Ingenico chose CARTES & Identification in Paris this month to take the wraps off its latest ARM powered payment devices. IQ Online caught up with Gregor Rankin, marketing manager for Ingenico in Northern Europe to discuss the payments solutions market and why it opted to go with ARM in its ICT220 and ICT250 countertop payment terminals - the first of the ‘New Ingenico Generation’ portfolio of devices designed to take users ‘Beyond Payment’

Can you provide us with an overview of the ICT220 and ICT250 countertop payment terminals, which make up the ICT200 series?
They have both been developed as counter-top mass market products, designed for mass retailers. The IC200 series are built around security and performance. The compact design eliminates technical complexity to ensure that they will provide faultless operation even in the most demanding of environments. They will be used everywhere from stores to the hospitality industry.

Can you explain the ARM technology that the ICT200 series has been built around around?
Both models in the series utilise dual processors - ARM9 and ARM7 running at 450 MIPS and 50 MIPS. The dual processors provide performance, reliability and security.

Why did you opt to go with ARM technology?
We did a fair amount of review before we made the decision. We’d worked with the ARM7 before so there was synergy in moving to include the ARM9.  We were also familiar with the architecture and ARM family of products, which helped make development simpler.

With ARM experience internally it made sense, after assessing all angles, and we had been very happy with the ARM7.

Security is very much a key issue on these devices?
The security bar is continually raising and it is a priority issue for both retailers and consumers. The devices are universally EMV and PCI PED 2:0 ready. The product’s 32-bit additional RISC crypto-processor ARM7 provides a scaleable and high performance platform that will support both new and reinforced security applications - - including SSL double authentication and DDA, without impact on transaction speed or reliability.

The ARM7 is run a secure processor boxed in a compartment in a separate space, providing yet another set of security. It provides our users with another level of security above and beyond what is out there.

Were there any major advantages in using the ARM9?
Yes, the ARM9 allows for a high level of electrical integration. We were therefore able to integrate so much more on chip. The modem and Ethernet, for example, are on chip not on a board.

Onboard components with a compatible device would be 400, we’ve got it to under 200 using ARM. We are looking to get real linear improvements in quality.

And I believe you opted for 90 nm technology?
Yes we did and we are very excited about this. We opted for 90nm technology because we need such a high level of integration – it was the obvious route.

And the wireless operation?
This is extremely important to delivering anytime anywhere connectivity. The IC200 series are packed with an array of wireless communications devices including WiFi, Bluetooth and GPRS. They will work anywhere where there is mains electric cabling and can piggy back on existing networks. The savings that GPRS can is attractive to many retailers as well. A contactless EMV payment option supports card and mobile phone Near Field Communications (NFC) payment).

These devices are part of your Beyond Payment strategy. What is this?
It basically operates as a fully managed service and supports any payment type or value added service. It encompasses end-to-end terminal estate, software, transaction and service management and operational infrastructure support together with a personalised customer e-portal to manage transactions and provide detailed statistics and reporting. It will make it easier to set up and manage centralised Electronic Fund Transfer, EFT, for example.

And finally will you be staying with the ARM platform?
Yes, we will continue with the ARM platform and again with our in-house expertise it is the obvious way to go.