Valero goes mobile at the pump

Valero is partnering with P97 Networks for a new fueling experience that lets customers skip the keypad, activate the pump with their smartphone and enable secure payments for fuel, car wash and some in-store purchases.

The Valero app, built on P97’s PetroZone mobile commerce platform, will help customers locate and navigate to Valero stations, pay for fuel and receive offers and rewards for both fuel and in-store purchases.

Valero’s app will be further enhanced with the P97 Order Ahead Platform. At participating Valero locations, users can purchase products and schedule curbside pickups though their mobile app. The Order Ahead technology will support card-on-file and tech wallets.

The P97 platform reduces friction during the purchase process for consumers while increasing sale opportunities, developing brand loyalty and reducing transaction costs. PetroZone is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and Service Organization Control Two Type Two compliant, using Microsoft Azure Cloud Services with multifactor authentication to protect sensitive cardholder data.

“At P97, we use technology to elevate the entire customer experience,” said Donald Frieden, founder and CEO of P97. “It’s putting the convenience back in convenience store and we are confident that these new capabilities will improve fueling experiences at the pump.”

P97 Networks, based in Houston, creates mobile commerce solutions for the retail fueling industry with its cloud-based mobile platform and contextual commerce engine.

Approximately 7,000 retail outlets carry San Antonio-based Valero’s fuels and other products. Valero operates 15 petroleum refineries and Valero sells its products in the wholesale rack or bulk markets in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Latin America.