Give a 'tab' for Christmas

Calling all shoppers: gift-giving options are expanding through Buyatab.com, an online gift card company co-created by Simon Fraser University student Matias Marquez.

Buyatab.com has joined forces with Cactus Club Cafe and Squirrel Systems to provide instant gift giving technology through the restaurant’s various online channels, just in time for the 2010 holiday season. 

Online and mobile shoppers can now instantly give a gift card for the restaurant chain with the simultaneous launch of Buyatab.com’s new feature, Socially Mobile, allowing the delivery of a gift card on any social media platform or smart phone device with internet access. 

Buyatab’s latest feature is the perfect fit for shoppers looking to order and securely send a gift card with a personalized style and message, says Marquez, now a fourth-year student at SFU. 

“This revolutionary concept encourages delivery methods through e-mail, SMS text messaging, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and countless other social media platforms,” he says, noting that recipients can either print or pull the tab up on their smart phone. 

“If displayed on a smart phone, this convenient option also becomes extremely eco-friendly and eliminates the need for any waste from plastic cards or packaging.” 

Buyatab.com now has nearly 300 partners across Canada, including numerous brand name companies in the hospitality and spa industries. 

"It’s clear to us that instant gift giving through services like Buyatab.com is the future of gift cards and will enhance our guest experience,” says Christy Murphy, director of marketing for Cactus Club Restaurants. 

For the staff of Cactus Club Cafe their new instant gift card process is seamless. Buyatab.com boasts a certified integration to Squirrel Systems, the restaurant’s point of sale software provider. 

Mike Devine, Squirrel Systems vice president of marketing & channel sales adds, “Buyatab.com’s advanced integration to Squirrel’s restaurant POS software allows Cactus Club Cafe to use the latest in digital gift card technology without any major change to their operations since the digital cards are treated just like any gift or credit card.” 

Marquez attributes a significant part of the company’s success to its participation in the SFU Venture Connection program. Venture Connection (www.sfu.ca/vc) provides valuable business mentoring and resources to the Buyatab.com team. 

For more information see http://www.buyatab.com/ or http://www.cactusclubcafe.com/ orhttp://www.squirrelsystems.com/