Certainly, it’d be amazing if it were possible to go into a mobile payment (mPOS) solutions store, pick up the latest perfect package, and implement it that same day without complication. However, that isn’t very realistic, and in fact, would be disastrous to a proper strategic business implementation.
Things to consider upfront when planning a strategy include:
- Hardware and Software
- Ergonomics
- Costs
Below, we’ll cover these three considerations, explain the problem involved, and offer potential solutions and advice.
The Right Tool for the Right Job
When it comes to mobile payments (mPOS), the idea of ‘one-size-fits-all’ is NOT applicable. Thoroughly considering the variety of options available before implementing payment mobility helps ensure a successful strategy.
There’s a myriad of payment devices available on the market today, offered by multiple different companies with full-featured payment software, and of every conceivable shape, size, and feature set. Then there’s the device it pairs with to be chosen, and that selection’s equally as diverse. Lately, too, smartphones have started to become more and more popular in this arena.
Below is a partial list of companies that specialize in the various hardware components.
- mPOS Device Makers: Ingenico Group, Verifone Holdings, PAX Technology, BBPOS Limited, First Data Corporation
- Tablet Companies: Apple, Samsung, Zebra, Panasonic, Microsoft
All those choices and potential combinations are already a complicated set of factors to consider, but it’s still not all there is; longevity and refresh play a major role in the planning process
For many companies, refresh is often 18 months from the time of the original solution’s release. Now, no one wants to think about what happens that far in the future when they’re still trying to work on the present plan, but solution refreshes shouldn’t be ignored completely.
Because developments in electronics and software mean that they’re always changing, improving, and advancing, each pushes the other forward almost continually. Eventually, hardware innovation leads to the need for newer equipment development, and software functionality sometimes quickly outpaces the ability of the equipment to run it.
When determining hardware, especially, it’s best to use the most current and modern pieces of hardware, whether mPOS or tablet/phone. This is necessary to ensure the longest shellfire possible in availability and performance capacity. Software should also be looked at critically to be sure the electronics chosen will be able to handle future updates.
The bottom line: There are a lot of variables that need to be considered when putting mobile payments into a business strategy, and no simple one-size-fits-all solution is available. The best course of action is to determine the hardware mPOS features and financial software needed for your business, and then work with an IT solutions provider or mobility products manufacturer to pull it all together into a usable long-term package.
But, How Does it Feel?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ergonomics as an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.
When determining how to pair a tablet/phone and mobile payment device, taking care to ensure that the user can effectively, comfortably, and safely use the device is crucial. This can be accomplished simply by considering:
- Including a comfortable hand strap or similar grip
- Providing a hands-free holster or shoulder strap option
- Properly balancing the weight of the pairing for long-term use
Mobile payments are in most cases used by a single worker over long periods, and we’ve all noticed how holding any item by hand for long periods can be taxing. Not taking the time to find the best, long-use solution will only lead to the need for additional changes after the roll-out of the technology. This adds cost, and downtime to reimplement, and requires employee training and buy-in all over again. Making sure ergonomics is a large part of the strategy from the early stages helps mitigate the risk of future complications.
Health safety, especially important in light of the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, is also something to be considered. The above comments about ergonomics play into this somewhat, because without a proper ergonomics setup, there can be wrist, hand, and other potential injuries from prolonged use within a payment mobility scenario.
But there’s also the matter of germs that may accumulate and linger on repeatedly used electronics. A proper plan of cleaning and responsible personal protection can’t be overlooked. mPOS devices are more easily disinfected on the go, positioned to reduce contamination risk, and help to limit the clustering of customers in a traditional payment lane that reduces social distancing effectiveness.
The bottom line: Don’t scrimp on the ergonomics and comfort of how the devices are used. The overall health and cost benefits of providing an effective use plan that reduces wear and tear on the individual will ultimately make for a more successful mPOS launch, and make it more sustainable over the long haul.
It Takes Money to Make Money
Let’s be honest, whether you’re a small company in need of a handful of mPOS mobility solutions or a larger company needing thousands, there’ll be a significant cost to the bottom line to get that going. But, there are ways to help lower costs upfront while also reducing potential future expenses.
One of the first ways to protect against a cost-heavy strategy is to consider a pairing solution that is modular makes use of existing third-party products and aids in the aforementioned ergonomic considerations.
Consider the costs involved in having an all-in-one solution made for a business. Outside of the fact that it’s only a reasonable option for large businesses requiring multiple tens of thousands of units, it will take engineering development, testing, and manufacturing time to get it done as well. This can be an expensive endeavor.
Significant costs are saved by:
- Using a preexisting third-party tablet/phone case to save development and manufacturing costs
- Attaching a modular hand or shoulder strap system to aid in ergonomics
- Utilizing a similarly modular sled or sleeve for the mPOS device
In terms of the refresh, a modular solution has significant cost-saving advantages. Consider this example; a company implements 2,000 tablet devices, with a top-of-the-line payment device and an ergonomically robust holding system in a modular fashion. 18 months later, support for the tablet model in use is canceled and the company needs to replace those devices with another tablet. They now only need to replace the tablets and cases but can reuse the mPOS device, mPOS sled, and holding system from the old just as they had before.
If there’d been a custom-designed solution in place for that particular tablet, and the new device wasn’t identical in size and features, the custom solution would have to be replaced completely and the nearly full value of the initial investment lost.
The bottom line: There’s no getting around the cost of putting a payment mobility strategy in place. However, it can be reduced significantly by going the modular route while also ensuring a reasonable amount of longevity in how evergreen the solution remains after rollout.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype behind what tablet or phone to use in a payment mobility plan, and the same can be said with the various mPOS devices. These electronic devices are crucial to getting the plan done, surely, but don’t forget the importance of thinking through how these devices will be integrated into the business and the use and cost-saving implications. If that’s done, there’s a much greater chance the mobile payment implementation will end up a rousing success.