Our Vision
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The Evolution
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The payment market is currently evolving with the emergence of Contactless (PayWave and PayPass) technology on credit/debit cards and Mobile Phone payment technologies. These payment methods are still in their infancy and will take a number of years to become available to all users however there is future potential. This therefore generates a situation where customers historically had to choose whether they wanted to offer Cashless or alternatively Contactless/Mobile Phones and Contact (Chip & Pin) payments. This is now not a choice our customers have to make as we provide integrated solutions which support Cashless, Contactless, Mobile Phones, and Contact, this completely future proofs investment in our systems. Our payment technologies are offered with our Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS), Vending, and web based management and reporting tools to provide a complete solution for catering, vending, and hospitality environments.
The Beginning
Counter Solutions was formed in 1989 as a company dedicated to supplying the hospitality industry with the latest point-of-sale technology. We quickly recognised the value of simplifying the operational processes required to complete, what could be complex activities, at the point of sale whilst extending the scope of the data captured. We were also able to meet the markets complimentary need for rapid access to the consolidated management information being collected. Our early successes were in the Pub, Hotel & Restaurant sectors with Clients ranging from large complex sites of 500 networked EPoS devices through to multiple restaurant estates of up to 300 sites. During the 1990’s new technologies allowed us to continue to improve the quality of our centralised systems and also provide improved remote diagnostics and support.
At this time we recognised the synergy between the technologies we had already developed in the general point of sale market with the needs of the cashless payment sector. Our innovative approach to both front and back of house requirements soon caught the imagination of the hospitality sector who applied our products in both open and closed Client communities with equal success.
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In 2002 we released our first cashless application CardWise and cashless hardware for EPoS and Vending. This was integrated to our EPoS application OutletWise to offer users complete back office control and reporting over estate trading. This saw success with our existing EPoS clients and also the expansion of our base with new clients choosing the complete systems approach of Counter Solutions. In January 2007 we made another significant move forward with the release of SMARTSuite and SMARTLoad, these web based application embraced the emerging e-payment market and remain the only fully e-based solutions available in the hospitality market. To provide easy access to these solutions, a new range of complimentary products were also released and following its trend setting status the company focused on reducing the products size footprints whilst enhancing the available services they provided. Once again SMARTSuite now sets the standard for the industry to follow.
The Present
Recognising the significance of new Contactless and Mobile Phone payment technologies, we have once again taken a market leading innovative approach by expanding our product range to provide these payment options to our clients within 1 terminal. We have not stopped there though; the EPoS and Vending solutions have also been further enhanced to ensure that they are using the latest hardware technologies for increased reliability and provide loyalty and promotions. The web based back office application has been expanded to include report generators, marketing campaigns, integrated stock application links, and mobile phone applications.
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