Verifone Monday announced it is launching a new cloud point-of-sale solution for small-and-medium-sized businesses. The Android-based solution, Verifone Cloud POS, will be distributed through Verifone's network of ISO and acquirer partners, according to a press release.

When bundled with Verifone's mobile terminals and software, Verifone Cloud POS will enable ISOs and acquirers to meet the needs of their merchants with an Android-based cloud POS system for tablets and smartphones offering:

• Turnkey, fully integrated hardware and software solution;
• Open architecture for developers to easily create customizable/scalable applications for merchants of all sizes;
• Featured value-added services, as well as future integration capabilities with third-party value added service providers, so that merchants can more easily deploy digital offers, loyalty and coupons;
• Powerful reporting capabilities that provide merchants with enhanced insight into their business; and
• Interoperability with any processor (processor agnostic).

Additionally, the Android-based system enables remote management not available in iOS platforms as well as cloud-based storage for secure access to data anytime, anywhere.

Verifone said Cloud POS is ideal for SMBs in a number of verticals, including restaurants, cafeterias, foodservice, and sports and entertainment venues, as well as retail. The complete cloud POS solution includes:

• Offline support to ensure merchants' businesses are never disrupted;
• Access to Verifone's Commerce Enablement platform that allows merchants to reward loyal customers and add value to the POS;
• 10.1-inch Android tablets with Wi-Fi and optional 4G cellular connectivity for mobile and/or standalone applications; and
• Optional peripherals such as cash drawers, receipt printers and scanners.

The product will also include a consumer mobile app, which is being developed by Verifone, to allow consumers to order ahead from their smartphones, according to the announcement.

"This scalable cloud POS offering, as well as the new suite of mobile products we announced earlier this year, will address merchants' requests for mobile terminals that are more flexible, future-proof and operate at a lower cost of ownership," said Vin D'Agostino, executive vice president of Commerce Enablement for Verifone. "Both developments are initial steps in a series of end-to-end mobile solutions that will package hardware, software, gateways and other assets to fully address our clients' and partners' needs and enable them to add more value for consumers at the point of sale."