Isis, VeriFone Pool Resources to Target C-stores for Mobile Payment Launch

LAS VEGAS -- VeriFone Systems Inc. and Isis are joining forces in an effort to get retailers to more quickly adopt Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled mobile payments, the companies announced this morning.

The two have agreed to pool their sales, marketing and implementation teams in order to target large retailers and petroleum/convenience store merchants to be the first to debut the Isis Mobile Commerce Application. Jointly, the companies will encourage these retailers in the previously announced launch markets of Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas, to incorporate the Isis application in their current and future NFC-enabled lines.

Although Salt Lake City and Austin will be the first target markets for the VeriFone-Isis collaboration, the companies expect expansion of the mobile wallet to take place rapidly.

"We are excited about the opportunity to help launch Isis with retailers in Salt Lake [City] and Austin, and we are ready to provide the expertise and services necessary for a national rollout," said Jennifer Miles, VeriFone's executive vice president, North America. "VeriFone customers will be able to leverage the integration of the mobile experience to engage consumers with new payment options, couponing and loyalty services."

According to VeriFone, it will layer Isis interfaces and user experience onto its pre-existing integrations at thousands of U.S. merchant locations, alongside traditional payment forms. Retailers can become what the companies call "Isis Ready" via a combination of new payment systems and NFC add-on devices, as well as remote software upgrades.

Isis is itself a joint venture. The mobile payment solution is the result of a collaboration among AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA.

Scott Mulroy, Isis' chief technology officer, said point-of-sale payment systems provide a crucial infrastructure for the future of mobile commerce.

"Our work with VeriFone helps bring to market the product and technical capabilities critical to success, but more importantly leverages VeriFone's massive U.S. footprint to turn on Isis quickly and easily at large merchants," he said.