Hypercom Corporation (NYSE:HYC) a global provider of electronic payment solutions, and Soft Tracks Enterprises, a wireless e-commerce software company, today announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop next generation touch screen, wireless e-commerce point-of-sale terminals. The system, which uses Hypercom's latest ICE(tm) 4000 (SmartICE(tm)) terminal platform and Soft Tracks' Skypay(tm) transaction protocol and proprietary wireless e-commerce software applications, will be available later this year in North America. International expansion will follow.
Under the terms of the agreement, Soft Tracks will port their mobile transaction communications protocol (MTCP), and develop customized wireless applications for the Hypercom ICE 4000 terminal platform. The system is targeted to merchants who require a mobile electronic payment terminal that delivers browser-based value-added functions, such as electronic receipt capture (ECR), on-screen advertising, interactive coupons, e-mail, merchant e-commerce function, and cash management reporting. Industries targeted include transportation, restaurants, kiosks, stadiums, special events, home delivery and business-to-business services.
The Soft Tracks MTCP provides the foundation for delivering a fast, secure and reliable wireless e-commerce transaction pathway on commonly available wireless data networks using CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data), Mobitex and GSM (Global System for Mobile communication). The Soft Tracks' customized wireless payment and e-commerce applications will:
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-- deliver targeted messages to consumers using the Internet, such as advertising, to bring more benefits to consumers, and more revenue to the merchant;
-- capture and report transaction data in real time, via Internet Web browser-based applications;
-- capture customer information such as loyalty programs;
-- allow the management of the merchant's e-commerce web storefront;
-- consolidate and expedite merchant communication with banks and consumers directly at the point-of-sale;
-- quickly resolve charge-backs;
-- process and report on all payment transactions in a secure and reliable manner, including cash, cheque, credit or debit transactions; and
-- provide operators the portability they need. *T
"When we reviewed Hypercom's ICE 4000 platform and their support for both an Internet appliance approach and secure payments, we quickly recognized that we had something in common," said Juliana Cafik, president and CEO of Soft Tracks. "Both of our companies are active in exploiting the potential and future of wireless applications with an emphasis on leveraging the Internet to make solutions easier to implement and faster to market."
"There is no question that Soft Tracks has developed a unique approach to implementing industrial strength wireless solutions," said George Wallner, president and CEO, Hypercom Corporation. "Their protocols and applications have been specifically designed for wireless, not just adapted from traditional land-line solutions. They will now take our ePic framework for payments and Internet-based infocommerce into new market segments."
Hypercom's ePic (ePos-infocommerce(tm)) supports e-mail, on-screen advertising, interactive electronic coupons, interactive loyalty, electronic receipt capture, branding programs, e-commerce and traditional secure payment processing functions. The ICE 4000 is a handheld, wireless, touch screen, high-speed card payment and Internet appliance for portable applications. The compact unit supports all of the ePic applications and is easily customized to support additional market needs using Hypercom's HyperWare(tm) "C" Developer's Toolkit.
Vancouver-based Soft Tracks Enterprises is an industry leader in mobile electronic commerce systems for enterprise merchants provided through partnerships with banks and wireless communication providers. Soft Tracks' Skypay(tm) solution enables merchants to offer customers a fast, secure and reliable electronic payment option at their doorstep, while capturing time critical sales and loyalty program information, improving customer service, increasing sales and reducing cost. Soft Tracks' Internet address is http://www.softtracks.com.
Hypercom Corporation (NYSE:HYC) is a global provider of end-to-end electronic payment solutions, including card payment systems, peripherals, network products, software and e-commerce payment solutions that add value at the point-of-sale for consumers, merchants and acquirers.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Hypercom Corporation markets its products in more than 70 countries through a global network of affiliates and offices in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. Hypercom's Internet address is www.hypercom.com.
Note to Editors: Hypercom is a registered trademark of Hypercom Corporation. ICE, SmartICE, ePOS-infocommerce and HyperWare are trademarks of Hypercom Corporation. All other products or services mentioned in this document are trademarks service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners. Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although management of Hypercom believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include industry, competitive and technological changes; risks associated with international operations and foreign currency fluctuations; the composition, timing and size of orders from and shipments to major customers; inventory obsolescence; market acceptance of new products and other risks detailed from time to time in Hypercom's SEC reports, including the company's 10-K dated March 30, 2000.
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