Government services
The European Commission has calculated that
the total cost of all payment systems equates to between two and
three per cent of European GDP. To put it another way, collectively
in Europe we spend more on payments – cash, cheques, and cards –
than we do on agriculture.
And, of course, when it comes to payments, governments are among
those who spend the most.
Through its procurement products, Visa Europe is helping
governments better manage, control, and streamline their processes,
and so cut the cost of making a purchase or payment. In the
process, we're saving governments millions, and ensuring that more
of our taxes flow into the things we all care about – improving the
communities and societies in which we live.
Our UK Government Procurement Card generated efficiency
savings of £185m in 2009.
And it's not just about improving the procurement process. By
distributing benefits through Visa prepaid cards, governments are
improving their efficiency, accountability, and transparency. At
the same time, the people receiving those benefits have more
flexibility and control, and can pay for goods and services without
the need for vouchers or other paper-based systems.
Procurement
Visa Europe’s Government Procurement Card (GPC) is the first
choice procurement solution for public sector users across Europe.
In the UK, there are estimated to be more than 1,700 GPC Visa
programmes, while the French Government programme is based
exclusively on the Visa platform.
GPC Visa is focused on the needs and expectations of public
sector organisations, with an unparalleled programme of resources
and support:
- Efficiency savings – during 2011, total estimated cumulative
savings generated by GPC reached £1 billion* since it was first
launched in 1997.
- Prompt payment – suppliers can receive payment within four
working days.
- Accountability – with fully transparent payment and audit
trails, organisations can maintain accurate tracking and timely
reporting of all their spending and so be fully accountable for
their management of public money.
- Ease of reconciliation – enhanced data and expense management
tools such as Visa IntelliLink Spend Management and eSolutions are
part of Visa Europe’s comprehensive range of Management Information
Software, allowing users to produce a clear audit trail, increasing
accountability, transparency and ease of reconciliation, and
resulting in improved reporting speed.
*Based on a KPMG/OGC study endorsed by the National Audit Office
(1999) reporting monetary savings of £28 per transaction.
For more information about GPC Visa, go to: http://www.purchasingcard.info/
or email gpc@visa.com.
Prepaid opportunities
Government and public sector organisations can use prepaid cards
to make payments to members of the public and employees (for
example, for paying benefits and reimbursing expenses,
respectively), as well as to streamline purchasing and procurement
processes.
Prepaid has four main benefits:
- Flexibility: cards can be disposable or re-loadable, issued to
employees or members of the public, and used anywhere that Visa is
accepted, or restricted to certain retailers or types of
retailer.
- Security: cards have no intrinsic value until they are loaded
with funds, meaning they can be stored securely. Once activated,
they can be protected by chip and PIN. Individual cards can also be
blocked and their remaining funds recredited.
- Accountability: there’s a complete audit trail for each card
account, as well as monthly statements and activity reports.
- Efficiency: manual processes can be automated, cash handling
costs reduced, and electronic controls implemented, bringing
significant efficiency benefits.