Infotech Lead Europe: Intuit has launched a pilot program in the U.K. that allows SMBs to accept card payments anywhere.
Small businesses in the U.K. are testing Intuit Pay that includes a free mobile app with a low-cost chip and PIN card reader.
It allows small businesses to get paid on the spot. Businesses in the pilot can use Intuit Pay to accept credit or debit card payments two easy ways.
“This week alone, I have encountered six clients that wanted the flexibility of taking payments there and then. Intuit Pay is the cheap, effective and safe way of taking card payments I have been looking for,” said Pilot participant Rob Welch, who runs tour company smallcarBIGCITY.
By encrypting all customer data and keeping it safe, it meets the unique requirements of the U.K. payments industry and is approved for chip and PIN payments by Visa and MasterCard.
Terry Hicks, vice president for products for Intuit’s global business division, said: “It can take weeks to get set up, the equipment and transactions can be expensive and there is no easy way to take payments on the go. With Intuit Pay you can sign up and begin accepting card payments within minutes. Our mobile app and card reader lets you securely take payments anywhere using your own smartphone or tablet.”
According to a survey of 1,000 small businesses in the U.K., 19 percent of micro-businesses – firms with less than 10 employees – currently accept card payments. 47 percent said they would accept cards if there was a more affordable way of doing so using their smartphone or tablet.
“Intuit has a long history in helping small businesses solve all their payments needs. We understand that getting paid is crucial to their success, and have seen how GoPayment helps their businesses grow,” said Chris Hylen, vice president and general manager of Intuit’s Payment Solutions division.
