Thursday, March 31, 2011

ViVOtech Approaches VeriFone to Acquire Hypercom’s US Assets

Competitive Mobile Payment, Loyalty, Marketing, Merchandising Solutions Market Demands Choice and Innovation, Says NFC Pioneer
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)- ViVOtech, the near field communication (NFC) software and systems company, today announced that it has approached VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY) to acquire the U.S. assets of Hypercom Corporation (NYSE: HYC). VeriFone said in November it would divest Hypercom’s U.S. assets following its acquisition of the electronic payments company, which is expected to close in the second half of this year.
“NFC mobile commerce is on the cusp of becoming reality,” said Michael (Mick) Mullagh, ViVOtech CEO. “VIVOtech’s acquisition of the Hypercom U.S. assets would allow us to accelerate the adoption of this revolutionary new technology and ensure that a vigorous and competitive market emerges to drive innovation and choice.”
ViVOtech’s NFC software and systems are the broadest, most tested and deployed worldwide. VIVOtech provides the key building blocks of the NFC ecosystem: smart applications, wallet and provisioning software, and point of sale systems. To date, ViVOtech has shipped more than 800,000 contactless NFC readers. Through its direct and OEM channels VIVOtech has 80% share of U.S. deployments, including nearly 100% of VeriFone’s current U.S. contactless NFC reader deployments.
“We see this as a strategic and transformative opportunity for ViVOtech to enhance our next-generation NFC platform, and accelerate the adoption of in-store mobile payment, loyalty, marketing and merchandising solutions in the U.S.,” said Mullagh. “ViVOtech is the only U.S.-based company in a position to support and provide continuity to Hypercom’s customer base and become a strong, viable third competitor in the highly competitive U.S. market.”
ViVOtech believes the current payment and merchant ecosystem in the U.S. – including the customers and partners of the three leading providers, and emerging participants in the electronic and mobile payment market – will support ViVOtech’s acquisition of the Hypercom assets.
“We have the experience, the track record, the management team, and the unanimous support of our Board to pursue this acquisition and make it successful,” said Mullagh.
ViVOtech is well capitalized and has been strongly supported by a broad base of financial and strategic investors. The company has retained Morgan Keegan and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati to assist in the evaluation of the Hypercom assets acquisition.
“We’re able to move quickly and help facilitate the regulatory approvals required to close the acquisition of Hypercom by VeriFone, and guarantee the emergence of a strong next generation NFC focused competitor in the US market,” said Mullagh.
About ViVOtech
ViVOtech, the near field communication (NFC) software and systems company, enables rich mobile commerce solutions for in-store payment, loyalty, marketing, and merchandising. Merchant, payment, mobile, web and advertising companies use ViVOtech solutions to enhance customer experience and grow their business. VIVOtech’s NFC software and systems are the broadest, most tested and deployed worldwide. Founded in 2001, Silicon Valley-based ViVOtech provides the key building blocks of the NFC ecosystem: smart applications, wallet and provisioning software, and point of sale systems. ViVOtech’s’ investors include Alloy Ventures, Citigroup, Draper Fisher Jurveston, First Data Corporation, Miven Ventures, Motorola Ventures, Nokia Growth Partners, NCR, and Sprint. Join the NFC revolution at http://www.ViVOtech.com.

Contacts

SS|PR
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Miller, (719) 634-8292
kmiller@sspr.com

Enhanced by Zemanta

Zong Releases Index of Global Mobile Spending

Zong Payment Index Shows Strong Growth in Mobile Payments Worldwide
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zong today released the first installment of a new monthly report, the Zong Payment Index (ZPI), which tracks the spending patterns of Zong’s global user base and is broken down by its top 40 markets. The ZPI reflects three factors: (1) consumer willingness to use their mobile phone to buy digital goods online; (2) consumer ability to use their mobile phone to make purchases as determined by mobile operator policies (e.g., spending limits) and (3) the cost of mobile payments as determined by mobile operators’ fees which sometimes result in consumer surcharges.
“We are releasing the information publicly so that the industry can also gain from the value of these insights and extrapolate the results to other areas of mobile payments.”
The index is anchored by metrics from January 2010 and measures average monthly spend per user in comparison to that baseline.
“The ZPI helps us understand how our customers are using Zong and how we can improve the experience for them. We are dissecting how the different factors such as merchant availability and operator policies have a huge and direct effect on consumer behavior,” said David Marcus, CEO of Zong. “We are releasing the information publicly so that the industry can also gain from the value of these insights and extrapolate the results to other areas of mobile payments.”
The first installment of the ZPI introduces data and analysis up to February 2011. A summary of key findings include:
#1. The global aggregate index shows that the average monthly spend per Zong user is up 37% in the last 12 months. This growth is attributed to an increase in available Zong merchant locations, lower transaction fees, and the introduction of higher spending limits set by mobile operators.
#2. Total spend per Zong customer increased more than 50% in the last 12 months in Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany and The Netherlands. Growth in user spend is primarily a result of operators changing spending limits and allowing customers to spend more per transaction when using Zong.
#3. In the US, the monthly spend per user decreased 8% from January 2011 to February 2011. This was primarily driven by a top tier carrier temporarily decreasing the monthly spending limit from $100 to $25. The limit has since increased back to $100, allowing for an expected growth in monthly spend per Zong customer.
The full report is now available at http://www.zong.com/about/zong-payment-index. Each monthly report will be found and archived here.
About Zong
Zong is the leading mobile payments platform for sellers of digital goods and services. Its frictionless payment experience converts shoppers into buyers at rates up to 10 times greater than traditional payment methods. Zong leverages direct connections with mobile network operators around the world to provide a secure payment solution with unrivaled connectivity and service quality. Zong is the mobile payment provider for Facebook Credits and is also accepted at over a thousand digital merchant sites. Reaching 3.2 billion mobile users, Zong provides localized payment capabilities in over 40 countries in 21 languages. Zong is based in Menlo Park with offices in Paris, Geneva, and Dusseldorf, and is backed by Matrix Partners, Advent Venture Partners and Newbury Ventures. For more information, please visit www.zong.com.

