Mobile payment terminal connected to smartphone

Company

Ergonomic Solutions , based in Nørresundby, Denmark, is a recognized leader in manufacturing mounting solutions for retail devices, including payment terminals.

With a robust presence that takes up over 60% of the world’s top 50 retailers, the company remains committed to innovation and adapting to the evolving landscape of consumer purchasing behaviors.

Challenge

As more retailers shift towards omnichannel strategies, the need for sales staff to handle payments anywhere in the store has become essential. This change aims to enhance customer engagement and ease the flow of shoppers, reducing congestion at traditional checkout points.

The challenge was clear: how could they empower sales personnel to connect with customers directly, allowing for quick and seamless transactions?

Solution

Enter the OpenSpace Duo—a collaborative effort between EKTOS and Ergonomic Solutions. This innovative mobile payment solution allows sales associates to easily connect their smartphones to a mobile payment terminal.

This means they can engage with customers right where they are in the store, making it easier to finalize purchases on the spot.

The development of the OpenSpace Duo was driven by extensive global research and feedback from both customers and tech vendors.

Jacob Eisenhardt from EKTOS highlighted how the team focused on what truly matters to retailers: size and mobility.

It’s important to note that EKTOS led the entire project – from brainstorming ideas to launching the final product in spring 2018. EKTOS has taken on the crucial task of testing and certifying the OpenSpace Duo for various international markets.

Results

The OpenSpace Duo functions as a flexible docking station that connects various devices, seamlessly working with popular payment terminals like Verifone and Ingenico, as well as smartphones from Samsung and Apple. This adaptability provided an exciting challenge for the EKTOS team, allowing for four different device combinations.

EKTOS also developed the electronics for the charger, allowing both the payment terminal and smartphone to charge at the same time.

The certification process was thorough, requiring the product to be tested as four separate devices, but this meticulous approach paid off—OpenSpace Duo is now approved for use in Europe, the US, Japan, and Australia.

This modular system lets retailers customize their payment solutions to fit their specific needs.

As Jacob Eisenhardt put it, “The OpenSpace Duo is a versatile solution that addresses the evolving demands of modern retail.”

While the Apple configuration is still in the works and set to launch in early 2019, the collaboration between EKTOS and Ergonomic Solutions showcases a commitment to innovation and a fresh approach to mobile payments in retail.