IT
Metro interface. The idea is to keep the process of using the system
clear and concise. The ideal interface will allow the user to navigate
through the application almost without thinking because it looks
and feels like any other application. The challenge is that it is not
possible to develop one interface for all mobile devices as one does
for a PC, but to optimise the application to bring out the important
aspects of each platform. There is no one operating-system winner
in the mobile platform space, so we expect this to be a challenge for
quite some time.
The simple fact of mobile applications is that “good enough”
doesn’t cut it. Applications need to be designed for the platform they
are running on as well as to meet the users’ expectations. Writes
Peter Scheffel, Chief Technology Officer at software development
company BBD.
Using the new Instant Money
International money transfer
system developed by Standard
Bank South Africa, Zimbabwean
residents can receive and collect their money at any of OK
Zimbabwe’s 55 stores. The recipient in Zimbabwe does not
need to have a bank account to receive their money.
The service is currently available online to Standard
Bank South Africa’s Internet Banking customers, but will be
expanded to Standard Bank South Africa’s more accessible
AccessPoint network in future. At a cost of R50 per
transaction, it is the quickest and most cost-effective way to
send money to Zimbabwe.
‘There is huge potential for a successful and widespread
uptake of the Instant Money International service, with
five million Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa,
and having family based in their home country,’ says
Ngoni Simelane, Head of Innovation at Standard Bank
South Africa.
28
BANKER SA Edition 4
FNB LAUNCHES MOBILE CROSS-BORDER
PAYMENTS TO LESOTHO AND SWAZILAND
FNB has enabled cross-border payments to Swaziland and
Lesotho via a cellphone using its Pay2Cell service.
FNB’s Pay2Cell, launched in 2011, allows cellphone banking
customers to make payments directly into other FNB accounts
using only the recipient’s cellphone number.
‘Traditionally, making payments to other African countries
has been limited to internet banking for senders or making a
deposit or withdrawal through a branch or via an international
money transfer company. We needed to have a simpler
solution for our customers,’ says Ravesh Ramlakan, CEO of
FNB Cellphone Banking.
‘Offering cross-border payments from a cellphone allows
our customers to send and receive money instantly. In addition
to this, the use of only the recipient’s cellphone number makes
the payment process extremely simple for our customers,’
says Dione Sankar, COO of FNB Cellphone Banking.
With the launch of Pay2Cell cross-border payments, the
service will benefit South African FNB customers as well
as customers in Swaziland and in Lesotho. In South Africa,
Pay2Cell has seen in excess of 400% growth in transaction
values since inception.
To access Pay2Cell, registered Cellphone Banking
customers can either go to FNB.Mobi site or dial *120*321#,
select the banking option and opt for Pay2Cell from the list.
Thereafter, an option to transfer funds from South Africa to
Swaziland or Lesotho may be chosen. All that is then required
to complete the transaction is the recipient’s cellphone
number and the value to be paid. The maximum transaction
value is R1500 per day.