BYNDL, Sprout Partner on M-Payments at Vending Machines (May 6, 2013)
Mobile transaction services company BYNDL Inc. has teamed up with Sprout Retail, a vending-focused consumer marketing firm, to deliver mobile payments, stored value, digital coupons and surveys to vending customers via mobile devices. Seattle-based startup BYNDL offers a “vending cloud,” which enables vending technology providers to offer their vending operator clients digital services to sell through their machines and consumers’ mobile devices.
“The consumer relationship with their favorite brands and products will start at the vending machine and travel everywhere with them on their phones now through relevant apps or games,” said Lori Salow Marshall, founder and CEO of BYNDL. The partnership with Sprout will enable vending operators to tailor services to their particular customer base, according to the firms. BYNDL is set to launch with additional beta partners over the summer, with a full commercial launch planned for the fall.
The rise of mobile payment technology has greatly increased the potential for developing long-term customer relationships in the vending-based retail market. Late last month, the companies behind the Isis mobile wallet expanded their partnership with cashless acceptance technology provider USA Technologies to enable Isis-based payments and loyalty programs at more than 100,000 vending machines nationwide. The vending acceptance partnership was a major success during Isis’s test run in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas, according to the companies.
