Empowering BOI Payment Acceptance with an Integrated Gift Card Solution

The Savvy Solution

Savvy recognised that for BOIPA to succeed in this competitive landscape, it needed to offer a seamless, integrated solution that would not only match but exceed the capabilities offered by incumbent acquirers. The solution delivered by Savvy included:

• Ingenico Terminal Integration: Savvy integrated its advanced gift card processing technology directly into BOIPA’s Ingenico payment terminals. This integration allowed merchants to handle both physical and digital gift cards securely and efficiently, using the same terminals they already trusted for payment processing. By eliminating the need for costly and complex EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) integration, Savvy provided BOIPA with a significant competitive advantage.
• Streamlined Remote Application Deployment: Understanding the need for scalability and minimal disruption, Savvy supported BOIPA in developing an embedded ‘Gift Card’ application within their backend systems. This application could be remotely deployed to any Ingenico device, bypassing the need for on-site engineering visits. This capability ensured that the rollout of the solution was both cost-effective and swift, addressing the operational efficiency challenges faced by merchants​.
• Secure and Automated Connectivity: The installed gift card application facilitated end-to-end secure connectivity from the Ingenico terminal to BOIPA’s central hub and onwards to Savvy’s REST API. This architecture ensured that all transactions were secure, compliant, and seamless for both merchants and their customers.

Strategic and Operational Benefits

Savvy’s solution provided several critical benefits that addressed the challenges BOIPA faced:

• Retention and Attraction of Merchants: By offering an integrated gift card solution that matched or exceeded the capabilities of incumbent providers, BOIPA could attract new merchants who were previously hesitant to switch. This solution was particularly compelling for merchants seeking to consolidate their payment and gift card processing on a single platform without sacrificing functionality​.
• Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings: The remote deployment and automated management of the gift card application significantly reduced the operational overhead associated with on-site installations and manual updates. This not only lowered costs but also ensured that merchants could adopt the new system with minimal disruption to their operations​.
• Enhanced Customer and Staff Experience: With a unified platform for both physical and digital gift card transactions, merchants could offer a more streamlined and intuitive experience for their customers. This ease of use translated into higher satisfaction rates and increased loyalty, which in turn drove revenue growth for BOIPA’s clients​.
• Increased Revenue Opportunities: By integrating Savvy’s solution, BOIPA unlocked new revenue streams. The ability to offer a fully integrated gift card program made it easier for merchants to launch and manage promotions, driving repeat business and boosting overall sales. Savvy’s expertise in gift card processing also enabled BOIPA to capitalise on tax-free gifting schemes, further enhancing their value proposition​.

Approach and Implementation

1. Strategic Planning and Requirement Gathering
   The collaboration started with a deep dive into BOIPA’s specific needs. Leveraging Savvy’s extensive experience in the industry, both teams mapped out the project deliverables and identified the key features required to meet the unique demands of the hospitality sector.
2. Collaborative Development and Testing
   Savvy provided ongoing technical support and expertise throughout the development phase. This included setting up a sandbox environment for testing, guiding BOIPA through the integration process, and conducting rigorous end-to-end testing to ensure that the solution met all security and performance standards.
3. Efficient Deployment and Merchant Training
   To facilitate a smooth transition, Savvy developed an automated routine for delivering REST API credentials during new merchant onboarding. Additionally, Savvy contributed to the creation of easy-to-follow user guides, ensuring that merchants could quickly adapt to the new system. The remote deployment of the solution allowed for rapid scaling, enabling BOIPA to bring the solution to market faster and more efficiently​.
4. Comprehensive Migration Strategy
   Savvy crafted a detailed migration strategy to ensure that merchants experienced minimal disruption during the switch from their previous providers to BOIPA’s terminals. This strategy included contingency planning and phased rollouts to prevent downtime and ensure a seamless transition.

Results

Since the implementation of Savvy’s integrated gift card solution, over 25 merchant gift card programs have already been successfully launched with BOIPA. The solution has been met with positive feedback, highlighting the smooth transition and improved user experience. Looking ahead, Savvy forecasts €7m in gift card sales for 2024 for these clients, showcasing the significant impact of this partnership on revenue growth and market expansion.