Sema has added credit card verification functionality to its mobile commerce solution, SemaVision telcofinance. The upgrade has been implemented by Airtel, Spain's second largest mobile operator.
The enhanced solution allows the operator to perform remote credit card verification and enables its customers to conduct secured financial transactions and payments in real time, says the company.
Using Telcofinance, Airtel's customers can recharge their prepaid accounts via a simple menu option available at the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of several major Spanish banking networks, such as 4B, CECA and Servired. The service is also offered at points of sale (PoS) at petrol stations and department stores, such as CEPSA and El Corte Ingles.
Carlos Vila, mobile payment & banking services business development manager at Airtel, says: "The new credit card functionality minimises the complexity of our credit operations and significantly reduces our costs."
In a separate announcement, Sema has reported the first live transaction over its Essentis card management system at UBS card centre in Zurich. The multi-currency system, which was introduced by Sema in July 2000, will be used by UBS to issue all new credit card products. Migration of the bank's existing card portfolio to Essentis is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2002.
Paul Hess, executive vice president of UBS card centre, says the introduction of Essentis will make it easier for the bank to roll out new products and services to customers. "Essentis will also facilitate the integration of our card operations with new delivery channels such as the Internet and wireless devices," he adds.