Prism Card Technologies, a division of Prism Group, and First National Bank have devised a "Cash-less" system to be implemented in the First National Bank staff-dining halls. Staff will be issued with re-loadable smart cards to replace cash, increase throughput at the point of sale (POS), reduce operating costs and decrease the potential for fraud. This system will provide a comprehensive record of buying patterns and transaction history in a back-end system for card and account management. The "cash-less" system was designed locally by Prism including the development and maintenance of the software while devices for implementation are sourced locally and internationally. Strict adherence to international standards for payment systems has been the core to the solution thereby guaranteeing that with minimal upgrades the system will, in the future, be able to accept branded chip card products from the likes of Visa International.
Participating staff members will be issued with a re-loadable smart card. Using bank notes to load the card at one of Prisms SST`s (Self Service Terminals) situated in each of the dining halls, an equivalent amount will be securely credited onto the smart card. VeriFone POS devices will be installed at each checkout point. Prism will not be responsible for the installation and integration of the payment system. Once the meal has been "rung-up" the POS cash register passes the relevant transaction information to the VeriFone terminal into which staff members insert their loaded cards for payment. The individual transaction data is stored in the VeriFone terminal until uploaded to the payment host at the end of the business day. The transaction history file can also be passed to the POS system for control of stock, re-ordering and to reduce the incidence of fraud at the POS.
The system is fully auditable and ensures that transactions made are simple, co-ordinated and reliable.
The second phase of the solution (expected to be implemented before the end of the year) will ensure that VISA approved smart card products will be accepted at the dining-halls as a means of payment for meals and refreshments. The cards will be manufactured in accordance with the relevant standards in Prism`s manufacturing facility in Gauteng. Full software support, maintenance and upgrades will be provided by Prism.
There is currently a substantial need for similar systems in various large organisations including universities and factories. This, along with the optional ability to pay with Visa branded products will ensure that the investment made by the corporate client is protected for the foreseeable future.
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