The SecuriLink Top-Up Processing solution is an intelligent system that allows for top-up services to be provided through various channels and serve as the platform for further value added services that may be included at a later stage. The SecuriLink Top-Up processing solution allows for the integration of retailer systems to top-up service operators and the bank for the required payment processing. On the one hand it allows for various top-up services to be offered to the customers’ added convenience, be they mobile phone, fixed line, VOIP, Internet or gift card top-ups. On the other hand it allows for the integration of various channels, be they physical retailer POS network, GPRS network, mobile phone, Internet, call centre etc. This is shown graphically in the following diagram.

The SecuriLink™ Top-Up Processing solution is based on the following elements:

• Creation of network of selected retail outlets using the SecuriLink payment gateway to sell the top up service to their customers.
• Creation of an on-line payment gateway at Egyptpay.com to allow for anytime payment through Internet.
• Creation of SMS top-up service system to allow for direct top up by customer through SMS service.

It provides major competitive advantage to the service provider in four core areas:

• Business processes through streamlined and leaner distribution chains. The reduction of product required to service customer needs means that the service provider can operate a leaner organisational structure with better utilisation of resources, human and finance since there is less capital tied up in unutilised stock to service the distribution network.
• Top-up utilisation by allowing anywhere anytime top-up. By reducing the chances of customers running out of service entitlements there is less chance of lost business because the customers’ top-up service is not replenished.
• Prevention of churn by keeping customers loyal to the service. As the market gets more competitive and more service providers offer solutions on the market the chances of customers switching from one service provider to another increase. The SecuriLink™ Top-Up Solution enables service providers to reward loyalty and indirectly penalise swappers thus reducing churn rates.
• Customer care through added value services. One of the main benefits of the SecuriLink™ Top-Up Processing Module is that this can be linked to the SecuriLink Loyalty Management module to enable service providers to establish contact with customers and manage their service relationship. This provides various opportunities for direct marketing efforts to build loyalty and increase customer spend.

The SecuriLink Top-Up service specifically would:

• Replace the physical distribution of top-up cards as much as possible thereby reducing distribution and management costs. The SecuriLink Top-Up solution, particularly if well marketed, can significantly reduce the need for the physical top-up cards as the instrument for service purchase and activation.
• Reduce fraud by having less top-up cards flowing through the physical distribution chain.
• Eliminate “stock out” situations throughout the distribution chain, as this will no longer be dependent on physical top-up cards being available at selected retail outlets.
• Reduce accounting work as commissions due and paid would be fully automated by the system, ensuring the service provider, and all in the distribution chain receive their commissions in a prompt and correct manner.
• Increase availability of product in denominations that are customer defined and not in pre-determined values, thereby allows for smaller or larger and flexible top up denominations of the top-up values.
• EPOS Top-Up systems critical for quick and stable gain of market share The initial supermarket network can be extended through the merchant network linked to the SecuriLink payment gateway which sell top-up services as a regular stock item, irrespective of their own line of business.
• SMS Top up systems very convenient to customers and with limited on-line infrastructure provides a start to m-Commerce services. This provides a whole range of direct marketing opportunities to reach out directly to customers and end-users.
• Convenient To-up process that is customer focused, giving the customer a wider range of retail outlets and channels to purchase the service and the added convenience of having prompt receipts through SMS.