ECR Launches SNCF Mobile Payments Project

ollowing a successful pilot project ECR Retail Systems – the London-based mobile point of sale (MPoS) specialists – have deployed their real-time mobile payment solution across the entire SNCF fleet of trains, France’s largest rail operator. This development follows the award of a three-year contract.

Throughout the pilot, ECR has delivered 1480 lightweight, all-in-one ECR Go! terminals which saw over 3 million transactions recorded by more than 2000 crew members.

The deployment of the handheld mobile payment terminals and RailPoS system has given SNCF clarity on live sales and stock data and transmit this directly to head office and remote sales teams. As a result, staff on board SNCF trains can easily adapt stock-levels, manage a loyalty programme and control promotions based on fluctuations in demand.

The agreement will now extend across routes throughout France and further into Europe with capabilities to manage variance in products, prices, taxes across borders, currency and language.

ECR has begun a region-by-region roll-out with Hub One, part of the Aeroports de Paris Group of companies, and the current catering supplier to SNCF, Newrest to overhaul SNCF’s incumbent mobile payments system.

The deployment of ECR’s RailPoS solution is part of the French state-owned company’s commitment to offer an enhanced customer experience across its network, both in speed of travel and services provided on-board.

Simon Pont, CEO at ECR Retail Systems said: “Technology is impacting every aspect of modern travel, from on-board entertainment and Wi-Fi to travel updates and automated refunds, and consumers are increasingly expecting an enhanced customer experience as they travel. Safe and convenient on-board payment is the logical next frontier. The opportunity to help SNCF’s rail network take this important next step in their on-board retail strategy is a great opportunity for us to showcase the power of our technology in this setting, helping SNCF maximise the value from their customer base.”

 

 

Jean-Emmanuel Sceau at ECR Retail Systems (France) said: “On-board catering has continued to be an important revenue driver for the transportation sector, but customers not only want a varied selection of items to choose from, but also a convenient way to complete the purchase. In the absence of any capable and competing off-the-shelf solutions, our team was able to create and introduce industry-leading innovation to the project by partnering with Newrest to provide the best solution possible for SNCF. This project is a great opportunity for us to expand into new markets and is a challenge we very much look forward to taking on.”