Even as Apple's Passbook app portends a mobile-payments world without near-field communication technology, ACI Worldwide is pushing ahead with NFC through an expanded pact with the smart-card technology provider Bell ID.
The ACI Token Manager for Mobile system, which handles lifecycle management of chip-based and mobile payment products, relies on resources from Bell ID.
Much of the attention behind mobile payments has focused on NFC chips, which allow phones to behave like contactless cards at the point of sale. Unlike most cards, phones can switch off the payment function or protect it with a PIN code, providing added security.
However, NFC-equipped phones are still rare in the U.S. Few Android phone models have NFC chips, limiting the market for Google Inc.'s mobile wallet. Apple has never sold an NFC-equipped version of its iPhone, despite years of anticipation.
Many companies have forged ahead with payment systems that instead use bar codes displayed on the phone's screen. Apple's Passbook system relies on bar codes, as does Starbucks' mobile version of its stored-value card (
ACI says NFC-based mobile payment systems have clear potential, but they must be built properly.
"The infrastructure behind the scenes [for mobile NFC payments] … is very complex," said Craig Saks, ACI's vice president for global product business operations, in a press release June 18. "Due to the increasing importance of mobile payments there is no room for complacency. Mobile payment projects require flexible and dependable solutions that keep them on track."
ACI's agreement with Bell ID helps it achieve this goal, Saks said.
"By partnering with Bell ID we are providing a proven, scalable and reliable solution which will help deliver the convenience of contactless and mobile payments with confidence," Saks said in the release.