Contacts

Press
Brew Media Relations
Dorothy Jean, 212-677-4835 x12
zongpr@brewpr.com

Enhanced by Zemanta

Samsung & Visa Join Forces in "Olympic Effort" to Enable NFC Mobile Payments


Pioneering alliance to bring mobile payments to the UK and around the world in the run up to and during London 2012

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung and Visa today announced plans to bring the latest innovation in payment technology to the market as part of their sponsorships of London 2012, enabling consumers to make mobile payments using the Samsung Olympic and Paralympic Games mobile handset. Before and during the Games, the innovation will transform the payment experience in London and globally, enabling faster, more convenient payments via mobile phone.
“We look forward to working with financial institutions and mobile operators alongside Samsung to make this initiative a success.”
Samsung and Visa’s new strategic alliance is designed to leave a lasting legacy in the market post-2012.
Samsung Electronics, the Worldwide Olympic Partner for Wireless Communications Equipment, and Visa, the Worldwide Olympic Partner and exclusive Payment Services sponsor are combining their sponsorship assets and leadership in technology to ensure that the Olympic and Paralympic Games mobile handset available to the general public will be equipped with technology that enables mobile payments, Near Field Communications (NFC) and Visa’s contactless payment technology. To make payments, customers simply select the Visa mobile contactless application, select pay and hold the phone in front of a contactless reader at the point of purchase.
Visa is working with banks and retailers worldwide to roll-out acceptance for Visa contactless cards, as well as mobile phones, as part of an industry wide roll-out of contactless technology. In London there are already more than 60,000 locations where contactless payments are accepted and contactless and electronic card payments will be available in the run-up to and during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the momentum to commercialise mobile payments globally, consumers will be able to make mobile contactless payments in the run up to and during the Games in many countries around the world.
Samsung and Visa will work together to provide the contactless enabled Olympics handset to Visa and Samsung sponsored athletes as part of this initiative. Samsung and Visa also plan to make the handset available for consumers to purchase through mobile network operators and other distributors. A Visa-enabled SIM card will be required for use with the device in order to make purchases at retailers who have the contactless payment system.
“Visa, like Samsung, shares the vision of leveraging our Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsorship to leave a lasting legacy in the market for banks, retailers, mobile operators and consumers. We are not only breaking new ground for Olympic partnerships, we are committed to enabling consumers to connect with mobile and contactless payments technology for 2012 and beyond,” said Peter Ayliffe, CEO of Visa Europe. “We look forward to working with financial institutions and mobile operators alongside Samsung to make this initiative a success.”
“Innovation is a key business driver for Visa and mobile payments are one of the main areas we're focusing on. The Olympic and Paralympic Games enables us to accelerate our business goals and this partnership plays a large role in achieving them,” said Mariano Dima, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Payment Solutions at Visa Europe.
Samsung and Visa are committed to enabling consumers to create meaningful connections with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and enjoy a better, smarter life through the leading mobile payment technology. Samsung has demonstrated its leadership in NFC-enabled phone technology, since it launched one of the first commercial NFC phones in France in 2010. It then unveiled the industry’s first Android phone equipped with NFC capabilities last year, followed by the NFC-enabled bada smartphone, introduced at the Mobile World Congress 2011.
“As a pioneer in mobile technology, Samsung is striving for long term change in the way we use mobile payments. In London next year, we regard the greatest show on earth as the perfect opportunity to showcase how this technology can make a positive difference to people’s lives - enabling them to feel closer to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This mobile payment device will be available in the UK initially, and we plan to expand the service to other countries in Europe and around the world where contactless payment facilities are available in the near future,” said Seokpil Kim, President & CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe.
Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President & Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics added, “This marks the very first partnership between two Worldwide Olympic Partners of the London 2012 Games. We are delighted to be joining forces with Visa to make the Olympic Games more accessible and convenient for everyone. This fits extremely well with our ambition to enable more people to participate in the Games through our smart technology.”
Visa and Samsung will work with mobile network operators, financial institutions and retailers around the world to bring the convenience, security and reliability of Visa’s contactless technology to mobile users worldwide. Currently, Visa mobile payments are being rolled out in countries across the globe including Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Brazil, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the United States.
- Ends -
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com
About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games
Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications program, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile phones. These innovative mobile phone technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time information and communications services. Samsung also supports the Olympic Torch Relay and hosts the Samsung Mobile Explorers to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its smart mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Rio 2016.
About Samsung’s Involvement in the Paralympic Games
Samsung is a Worldwide Partner of the IPC in the category 'Mobile Telecommunications'. The partnership was launched on the eve of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, which Samsung supported as an Official Games Partner for the first time ever.
About Visa Europe
In Europe, there are 427 million Visa debit, credit and commercial cards. In the 12 months ending December 2010 those cards were used to make purchases and cash withdrawals to the value of €1.6 trillion. 12.5% of consumer spending at point of sale in Europe is with a Visa card, and more than 70% of that is on Visa debit cards.
Visa Europe is owned and operated by more than 4,000 European member banks and was incorporated in July 2004. In October 2007, Visa Europe became independent of the new global Visa Inc., with an exclusive, irrevocable and perpetual licence in Europe. As a dedicated European payment system it is able to respond quickly to the specific market needs of European banks and their customers - cardholders and retailers - and to meet the European Commission’s objective to create a true internal market for payments.
Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/PLUS is one of the world’s largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 200 countries.
For more information, visit www.visaeurope.com
About Visa Inc.
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 20,000 transactions a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank, and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: Pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visitwww.corporate.visa.com.
About Visa’s Involvement in the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Visa is proud to be a worldwide partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Visa plays an integral role in the Games, having been a committed sponsor for 25 years. Visa Europe is also the presenting partner of Team 2012 – 1,200 British athletes who are striving to compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. This is the first time that such a large group of athletes has been supported in this way. At every Olympic and Paralympic Games, Visa creates and manages the entire payment system infrastructure and network throughout all Games venues. Visa has been a worldwide Olympic Games sponsor since 1986 as well as a worldwide sponsor of the Paralympic Games since 2002 and is the exclusive payment card and official payment network of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
About NFC and contactless technology
The mobile phone is as ubiquitous for consumers as their wallet, so it is logical that the mobile phone and payments industries should come together to realise this next stage in mobile evolution. During the last twelve months, there has been significant progress towards mobile payments becoming a reality, as manufacturers standardise technology, numerous mobile payment trials are successfully completed and contactless technology starts to gain mainstream acceptance.
Visa’s offerings take advantage of a wide range of new technologies. Phones equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology make it possible for the devices to initiate Visa contactless transactions. The advent of phones that support next generation high speed networks can enable near real-time transaction alerts for added levels of security, fast and convenient purchases via the mobile internet, and deliver retailer offers tailored to life style and location. These developments have inspired Visa, mobile operators, handset manufacturers, and banks to work together to incorporate payment as a mobile application.

TSYS to Broadcast First-Quarter 2011 Results

 TSYS
COLUMBUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TSYS (NYSE: TSS) will issue its first-quarter earnings report on April 26, 2011, at approximately 4:00 p.m. EDT. A conference call to discuss these results, business trends and future projections will be held on April 26, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Shareholders and other interested persons may listen to this conference call via simultaneous internet broadcast at www.tsys.com by clicking on the link under "Webcasts" on the homepage. You must download Windows Media Player (free download available) before accessing the conference call or the replay. The conference call will be archived for 12 months and will be available starting 30 to 45 minutes after the call ends.
About TSYS
TSYS (NYSE: TSS) is reshaping a new era in digital commerce, connecting consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses and governments. Through unmatched customer service and industry insight, TSYS creates a better experience for buyers and sellers, supporting cross-border payments in more than 85 countries. Offering merchant payment-acceptance solutions as well as services in credit, debit, prepaid, mobile, chip, healthcare, installments, money transfer and more, TSYS makes it possible for those in the global marketplace to conduct safe and secure electronic transactions with trust and convenience.
TSYS’ headquarters are located in Columbus, Georgia, with local offices spread across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. TSYS provides services to more than half of the top 20 international banks. For more information, please visit us at www.tsys.com.

Contacts

TSYS Investor Relations
Shawn Roberts, +1-706-644-6081
shawnroberts@tsys.com

Disqus for ePayment News