SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 6, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- VeriFone Inc., the world's leading provider of payment solutions, today announced Texas-based Taco Bueno has completed its installation of VeriFone Omni 3750 Internet Protocol (IP) enabled terminals in its locations nationwide. SageNet, the Oklahoma-based network integrator, designed and installed the IP network over which the VeriFone Omni 3750 terminals communicate to Paymentech, Taco Bueno's credit card processing services bureau.
The ability to provide guests with multiple payment options has quickly become a priority for the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry. According to a recent consumer survey completed by First Data, 63 percent of respondents said they would frequent a QSR that accepts credit/debit card payments more often than a cash-only QSR, and 36 percent said they would spend more money if debit and/or credit card payment options were available.
"The quick service food industry is one where prompt service and dependability are paramount," said Douglas Bergeron, Chairman and CEO of VeriFone. "Global chains and local franchisees alike know they eliminate the risk associated with payment terminal selection by choosing VeriFone. The marketplace implicitly trusts the VeriFone brand."
VeriFone payment terminals were selected to be part of Taco Bueno's overall payment solution after an extensive review process, which considered all major terminal manufacturers, including Hypercom (NYSE:HYC). Important factors weighing in VeriFone's favor include the dependability of VeriFone terminals, the flexibility of options regarding Internet Protocol (IP) communications and value-added applications, and the strength of the VeriFone brand.
"Taco Bueno delivers fresh, restaurant style meals, with convenience to our guests being the highest priority," said Tim Collins, IT director for Taco Bueno. "The ability for Taco Bueno to offer payment options delivered over a high speed, private IP network is a perfect fit for us."
One prevalent deciding factor in the Taco Bueno decision was the need for the payment terminals to process transactions and communicate via IP. Used for payment processing, IP delivers three-to five-second `swipe to tear' transaction speeds and supports always-on connectivity, eliminating the time-consuming dial-up process. VeriFone's Omni 3750's high-speed processing ability is a huge advantage for merchants, particularly in the quick service restaurant industry, where fast and efficient customer service delivers more revenue. IP/Ethernet solutions, like Taco Bueno's, provide reduced merchant processing fees, eliminate the need and cost of additional phone lines and long distance charges and facilitate the extension of corporate systems to the store level.
VeriFone worked closely with SageNet to deliver Taco Bueno's wide area network (WAN) based payment solution architecture. This solution delivers many unique benefits to Taco Bueno and its customers. "The implementation of a private IP WAN delivers improved speed, the highest levels of security, reliability, scalability and store level control which ultimately better enables Taco Bueno to provide improved customer service and increase their revenues," said Dale Higganbotham, SageNet, vice-president of sales. "Our expertise in networking marries very well to the needs of the QSR industry."
Other factors that were of importance in deciding on VeriFone/SageNet solution include:
-- the Omni 3750's multi-application abilities, allowing for future
potential value-added applications to be installed easily.
-- SageNet's ability to customize the Omni 3750 SoftPay
application, help desk support and end-to-end network
monitoring, and a billing process that encompasses all services
-- its ease of integration with potential future upgrades, such as
peripheral installations or drive-thru solutions.
Additional Resources:
Visit http://www.verifone.com/promos/omni3700_family.html to learn more about the VeriFone Omni 3700 family of terminals.
About Taco Bueno
Taco Bueno (www.tacobueno.com) is a Mexican quick-service restaurant that offers fast-casual dining at fast food prices and convenience. With headquarters in Carrollton, Texas, Taco Bueno has 124 locations across Texas and Oklahoma. Taco Bueno is owned by Jacobson Partners, a private equity firm based in New York
About SageNet
SageNet (www.sagenet.com) is a network integrator focused in the QSR and C-store vertical market with twenty years' experience delivering customized value-added IT solutions to Corporate America. That experience enables SageNet to support its customers in the migration of payment processing to IP networks. SageNet provides twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week nationwide on-site maintenance and technical services. Those services range from maintenance and repair of computer hardware to support of complex communications networks.
About VeriFone, Inc.
VeriFone, Inc., (www.verifone.com) recognized worldwide as the trusted leader in secure electronic payment technologies, provides expertise, solutions and services for today with a smart migration strategy for tomorrow. VeriFone is leading the industry in the delivery of solutions that add value to the point of sale, resulting in improved merchant retention and the generation of new sources of revenue for its partners and customers. VeriFone solutions are specifically designed to meet the needs of vertical markets including financial, retail, petroleum, government and healthcare. VeriFone has shipped over eleven million electronic-payment systems.