MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Cyphermint Inc., provider of secure electronic payment solutions, and Chris' Pizza of Marlborough, are conducting what they believe to be the first mobile payment program for delivery pizza purchased via cell phone.
According to a news release, the transaction is enabled by the mobile payment method P2Pizza.
"I love this idea" said Chris LaFlamme, owner of Chris' Pizza. "With P2Pizza, I don't have to worry about my drivers carrying cash. I just need to make sure their cell phones are charged up and ready when they go out on their deliveries"
The P2Pizza concept represents the P2P (person-to-person) payment transfer function made via wireless delivery using Cyphermint's mCommerce solution, PayCash Mobile. PayCash Mobile's quick-pay functionality completes the transaction in fewer than five seconds. The account is linked to a stored-value card that allows users to load funds onto the account and withdraw money at any ATM in the network.
PayCash Mobile uses a secure text messaging service with an encrypted key that provides a unique digital signature for each transaction. Transactions occur in real time and funds are transferred to and from customers' accounts instantaneously and securely to the merchant's account. It does not require downloading and works with any Internet-enabled device. The user's PayCash account can be managed across any mobile platform such as a cell phone, smartphone, personal computer or any PayCash enabled kiosk.
The P2Pizza pilot took place Sept. 14. Cyphermint intends to roll out this payment system to other pizza and delivery franchises in Boston before going nationwide by the end of the year.
"There are approximately 2 billion mobile phone users worldwide, who already browse the Internet, check their e-mail, and download games and music," said Joe Barboza, president and chief executive of Cyphermint. "The next logical step is to shop and pay for goods and services on their cell phones. Marlborough will be setting the stage for a unique mobile application that will surely be an attraction to college students and residents alike."
