ICT specialist Grintek Telecom has developed a new electronic voucher distribution (EVD) solution, Virtuoso, that delivers cost-effective management of prepaid services to merchants and service providers alike.
The solution removes the time and effort for merchants to hold stock of vouchers, with the service provider keeping tabs and 'topping' up stock when required.
The solution is targeted at the SME service provider that does not have the infrastructure or clout of large financial solutions to purchase a high-end EVD solution to facilitate transactions and deliver prepaid services such as air-time, movie or sporting event tickets and the like. It provides the service provider with a tighter management of merchants, terminals and stock for its clients.
This type of EVD solution is ideal for the African market where the prepaid industry is burgeoning and SME service providers can benefit from the cost benefits of the 'buy as you grow' solution.
Says Roger Blain, Business Solutions Executive, Grintek Telecom: "Many EVD solutions are not tailored to the smaller enterprise, thus making these solutions unaffordable. The reason for this is that most EVD solutions cater for high-end requirements with the facility to handle multiple networks and sometimes unlimited devices (PoS terminals). Grintek Telecom's solution is scalable and the service provider pays for exactly what they require with its flexible licensing structure. However, if the service provider's requirements grow, Grintek Telecom's EVD solution is scalable and can accommodate additional devices and networks."
The benefit of the Virtuoso EVD solution to merchants is that they have the choice of selecting the online or offline options, depending on their requirements, removing the hassle of stock control.
The offline solution dials up to the service provider at stipulated times and the stock holding value is printed out for the merchant. This allows the merchant to establish the levels of 'stock' - the prepaid service - and the solution automatically replenishes the stock if the levels are low. The service provider can configure minimum stock levels and automatic stock top-ups with limits in place. This option reduces the cost of communications as the dial-up service is only initiated when a transaction is commenced or when the stock holding value is printed for the merchant.
The online solution provides the merchant with 'up to the minute' stock holding information and replenishment through the use of GSM technology and the merchant only pays for the transaction when required. The stock is uploaded in a secure manner, ensuring that neither the merchant nor the service provider is open to fraud.
Grintek Telecom's Virtuoso EVD solution works with most communications networks and electronic PoS devices.
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Grintek Telecom, a division of JSE-listed Grintek Ltd, is one of SA's leading empowerment ICT solutions and integration companies. Grintek Telecom provides tailored and innovative ICT solutions, from initial project and business requirement consulting, through to implementation, integration and ongoing support. The company's ICT solutions have been implemented in more than 500 top South African companies and it provides solutions, services and maintenance in 23 African countries. Over 25 international vendors have selected Grintek Telecom as their local service provider and partner.
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