CSI globalVCard

I've been very excited over the past few months to watch virtual payment systems mature. As a technology, virtual payment systems and other kinds of "smart" payment systems (like near-field communication chips) have been available to us for a much longer time than we've been available to them, due to lack of infrastructure and other adoption stoppers. It feels like it's all starting to fall into place, though. CSI globalVCard (free for apps; requires account) is one of the services that makes me optimistic about wider adoption of smart payment systems. CSI globalVCard is a virtual credit card service designed to help businesses make their accounting systems much simpler?although the potential for personal and family use is at the front of my mind, too.

You have to have a specific corporate credit card account (CSI Corporate Card, issued in this case by Regions Bank) to use the free globalVCard app for iOS (both iPhone and iPad), Android, and BlackBerry. Those apps let you issue individual virtual credit cards from the corporate account to specific employees. Each card has a specified amount, and can include restrictions such as types of purchases allowed and number of uses allowed. The globalVCard system provides a much easier and simpler process for expense reports than reimbursement?because there is no expense report! The purchases are, in effect, approved before they happen.

As enthusiastic as I am about the prospects for the CSI globalVCard system, having tested it, I do think it needs a few more iterations to mature fully. Data visibility, reports from the system, and a few other features should get better over time, but for now, they are a little rudimentary. CSI globalVCard offers an amazing service, and if I had a small business, I would gladly sign up now to get the benefits of what is offered while awaiting new features that will hopefully be added soon.

The Name Explained: CSI globalVCard
"CSI globalVCard" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but the name is easier to remember once you realize that the "VCard" part stands for "virtual credit card."

The first half the name is trickier. "CSI" comes from Corporate Spending Innovations,?which operates the globalVCard mobile apps and website. GlobalVCard is the part to remember, though, as it's the keyword you'll need to search for the free app for iOS (both iPhone and iPad), Android, and BlackBerry. With an account, you can also manage the service via the globalVCard website.

What You Need
To use CSI globalVCard, you need a CSI Corporate Card credit line or prefund account.?That requirement alone may make the service sound pretty restrictive, but it's no more restrictive than what's required for Google Wallet (NFC) (4 stars, free with account)?a Nexus 4G phone with Sprint service and a Google Wallet account or Citi MasterCard account. As I mentioned previously, a lack of infrastructure still holds back virtual payment and NFC services, and limits their reach.

Once you have the credit card account, you can sign up for a free account with globalVCard, which takes only a moment. You'll also want to download the app you intend to use and set a four-digit PIN.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/fGPkS5mfWEw/0,2817,2398016,00.asp

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