Spindle, Inc., a provider of mobile commerce solutions, announced that it has signed a deal with Multi-max®, a manufacturer of vending machines designed specifically for mid-size and small offices and locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As part of the agreement, Spindle will integrate its MeNetwork™ mobile commerce technology into Multi-max's line of K-Cup vending machines. The MeNetwork solution will incorporate all card-based payment acceptance services, as well as mobile marketing services.
Spindle's partner, Cardis USA, a division of Cardis International, will also participate in the deal by providing low value payment processing services. In addition, Spindle will use ValidSoft's In-band Voice Biometrics authentication technology custom built for the mobile platform. ValidSoft, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elephant Talk Communications Corp. announced the integration of its advanced technology with Spindle's new "MeNetwork360(SM)" mobile commerce ecosystem. Through this arrangement, Spindle plans to distribute the K-Cup systems to businesses and coffee service suppliers throughout the U.S.
"We are very excited with the potential that the partnership with Multi-max represents," said Bill Clark, chief executive officer at Spindle, in a prepared statement. "We'll now have the opportunity to offer a full end-to-end mobile commerce solution to a wide range of vending operators and coffee service suppliers that are looking to quickly enter the mobile commerce space. By working with leading providers like Cardis International and ValidSoft, we can offer a seamless, secure and affordable solution that will serve the needs of operators and vendors well into the future."
Serving as the foundation of the combined solution is Spindle's MeNetwork360 platform, which allows merchants to facilitate payment processing and manage customized marketing campaigns in a single interface. The platform enables a number of features, including loyalty programs, electronic coupons, rebates and instant offers. The app also allows consumers to locate merchants, discover offers, accrue loyalty points and make purchases on their mobile devices.
Cardis provides a technology that enables several consumer transactions made at different retailers to be handled with only one transaction processed through the payment network, thereby significantly lowering the overall transaction costs. Aaron Fischman, CEO of Cardis USA, said, "As low value payments migrate from coin and note to electronic form factors, it is essential to deploy a solution that brings down the overall costs of transactions, so that retailer margin is protected. This solution provides that essential capability, previously missing from the mobile wallet. Consequently, the widespread deployment of these machines is likely to make mobile as habit-forming as cash once was."
In addition, Spindle's security partner, ValidSoft, will provide voice-based authentication technologies to the solution.
"This arrangement with Spindle gives Multi-max an excellent foundation to substantially grow our business," said Mark Bentley, director of sales and marketing for Multi-max. "Mobile commerce represents an exciting opportunity to reach new partners and customers, and deliver compelling marketing services that can easily translate into revenue. Spindle's unique ability to combine all these services into one seamless solution makes this partnership particularly appealing."