News Briefs

Visa announced that Tap to Phone has experienced a 200% increase over the past year, supporting millions of sellers of all sizes. In the highest Tap to Phone countries - the U.S., UK, and Brazil - adoption rates have surged, showing a combined growth rate of 234% .

Tap to Phone expanded Visa’s tap capabilities with a technology that turns a smartphone into a point-of-sale (POS) device, simply by downloading an app. With nearly 30% of Tap sellers being new small businesses, this technology is helping to democratize access to commerce tools and empower microsellers and SMBs around the world to start accepting contactless payments by using their NFC-enabled smartphones.

“Tap to Phone is a tech equalizer for businesses. Walk into some of the world’s largest retailers or go to your local farmer’s market and they’re using this same technology to accept payments right on their phone,” said Mark Nelsen, Global Head of Consumer Products, Visa. “People love to tap, so we’re continuing to expand our tap capabilities to create the best payments experiences for people and businesses.”

Tap to Pay 

Tap to Phone helps businesses of all sizes easily accept payments. Small business owners say Tap to Phone gives them more confidence, makes their operation feel more sophisticated, and helps them grow their businesses.

“We expect overall business growth of 20% this year and Tap to Phone will play a huge role in that,” said Simon Young, Events Manager and Café Owner, Reuthe’s. “It’s transformed the customer experience too, cutting queue times and making purchases effortless. For any small business looking to boost sales and simplify payments, this technology is a no-brainer."

Tap to Add Card enables users to add eligible credit or debit cards to their digital wallet by simply tapping a card to their phone. Since Tap to Add Card rolled out globally with Apple Pay in September 2024, it has picked up traction and enabled millions of tokens for more than 100 issuers, helping achieve higher authorization rates and fraud reduction rates. Visa cardholders can add their Visa cards to Apple Wallet faster than ever, with no need to manually input card details.

Visa has also developed Tap to Confirm, which allows consumers to quickly and securely authenticate a high value transfer and Tap to Send and Request money, a feature that allows you to tap your physical card or card credential to a device wallet on a friend’s phone to securely send and receive money quickly and seamlessly. Tap to Send will be available later this year on Samsung Galaxy devices as “Tap to Transfer.”

Shift4 has acquired a majority stake in Vectron Systems AG, a European suppliers of point-of-sale (POS) systems to the restaurant and hospitality verticals. 

Based in Germany, Vectron has 65,000 POS locations across Europe, representing. Shift4 is expected to acquire additional ownership of Vectron through a public tender offer that is expected to conclude within the next month, with a de-listing and formal integration process to occur shortly thereafter.

The acquisition is expected to provide Shift4 with an expansive customer footprint across Europe as well as a distribution network of ~300 POS resellers. As a result of the acquisition, Shift4 believes it will be able to add its integrated payment services to current Vectron customers and products, while also empowering the sales force with a compelling all-in-one POS and payments solution unrivaled in Europe.

“Shift4 was at the forefront of the convergence between software and payments in the restaurant and hospitality verticals in the US. We see an incredible amount of demand for a similar all-in-one solution across Europe,” states Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman. “With our integrated payments and SkyTab offering, we believe we have the best solution at the right price point. Vectron will provide valuable local expertise, infrastructure, and the distribution necessary to meet the demand. This acquisition is right out of the Shift4 playbook – enabling us to unlock synergies, expand our distribution, and monetize payments for a large existing install base.”

Completes Revel Systems Acquistion

In addition to the acquisition of Vectron, Shift4 has also completed its previously announced acquisition of Revel Systems. Revel has over 18,000 merchant locations across the United States and internationally which Shift4 estimates represents a $17B+ payment opportunity. Revel also has a direct sales and dealer distribution network which Shift4 believes can be leveraged to accelerate SkyTab distribution both domestically and abroad. 

Shift4 has signed a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire Givex Corp., a global provider of gift cards, loyalty programs and point-of-sale solutions. 

