The UK motorway service operator Welcome Break has changed its in-store payments operations through a bespoke Unified Payment Service from Vodat International. The firms report improved speed of service to customers and streamlined day-to-day management of transactions.
David Willock, IT Director, Welcome Break, said, “We felt comfortable with the Vodat team and their level of knowledge and expertise to securely manage our high volume of payment transactions. The fact that the solution supports PCI compliance was of the utmost importance. Customer card data is not held in the EPoS system, therefore costly EPoS development was avoided. Instead, card data is stored in one secure location, fully meeting the requirements of PCI compliance. For me, the Unified Payment Service delivered in partnership, is the IT driver that has enabled us to significantly improve our speed of service and back office reconciliation.”
Having now been rolled out to all of Welcome Break’s 29 sites, the new system has seen transaction speed increase thanks to integration to the point-of-sale. This has subsequently meant that customer time spent queuing has been significantly reduced, resulting in more customers being served throughout the day. The integrated solution means that all transactions are settled accurately within the system, resulting in hours of time saved automating what used to be a manual process. Welcome Break selected the Unified Payment Service from Vodat International under the condition that it would be developed into a bespoke system to fit their specific needs. The new solution was developed jointly by Welcome Break and Vodat and took over two years of development, testing and trialling.
After testing, the new product has been rolled out to all Welcome Break’s sites. Each site was on a six week timeline for the implementation because of the updates in terms of software, hardware, networking and communications.
Paul Leybourne, Head of Sales at Vodat International, said: “Our solution has been developed in partnership with STS and Alaric (an NCR Company), bringing together best of breed elements to deliver a unique client solution. The flexible architecture of our Unified Payment Service meant we were able to create a bespoke solution for Welcome Break. We look forward to continuing our working relationship and being able to see the true benefits of the technology shine through during peak holiday seasons, such as August.”
Previously, Welcome Break had around 550 payment terminals installed, all with separate phone lines. Instead the business could cut the number of phone lines running through the retail estate – it has now been reduced to around 80 ADSL lines – while increasing the number of terminals to around 650.
This project won Welcome Break the title of Retailer of the Year Award at the Payments Awards.
About Vodat
Its client base includes Poundland, Beaverbrooks, Coast, Dune, East, Fat Face, Ted Baker, L.K.Bennett, Spar, Welcome Break, Whistles and White Stuff. Visit www.vodat-int.com
