How P97 Networks Plans to Fuel its Global Expansion Using Cybersource Gateway Connections

Less than a week after announcing its partnership with Cybersource, Houston-based P97 Networks Inc.’s plans to expand its PetroZone platform globally are coming into sharper focus. 

P97 intends to leverage Cybersource’s gateway connections to more than 140 acquiring banks globally to expand its reach to petroleum retailers. The company will begin its expansion efforts in the Asia-Pacific region with a leading convenience store and fuel retailer in the region, the company says without being more specific. In addition to gateway connectivity, Cybersource will provide mobile-wallet support and network tokenization services.

“We are partnering with Cybersource for gateway connectivity, not fraud (prevention),” P97 chief executive Donald Frieden says by email. “Cybersource has global reach to over 140 acquiring banks and this makes them an invaluable asset for global expansion efforts.”  

With the Covid-19 pandemic accelerating consumer adoption of contactless payment options, P97’s mobile pre-order feature with its PetroZone platform is expected to play well with consumers, payments experts say. PetroZone is an EMV-compliant application that enables mobile payment at the pump without having to replace existing card readers. PetroZone has been installed in 30,000 sites across North America.

To pre-order, consumers who have downloaded a fuel retailer’s app can open the app to find the location nearest them and select from a list of available food and beverage items for purchase. The consumer can pay using the app and go into the store to pick up the items or have them delivered curbside if that service is available.  

“The same app can be used to turn on a specific fuel dispenser and pay for fuel,” Frieden says. “If you have a newer car, the PetroZone platform even enables you to activate a pump and pay for fuel through the car’s head unit.”

In addition to contactless payments, PetroZone also supports customized offers and promotions delivered to consumers through fuel retailers’ mobile app. Merchants can send coupons, promotional offers, and discounts to consumers.

“We can use interstitial images and messages to improve offer performance when they select a pump, during or after fueling or even after a transaction to get them to come back,” Frieden says. “We can also engage consumers in and out of the app via SMS, push notifications, message center, in-app messaging, and email.”Looking ahead, P97 plans to add age and identity verification, menu management, and enhanced fleet support to the PetroZone platform.