Going Green with Mobile Billing

by | Nov 8, 2013 |

One of the best features of Mobile Billing is the fact that it is environmentally friendly. Going Green is important for our planet and many consider the corporate world to be the biggest culprit when it comes to wasting paper products. Thus, you won’t only provide a super convenient service to your clients through Mobile Billing, but also be doing your bit to help save the environment. Forget about the traditional paper trail. Technology (mobile and internet) have made as a service? Then get in contact with Integrat...

Is there a mobile billing tsunami coming?

by | Aug 2, 2013 |

Experts reckon that mobile billing and transactions will soon be a way of to bring about convenience. Lately the focus has shifted to mobile shopping as companies have seen a rising trend amongst their customers – the transgression from desktop to cell phone. But at the same time, merchants are wondering why the conversion rates are not as robust as they would like. As enthusiastic as most consumers seem to be at the prospect of leading a wallet-less life, some industry leaders are posing the question if the world is truly ready for mobile billing and payments. Braintree’s GM of Mobile Aunkur Arya said that the emphasis should be more on the enablement of commerce and less on the payments and transactions themselves. “Mobile is the primary computing device, but there is still a ton of friction when people have to take out their credit card and put that information in,” he said. “The drop-off rates are as high as 75 percent. The merchants who are winning are those who can create magic, like Uber, HotelTonight, and Postmates.” One the general issues people have is that of security. A mobile user can be the victim of theft or lose/ misplace their phone (containing all their payment history or transaction info) at any given time. Or if someone gets hold of the user’s info another way, all they will need is the user’s phone and they can shop away. On the other hand, a wallet can just as easily be stolen or a credit card holder can become the victim of fraud. As the CEO of PocketChange, Ari Mir, remarked:...

How does mobile billing and payments work?

by | Jul 31, 2013 |

Different methods exist for mobile billing and payments. We can expect to see an increase in the number of complicated (and simplified) ways for paying for virtual goods in the future. But for now, these are the methods we are all familiar with. The “grandfather” of mobile billing is the SMS text. It is the oldest and simplest way of charging customers for goodies. The customer sends a text and asks to have the product charged to his mobile bill. As soon as the payment is received, the merchant gets a notification and he releases the product to the consumer. The problem with this kind of billing is that it takes a bit of time and there is always the risk of info/ notifications getting lost or delayed. If you are in a hurry to obtain your product, this method can cause much frustration. To help solve this problem, direct mobile billing was introduced. It is faster, more secure and customers don’t need a credit card, nor do they have to register on another site beforehand. This allows merchants to reach people anywhere in the world. When customers want an online product, all they have to do is choose the mobile payment option and then enter a pin and/or password into their mobile phone. The charge will then be added to their phone bill. It is also possible to make mobile billing and payments via the internet. It is the exact same process as doing it from a computer, but it has the added advantage of the “anytime, anywhere” approach – you aren’t restricted to your chair behind the...

Mobile billing and privacy concerns

by | Jul 25, 2013 |

The mobile environment has created a few privacy and security concerns, especially when it comes to mobile billing and payments. How can you as a service provider give your clientele peace of mind when it comes to their financial relationship with you? Your clientele needs to know that their personal information won’t become public knowledge. You might think this information is limited to their banking details, phone numbers and address, but it pertains to anything that can make the individual’s identity apparent. For example: photographs, an IP address, voice print and facial recognitions etc. When it comes to mobile billing, your privacy policy should be ethical and strict. It needs to outline exactly what your policies are and what steps customers can take if they feel their privacy have been violated. This policy should be given in print (as part of the contract) when a client enlists your services, and should also be available on your website for public view. Design your services in a way that any information is protected from the moment of collection to use and storage. As mobile services gain more attention, it is inevitable that privacy and security policies of application providers and developers will regularly be reviewed and placed under close scrutiny. It only takes a handful of bad user experiences before the relevant authorities step in and demand anything from changes to your application to fines or compensation for breach of contract. The good news is that user privacy in mobile billing and transactions can be one of your greatest marketing tools. According to the Australian government’s website (oaic.gov.au), a 2012 survey...

What aspects of mobile billing do mobile operators need to consider?

by | Jul 19, 2013 |

Mobile billing and payments come with their own set of difficulties for mobile operators. What factors do you as a mobile operator need to consider when offering this as a service? Rapid change in environment: you will have to keep up with the rapid change in technology and user demands. Customers are quick to seek out the competition if they can provide something better or more advanced. As an operator you need to be flexible and stay on top of the latest trends. Business models and prices: mobile billing and payment platforms have to adapt to all current and emerging models. These will include, but will not be limited to, in-app-based billing, one-off purchases, subscriptions, and the provision of credit. Customers want to be able to choose their payment methods (credit card/ direct operator billing/ Paypal) which means you have to be able to support most (if not all) of them. Dealing with third parties: a mobile operator isn’t a billing should be automated to ensure effectiveness. Your services don’t stop when your staff goes home for the day. Solid infrastructure: deployment, upgrades, integration and customization has to happen with minimal problems and without disturbing existing billing systems. Do not let these factors deter you from entering into the world of mobile billing and payments. Progress is made daily to streamline, optimize and simplify these processes for ease of...