Debit Machines: The Flip Phones of Payments

Flip phones are a dying breed, yet people all over the world are still using them today.

In 2017, over 500 million flip phones were sold worldwide compared to the 1.5 billion smartphones that were sold. To some, they are reliable, secure, easy-to-use, and have the basic features you’d be looking to get out of a cellphone.

Features such as text messaging, calling capabilities, a basic calendar, and a built-in alarm clock. They are still very popular among those aged 65 and older. But to the other 80% of Canadians, a flip phone just doesn’t cut it anymore.

With the surge of smartphone technology over the last decade, smartphones, which are essentially handheld computers, are becoming the norm in cellular phone purchases.

On top of being used as an everyday telephone, they have an operating system with the capacity to do everything from access the internet, store and send emails, install and download programs and applications, and stream videos.

From built-in high-resolution cameras to applications that work as personal organizers and networking tools, the possibilities of a smartphone are endless and accessible by the push of a button.

Is your debit machine outdated?

When it comes to payment technology, debit machines are now in a position fairly similar to that of the flip phone in mobile technology .

To some businesses, traditional payment terminals are reliable, secure, easy-to-use, and have the basic features you’d be looking to get out of a payment solution.

Features such as large buttons, the ability to process a sale or refund, view and settle batches of transactions, and accept debit or credit by tapping or inserting a payment card.

But, if you’re a business in 2018 and you are still using a traditional debit machine, it’s just like settling for a flip phone.

Isn't it time for merchants to be able to run their businesses on their terminals - the same way people are able to run their lives on their phones?

Smart Terminals: the future of payment technology?

With a new wave of payment terminal on the rise, traditional debit machines are slowly joining the flip phone as a thing of the past.

Smart terminals combine the reliability of a traditional debit machine and the versatility of a smartphone, by allowing you to streamline your business operations all from the same payment device.

Here are some smart terminal features that can benefit your business:

• large touchscreens inventory managers
• employee tracking and management
• customer relationship managers
• built-in HD cameras to be used for barcode scanning
• sales tracking and reporting
• receipt customization
• Wi-Fi capability
• 3G or LTE connectivity
• downloadable apps for business operations
• and the ability to email, text, or print customer receipts

Why get a smart terminal over a regular debit terminal?

A smart terminal with payment providers like us cost the same in monthly rental costs as a traditional terminal, sometimes even less.

Unfortunately, the truth is that most businesses are afraid of change. But early adopters of these products are reaping the benefits of improved productivity, increased sales, and a solution that scales as their business grows.