The Arrangement Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions and the transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. 

With across more than 100 countries, Givex serves a wide range of businesses in various industries, including 7-Eleven, Wendy’s, Best Western, Texas Roadhouse. 

The company offers robust gift card and e-gift solutions as well as customizable loyalty programs, and a point-of-sale (POS) system for various business types, among other value-added services.

 “Givex has a considerable footprint around the world which will dramatically increase Shift4’s overall customer base,” states Shift4 President Taylor Lauber. “At the same time, their gift card and loyalty solutions are second to none and will add significant value for our current customers, creating stickier relationships andh 130,000+ active locations enhancing our overall value proposition. Similar to other deals we have recently completed, this acquisition aligns perfectly with how we like to deploy capital – adding blue-chip merchants at a low customer acquisition cost while delivering additional benefits to our customer base.” 

“The Givex team looks forward to joining the Shift4 family and bring our enterprise gift card capabilities and loyalty programs to hundreds of thousands of new customers,” says Don Gray, CEO of Givex. “By combining Shift4’s end-to-end payment solution with our value-added engagement services, we can deliver an unparalleled package to both of our customer bases.”  

Hotel Phone App, LLC, founded in March of 2024, announced the release of HOTEL PHONE APP ™ now available on Apple and Google Play App Stores.  Hotel guests download the app onto their cell phones and scan QR code display signs in their guest rooms.  Guest cell phones instantly become mobile guest room phones for use anywhere the guest chooses.

Doug Killion, the owner and developer of HOTEL PHONE APP ™,  believes it will help modernize hotel phone systems and provide significant cost savings to hotel companies.

Killion said, “HOTEL PHONE APP ™ allows hotels to remove guest room push button phones and eliminate their associated monthly costs per phone line. Guests prefer to use their personal cell phones for travel related communication.”

Hotel phone systems operate using old technology: PBX developed in the 1930’s, push button phones in the 1960’s, and VOIP in the 1970’s.  All developed before cell phones gained wide usage in the 2000’s. Many of the functions of push button phones have already been taken over by guest cell phones: local and long distance calling, messaging, alarm clock wake up, ride-share apps, and food delivery apps to name a few.

“Killion said, “The HOTEL PHONE APP ™ technology was needed to complete the move of all guest room push button phone functionality onto guest cell phones.  Importantly, this had to be done without impacting existing hotel business phone services which are integrated into hotel property management software.” 

Previous attempts to replace guestroom push button phones have for the most part failed.  Texting is used in a few small boutique hotels.  Hotel supplied handheld devices are costly and disliked by guests not wanting to manage two separate cellular devices at the same time. Sadly, some small independent motels have removed all guest room push button phones due to high cost and low usage.

The recent impact of Emergency 911 requirements for hotels has also been a factor.  Killion said, “Confusion exists with both hotel companies and hotel phone service providers regarding the recent Emergency 911 laws.”  Kari’s Law, which requires direct dialing for 911, is specific to multi-line PBX/VOIP telephone systems like guest room push button phones.  By removing push button phones and replacing them with guest HOTEL PHONE APP ™ service, Kari’s Law no longer applies to hotel guest rooms.  Instead, guest cell phones provide direct dial Emergency 911 services. The Ray Baum Act requires all phones to have location services for emergency 911 responders.  Hotel guest cell phones are compliant with the Ray Baum Act and have built-in location services.  However, all remaining multi-line PBX/VOIP hotel business phones (e.g. front desk, manager’s office) must be compliant with both Kari’s Law and the Ray Baum Act.

A serious limitation of push button guest room phones is lack of mobility.  Guests must move to where the phone is located in order to place a call. They cannot take it with them to the restaurant, pool or anywhere off the hotel campus.  HOTEL PHONE APP ™ provides guest room phone service anywhere cellular service is available.

