MEDIA RELEASE
SmartPay Ltd Launches Gift Card Transaction and Hosting Operations via Agreement with eCard Solutions Ltd
AUCKLAND Tuesday September 26 2006 Prepaid solutions and transaction systems host SmartPay Ltd (NZX:SPY)has signed its
first contract to undertake processing and hosting facilities via an agreement with eCard Solutions Ltd, a gift card and
loyalty programme operator.
The longterm agreement follows recent announcements by SmartPay of a 35per cent investment in transaction processor,
Card Processing Services Ltd and the purchase of source code and intellectual property software rights from Malaysian
developer, Cardtrend.
SmartPay chief executive Linc Burgess says the agreement is an exciting and strategic development to position the
company at the “cutting edge” of POS technology and the ability to launch its transaction processing in New Zealand.
“This is an immediate and tangible benefit that has been made possible due to completion of the host application source
code agreement.
“We are looking to target like minded businesses in terms of transactions, particularly with the growth in prepaid, gift
card and loyalty programmes via POS and the internet.
“Overseas projections for prepaid gift cards indicate they will soon represent a significant share of the consumer spend
at retail outlets.”
“We have chosen to work with eCard because of their knowledge and experience in transaction processing and their
promotional and marketing ability in both the gift card and loyalty markets,” stated Mr Burgess.
eCard Solutions, established in February this year, operates in the retail and hospitality businesses, supplying end to
end solutions for both gift card and loyalty programmes.
eCard Solutions managing director Mr Richard Francis says SmartPay technology had offered a unique opportunity in terms
of investment and business opportunities in the transaction, prepaid and payment systems.
“We are looking to build on the partnership with SmartPay as we launch a series of gift card, smart card and loyalty
programs with several major companies and business associations in the coming months.
Francis says programmes with their associated internet capability, software technology, reporting and management
features can be tailored to a range of solutions, depending on the retailer’s individual requirements and programme
scope.
A subsidiary company of eCard, Smartcards New Zealand Ltd, is shortly to launch a series of retail gift and loyalty
cards with the potential to create hundreds of thousands of additional transactions.
“Smartcards, combined with our gift card loyalty programmes have the potential to realize sales of many millions of
dollars annually with a further significant yearly spend in prepaid loadable gift cards outside of the traditional
mobile and international calling card top-up market.
“The growth potential in New Zealand and Australia is enormous as retailers compete vigorously for every available
customer and their dollar,” added Francis.
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ABOUT SMARTPAY LTD
SmartPay Ltd (NZX:SPY) is a leader in the development and supply of innovative electronic prepaid solutions including
mobile phones, international calling cards, internet and POS based services, gift cards and a range of other products
For an example of the business in which they operate, the value of the pre-pay mobile and international calling card
market in New Zealand is estimated at $500 million and $100 million annually and growing every year.
Established in 2004, SmartPay has signed contract agreements with telecommunications networks and product suppliers
including Telecom New Zealand Ltd and Vodafone New Zealand Ltd. The company is also researching and developing potential
software business interests in New Zealand and internationally, including markets in Australia and Asia Pacific.
In New Zealand, SmartPay manages a network of merchants who supply products to a wide range of retailers, including a
number of high profile, national retail chains and route/convenience store owners and operators.
More information about SmartPay is available at www.smartpay.co.nz
ENDS