I just read the Albert CBA deal. Let me explain what this means...

I just read the Albert CBA deal. Let me explain what this means as its really not that powerful. Actually, I think it will produce very little.

Albert is a terminal with 'smart' capabilities. Its runs on Android and so apps can be built (just like your iPhone). CBA have struggled to get apps developed and are desperate for partners. Albert is an in-store terminal. So how many people go into the store and then want delivery of the good. I would say the market is limited to whitegoods, furniture, etc. These industries are concentrated (ie, big players) which likely have their own delivery fleets and contracts. To compare this solution as a competitor to Amazon which they did in an announcement is laughable. Amazon you purchase online and need delivery.

Those figures mentioned in the hundreds of millions is an absolute pie in the sky BS.  That's maybe the number of transactions but I'm not going to get swift to deliver my coffee. There are 60,000 machines and I reckon a large chunk of them are in the restaurant cafe game. That means to get the GPS predicted numbers each terminal would do ~10,000 deliveries per year (assuming 50% are in the restaurant business and won't use it at all).

My guess is CBA said, we'll pay for the development (they did the same with that POS system - Kounta), we'll keep you as the only delivery platform app (exclusivity) but all your drivers will need to take payment on Albert. The Albert machine is huge. Its not designed as a mobile device - as if a driver wants to carry around that when there are so many better options in the market. For announcements to tout that drivers can now take payment upon delivery as if that's some kind of innovation is misleading.

In addition, CBA over manufactured Albert. Most banks are not terminal manufacturers and use terminal from established companies such as Ingenico, VeriFone and Quest. CBA stuffed up with Albert and they have heaps gathering dust in storage. The main industries for Albert are SMEs and cafe's. Tell me a big name store you have seen Albert in?

You only need to look how many apps have been developed for Albert to realise this deal is going to make Swift SFA. Most of the non CBA apps the bank paid to get partners on due to the fact it was a failed system.

https://www.piappbank.com.au/AppGrid/appCatalogue.htm

ANZ and NAB also have smart terminals sand would cherish app development. It's like building an app for a phone but using the terminal as hardware. It's not hard to cut these deals - actually, the backs are begging for developers to come in board.

The CBA deal will, IMO, produce very little.