Group 5 - Interview with Rickard Wallin, PayEx
Hi there, and thank you for letting me interview you!
First of all, tell me about you career? How and when did you start working for PayEx Mobile?
My name is Rickard Wahlin and I currently work as Key Account Manager at PayEx Solutions AB. I have a major in business, economics and IT from StockholmUniversity and started working for PayEx in 2002. For the first 7 years I built up the Backoffice function for the e-trade division within PayEx, and last year I moved on to work with our University payment solution and PayEx Mobil.
I believe that mobile payment is the next big thing, it’s certainly a new upcoming trend. How do you see your own company develop in the next 2-4 years?
First of all I think we still only see the beginning of what will follow. From my job perspective, working with PayEx Mobil, I am absolutely convinced that payments of all kind will end up in the mobile phone and you will no longer need cash or credit card in the traditional way as we know it today. What will take time is the infrastructure around us, the level of acceptance among users is already very strong.
Will PayEx come up with a more efficient way to use Mobile systems when paying? Digital Receipts? Or maybe use retail stores like 7eleven or Pressbyrån to top up your PayEx account?
We have many plans for PayEx Mobile. Talking about toping up your account – you can top up your account via your mobile application already today. All you have to do is save your credit card credentials when you top up your PayEx Account the first time. Another way of doing it is to let people have a credit function attached to the account, so you get a bill each month instead – this is not live yet but around the corner. The third alternative, which is also our long term plan, PayEx is not supposed to be the sole issuer of PayEx Mobil. Our long term aim is that operators or banks will be interested so that you can have your Nordea account attached to your PayEx Mobil application (for example).
Talking about Pressbyrån och 7-eleven. You can buy PayEx Value codes there today to top up your account. What we do not have, and are working on, is that chains like Pressbyrån and 7-eleven accepts PayEx Mobil as a payment method. We are currently involved in many interesting discussions. Look at our webpage to see the ones already accepting PayEx Mobil, that might give you a hint.
What gets you most excited when thinking about the digital media industry in the future?
The future is interesting. NFC telephones will make some difference, not only for us with a payment application, but also for example for passage systems. Swipe your phone to access locations (your home, the office, temporarily, permanent, sertain hours…) – no more need for any key´s. All you have in your pocket is your phone – no credit cards, no cash, no keys. All in one. In short, the future is creative.
Are you going to adapt this “RFID-tag” in a “invisible” way? Let me clarify that. Do you think it’s possible to use the iOS or Android to make a digital payment “push-wave” so you can pay for the things you want?
Everything basically has to do with security. What is the lowest level of security that you accept? It is possible to make payment extremely easy and fast, but are you prepared that if someone finds your telephone they will be able to use your money. It is not all black and white, but the discussion is important. Maybe it should be up to every user to have their own security level?
How would you like to see the industry use digital platforms in the future and how can digital services improve the industry?
Anytime, anyplace – being able to transfer money, buy things on the spot – directly from adds in the newspaper, etc. How many times have you been prepared to buy something on the spot, but had no money at that specific time? Availability, always being able to buy things in all channels. I do not necessarily think it is all that good for the customer, but for businesses it is definitely something valuable.
Which are the key skills you are looking after when you hire digital creatives today?
Documented working experience and good working references is the easiest way of getting a job at PayEx. Personality is extremely important. Being the right person for the job. You have to be self reliant, taking initiatives, a good sense of quality. If you work at PayEx we say that you have to take active part, always try to make things better and think new.
It was really intresting and I hope we get to hear more about PayEx soon. Thank you!
