MWEB Business, the division of MWEB that focuses on the specialised Internet needs of businesses, today announced the launch of the latest offering in its suite of e-commerce products. SafeShop Mobile extends the functionality of the SafeShop platform to allow a company`s roaming workforce to initiate and receive immediate payment for goods and services via a cellular or fixed-line telephone.
Convenient, secure e-commerce solution SafeShop Mobile uses an interactive voice response (IVR) application, which prompts the merchant to enter a customer`s credit card and transaction details. After entering the details successfully, the transaction is processed via the secure SafeShop platform.
Once the merchant has logged onto the system via a cellular or fixed-line telephone, the session is secure. All SafeShop merchants belong to a common network, which provides secure, encrypted payment submissions to MWEB Business` partner banks, including Absa, First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank. Once the transaction has been authorised, the merchant and the customer receive an SMS containing details of the successful transaction.
"The latest offering has been developed to extend the SafeShop e-commerce platform to mobile businesses such as electricians, plumbers, installers and those selling goods from non-permanent locations such as flea markets. These businesses are now able to conduct secure transactions from anywhere and receive immediate payment," says Gary Hart, manager: marketing and products, MWEB Business.
Immediate payment, immediate benefits
Many smaller businesses do not have access to traditional point of sale terminals, necessitating customers to pay with cash or by cheque. In many instances, customers are invoiced for payment at a later date. Often, companies spend considerable time and effort chasing overdue payments, time and effort that can be better utilised towards profit-generating business activities.
SafeShop Mobile significantly reduces payment cycles as companies receive immediate payment, replacing the need to send invoices and statements or follow up outstanding payments.
"Businesses that make use of this offering could also benefit from reduced bank charges, as direct payments generally incur lower transaction costs than cash and cheque deposits. The SafeShop Mobile offering furthermore reduces the risk of carrying large amounts of cash," adds Hart.
"SafeShop Mobile extends the functionality of the SafeShop platform by offering smaller businesses a secure e-commerce solution that can used wherever there is access to a fixed or mobile telephone," concludes Hart.
Customers will incur a R250 once-off set-up fee, and thereafter pay a monthly fee of R100 per user. All prices exclude VAT. For further information on SafeShop Mobile, contact the MWEB Business call centre on 0860 100 127 or visit www.mwebbusiness.co.za.
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Founded in January 1998 as the business division of MWEB, MWEB Business provides comprehensive solutions in areas of Internet services, application services, content services, Web development, e-commerce, e-procurement and consultancy to businesses.
We are dedicated to helping our business clients leverage the power of the Internet by providing a comprehensive solution for all their Internet needs along with the expertise and skills to successfully implement their ventures online.
MWEB Business has e-commerce enabled more than 220 businesses and provided Internet services to more than 50 000 business clients, including Pick `n Pay, Makro, Netflorist, Incredible Connection, The Pro Shop and many more.
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