In the race to modernise in-person payments, the pressure is growing. While smart terminals have become standard in 2025, a large number of devices across Europe still operate as stand-alone systems, often running on outdated firmware. These limitations are more than just technical hurdles. They lock merchants into rigid ecosystems, creating long-term inefficiencies that restrict innovation and adaptability.
Meanwhile, the digital payment environment has moved ahead rapidly. Online payment orchestration platforms have proven their value, offering a one-to-many integration layer that brings flexibility, cost control and vendor independence. In the physical retail environment, however, payment orchestration is still a relatively new concept, and only a small number of providers are capable of delivering the solution.
So, where should a merchant begin when faced with fragmented terminals, regional acquirers, multiple integrations and increasing customer expectations?
That is where Aevi enters the picture.
Today, we speak with Mike Camerling, CEO of Aevi, to understand what it really takes to build a more intelligent, flexible payment setup, and why in-person payment orchestration may be the key to helping (enterprise) merchants move forward with confidence.
"Many merchants are trapped in closed systems that restrict flexibility," says Mike. "Aevi provides an orchestration platform for in-person payments that is device, acquirer and ISV agnostic."
The core challenge lies in fragmentation. Traditional in-person payment systems are often rigid and vendor-specific. Aevi’s approach is designed to restore control to merchants, enabling them to evolve their payment infrastructure in line with their operational needs, rather than being constrained by legacy decisions.
"We see the most demand in verticals like retail, fuel and transport, and financial services," Mike explains. "Modern use cases such as SoftPOS and loyalty programmes particularly benefit, especially where smart devices and tailored setups are required."
In-person payment orchestration is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but for businesses operating in complex and evolving retail environments, its value is becoming increasingly clear. Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have also become a growing audience, as the convergence of software and payments continues to reshape the landscape.
"Enterprises are under pressure to move fast. That often leads to suboptimal solutions that merchants eventually regret. Moving to a smarter setup requires planning and a willingness to prioritise long-term adaptability over short-term convenience."
The primary obstacle is not technology, but time. Many enterprises feel pressured to move quickly, which often leads to short-term decisions that create long-term limitations.
"A smart device is not just about the physical terminal. It is about its ability to connect seamlessly with software applications and enable richer data flows.”
While hardware plays a role, the real intelligence lies in the orchestration layer. This is what enables merchants to manage software, data and payments consistently across a range of devices. It is easy to assume that smart terminals are simply better and upgraded hardware. But the true value comes from their ability to integrate within a broader ecosystem.
"We integrate using standardised APIs and integration layers, which allow apps and devices to work together effectively. Our platform is built to handle fragmentation without causing operational disruption."
Europe’s market is diverse, with multiple ISVs and a wide variety of hardware in use. Aevi’s cloud-based platform has been developed with this complexity in mind.
"Adoption is growing, but true omnichannel remains a work in progress," says Mike. "Aevi helps enable that journey through partner integrations, allowing merchants to implement omnichannel at their own pace while ensuring a consistent experience for customers."
Unified data and system-wide visibility are key to unlocking the full value of omnichannel strategies. While omnichannel is a popular term, its real meaning is often misunderstood. Many merchants still struggle to unify their in-store and online payment experiences.
" ISVs in the U.S. were early adopters of integrated payments, but Europe is catching up quickly," notes Mike. "We also see increasing interest in SoftPOS in Europe, especially in managed environments. Sectors like EV-charging and unattended transport present more complex use cases, where orchestration becomes even more critical."
Different regions are progressing at different speeds, often shaped by local infrastructure, regulation and market maturity.
"We support domestic schemes as part of our offering. While the integration process can be complex and time-consuming, it is a core part of our value proposition," says Mike. "New initiatives like Wero are promising, but domestic card schemes and alternative payment methods will remain highly relevant for the foreseeable future." Integration with local schemes remains highly relevant for offering a competitive solution in the yet-to-be-consolidated European market.
"In-person payment orchestration deals with far more variables, such as hardware diversity and real-time operational requirements," explains Mike.
"But the benefits are just as tangible: improved efficiency, better reporting, and reduced dependency on any one provider."
There are clear parallels between the two, including cost optimisation, flexibility and vendor independence. However, the physical environment introduces an extra layer of complexity.
"What differentiates Aevi is that we are truly agnostic."
"We give clients complete control over their choice of devices, acquirers and software vendors. We do not lock them into a single ecosystem. That flexibility is essential for merchants building long-term infrastructure."
The competitive landscape is varied. Some competitors are hardware manufacturers, others are gateway providers such as FreedomPay or BridgePay.
"When the industry prioritises speed over sustainability, merchants fall behind," Mike concludes."Our goal is to help clients avoid that trap by providing flexible, scalable infrastructure that is built for the future."
Forward forward-looking mindset remains a challenge in an environment where most merchants play catch-up and a few can lead the pack.
In-person payment orchestration remains a new but highly exciting space. While the concept has matured significantly in online commerce, physical environments are only now beginning to benefit from the same level of flexibility and provider independence.
Providers such as Aevi are leading the way, responding to increasing demand from merchants with complex infrastructure and ambitious customer experience goals. By offering a platform that adapts to hardware, software and acquirer needs, Aevi provides an answer to one of the most pressing questions in the industry today: how to move forward and stay future-ready without being held back by the systems of the past.
For (enterprise) merchants considering how to evolve their payment architecture, payment orchestration at the physical point of sale may well be the next strategic advantage.
Mike Camerling is the CEO of Aevi and a strong advocate for choice and freedom in payments. With 20+ years of experience leading technology companies that serve retailers and merchant solution providers, he knows the importance of flexibility in today’s payment landscape. At Aevi, Mike brings this belief to life. He set the foundation for an open and collaborative platform and continues to lead the company with a clear mission: to make Aevi the leading global in-person payment orchestration platform for the payments industry. Driven by growth and impact, Mike is a team builder at heart. He thrives on leading multilingual, multi-location teams and building organizations that turn vision into action.
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