PLDT-SME Nation's SWUP: The future of cashless transactions for Pinoy SMEs

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT-SME Nation is revolutionizing cashless transactions as it offers Shops.Work UnPlugged or SWUP, an innovative card payment system solution for Pinoy entrepreneurs and consumers.

The SWUP takes security and convenience in cashless transactions to the next level. It is the first service in the country that allows merchants to swipe all card brands, credit and debit, using a single Electronic Fund Transfer-POS (EFT-POS) terminal.

The SWUP wirelessly connects with Smart’s GPRS, allowing wireless and mobile cashless transactions for consumers.

This wireless capability also makes SWUP more secure compared to phone line-connected EFT-POS terminals.

“We are very excited for the SWUP especially for SMEs and businesses as this takes advantage of technology and could really help businesses maximize their profit. It also offers limitless convenience for consumers as it offers some of the first-of-its-kind features in the market,” says PLDT-SME Nation vice president and head Kat Luna-Abelarde.

All in one

With major credit card companies and ATM cards being used by countless consumers for various purchases, merchants are required to have specific card terminals catering to different card transactions.

The all-access feature eliminates the need for stores having several card terminals for various card brands, enabling them to maximize their POS terminal and minimize lost sales due to card unavailability.

“Its all-access is a new feature that we know store owners will greatly benefit from,” says PLDT-SME Nation’s SME industry solutions head Blue Aldridge.

“There are a lot of different card brands out there and merchants need to cater to all these cards. The problem with that is they need a lot of terminals for each card as shoppers also carry various cards to make transactions,” Aldridge adds.

The SWUP accepts major card brands such as Visa, MasterCard, JBC, American Express and Diners Club International as well as Visa Electron, MasterCard Electronic, Megalink, Bancnet and Express Payment System.

Mobile payments secured

The SWUP also has the unique feature of being wireless. Utilizing Smart’s “nation-widest” GPRS Network which covers 99.57 percent of the country and the PLDT Group’s broadest wireline network, businesses are given the flexibility to accept card payments practically anywhere.

“We see a lot of potential with the SWUP’s wireless feature for businesses requiring delivery transactions and for consumers who like paying for making on-the-spot purchases,” says Aldridge.

The SWUP also has an advanced security feature. Through its activation of using a SIM, the unit is secured because of Smart’s wireless capability. It does not make use of the Internet as the unit’s transport medium. It makes use of a private network instead of the Internet, keeping it protected from viruses and hackers.

Providing the most ideal form of payment, the SWUP wireless is better secured than a phone line-based swipe card terminal, which relies simply on the bank’s security system.

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For more info on what PLDT-SME Nation offers businesses, call 101-888 or visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph.