IMPACT® International
In the competitive media environment of today, newspapers that position their brand correctly and create added value for their products win customers. Modern, user friendly IMPACT® newspaper vending machines by Bellatrix Systems are being used by newspapers worldwide to create brand awareness while providing customers with a convenient way to purchase their products.
IMPACT vending units are available in three basic configurations, Coin-operated, Coin-operated with credit card readers (Card-Trak System™), or FreeVends*.
Typically newspapers order the IMPACT units with a graphics package including a vinyl wrap with 3-sides or 4-sides and designer images.
| IMPACT Units |
Coin Operated |
Add 3-side Vinyl-Wrap |
| Minimum order of 100 units |
$680.00 |
$230.00 |
Add $95.00 for a 4th back panel One time set-up charge of $99.00 is applied per graphics design *Note: FreeVend and Specialty Card price lists are available on request.
The Card-Trak System™
What is it?
Card-Trak is a credit card micro-transaction system that was developed for newspaper vending machines.
Why use it?
Consumers are demanding the convenience of credit cards when they buy their single copy newspapers from vending machines and contributing to this need is a trend towards higher priced single copy newspapers across key markets. Today, the typical price for an international newspaper is greater than $2.25 US equivalent per copy and few if any customers have all of the coins needed to make a newsrack purchase.
The Card-Trak System provides the convenience needed to maintain and grow newspaper Single Copy sales. Card-Trak provides a start to finish complete solution with all of the hardware and software needed for a simple installation. The Card-Trak System will retrofit into most totalizer style newspaper vending machines with a minimum of effort, enhancing the value of the vending equipment that a newspaper has already paid for and prolonging the service life.
It's simple, Card-Trak makes single copy purchases easier for the customer.
How does it work?
The key to the Card-Trak System is the unique card reader unit. This unit is a complete mini-computer with its own power source and encryption software. The unit reads the credit card then encrypts and stores the data. A handheld PDA is used to download the reader and is in turn docked to a computer programmed with encryption software from Bellatrix. On demand, the computer sends the encrypted data for processing and deposit to the newspaper bank account.
Note: The Card-Trak System is approved by the Payment Card Industry and meets all is PCI DSS 1.2 security standards.
What kind of results can be expected?
Card-Trak is part of the solution for Single Copy sales. Our tracking studies indicate that customers will increase their use of credit cards as the price of the newspaper increases. The following charts indicate just how successful the transition from coin to credit card is at three common price points.
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At the $0.75 US price the average credit card usage was 26%. At the $1.00 US price the average credit card usage increased to 46%. |
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At the $2.00 US price the average credit card usage was 68%. |
How much will it cost?
The credit card readers are $US 220.00 each. The handheld PDA units will cost $US 750.00 each and a minimum of two units is suggested. The standard software price is $US 5,000.00; however, this will be determined by each individual situation. On-site installation is available for a minimum of $2,500.00 and the fee will be determined by the location; however, remote installation is also available.
What is the transaction cost?
When a micro-transaction gateway is used they typically offer their service for base transaction fee plus a percentage of the transaction total. Typically there is a monthly fee to maintain the account. It is also possible to use your current bank to process micro-transactions and each country will have their own banking rules.
Summary
The Card-Trak System will allow newspapers to modernize their newspaper vending machines and provide the convenience that the single copy newspaper reader demands. Card Trak can also be configured to work with Specialty Cards suitable for key promotions.
The Card Trak system is simple, affordable and easy to install. All newspapers will need to modernize their equipment to reflect increasing convenience demands from their buyers. Card Trak provides a great solution!