Eco-friendly, paper-based stored value cards launched
A new eco-friendly, paper or card based stored value card has been launched by gift voucher provider, BemroseBooth, using technology provided by payments specialist, Smart Voucher. The new solution even works on plain paper vouchers using a security-printed ID number.
Launched at this year's Voucher Association Conference in London, the Bemrose Smart Voucher stored value offering was demonstrated using a combination of live EPOS terminals and the internet.
Online/offline spending Conference delegates were issued with a Bemrose eFriendlycard, pre-loaded with a value between £10 and £50. The amount on the card could then be redeemed immediately in part or in full (with, in the case of the demonstration, the money going to one or more charities of the delegate's choice).
And to demonstrate the online capabilities of the smart voucher, which can be spent either in a physical store or on the web, attendees were given a pre-loaded William Hill betting shop smart voucher, allowing them to place a bet online. Bemrose's technology partner, Smart Voucher Plc, currently provides the infrastructure for the William Hill QuickCash service that runs throughout 1,600 high street betting shops, allowing gamblers to bet either in-store or online.
Environmentally safe "The Bemrose Smart Voucher is a multi format solution. Uniquely, we can put a smart number on a traditional paper voucher, allowing retailers to run the system on paper and plastic at the same time," explained Trevor Willis, head of security products for BemroseBooth. "As a security printer, we are able to provide not only plastic but also lower cost alternatives such as the eFriendlycard, offering our clients a wide range of substrates."
The eFriendlycard itself is a board product that Willis says is ideally suited to retail applications, answering environmental concerns about the proper disposal of stored value/gift cards after redemption. They are also much cheaper to issue than traditional plastic cards.
"Just two months into our partnership [with Smart Voucher], we are very gratified with the level of customer interest, and we have already confirmed our first UK pilot," added Andy Blundell, business development director for BemroseBooth.
For additional information: · Visit BemroseBooth at http://www.bemrosebooth.com · Visit Smart Voucher Plc at http://www.smartvoucher.com · See Bemrose Smart Vouchers at http://www.bemrosesmartvoucher.com