Hypercom announced that it has entered Portugal and commenced product sales. The actions follow certification of the Optimum P2100 PIN entry payment device for use in the country by the Sociedade Interbancária de Servicos’ (SIBS).
 
“We are bringing to this important country’s banking and retail sectors high security, multiapplication information and transaction products that expedite the fast and secure transmission of vital financial and business data,” said O B Rawls IV, Senior VP, International Sales, Hypercom. “SIBS is committed to maximizing the efficiency of the Portuguese banking system with innovative, effective and secure payment technology. We have the products to help meet that objective, and believe that the potential market is considerable.”
 
The use of payment cards and terminals is escalating rapidly throughout Portugal. The number of cards has jumped to 14.7 million from 2.4 million in 1990, with debit cards overtaking their credit counterparts 3 to 1, according to industry sources. Nearly 58% of retail purchases are now made with cards versus cash. The installed base of POS terminals now exceeds 150,000, and that figure is expected to double within the next 3 years. This momentum to e-Payments is the result of SIBS expertise in payment system automation services, supported by more than 50% of the country’s banks.
 
The 1st Hypercom Optimum product for Portugal, the P2100, is a high-performance countertop unit that can handle payment transactions as well as gift and/or loyalty cards and other value-added services. The device features tight security with EVM 2.0 and Visa PED certification, integrated privacy shield, high-contrast full graphics display and large colour-coded and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)-compliant keypad with clear internationally recognized user prompts. The P2100 is available with optional hybrid magnetic stripe and smart card reader.
 
The company’s next 2 Optimum products for the Portuguese banking and retail sectors are the T2100 countertop and M2100 mobile payment terminals. The T2100 provides a versatile countertop terminal with configurations including V.90 and Ethernet connectivity. The M2100 uses wireless GSM or GPRS communications to transact payments for mobile businesses such as pizza delivery, sporting events, market traders, shopping kiosks and taxis.