Credit cards by BlackBerry

A MORE cost-effective way to take credit card payments is set to be launched in Ireland, using BlackBerry devices as mobile terminals.

The solution, dubbed eMerit, was developed jointly by Irish-based company Commercial Wireless and British mobile technology firm Tracktech.

EMerit uses software to enable small and mobile retailers to take card details from customers, input them into a BlackBerry and take the payment in a secure manner.

The information is kept on a server, so no details are retained on the BlackBerry. This eliminates the risk of security breaches if the device is lost or stolen.

The system has already gone live in the UK, following trials by 25 companies last month. It is set to be launched in Ireland early next year. "Our initial discussions would lead us to believe it's got massive potential," said Michael Moriarty, managing director of Commercial Wireless.

EMerit accounts can be activated within a few days.

"If you have ever tried to get a credit card terminal, it's an unbelievably long process," said Mr Moriarty. "It's detailed, you have to fill out a huge amount of forms, and it's expensive - it costs between €40 and €50 a month to rent it."

EMerit is designed to open up access to companies through a BlackBerry device, allowing them to process payments quickly and without the hassle of taking cash or cheques. Customers can be sent e-mail confirmation of a payment.

"We are already talking to two banks in Ireland which have expressed an interest in it," said Mr Moriarty. "For the banks, it's a very low-cost model and it's hugely secure. No information sits on the BlackBerry; it all sits on the server. If you lose your BlackBerry there's no information on it for anyone to gain."

The system has been put through MasterCard's rigorous screening programme to ensure its security.

"We're talking to all the networks over here too. They see this as a value-added product. The real hook is that so many people have BlackBerrys now, and they are only using it for e-mails, and some are using it to take phone calls. There's so much stuff that can go on it - sat nav [satellite navigation], for example, is available for a minimum monthly payment," said Mr Moriarty.

"You have this incredibly powerful tool in your hand, why not get it more out of it?"