A new hi-tech device designed to transform tablets or smart phones into mobile tills has made its debut in Bermuda.

And Bermuda firm Data Tech — specialists in automated retail systems — said the new system, believed to be a first for the Island, offers mobility, ease of use and security for sales people on the move.

Data Tech’s Allan Young said: “It’s a revolution in how people can pay for things in Bermuda.

“It’s easy to set up and to have money going direct into your account.”

Mr Young added that the QwickPAY device, which attaches to mobile devices, provided state-of-the-art security and could also detect fake credit cards.

He said: “It’s one of the safest ways to pay — it’s all done in high-level encryption. It’s a really neat application which you download and there are no huge ongoing costs.”

Mr Young said Data Tech would set up systems with the banks to get a merchant number, so all customers had to do was plug in the QwickPAY device.

He added: “They don’t have to worry about anything technical. We take care of all of that for them.”

Mr Young said: “It has an automatic end-of-day credit card balancing. It’s great for taxi drivers and any other mobile business — anywhere a phone line is not accessible.

“You can literally carry it in your pocket and there is no paper — all receipts are e-mailed out.

“It’s simple, has a nice user interface and it works. It’s also ergonomic and it’s very safe.

“For people like taxi drivers, it means they don’t have to carry so much cash with them either.

“People might worry that their device could be stolen — but all the data goes straight to the cloud. There is nothing stored on the device itself.”

Mr Young said that the device was also useful for outdoor events like the summer Harbour Nights in Hamilton and the annual Cup Match and Rugby Classic tournament.

He added that the device was already being trialled by the firm’s customers — including a taxi driver and a gymnasium.

Mr Young said: “We have several clients using it now and we haven’t had any negative feedback at all.”

Data Tech, set up in 1998 by Mr Young and business partner John Tester in 1998 after the pair bought out the former Pearman Watlington’s Business Machine Centre, helped pioneer point-of-sale credit card machines at tills across the Island.

Mr Young said: “Around 65 to 70 per cent of sales are done using some form of plastic. QwickPAY makes it even more convenient.”

All data stored in the cloud can be viewed and printed, including sales reports, transaction data and saved receipts.

QwickPAY was created by MagTek, founded in 1972 and headquartered in California.

The firm is a leading producer of payment systems used worldwide by banks and other financial institutions, as well as retailers and law enforcement agencies.