AT&T Wireless Services announced that U.S. Wireless Data, Inc. and Unicard Systems, Inc. have begun using the AT&T Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network to provide rapid verification of customer information for hundreds of Texas restaurants.
The wireless system enables operators of private clubs to quickly verify the membership status of patrons, reducing verification time from 20 or more seconds to just 2-3 seconds.
In many Texas counties, restaurants serving alcoholic beverages must form a private club and certify that customers are members. To facilitate business, restaurants have formed a network which honors card-carrying members from participating clubs. Using standard dial-up verification technology, it takes 20 seconds or more to receive verification once a member’s card is swiped through a card-processing terminal. Busy signals and other delays often lengthen the process and result in unhappy customers and the temptation to bypass the process, putting merchants at risk. The wireless verification system is used in over 200 Texas clubs, with a goal of 600-800 by year-end 1998.
Leveraging AT&T’s CDPD Network
The Texas system utilizes Unicard’s new SUN System which employs U.S. Wireless Data’s proprietary software and TRANZ(TM) Enabler units to convert Unicard’s Verifone dial-up card processing terminals into high speed wireless terminals. The SUN System transmits data between the card-processing terminals and a central verification server via the AT&T wireless network. The same technology can be used for credit card transactions.
“We feel absolutely confident in our choosing to go with the AT&T network,” said Rod Stambaugh, chairman of U.S. Wireless Data. “Reliable and cost-effective, the AT&T CDPD network gives us the ideal platform to provide our customers with the level of service and dependability they have come to expect from U.S. Wireless Data.”
“The fact that our CDPD network was chosen as part of this dynamic package proves once again how AT&T Wireless plays a major role in the competitive business-to-business market by adding value through our exceptional network technology and capabilities,” said Andy Willett, director of product management for the AT&T wireless data division. “Like other value added resellers and solutions providers, U.S. Wireless Data and Unicard Systems have found that they can leverage our network to help their customers connect quickly and cost-effectively. While wireless verification is relatively new, I think it will rapidly become a widespread solution for transaction processing.”
Wireless Verification Offers Value to Business
CDPD technology through the AT&T network enables membership verification, credit card transactions and many other types of data transmission. Wireless verification eliminates the need for a dedicated or shared telephone line, allowing businesses to expedite transmissions, therefore eliminating delays, busy signals and the recurring costs of monthly telephone service. The AT&T CDPD network covers 70 of the top 100 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. For developer information about leveraging the AT&T nationwide CDPD wireless network, contact [www.attws.com/nohost/data/var/][1] or call 425/803-4602.
U.S. Wireless Data, Inc., (OTCBB USWDA) has developed, tested and is now delivering compelling new proprietary products, programs and standards for the transaction processing and credit card industry which utilize wireless networks such as the AT&T CDPD network.
Unicard Systems, Inc. is a service provider delivering credit card verification and transaction systems to the restaurant and nightclub industry.
About AT&T
The Wireless Data Division of AT&T Wireless Services is a recognized leader in the development of wireless data communications networks designed to meet the entire spectrum of business data communications requirements, from short transactions, such as messaging, data entry and dispatch, to longer sessions typical of file transfers and interactive computing. Customers can contact the Wireless Data Division at 1-888-DATA-ATT (328-2288), ext. 164. For more information on AT&T Wireless data solutions, check the AT&T Wireless Web site at [www.attws.com][2] and click on the wireless data icon.
[1]: http://www.attws.com/nohost/data/var/
[2]: http://www.attws.com
