Opal Software

PINS have long been used in the telecommunications business for long distance cards. Each card had a unique number (the “PIN”) that and this number was used by the telephone company’s billing system to track the value on the card. In the same way, PINs are being used for prepaid top up ePIN vending is simply the vending of a PIN by printing it on a card or on receipt paper at the time of sale.

The PIN system can be used for a variety of prepaid applications including long distance calling, prepaid mobile cellular account top up, prepaid electricity or water payments, internet café username & password etc. Opal has designed and manufactures a number of solutions that will print, cut and deliver the PINs on thermal paper, or card stock.
 

Software:

There are four  ways to

Load and manage PINs:

1-The simplest solution for a small number of machines is to upload the PINs into the machine on-site directly with a cable, utilizing Opal’s simple Manual ePIN  program.

-Opal offers the ability to remotely communicate with each machine. This can be done through; dial-up modem or direct IP connection (WAN/LAN)  , wirelessly through a mobile modem device via GPRS (with a fixed IP address), SMS, or via WiFi.

There are two ePIN software management tools created and supported by Opal. Both are Windows based.

2-One is a “manual” system that allows the user for one single License fee to call up access sales reports as well as the status of PINs sold and remaining Inventory.

3-The second the an “Automated” system that allows the operator a server based solution that has the ability to call each machine, query it for sales and PIN data and upload a predetermined allocation of ePINs to each product.

In addition there is the ability of creating a minimum inventory level and have the machines call into the server and upload more inventory when required.

4 Finally, these machines can be programmed to call a third party Platform and upload PINs to sell on at a time or in batches. If you have a proprietary platform you wish for us to integrate to, please submit the communication protocol for our review and to quote a cost to integrate. Typically we use the same api’s as typical POS terminals so that no further development work needs to be created on your platform end. In many cases they are XML messages.

Product Description

There are several options available to run and manage both series of machines previously mentioned.
Options for contacting and communicating with the Kiosks, include but are not limited to:

• Dial up modem
• Direct IP connection on a WAN or LAN
• SMS
• GPRS wireless modem
• WiFi connection

Opal Software Solutions

Opal has two software solutions that will allow you to load and manage PINs and sales data.

• One is a simple manual ePIN management system.This system allows you to set up a machine on your PC, create the volume and denominations of PINs and extract all past transaction.
  This is accomplished through calling each kiosk and “synching” with it. Please press here to link with a brief overview of this version.

The second version is a completely automated version. THIS version is a server based solution and allows for the following functionality:

• Server is able to call out to each mach at predetermined times, synch with it and upload a prefixed amount of inventory of PINs to each product; receive reports from the machine on all transactions, details on Pins sales, funds collected as well as any functional alarms that have been reported, such as the bill validator/acceptor is about to become full.
  Please click here to review an overview of this server based automated solution.
  

Integrating Opal Kiosks to Third Party Platforms:

Like POS terminals Opal is able to program its machines to communicate with the same Platform that currently drives your Point Of Sale terminals. This can allow for both Prepaid PIN sales as well as direct top-up capabilities, based on the abilities of your Platform.

PINs can be pulled down to the machine one at a time or in “buckets” depending on your requirements.
Real time fixed or flexible top-ups can be accomplished directly to a mobile handset as well and reporting transaction sales from the platform will be seamless, given those reports already available for alternative sales channels.

We have a myriad of solutions and I am sure that one or more will create a great tool for you to increase you distribution, while being more cost effective at the same time. Typically this has been found to increase customer satisfaction reduce churn, as well as increase ARPU.