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For Business
January 13, 2015

Microsoft Surface and PayPal Here introduce new solution for small business retailers



This week at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show, large retailers heard from both PayPal and Microsoft about how we’re helping to make them more efficient through an array of solutions targeting their unique, enterprise-scale needs.

Our companies are also focused on small and medium business – sole proprietors, retailers and professional services organizations, and their unique needs.  And today, we’re happy to announce that PayPal Here and Microsoft Surface have come together to streamline point-of-sale solutions for small businesses.

Laptops remain important to small business retailers to handle inventory, supply, customer relationship information and accounting. At the same time, they have quickly realized that tablets can enable new engagement models with their customers – personalized interactions and commerce untethered from a cash register. So up until now, they were forced to buy two devices – an iPad for transacting and a laptop for operations. Today that changes.

Surface Pro 3’s lightweight, mobile design, with touch and ink capability, is perfect for point-of-sale (POS), and because Surface Pro 3 packs the full power of a PC, it can also handle intensive tasks needed to run the business. But that is not enough to complete the solution.

Introducing a complete PayPal Here solution for Microsoft Surface with small business retailers in mind

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A new PayPal Here card reader and Windows 8.1 app for Surface – Later this year, a new PayPal Here app for Windows 8.1 will be available to customers in the United States through the Windows Store. For several years, PayPal Here has been used by retail storefronts, sole proprietors, offices, and businesses who want to accept payments more simply with an easy to set up, scalable mobile payment solution that grows with their business. Small business owners can already accept debit and credit card and PayPal payments via a variety of devices, and functionality has now expanded to include compatible Windows Lumia smartphones and Microsoft Surface tablets. With the new app, small businesses can easily track sales, manage inventory, and accept all forms of payments, all from a single Windows device.

Newly Designed for Surface accessories to complete the POS scenario – Small Businesses are increasingly looking to modernize their in-store experiences with mobile devices and their associated accessories. Just as Surface devices enable you to do so much more than other media tablets, Surface devices combined with solutions from our retail accessory partners can unlock new scenarios and ensure retailers have the right tool for the job. Surface accessory partners such as Anthro, ArmorActive, Heckler Design and ProClip USA are unveiling new fixed and portable enclosures in a range of form factors & colors. These accessories give our small business customers the right tools for their job, and we couldn’t be more excited to see more and more world-class partners developing solutions for Surface.

PayPal Here for Microsoft Lumia phones –To enhance the POS offering, PayPal will also be making available a Windows phone app later this year. Soon, handsets like the Lumia 635 and Lumia 830 will also be able to transact to meet customers where they are.

The PayPal Here SDK is available for select developers now– PayPal has already had great response from ISVs like Canvas and iConnect POS who have committed to beginning work immediately on this platform and aim to introduce new software in the coming months. This SDK will allow even move developers and ISVs to integrate their apps in the PayPal transaction platform directly from Windows and Surface. ISVs interested in the PayPal SDK should contact PayPal Here.

Retailers already signed up to use Pay Pal Here and Surface

In the video above, you can see how Earthwise Salvage in Seattle will begin to use Surface Pro 3, Lumia handsets and PayPal Here to streamline customer payments and business operations. They’re using the full solution, including implementing the Heckler Design stand.

Other retailers are committed to adopting this solution as well. Customers representing traditional brick and mortar stores like Bridal Boutique of Texas, as well as modern, professional services such as Two Dudes & A Booth photography, have already signed on to use PayPal Here and Surface Pro 3 to streamline their business practices.

“I love working with brides and helping them find their perfect dress. But the number of details and intricacies that go into choosing your wedding dress and accessories can be stressful. By using Surface Pro 3 and PayPal Here, I can actually bring the device into the dressing room with me. I can work with the bride directly to customize her dress and accessories orders in my system and accept payment on the spot. Additionally, with Surface Pro 3 I can photograph my inventory for posting online, manage my employees, and manage my budget, which I wasn’t able to do before when I used an iPad. Surface Pro 3 and PayPal Here have helped make doing business easier, faster and more convenient.” –Amy Berend, owner, Bridal Boutique, Texas

“Two Dudes & A Booth is a premium mobile photo studio and, by nature, a mobile business—we’re constantly participating in events. Before Surface Pro 3 came along, we were using multiple devices to handle payments, edit photos and manage our business. Now, we use Surface Pro 3 and PayPal Here to do it all. Our customers love it because they can pay us on the spot instead of waiting for an invoice. We love it because not only can we manage payments on the spot, but we can also keep track of our inventory, schedule additional bookings and edit images all from one device while we’re on the road.” –Mason Foster, founder, Two Dudes & A Booth, California

Later this year in the US at commercial resellers, Microsoft Stores and select retailers

Later this year in the US, small business retailers will be able to purchase the complete POS solution including Surface, the PayPal Here app and card reader and specific point of sale hardware accessories through commercial resellers, Microsoft Retail Stores and select partner retail locations. This not only allows customers to see and experience the full PayPal Here for Surface POS solution set-up before they buy, it also gives them an easy go-to support resource for once they implement PayPal Here and Surface in their own businesses.

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At Microsoft, we’ve reiterated our commitment to Surface for businesses of all kinds. Today’s announcement is further evidence of that commitment—with a particular focus on small to medium businesses who are seeking to reduce the number of devices they need to buy to meet their business needs in new, modern ways.

You can read more about this announcement from PayPal and on the Microsoft for Work blog, and be sure to look out for more details as we get closer to PayPal Here availability in the Windows Store and full solutions on sale across our channels.

Thank you,

Cyril Belikoff

Senior Director, Microsoft Surface