E-073-SmartPayment

Inspiration

“While traveling abroad in India, I relied on a credit card for all my payments. However, it was rejected in many places and I wasn’t carrying any cash. As a foreigner, I felt an immediate sense of disorientation and insecurity. I was very pleased when I found out about an easy payment method via a mobile application from a cashier register.” Thinking about all foreign pilgrims coming from more than 163 countries with different backgrounds and such higher income diversity, Abdulaziz experience inspired us as a team to create a financial solution to facilitate pilgrims’ payment with easy access platforms.

Pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for this spiritual journey and need not worry about how much money they need to carry or whether they can find fair currency exchange or their bank cards will be accepted. Furthermore, the majority of foreign pilgrims are coming from low-income countries and this pattern of international pilgrims are not expected to change significantly in future Hajj seasons. Pilgrims with a tight budget want to enjoy their stay at Makkah or Madinah and spend money wisely targeting services and items at reasonable prices.

What it does

As stated previously, with the expected patterns of international pilgrims we cannot assume that all pilgrims have access to smartphones. Therefore, our Smart Payment framework provides a financial solution to facilitate pilgrims’ payment with easy and ensure access platforms:

• SP Smart Card • SP Smartphone app.

The proposed Smart Payment (SP) framework allow pilgrims to secure an easy access payment method in advance either:

• When applying to Hajj and completed registration with approved Agencies. Pilgrims can fill the online form to transfer money (using bank account or credit card information) and receive a registration code to login to SP smartphone app. The SP card will be issued via kiosk machines at entry points with identity verification using passport OCR.

• At entry points via kiosk machines to complete registration, transfer money (using any country currency cash, bank account, or credit card information) to Smart Payment platforms, and issue registration code to login to SP smartphone app. and SP card.

• If for some reason, a pilgrim didn’t complete Smart Payment registration while applying for Hajj or at entry points, they can still download the SP smartphone app. and transfer money (using bank account or credit card information). Facebook API will be used to facilitate receiving a code to complete registration via mobile phone. To issue SP card, a limited number of kiosk machines will be located in specific locations in Makkah and Madinah.

The Smart Payment framework ensures Simplicity, Security, and Satisfaction with a personalized recommendation system. The SP smartphone app. provides shopping offers and recommendations based on the pilgrim’s current allowance, location, or users rating. Pilgrims can earn points to redeem for cash back that can be added to their SP account. After pilgrims completed Hajj and departure back to their home countries the remaining balance will be refunded to their original money transfer method.

In case of losing access to the Smart Payment platform (SP card or smartphone lost), the Smart Payment will provide pilgrims with an Emergency Wallet with a limited allowance for one transaction. Pilgrim’s identity can be verified using two steps verification (Biometric and Confirmation code) at points of sale. After one transaction is completed the Emergency Wallet will be frozen and the pilgrim must contact Smart Payment via a call center or live chat to resolve the issue.

Smart Payment framework Strengths

The Smart Payment framework will be linked only to businesses and services providers within holy sites, Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. Pilgrims who might violate stay regulations cannot have access to their money via Smart Payment platforms.
Via Smart Payment framework, all the transitions will be stored for financial movements tracking and future analysis.
Other credit cards such as Mastercard, Discover, and VISA set fee per transaction. As a domestic service provider, the fee payments charged by Smart Payment framework will be beneficial to the country as the money will circulate locally.
Smart Payment provides standalone payment service to pilgrims but it can be integrated with other technologies provided to pilgrims by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah such as Smart Bracelet.

What's next for Smart Payment?

Smart Payment framework can be used to serve Umrah visitors.
Smart Payment framework can be used by travel agencies to serve international tourists
With Smart Payment, businesses and services providers will have earlier estimates of the amount of money expected to enter the country.
Smart Payment framework is a source for Big Data that can be used for future analysis to identify patterns in pilgrims’ transactions to increase business opportunities and anticipate pilgrims’ preferences and products on high demand. Smart Payment is a standalone payment service for international pilgrims provides easy registration pre-Hajj is confirmed, at entry points, or at Makkah and Madinah. Using Smart Card and mobile app pilgrims can buy products, services from registered providers within allowed locations. All pilgrims transactions will be stored in one place for money tracking and future analysis. Our system can be integrated with other technologies provided to pilgrims. It can be used for Umrah visitors and tourists