The aim of the initiative is to bundle the offerings of all major tech companies in Germany and make them more easily accessible to merchants affected by COVID-19.

The initiative includes discounted or free use of digital payment solutions, and a rapid product integration. Part of the offering includes use of the Pay-by-Link solution at no cost, which enables every merchant to receive digital payments in real time, even without an online shop.

“We are calling on leading companies to actively participate in our 'Innovation for Now' initiative,” said Jörn Leogrande, Executive Vice President Innovation Labs and Value Added Services at Wirecard. “Now, more than ever, it is important that we act together, and combine and share our knowledge.”

“We welcome this joint initiative by Futur/io and Wirecard,” added Stefan Schoepfel, Vice President SAP Services. “SAP is pleased to contribute with the aim of helping businesses better master the challenges COVID-19 presents. Our offer is aimed at businesses of all sizes, and is available to both current and new customers.”

Here is the complete Wirecard offer at a glance: https://www.wirecard.com/support-package

Pay-by-Link free for European merchants
Pay-by-Link is ideal for businesses of all kinds. The solution enables them to offer customers digital payment options despite not having an online presence, or in addition to it. Restaurants or bakeries, for example, can use the solution to set up an “order ahead” service. The payment link can be emailed or texted, for example via WhatsApp, before the item or service is delivered, securing the payment for the business and eliminating the handling of cash altogether.

360-degree online shop solution
Checkout Portal is ideal for merchants that want to have an online presence across Europe as soon as possible. With Checkout Portal, merchants can offer customers convenient and secure payment via a wide range of payment methods. Checkout Portal works with all major shop systems; merchants can receive the corresponding shop extensions from Wirecard. Checkout Portal is available immediately free of charge for the first six months. Wirecard also offers free consulting and workshops on optimizing merchants’ online presence.

Small retailers in Germany and Austria can also make use of the SUPR shop solution. As part of the Wirecard initiative, merchants can use SUPR free of charge for the first six months.

State of the art payment terminals
In addition, Wirecard offers merchants who rely on face-to-face interactions the use of a Smart POS terminal. The state of the art terminal is powered by the leading Android operating system, and enables end-customers to make secure and contactless payments. Wirecard will provide merchants with the Smart POS terminal free of charge for the first six months.

Innovation for Now
Via the online platform InnovationForNow, companies can exchange information, learn about assistance packages, and collectively find ways to innovatively adapt their business models to the COVID-19 crisis. The platform is part of the initiative under the same name, which was launched together with Futur/io. Under the motto Helping people help themselves, other companies are invited to follow the initiative and share their COVID-19 offerings. SAP is already a partner.

The initiative of Wirecard and Futur/io is based on innovation. With the “Innovation for Now” platform, the aim is to find practical solutions and create new initiatives in order to provide concrete and long-term assistance in the form of expertise, services and other offerings. These include solutions for connected working, home office and other digitalization offerings.