the labor required to install and support their operation. 

When operating across a large field base, having more devices to keep track of means more space to store them, and more support needed to manage them. By choosing a single device that doesn’t require advanced configuration, operators can streamline not only their inventory, but also their training and service processes. By training an entire service and integration team on a single technology, operators are able to eliminate specialization needs for particular products. This means less travel and more localized service for an overall lower cost of ownership.

Operators should seek cashless payment systems that require little to no advanced configuration, and work seamlessly across multiple applications and regions.

Managing a global field base of cashless payment systems doesn’t stop at installation. Operators need to consider the care and maintenance involved in managing a cashless terminal once it’s up and running. That includes firmware updates, configuration changes, and routine maintenance. Investing in a card reader with a screen? Get ready for content updates, too. 

This can be easy enough to manage for a local operator with a few terminals, but multiply that for a global scale, and operators will quickly run into problems managing updates across an expanse of locations. 

To minimize this struggle, operators should seek hardware backed by a robust device management solution. Key indicators of a good platform include the capability to perform over-the-air updates (firmware, content, you name it), but also a secure network for performing updates. 

For operators investing in screened devices, over-the-air content update capabilities will play an integral role in providing an engaging customer experience. By enabling specialized content without having to make a machine visit, operators can customize certain machines based on location, time of year, or specific events to engage customers, drive promotions, or highlight new products. Without over-the-air updates, operators risk having stale screen content, or face having to manually update each terminal in person.

Looking beyond just hardware and investing in a full solution is imperative for global operators as they look to leverage and support their investment beyond the initial purchase. Ask your supplier how they provide support for device management, and, more importantly, how they work to keep data and firmware updates secure.

One of the most important things for operators to consider is the cashless payment supplier they choose to work with. Finding the balance between a localized approach and a global strategy isn’t always easy, but working with an experienced international supplier can alleviate some major pain points. 

Global partners have the advantage of not only global resources (think broader customer service and support teams, more investment in security), but also bring to the table reliable, vetted partnerships of their own. 

When it comes to acquirers, this will prove especially pertinent for global businesses. Suppliers that work with global, cross-national acquirers eliminate the need for localized integrations, meaning operators can centralize their payment solutions—all while benefiting from global resources. 

Operators should look for suppliers that provide simple, secure payment processing services, or work with reputable third parties to provide them. 

When it comes to multinational operations, implementing or further investing in cashless payment can be a daunting task. By shopping smart up front, operators can make investments that last the long haul, and ease the complexity of managing payment on a global scale.