Both banks I've used recently (Natwest and Halifax, not that I can recommend either) keep a saved list of people you've paid in the past, so I only had to go through that dance once for each person I paid. For the people I paid most frequently it was very convenient, I could send them money in seconds using the Natwest Android app.
Ah - I was under the impression PingIt could be used by non-Barclays customers.
That said, NatWest's mobile app also allows this behaviour: I can send a contact a text with a link allowing them to deposit the amount specified: up to £250.
The Barclay's "pingIt" system is a step in the right direction, I think all banks should adopt a similar system. Paypal "gifting" is a good alternative to this but not everyone has a paypal account