Podium, a leading communication and payments platform for local businesses, has announced the release of Podium Card Readers, point-of-sale connected devices that provide more ways for local businesses to collect and manage their payments. The company’s first physical products, Card Readers drive repeat business and enable frictionless payments via text and in-store, allowing local businesses to connect payments to the entire customer journey all in one place.

As the newest feature in the company’s payment-processing suite, Podium Card Readers allow local businesses to continue interacting with customers after they leave the store, helping to drive ongoing loyalty and engagement. Podium’s easy-to-use interface – from Card Readers to text-to-pay – lets local businesses uplevel their ability to collect payment without overburdening their team. Providing more ways for customers to pay, including text, swipe, card insert and tap-to-pay, also means more payments are actually collected.

“Often, legacy card readers from payment providers do just one thing – read the card. They don’t interact with the entire customer journey the way our Card Readers do,” said Eric Rea, co-founder and CEO at Podium. “Our device centralizes every payment flow, making the experience seamless and truly modernizing the payments experience for our customers – ensuring better conversion and overall customer satisfaction. Getting paid will never again be a friction point for local businesses.”

Podium’s Card Readers are available in both mobile and stationary models. Specific features of the readers include:

Advanced connectivity;

Mobile card readers connect via Bluetooth to Podium’s mobile app;

Stationary/in-store card readers connect via secure wi-fi to a computer, tablet or mobile device

More options and benefits for customers;

Card Readers support chip insert, chip tap, swiping and mobile wallets;

Card Readers send text/email receipt automatically after payment – no need to print a receipt;

Companies can set up recurring payments in person, with subsequent charges occurring via text or email;

Secure transactions;

Card Readers meet or exceed all PCI compliance standards;

Companies are protected against fraudulent EMV transactions;

Simplified operation;

Businesses can see the entire transaction and communication history with every customer in a single thread;

Podium automatically batches transactions and CNP payments after two days;

Refunds never expire and are easily paid to the customer through Podium; and customers receive an automatic text letting them know their refund is being send to their bank.

To learn more about Podium Card Readers, please visit podium.com/payments.