Major bank launches mobile payment system for businesses

ANZ BladePay, a handheld Android-based payment device, has been developed in partnership with technology firm thumbzup to provide a secure and customisable mobile payment solution for businesses.

Running on the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system, the open architecture platform comprises a high-resolution display, dual cameras and a barcode scanner, and is WiFi- and 4G-enabled, among other features.

BladePay is available to ANZ merchant customers that use a point-of-sale system provided by one of the bank's vendor partners.

It is hoped that the device will enable businesses to run more efficiently and enhance their customer experience.

ANZ group executive, Australia, Fred Ohlsson commented: “We are routinely told that managing payments is one of the biggest pain points for business owners, yet when we looked at the market we found an opportunity to create a platform that could dramatically change the way our customers do business.

“ANZ BladePay is a fully integrated and innovative solution that will simplify business operations.”

According to Mr Ohlsson, there are six point-of-sale vendors (NCR, Redcat, H&L, SureFire, Abacus and Shout for Good) already developing customised applications for the platform, and the bank is “actively working” with a number of other vendor partners.

ANZ has said that vendor partners can build applications to include features such as ‘order and pay at table’, split bill and tipping options, the ability to email and SMS receipts, and staff shift clock-on functions.

Mr Ohlsson said: “What really sets ANZ BladePay apart is the software our vendor partners are developing, which is tailored to our customers’ needs. ANZ BladePay is much more than a secure payments solution, its potential is limitless.”

The device will be available to the hospitality industry in March 2017, and will be offered to retail and B2B customers shortly after.

ANZ has said that the device is not available through Apple, as the technological giant does not license the Apple operating system to third-party devices.

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