Confida and illimity create new capillary proximity network, Pehi

By Gloria Methri

Confida, the Italian Vending Machine Association, and illimity Bank have announced the creation of Pehi, a new capillary proximity network. The solution combines the automatic sale of food and drinks with the latest payment and digital service technology to extend the potential of vending machines.

Pehi can already count on a network of 70,000 vending machines, currently being upgraded to handle pagoPA payments.

Pehi’s ambition is to develop in three main directions: introducing a new, universally accessible payment channel, rapidly increasing the number of enabled vending machines, and extending the range of services provided.

People can access Pehi by using the app that already serves them for buying snacks, scanning the QR code on the payment notification and paying. They can top up their e-wallet directly at the vending machine, using the apps of the individual providers or in cash. They can also use other means such as credit cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay. On completion of the transaction, the user immediately receives confirmation of the payment together with a receipt.

Massimo Trapletti, Chairman of Confida, said, “Vending machines are a Made in Italy technology which has been experiencing a real digital revolution over the past few years: they have become smart, their touch screens have taken the place of keypads, telemetry enables the managing company to connect remotely to its vending machines and payment apps are spreading rapidly. Another step forward has been taken with Pehi. This vending machine network has 831 thousand sales points in Italy, by providing an important proximity service, meaning that people can pay their bills immediately, buy telephone top-ups and do a great deal more”.

Corrado Passera, Founder and CEO of illimity, said, “We are pleased to have contributed to the creation of a new, innovative, and inclusive proximity network at everybody’s service. Over the past few months, we have had the possibility of getting to know the dynamic world of vending machines from close through some of its protagonists and through Confida, to whom we express our heartfelt thanks. From now on, it will be possible to make public administration payments thanks to the integration with PagoPA. Still, what is more, the range of information and enabling services to be added in the coming months alone will be significantly enriched.”

Maurizio Fatarella, General Manager of PagoPA, said, “The integration of the new Pehi network with pagoPA is a further example of an innovative solution created from the virtuous collaboration between the public and private sectors, thanks to which we can contribute to the acceleration of the country’s modernisation processes. The initiative promoted by Confida and illimity is fully consistent with our aim of making public administration payments increasingly simple and accessible, as it enables the multichannel model underlying pagoPA to evolve through the addition of a new touchpoint.”