 |
|
A hot application for a cool device...
The Apple iPhone has been the coolest piece of technology on the planet in recent times.
With the launch of the iPhone 3G, and iCharge™ for iPhone, this device is now also a valuable business tool.
iCharge™ for iPhone turns your iPhone into a credit card merchant terminal that is always on,
so you are ready to do business anywhere and anytime.
On site, on the road, on board, on the move - wherever your job takes you.
All you need is your iPhone - no extra equipment is required.
With built-in 3G or WiFi communication, you get high speed response and low cost data transmission.
Transaction details are simply keyed into a secure form on the screen and submitted.
A response screen is returned within a few seconds to confirm if the transaction is approved or declined.
If the customer's card is good for payment, money is in your bank before you leave the job.
A payment receipt or tax invoice is emailed to the customer.
No more end-of-day paperwork, visits to the bank or double handling of transactions.
|
Who can use iCharge™ for iPhone?
iCharge™ for iPhone is designed for iPhone owners who operate mobile businesses large and small -
anyone who needs to make sales or perform services while on the road or at the customer's site without being
tied down to a standard office or shop environment.
You can open for business anywhere and anytime, without depending on the availability of phone lines or power supply.
The range of potential users is immense and includes:
couriers, delivery drivers, electricians, builders, plumbers, direct sales reps, equipment repairers, mechanics, gardeners/landscapers, pet care providers, locksmiths, piano tuners, home/office cleaners, market stall operators, trade show exhibitors, removalists, caterers, just to name a few.
Banking Options
iCharge for iPhone transfers funds directly to your account without passing through any
intermediary merchant, but establishing a suitable merchant facility for online and mobile banking can sometimes
be difficult and time-consuming.
Xilo Online has partnered with St George Bank to offer a quick and simple one-stop merchant
account application process. Qualified merchants can be up and running with iCharge for iPhone within days.
However, if you prefer to organise your own merchant facilities, the system will also work with
internet merchant accounts provided by the other major Australian banks.
Regardless of which bank provides your merchant account, you do not have to change your current banking
arrangements. Your merchant account is separate from your bank account and there is no difference whether
they are provided by the same or different banks. The two accounts are linked so that funds coming into your
merchant account are automatically transferred to your bank account the next business day.
Telecom Options
Your iPhone may be connected to any provider's network and you continue to use your existing SIM.
iCharge for iPhone is an independent service and there are no tie-ins and lock-downs,
allowing you to choose and change network providers anytime (contracts permitting).
About 3G and WiFi
The iPhone 3G supports two modes of data communication: 3G and WiFi.
3G covers the 3rd Generation of mobile services which delivers data transmission speeds comparable to wired
broadband Internet services, so being mobile no longer means having to sacrifice performance.
3G services are always on without having to dial a connection, and you are charged by data volume
rather than by connection time. With online applications like iCharge for iPhone, 3G makes possible a
quantum leap in responsiveness and usability previously only available on a computer wired to the Internet.
As 3G technology comes inherently with much higher bandwidth, 3G mobile plans usually feature substantially
lower data transmission cost compared to 2G services such as GPRS.
WiFi is a privately owned wireless local network centered around an Access Point (base station) common in homes,
offices and increasingly in many public places (hot spots).
The wireless hop between device and Access Point is fairly short, and operates at an even higher speed than 3G.
The Access Point itself is usually connected upstream by wired broadband service.
As it usually costs less (or free) to transmit over WiFi compared to 3G, the iPhone will give preference
to WiFi if both 3G and WiFi services are available.
What about security?
The iPhone is one of the most secure platforms for mobile commerce.
No transaction details are stored in the device itself, so transaction data is not compromised in case the iPhone
is lost or stolen. Users need to log in with a PIN to access iCharge™ for iPhone. After 3 consecutive
unsuccessful attempts, the iPhone is locked out and needs to be unlocked by your administrator.
All communication is encrypted end-to-end between the iPhone and the iCharge™ servers
using 128-bit SSL, giving the same level of security as secure e-commerce sites on the Internet.
All transmissions between your phone and the server are tracked by a serial number and any
attempt to inject messages from another device will be detected and your phone locked out.
|
|
|
