The Pay with Fire Mobile App

By Colm Lyon

Originally published at www.realexpayments.com on June 15, 2014.

During the early days of Pay with Fire, back in 2009 and 2010, we couldn't be too specific about what we wanted as a product. It wouldn't have made sense to start writing detailed specifications and design documents, so we started by picking some words — words that we could use to describe the product. These we called the attributes of the end solution. How did we want our payment solution to be described in a few years from now? We settled for “regulated, electronic, mobile, social and less expensive”.

The subsequent design & build demanded constant validation to the core attributes. Each had its own challenge and earlier this year we focused on the mobile attribute.

As with every start up or new product we needed to release a product that wouldn't have all the features that we wanted. So today our account doesn't have all the features of a current account, but underneath every Pay with Fire account is a “bank” account in that it has a BIC, IBAN, Sort Code and Account Number assigned. We wanted to show how real time bank transfers could change everything. In terms of payments, credit transfers are the lowest risk and cost — so they had to form the basis of the service, but it had to be mobile — and now it is.

Our mobile app is now available for both android and apple users. We are delighted as it really works in harmony with the other attributes, showing the mobile experience makes the overall product more complete. Designing the app to be intuitive was far more important than adding features, so we have a long road map for more releases.

Using the App

Currently we need people to register using the web and then download the mobile app. The design of the landing or home page was a constant trade off between function and experience, and the latter had to win. So here are some of the things we have included:

• Send a payment instantly to any Irish or UK mobile number
• Manage how much personal information you share each time you pay
• Request payment from other users, including sending group requests
• Open up to 3 euro and 3 sterling accounts
• Receive lodgements from any bank account and withdraw to your own accounts
• Get notified immediately of all activity on your account
• Link it to your phonebook for fast access to your contacts

The menu has more options to add accounts, external funding sources and other functions such as viewing limits and settings. As always we welcome all and any feedback@paywithfire.com

Colm Lyon