The hardware - comprising both GPRS and WiFi models of the mobile Omni 3600 EFTPoS terminal - will incorporate the "Ocius" pre-certified Chip and PIN system, developed by card payment processing system provider Commidea and VeriFone, which has received certification from Barclaycard Merchant Services and Streamline. The terminals are due to be delivered over the next three months.

The new deal will enable Box Technologies to provide a complete Chip and PIN solution to its customers in the retail sector. The Ocius system, launched at this month's Retail Solutions 2004 exhibition in Birmingham, is a fully hosted, end-to-end service provided by Commidea that removes the need for bank testing, providing an "out-of-the-box" solution and reducing the time and expense to achieve Chip and PIN certification for retailers. Developed to support EMV Level 1 and 2 specifications and using APACS standard interfaces, Ocius is based on VeriFone's Omni 3600 and on the modular Omni 3750 terminal, to which the SC 5000 PIN pad can be added when required.

Russell Wilcox, Managing Director for Box Technologies, said, "We have been looking for the right Chip and PIN solution and were immediately impressed by VeriFone's strong product set." He continued, "With the ability to incorporate a fully pre-certified Chip and PIN solution through Commidea and the Ocius system, we are excited to be able to offer the best solution on the market to our channel customers."

VeriFone's Omni 3600 uses GPRS and WiFi wireless communications and can be deployed in a variety of environments, enabling a permanent connection to Commidea's authorisation servers. This eliminates call charges and supports connections to all UK acquirers, with transaction authorisation achieved in as little as 5 seconds.

Commenting on today's announcement, Nigel Bidmead, EMEA Managing Director for VeriFone said, "The response from our customers to the launch of the Ocius system has been phenomenal, proving that VeriFone and Commidea are delivering the right solution at the right time for the UK's retailers. We are confident that Box Technologies' customers will be quick to recognise the enormous advantages of a pre-certified, plug-and-play solution to implementing Chip and PIN."