Retailers, financial institutions and brands in South Africa are adopting to new payment technologies to help consumers to easily and quickly transact using cashless payment methods wherever they are.
Webtickets, South Africa’s online ticketing solutions firm recently introduced NFC’s ‘Tap-n-Go’ technology as an effective event management solution. Event-goers preload their Webtickets cards using cash or coupons and once they’re at the event or festival, purchases can be made for food, drinks or promotional goods by simply tapping the card against the vendor’s NFC-enabled device. This system works even when the event is technically offline and is most convenient at events where cash machines or ATMs aren’t readily available.
This technology helps venue operators track sales, determine and offer commission on sales, and use the data from purchases to streamline their offering to event-goers.
Webtickets’ cashless payment system works with existing devices, such as Samsung smartphones and tablets, and the app can be readily downloaded.
According to Jonathan Wayne, Co-Founder of Webtickets, “Cashless ‘Tap-n-Go’ and mobile payments are rapidly becoming the way to do business. “We felt it was imperative to offer our customers and clients an innovative payment solution, and in so doing, increase their purchasing and event management convenience. We always strive to be the forerunners technologically in online ticketing retail, and event-goers can experience the benefits of our cashless payment system at the upcoming FNB JoburgArtFair due to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 22-24 August.”
Apart from Webtickets, several firms are adopting methods such as near-field communication (NFC) for mobile and cashless payments, a new trend which was not so two years ago. Such firms include Cape Town MyCiTi bus service, Absa, and Cricket South Africa among others which are utilising the ‘Tap-n-Go’ technology with growing success.
“We have been working with our technical partners to develop and introduce a cashless ‘Tap-n-Go’ system that would benefit both our event-goers and venue operators. Our cashless payment system is not only convenient and easy-to-use but it also reduces the potential of fraud for vendors”.