Card, mobile credential, payment and security
PURCHASE, N.Y., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ – No change in your pocket? Can’t find that dollar bill you thought you had in your wallet? You can still get a
Pepsi from a vending machine – as long as you have a credit card.
Beginning this week, Pepsi-Cola North America is implementing a wireless
technology system that will enable consumers to pay for Pepsi soft drinks with
credit cards. Currently operating on a test basis in Memphis, the card
payment technology will work alongside existing coin and bill payment options,
giving consumers three different ways to purchase a drink.
The new system also will allow Pepsi bottlers to receive up-to-the-minute
inventory information from the vending machines via a Web browser. Route
drivers will know exactly how much product they will need for their daily
delivery routes and will no longer carry excess inventory or make unnecessary
trips to full machines.
New York City-based U.S. Wireless Data, Inc. developed the new card
payment and telemetric technology, called Synapse. Information from the
wireless vending machines will be reported to bottlers via a web browser using
Synapse’s proprietary and secure Internet technologies. In addition to
allowing credit card purchases and providing tracking data, the Synapse
technology also will enable Pepsi to eventually implement loyalty card, gift
card, and other “plastic” programs – such as smart cards – that will enhance
customer purchasing options and buying power.
“Our belief is that this technology will be very popular with consumers
because of the simplicity and speed of paying with a credit card – the only
truly ubiquitous payment method other than cash,” said Todd Piatnik, Director
of Innovation for Pepsi. “Customers will be able to purchase the Pepsi soft
drink of their choice without concern for having the right amount of change
while enjoying the speed of two-second wireless card authorizations.”
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to team with Pepsi in bringing
card-based payments to vending,” said Dean M. Leavitt, Chairman and CEO of
U.S. Wireless Data. “Our Synapse technology will maximize consumers’ drink
vending experience by providing greater purchasing flexibility and also will
help Pepsi bottlers keep machines stocked and functioning at peak levels.”
ABOUT U.S. WIRELESS DATA
U.S. Wireless Data (USWD) (OTC Bulletin Board: USWE) makes credit card and
ATM transactions faster and more cost effective. USWD connects credit card
processing companies to their merchant clients. Using wireless and landline
technology, USWD provides improved transport, data translation, and
value-added processing. In addition, by enabling wireless point of sale
terminals, USWD adds speed and mobility that has been unachievable in the
past. USWD now handles more than 500 million transactions each year through
its centralized computer center and nationwide network. Further information
is available at http://www.uswirelessdata.com.
ABOUT PEPSI-COLA NORTH AMERICA
Headquartered in Purchase, N.Y, Pepsi-Cola North America
(http://www.pepsi.com) is the beverage division of PepsiCo, Inc.
(http://www.pepsico.com) in the U.S. and Canada. Its brands include Pepsi,
Diet Pepsi, Pepsi ONE, Pepsi Twist, Mountain Dew, Mountain Dew Code Red, Mug,
Sierra Mist, Slice, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Aquafina, SoBe, Dole single-serve
juices and FruitWorks. The company also makes and markets North America’s #1
ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with
Lipton and Starbucks.
Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical information contained
herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risk and uncertainties. While the management of U.S. Wireless Data, Inc.
believes that current expectations reflect reasonable assumptions, actual
results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties. The
reports filed by USWD pursuant to United States securities laws contain
detailed discussions of these factors and certain other risks. USWD assumes
no obligation to update this information. Readers are advised to review these
reports (which are available from the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission’s EDGAR database at http://www.sec.gov and at various other
reference facilities in the United States).
SOURCE Pepsi-Cola North America
Web Site: http://www.pepsi.com http://www.pepsico.com
http://www.uswirelessdata.com
