Will United Systems of Immediate Payments replace banking Services?
Maka Ghaniashvili
Long queues of bill payers in banks soon becomes a thing of the past – automated machines for payments are placed in Georgian supermarkets, shops and different trading places.
They allow quick online payment using of modern technologies. The automatic device for payments is one of terminals of the company ‘OSMP’ – United System of Immediate Payments. The company implements the integration of taxation system in real sector of market by using vending technologies on high professional level. According to the director of the company ‘the list of services payable by means of United System of Immediate Payments increases day by day. Flexibility and universal character of the system lead to opening payment venues in all regions of Georgia. Automated machines are placed nearly in whole territory of the country, including Zemo Abkhazia, Sarfi, Kazbegi and other high mountain regions. As for Tbilisi, 52 machines will be placed in 26 tube stations in the nearest future. The machines will operate in all branches of TBC Bank, in various supermarkets as well as at totalizators.
OSMP System enables users to make a flexible and operative payment for cell communication, international telephone operators, communal bills, internet providers, commercial television, totalizators, and insurance services. The opportunity of filling other taxation systems is also realized in the system. Placing services of different spheres on one platform is possible by means of modern technological complexes. Using OSPM services neither include expenses related to making credit cards, saving, distribution and accounting nor any other operations related to credit card cash advances. OSPM processing center and technical assistance service work during 24 hours that is extremely convenient for 24 hour shops. Developing payment technologies for any type of entrepreneurs, supermarkets, union offices as well as newspaper boxes, is possible within the system. OSPM system operates with the following providers nowadays: Geocell, Magti, Beeline, Caucasus Online, Georgia Online, Dial Up 8003030; Maxtel-My Phone, eMonay, Railway Telecom, Gifts.ge, Aqache.com, Global TV, Cable TV Saburtalo, Telephone services: 8-07, 8-68, 8-10 Georgian Telecom; Information center 09; 8-14 GoodWillComm; Irao, GPI Holding. Insurance company Aldagi is also included in the service.
Payment is done through terminal in OSPM system. The type of terminal is identified due to technical opportunities of a provider company. The following are major terminals of the system:
1. WINDOWS terminal, used in case a company has internet in its network. This is a tax receiving program product in OSPM system. It operates on an ordinary computer by Windows. The program is very simple and does not require computer high capacity.
2. POS Terminal – used when internet is not provided. It includes installed PIN PAD quick modem, voiceless and quick thermo printer, machine for identifying magnet and smart cards.
3. JAVA terminal is the system applied to any mobile phone. Payment does not require any additional equipment. Mobile telephone with WAP technology is enough for it.
4. And finally, ATM – automated teller machines. As we have already mentioned, using automated machines is extremely simple and comfortable for customers, and besides, they take a very little space of 0,5 sq. meters and electric source of 200 w. Automated machines have direct access to local internet. They also operate by means of GPRS modem. Automated machine issues a check to a customer indicating amount, operation code and other data (telephone, contract number)
Georgian company OSPM is formed on the basis of the Russian company having the identical name, the identical logo and being a leader on Russian market among the same systems. Its annual turnover is about USD 5 billion. The network is spread in 8 countries of CIS and covers more than 100 000 payment places, 65 000 automated machines, 90 million customers and 7 million payments per 24 hour.
Georgia was the first country, after Russia, having launched the above mentioned system in 2005. First payments were made in the beginning of summer 2006. 51% of Georgian OSPM is owned by Russian OSPM. The rest part is owned by various individuals and by Peoples Bank of Georgia.