Comdata SVS, Qualcomm Enable Mobile Services for Gift Cards

The service will offer convenience to cell phone consumers and give retailers the opportunity to communicate one-to-one messages with consumers who have opted-in to receive them and are inquiring about their cash balance on their gift cards. The retailer now has an opportunity to drive incremental traffic to its store by positioning a “call to action” message along with the gift card balance to the shopper who has opted in to receive such messages.

“When consumers request a gift card balance via SMS messaging on their cell phones, Comdata Stored Value Solutions clients can also send targeted messages,” said Bob Skiba, executive vice president and general manager of Comdata Stored Value Solutions. “The service uses a Web interface that lets retailers include announcements or promotions to customers who have opted-in to receive them, allowing retailers to communicate special items, discounts and customer offers that will drive traffic to their stores, encourage redemption of their gift card and increase sales.”

“Comdata and Qualcomm are working together to deliver a complete suite of mobile services to the gift card and loyalty markets, only the first of which is this balance inquiry service,” said Joan Waltman, president of Qualcomm Enterprise Services. “We are delighted that because of Comdata and Qualcomm, in collaboration with wireless network operators, so many people of all ages will experience the freedom and convenience of this new mobile service.”

“The synergy between our two companies is excellent,” said Skiba. “Comdata is an industry leader in stored value products, supporting 500 of the world’s top retailers, and Qualcomm is a leader in mobile data solutions. Together, we’re well positioned to mobilize the retail ecosystem. We look forward to providing this exciting service to all our retailers for their customers around the world.”