Retailers offered flexible e-payment solution

A new system may help simplify the introduction of new electronic transaction types

Smart Technology Solutions (STS) has unveiled what it claims is the first payment system to support all payments standards with either a retailer's electronic point of sale system or as a standalone payments terminal.

The G8way platform is designed to help multinational companies consolidate various payment systems across different stores in different countries, according to the company.

"G8way adds flexibility to enable businesses to process sales in multiple markets through the use of a single centralised payments solution," explained Cameron Olsen, vice president of business development at STS.

"G8way's Java platform allows retailers to remain system and application agnostic in their approach to future technology implementations."

The platform's IP-based architecture allows G8way users to centralise reporting and management of the devices. It is also compliant with the Payment Application Data Security Standard, helping European retailers to obtain Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance.

The system helps simplify the introduction of new electronic transaction types, such as mobile and contactless payments, e-top up, and gift and loyalty card schemes, without the need to change core payment systems. Each method is simply treated as a separate plug-in.

G8way also provides an extra layer of security by monitoring PIN pads and other devices to determine whether they have been removed from the network, or whether unauthorised appliances are added.

G8way is available as a software system that can be managed by in-house technical teams, or as a hosted managed service allowing retailers to outsource their management requirements.