Partnership just the ticket for Smart customers.

M2 PRESSWIRE-20 September 2004-DataCash: Partnership just the ticket for Smart customers(C)1994-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:09202004

More accustomed to buying online than ever before, the country`s shoppers are now thinking more smartly when it comes to purchasing goods and services. Shopping for themselves and buying gifts for friends and family is not only more enjoyable, it can also solve a few problems - such as cutting down the amount of time it takes to buy that perfect present or buying a gift for that `difficult to buy for` person. This is one of the reasons why DataCash has teamed up with Smart Voucher, the UK`s leading supplier of online real-time vouchers.

Customers of the DataCash Payment Gateway can now immediately introduce electronic gift vouchers, online promotional vouchers and cash purchases on the internet. It`s a market that is growing substantially and one that is marrying the virtual world with good old notes and coins. The UK gift voucher market is currently worth around GBP1.35 billion and is growing at nearly 10% a year. However, three quarters of all purchases in the UK are still made with `real money`. In conjunction with DataCash, Smart Voucher can provide the distribution network and the solution that enables consumers to buy vouchers with cash for use on a retailer`s ecommerce site.

"For merchants, this service will enable them to bring their online and offline businesses closer together," explains Gavin Breeze, Business Development Director for DataCash. "For example, you can buy vouchers in a betting store on the high street and put them into your Smart Voucher enabled account - the vouchers can then be used to place bets online. This not only offers the consumer more choice and flexibility, it enables retailers to build their presence and brand across several different channels."

If you need to buy a birthday present for dad, why not buy a retailer`s gift voucher online and email it to him (the voucher has its own unique identity number). This can be redeemed by him online, or if he likes he can browse his local store and buy something for himself in the physical world.

"Smart Voucher promotional vouchers can be used by retailers to good effect, for rewarding loyal customers, stimulating buying among infrequent shoppers, boosting sales during quiet periods and helping to point customers in the direction of new products and services," explains Martin Prout Director of Sales for Smart Voucher. "The cost and effort to introduce e-vouchers is low, and the returns, driven by smart marketing initiatives are high. Flexible delivery methods, such as kiosk, email and SMS text message are available and e-voucher uptake and usage information is instantly provided."

Editors notes

About DataCash

DataCash is the only quoted payment solution provider in Europe and provides outsourced solutions for the authorisation, settlement and fraud management of credit and debit cards as well as direct debits, direct credits and cheques. All transactions are accessible to merchants through a real-time MIS Reporting Suite. DataCash's fraud management solutions support industry initiatives such as AVS/CV2 and 3-D Secure's Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode as well as traditional, rules-based, fraud screening. DataCash's solutions are suitable for merchants selling through any channel including High Street Point of Sale, the Web, Interactive TV, Kiosk, Call Centre and Interactive Voice Response ('IVR').

About Smart Voucher

Smart Voucher was formed by the management team that has been credited with creating many innovative developments, including the Switch debit card. The Company remains in private shareholding after a multi million pound investment over the past few years.

The Smart Voucher system is unique in the world and has already been adopted by prominent names such as William Hill, Tesco and the Accor Group. Smart Voucher`s partnership agreement with Bemrose Booth provides access to leading retail names in the UK, many of whom are developing products and solutions utilising this unique technology. The Smart Voucher system is the only system in the world that enables an online retailer to truly accept cash payments by converting cash to e-vouchers.

The partnership that Smart Voucher has with leading names such as Energis, TNS and Alaric has not only demonstrated to the market the esteem in which the Company is held, but also the reliance that can be, and is, placed upon its ability to deliver to the highest standards.

Smart Voucher is currently the only company globally that can deliver, and has demonstrated the ability to provide, all the facilities required by the retailing and service communities whether they exist in the physical or virtual worlds.

CONTACT: Glen Goldsmith, 2thefore LtdTel: +44 (0)1483 811234e-mail: glen@2thefore.bizKatie King, 2thefore LtdTel: +44 (0)20 8360 2442e-mail: Katie@2thefore.bizSarah Goode, DataCashTel: +44 (0)20 7421 9282e-mail: sarah.goode@datacash.comMartin Prout, Director of Sales, Smart Voucher PlcTel: +44 (0)1625 562600e-mail: martin.prout@smartvoucher.com

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).