Bank Audi Cards to Go — Smart Prepaid Card Vending at Branch

Cards to Go is the first vending kiosk designed for Bank Audi to serve as a prepaid card vending machine. Developed in partnership with Card Artist and engineered by VIYV on the VSmart smart vending platform, it transforms the branch experience — giving customers the ability to select a prepaid card with a chosen amount and receive it instantly, or design a fully personalized gift card and have it printed on the spot.

This case study covers the technology behind the rollout, the customization that makes every card feel personal, and the operational benefits Bank Audi gains from deploying Cards to Go across its branch network.

Where it began: Arabnet 2014

The Cards to Go story did not start in a branch — it started on a conference floor. At Arabnet 2014, VIYV unveiled the first vending machine built for Bank Audi: a stainless-steel prepaid card kiosk that introduced the region to self-service card dispensing long before it became standard in retail banking.

Bank Audi's pavilion at Arabnet positioned Cards to Go alongside the bank's broader vision for the future of banking — including novo interactive teller machines and Tap2Pay NFC mobile payment. Visitors could walk up to the kiosk, browse colorful prepaid card packs behind illuminated glass, swipe to pay, and collect their card from the dispensing slot in seconds.

The original machine featured the signature cards to go branding with stacked card iconography, a QR code for scan-and-win engagement, and a side panel showcasing the range of card designs available — from internet prepaid products to gift-oriented artwork. The interface guided users with clear on-screen instructions and a dedicated swipe your card payment slot, making the entire flow intuitive for first-time users at a live event.

The booth itself reflected Bank Audi's innovation agenda: a bold black-and-white stand with prominent Audi branding, digital screens, and interactive stations where attendees could experience payment technologies hands-on. Cards to Go sat at the center of that story — a tangible proof point that banking products could be vended as seamlessly as any consumer good.

That Arabnet debut validated the concept in a high-visibility setting. From there, Cards to Go evolved — gaining touchscreen customization, on-demand card printing through Card Artist, and deeper analytics — before rolling out across Audi branches nationwide. The 2014 machine was the foundation; today's VSmart-powered kiosk is the fully realized product.

The challenge

Traditional prepaid and gift card fulfillment relies on counter staff, fixed inventory, and limited personalization. Customers visiting a branch often wait in line for a product that could be self-serve. Bank Audi wanted to modernize that journey — offering instant access to prepaid cards while capturing the emotional value of customizable gift cards, all within a secure, branded environment that reflects the bank's standards.

The solution had to work reliably in high-traffic branches, integrate with payment and card issuance workflows, and give the bank visibility into inventory, sales, and customer preferences.

The solution: VSmart meets Cards to Go

Cards to Go is built on VSmart, VIYV's smart vending platform where both software and hardware are tailored to the client's brand and operational requirements. For Bank Audi, that meant a fully branded kiosk experience — from the touchscreen interface to the dispensing mechanism, payment component, and on-site card printer.

Customers approach a self-service kiosk inside the branch, browse card categories, choose a denomination or start a custom design, complete payment via integrated card swipe, and walk away with a physical card in minutes — no teller required.

Cutting-edge technology

Cards to Go combines consumer-grade usability with enterprise-grade vending infrastructure. Key technical capabilities include:

Custom UI and touchscreen experience

A purpose-built interface guides users through card selection, personalization, and checkout. The UI is designed around Bank Audi's brand and optimized for clarity in a public branch setting — large touch targets, step-by-step flows, and visual previews before printing.

Integrated payment and secure checkout

Payment is handled at the kiosk through an integrated card swipe and secure checkout flow. Customers confirm card details, complete authentication, and trigger dispensing only after payment is verified — reducing friction while maintaining compliance with banking security expectations.

On-demand card printing and dispensing

A custom dispensing mechanism works alongside a dedicated card printer to produce physical cards at the point of sale. Whether the customer selects a standard prepaid product or a one-of-a-kind gift card, the machine prints and dispenses on the spot — eliminating back-office fulfillment delays.

Know Your Customer and analytics

Built on the VSmart platform, Cards to Go supports customer registration and data capture where required — email or personal information that Bank Audi can use for future contact and relationship building. Behind the scenes, inventory control and analytics give the bank real-time insight into which products sell, which denominations are most popular, and how often each machine is used — enabling smarter restocking and product decisions across the branch network.

Deep customization with Card Artist

Personalization is what sets Cards to Go apart from a standard prepaid dispenser. Through the Card Artist partnership, customers can move beyond off-the-shelf products and create cards that feel genuinely personal.

Pre-designed categories cover the moments people actually buy for: Birthday, New Born, Christmas, Congratulations, Wedding, and Internet prepaid products such as Orange cards.

Card Artist customization lets users add gadgets, text, and personal names to their card design — turning a functional prepaid product into a thoughtful gift. The kiosk previews the finished design before printing, so customers know exactly what they are taking home.

Multiple denominations allow instant dispensing of prepaid cards in the amounts customers need, without staff intervention.

Benefits for Bank Audi and its customers

For customers

• Instant gratification — select, pay, and receive a card in minutes
• Self-service convenience — no queue at the counter for standard prepaid and gift products
• Personal touch — custom gift cards for birthdays, weddings, and celebrations
• Trusted environment — deployed inside Bank Audi branches with secure payment

For Bank Audi

• Extended service hours — kiosks operate whenever the branch is open, increasing product availability without adding headcount
• Reduced counter load — routine prepaid and gift card requests shift to self-service
• Brand differentiation — a visible innovation that reinforces Audi's position as a forward-thinking bank
• Data-driven operations — sales tracking, inventory alerts, and usage analytics across locations
• Scalable rollout — a proven platform that can be deployed consistently branch by branch

Rollout across Audi branches

Cards to Go was conceived as a branch-network solution, not a one-off pilot. The VSmart platform is designed for replication: the same software core, customized branding, and hardware configuration can be rolled out across multiple Audi locations with centralized monitoring.

Each deployment follows a consistent pattern:

1. Site assessment — branch layout, foot traffic, and power/network requirements
2. Branded configuration — UI, card catalog, and payment integration aligned with Bank Audi standards
3. Inventory setup — prepaid stock, blank card media, and category templates loaded per location
4. Staff onboarding — branch teams briefed on kiosk capabilities and escalation paths
5. Live monitoring — sales and stock tracked remotely so operations stay ahead of demand

As more branches adopt Cards to Go, Bank Audi builds a unified self-service channel for prepaid and gift cards — consistent customer experience, centralized insight, and a model that scales.

Built on VSmart

Cards to Go is one of several products developed on the VSmart platform. The same foundation — custom UI, customer data capture, inventory control, and analytics — powers telecom vending, social dispensers, and other tailored solutions across the region.

To explore the full VSmart portfolio, including Cards to Go, telecom vending, and social dispensers, visit the VSmart case study.

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Cards to Go was developed by VIYV in partnership with Card Artist for Bank Audi. For enquiries about smart vending solutions for financial services, contact VIYV.