A lot of digital payment solutions add up to one thing; convenience for the customer and the vendor. With contactless, digital payment methods like NFC, SMS-based transactions and Mobile Web Payments we've come a long way but we can add a new payment method to the list: Payment through a Bluetooth personal area network (PAN).
Founded by Paresh Patel, PayRange provides a simple "swipe to pay" payment using the bluetooth function on your mobile phone. In order to get this method to work, one can install a so called BluKey device that functions with practically every vending machine or paystation made in the last 15 years, according to PayRange's website.
The idea for this method came from Patel's of one day not having enough quarters to pay for pumping his car tires. The problem wasn't the price, but just not having enough pocket change. Being unable to make the payment, he saw this as a barrier as the customer demand was met. The key focus of PayRange is eliminating payment itself as a barrier.
How it works
As soon as the BluKey device is installed in the paystation, customers using the PayRange app will be able to connect using the bluetooth on their phones. As long as they are in close range to the paystation, the phone can connect to the BluKey and provide the user to simply pay. Vendors just need to let PayRange know where to transfer the money and from that point on, the BluKey is ready to go. No monthly fee, just a little comission per payment.
The app connects to the machine automatically and the user only has to swipe to make the payment, without having to provide personal information. Creditcard numbers are handled securely by a PCI compliant processor and will never be stored on a server.
Go to payrange.com to learn more.
