Keynote speakers at Transact 14—the annual trade show for the Electronic Transactions Association—addressing the future of the industry highlighted ISO agents moving forward. The mobile revolution for payment processing underscores the achievements of small and independent sellers. As a point of sale and mobile commerce become increasingly dynamic, the role of ISO agents will only grow.
Visa executive vice president Bill Sheedy emphasized Visa’s desire to empower ISOs to grow and develop while ensuring security. The empowerment of ISOs will only develop synergy with Visa according to Sheedy. The model of the future from Visa’s perspective is empowering ISOs will only lead to more profit for all parties involved—and securing sensitive information is paramount to that future.
The second keynote speaker, Google’s Ariel Bardin, provided specific examples of the synergy that develops with ISOs when they work together with industry giants. Bardin, the vice president of product management for Google Payments, highlighted how with Google Payments customers at Rue LaLa and Priceline.com were able to complete transactions with a one-click “Buy with Google” option. This option eliminated repetitive and tedious e-forms to complete an online purchase. Rue LaLa’s conversion of shoppers to purchases quadrupled with the “Buy with Google” option and Priceline.com experienced a 71% improvement in its conversion rate.
The final keynote speaker was VeriFone CEO, Paul Galant. Galant focused on making the system as consumer-friendly as possible. Expanding rewards programs to create flexibility is the key according to Galant. Having points available at multiple gas stations for rewards at multiple grocery stores is the trend and style of the mobile world. ISO agents are at the center of this as with developing technology and sophisticated POS apps, the ability for consumers to pay, however, wherever, and whenever they want will lead to growth. Galant pointed out that 55% of Americans prefer to pay with their phone and among those born between the 1980s and 2000s 70% prefer to pay with their phone.
All three keynote speakers painted a picture of electronic transactions with static, monolithic systems becoming too cumbersome for the mobile population. ISO agents have the mobility and one-to-one opportunities to help spread the new mobile payment processing, and when supported by the industry giants opportunity for profit and growth will become available for all parties involved.
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