PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 08/27/07 -- Consumers love the speed and convenience of contactless payments, and merchants are increasingly recognizing that contactless payments can help service more customers while increasing their satisfaction and loyalty. It is common, though, for merchants to have questions about how to begin accepting contactless payments.

The Smart Card Alliance Contactless Payments Council offers answers to merchants in a new comprehensive guide to implementing contactless payments. Both the white paper, "Accepting Contactless Payments: A Merchant Guide," and presentation, "Contactless Payment Deployment: Merchant Implementation Guide," are available free of charge at http://www.smartcardalliance.org/pages/publications-contactless-payment-....

"Now, merchants can go to one place to find all of the information necessary to successfully plan for, implement and roll out contactless payments acceptance technology," said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. "A great deal of input went into this guide from merchants and suppliers familiar with contactless payments."

Topics covered in the white paper and presentation include:

--  An overview of contactless payments deployments and the benefits to
    merchants
--  Practical guidance for implementing contactless payments, including
    requirements for payment processing, physical environment, and software and
    hardware development and certification
--  Guidance and best practices for training, marketing and support
--  Contactless payments vendors and resources
    

"The guide is a must read for merchants at any stage of familiarity with contactless payments, whether they are beginning to learn why they are so popular, are considering deployment of the payment acceptance technology, or have already decided to move forward," added Vanderhoof.

Contactless Payments Council contributors to the white paper and presentation include American Express, Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., Discover Financial Services, Giesecke & Devrient, MasterCard Worldwide, VeriFone and ViVOtech.

About the Smart Card Alliance Contactless Payments Council

The white paper and presentation were developed by the Contactless Payments Council, one of several Smart Card Alliance technology and industry councils. The Contactless Payments Council was formed to focus on facilitating the adoption of contactless payments in the U.S. through education programs for consumers, merchants and issuers. The group is bringing together financial payments industry leaders, merchants and suppliers. The Council's primary goal is to inform and educate the market about the value of contactless payment and work to address misconceptions about the capabilities and security of contactless technology. Council participation is open to any Smart Card Alliance member who wishes to contribute to the Council projects.

About the Smart Card Alliance

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart card technology.

Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations and open forums, the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the United States and Latin America. For more information, please visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org.

Contact:
Deb Montner
Montner & Associates
203-226-9290
Email Contact