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BLUE LABEL INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2015
A money transfer solution, developed in
collaboration with Group companies, RMCS
and Oxigen Services India, will be launched to
market later this year.
Technology
The Technology division is housed in the South
African Distribution segment as the bulk of its
functions and services are interdependent with the
distribution of airtime, starter packs, electricity
and ticketing.
The proprietary AEON and AMS systems, as well as
the banking and financial services grade Postilion
platform, entrenches the Group’s capability as a
neutral aggregator in connecting to mobile
networks, utilities, banks, retailers, petroleum
companies and POS devices.
This year, in an environment of steadily increasing
transaction volumes driven by organic and
acquisitive growth, the platforms remained stable.
Technology supports in excess of 5 billion
transactions per annum, peaking at approximately
4 million online transactions in a day. Transaction
Junction provides the Group’s banking grade
switching capability which includes EFTs.
During the year operating management processes
and procedures were tested. Internal penetration
tests and external vulnerability assessments revealed
no significant issues.
The South African Distribution segment’s
contribution to core net profit equated to
R685 million (2014: R559 million).
During the year an increasing number of sports
unions, event managers, commuter groups,
concerts, hospitality and lifestyle shows, festivals
and expos went live with TicketPro, enabling Blu
Approved retail outlets to add ticketing to their
product range. New distribution partners include
The TicketPro Dome and Nasrec’s Johannesburg
Expo Centre and Show Grounds.
The TicketPro Dome is an iconic landmark in
Johannesburg, and was voted the best exhibition
and concert venue in South Africa for
14 consecutive years. A long-term agreement
includes naming and branding rights, ticketing and
access management of approximately 44 events per
year. Nasrec is the home of the Rand Show and
Lifestyle Show. A long-term contract provides
turnkey ticketing and access control solutions.
Financial services
In support of financial inclusion of unbanked and
underbanked communities, an increasing number
of financial services are available, including bill
payments, merchant acquiring and money transfers.
This year, growth in the volume of bill payment
transactions was approximately 33%. Payments
in this regard include TV licences, satellite TV
subscriptions, telephone landlines, traffic fines,
municipal rates and taxes, electricity accounts,
funeral policies, education and school fees and
furniture accounts.
During the year EMV certification and user
acceptance testing was successfully completed
in support of credit and debit card acquiring
arrangements with MasterCard and Absa.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
CONTINUED
Blu Approved
Blu Approved is the Group’s brand that is displayed at its points of presence.
Blu Approved serves as a stamp of approval and authenticity, duly endorsed
and acknowledged by Blue Label.
Each Blu Approved merchant is equipped with an in-store Blu Approved
device and clearly identifiable merchandising tools.