HOTEL PHONE APP ™ operates using existing technology deployed in a novel manner. Guests download HOTEL PHONE APP™ for free on their cellphones. Hotels purchase subscriptions for HOTEL PHONE APP ™ starting as low as $3 per month per guest room.  Hotels determine which phone links to install based on individual hotel needs (front desk, room service, housekeeping, etc.). Hotel web links can also be added for additional guest services (restaurant, spa, etc.).  Direction mapping for anywhere the guest may be located back to the hotel address is provided.  HOTEL PHONE APP ™ software generates hotel specific QR codes which are then displayed in guest rooms. Guests use the QR code scanners provided by HOTEL PHONE APP ™ to scan the QR codes. Instantly, hotel phone and web links are displayed on guest cell phones.

HOTEL PHONE APP ™ reduces phone service expenses for hotels. The cost of PBX/VOIP hotel phone services is typically $10-20 per line per month. Added to that is nearly $5 per line per month in State and Federal surcharges and other fees. HOTEL PHONE APP ™ plans start at $3 per room per month and have no 

additional monthly surcharges or fees.

HOTEL PHONE APP ™ can be deployed in phases for those hotels that may have guests without cell phones or who prefer to maintain some push button cell phones.  Also, because it is new to the market, HOTEL PHONE APP ™ is available for no obligation free trials.  Hotels can gather employee and customer feedback before committing to yearly licenses or expanding to additional hotels.

When asked what his predictions are for the future of hotel phone services Killion said, “I imagine it will evolve entirely to cellular and internet based functionality.  The backbone of hotel communication will be cloud based hotel management software systems that connect to both employee and guest cell phones. Added to this will be greatly expanded use of voice recognition and AI. Converting guest room push button phones to HOTEL PHONE APP ™ seems to be an inevitable step in the process, and it reduces hotel expenses.  So it’s a ‘win-win’ for both guests and hotels.”

 

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Access Hospitality’s Guestline unveils its latest development at ITB Berlin 2025 with the integration of an AI-powered Revenue Management System (RMS) within its Property Management System (PMS).

Independent hotels and groups can now command greater revenue and pricing control with unparalleled market insights and automation capabilities. Powered by SHR and seamlessly integrated in Guestline’s PMS, the RMS uses artificial intelligence to provide live forecasting and automated pricing calculations to successfully compete in a dynamic accommodation market.

Drawing live data from the Guestline PMS, the RMS leverages advanced AI to optimize revenue strategies, enhance accuracy, and streamline operations. Working with AI-powered demand forecasting, the system transforms complex data into actionable recommendations. This provides insight to hoteliers to anticipate market fluctuations and adjust strategies proactively for advancing revenue opportunities. 

The system continually maximizes performance using automated dynamic pricing based on real-time availability, demand patterns, and market trends, in turn reducing manual effort.

Early adopters in the Guestline customer base are exploring the wider capabilities the RMS presents for hotels to optimize pricing and position in the market. This development demonstrates the ongoing investment in Guestline solutions to support its hotel customers.

Access Hospitality is on a mission to simplify technology by providing an end-to-end, highly configurable platform for hotel and accommodation businesses. Automated through data and AI, underpinned by local support, Access Hospitality is committed to supporting hotels to meet the demands of today’s fast-moving, and ever changing hotel operating framework.

“Integrating a comprehensive AI-powered revenue management system into our Guestline Platform will help hoteliers automate time-consuming rate management and revenue processes,” said Andrew Metcalfe, Product and Engineering Director, Access Hospitality. “As costs become more pertinent to profitability, hoteliers need increased revenue efficiency to stay ahead in changing and challenging markets.”

“Hoteliers will benefit from enhanced operational and commercial efficiencies, as we further integrate Access Group’s hospitality solutions, due to having access to comprehensive data capabilities. Therefore, with increased automation – as we implement more AI and machine learning – hotels will be able to focus progressively on the guest experience rather than burdensome administration."

Guestline RMS now sits alongside other third-party RMS available in the market to give hoteliers the opportunity to select the software that aligns to their business priorities.