The call for self-service

PIONEERING Payment International Enterprise (PIE) has collaborated with telecom company VIVA Bahrain to launch new self-service machines allowing customers to complete various transactions via a one-stop solution.

The collaboration between the two companies aims to drive sustainable growth and better meet the needs of customers in today’s increasingly digital era.

In support of Bahrain’s digital transformation and strong demand for digital financial products and services, the new strategic collaboration between the parties focuses on automation and providing seamless, intuitive user experiences. The self-serving machines will be installed in all VIVA outlets, and will allow customers to complete various services at their own convenience.

Fawaz Ghazal, CEO, PIE, pictured right, said: ‘We are delighted to partner with VIVA to implement this solution and change consumer experience drastically, for the better.

“We recognise the valuable contribution of technology to the economy in driving growth, and we want to create those opportunities.

“We see this as a socially impactful opportunity to apply our experience and expertise in technological innovation.”

The FinTech trailblazers are seeing new initiatives being implemented in various sectors and PIE is confident it can get a big slice of the action and be at ‘the forefront of driving growth and innovation in the region’.

On the new collaboration, VIVA Bahrain chief commercial officer, Karim Tabbouche, said: “Aligning our progressive efforts with industry leaders such as PIE is the best way to capture high-potential opportunities that serve our digital future.

“This is one pillar of our digitisation strategy and our efforts to make all our services readily available to our customers, at anytime and anywhere.”

PIE says it is bringing to the market the ‘next generation of technology solutions’ and claims to be at the forefront of driving the next wave of technological innovation. The firm has been investing heavily in infrastructure development, making high-value commitments to the future and striving to provide its customers with end-to-end services as a single provider.

To prove the point, PIE had the role of providing the full solution, production, software development, testing and training in the development of these self-service machines.

And, a project such as this is not first of its kind for PIE as they have been providing IGA kiosks that are located across the country offering all government services and utility payments in a convenient way.

In 2016, they launched IGA kiosks and TAM-Dinar project for government institutions in Bahrain to facilitate ease of payments for government services.

This successful project is one of many strategies PIE is undertaking to lead the way in moving towards a cashless society and innovating alternative payment options for a modern world. Additionally, PIE is the first operator in the region to launch Self Service SIM dispensing services to empower customers and enabling them to quickly and easily purchase SIM cards, top up pre-paid mobiles and pay bills by cash, credit or debit card.

PIE is regarded as a leading specialist in prepaid, mobile and NFC solutions for the banked and unbanked at the core of customers payment needs. The company offers the full value chain of cashless payment, including various types of prepaid products for the banking and telecom sectors.

In addition, it will offer online check-out solutions such as Masterpass, a digital wallet that allows consumers to store card information in a secure location, providing a hassle-free way to make convenient, simple, fast and safe payments while enhancing and simplifying the physical and digital shopping experience.