Viaduct buys out Nelson EFTPOS provider

One of New Zealand’s largest EFTPOS dealers, Viaduct, is set to move into the point of sale and cash register market with the purchase of Nelson company Networkz.The sale is effective today with Mark Unwin, director of the Wellington-based Viaduct, describing the move as an exciting development.Networkz holds the Casio distribution for the Nelson/Marlborough region.The purchase will mean Viaduct will now assume the distribution of Casio through the reseller channel in the Nelson/Marlborough region.This was a “significant” part of the purchase, says Unwin, highlighting the Casio distribution being 40% of the Networkz business – which had a turnover of between $2-3million last year.“This acquisition reflects Viaduct’s strategy of growth while providing Networkz the ability to expand its business regionally and its overall operations,” he says. “It will also allow us to get into the point of sale and cash register markets.”The merger will give customers in both retail and hospitality the opportunity to update their technology to accept the expected influx of new chip cards from international visitors this summer.Unwin says the ultimate goal is to provide Networkz with a “stronger end-to-end payment and point of sale solution set” while being backed up by a nationally-focused organisation.Unwin says Networkz customers will not be affected, and will now benefit from Viaduct’s 24/7 technical support helpline. Former Networkz owners Steve Badham and David Jordan have also agreed to stay on, and there are plans afoot to both expand and employ more staff in the New Year.