Democrats, Republicans deploy high-tech systems at conventions

There's a lot more than politicking, speeches and policy at this week's Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Payment-processor vendor First Data is testing a new mobile payment technology for 5,000 delegates and media. It's a limited edition lapel pin that can be used as a payment device to purchase up to $10 in merchandise. The 1 by 1.5-inch GO-Tag pin eliminates the need for cash, credit and debit cards. The pin is activated by tapping it on a reader at a vendor's stand to register a sale.
"It is the future of mobile payments," says First Data CEO Michael Capellas, who you may recall as the former CEO of MCI. "It lets you leave your wallet at home."
Capellas says First Data is talking to several retailers about business partnerships. So far, it has deals with major caterer Sodexho, Blockbuster and Bay Area Rapid Transit, a San Francisco-area subway system. It expects to generate $100 million in revenue in 2009.
Not to be out-teched, the Republican National Committee is using Salesforce.com business services to register 5,000 delegates at its convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul next week. It also is using Google applications, such as Google Maps, to help attendees navigate the XCel Energy Center.
"This is an industrial-strength application that campaigns of all sizes are using to meet their needs," says Dan Burton, Salesforce's senior vice president of global public policy. Salesforce is also providing technology to Sen. Barack Obama, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Senate hopeful Mark Warner.
By Jon SwartzPhoto: First Data


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