Wednesday, August 24, 2011

TazTag's NFC tablet, the TazPad, is getting ready to launch for as little as $400 in volume


Are you still looking for an enterprise NFC tablet for under $500? Read on. When AuthenTec's press release hit the sphere this week announcing its biometric fingerprint scanners being built into TazTag's TazPad, we didn't cover it because quite frankly, it was old news. TazTag and its NFC tablet, TazPad were one of the first companies we covered in-depth here at NFC Rumors. We have to admit, we have a special place in our cold, cold hearts for them. However, that place was earned with their innovation and the way that the company addressed so many needed areas with their product.



TazPad quite literally has the best enterprise hardware specs of any tablet, let alone any NFC tablet in the space. When we say best hardware specifications, we aren't talking about the processor or the RAM, we are not even referring to its Gingerbread OS because there are tablets that run newer versions of Android. We are, of course, referring to the fact that the NFC tablet includes an Inside Secure secure element, Authentec biometric authentication in the form of the fingerprint scanner and the little tablet has ZigBee compliance. So, if you are a corporate type and are looking for a tablet with security that can handle payments securely or one that works with ZigBee, which is renowned for its ability to work with exterior sensors, the TazPad is head and shoulders above the pack. Whereas the iPad is king of the hill when it comes to consumer specified tablets, it doesn't have as much to offer the business world as TazPad yet. We covered the Sharp RW-T10 NFC tablet earlier this week which to the best of our knowledge is the second tablet to be NFC capable, but in our opinion, TazPad takes the title of most capable and first announced. Note we said "announced".

TazPad NFC tablet news update

Many small companies that have attempted to build tablets have failed. Many of the tablets that have been regaled after their announcements have turned to vaporware. It appears to be the nature of an ultra competitive market that requires a massive upfront R&D budget that tends to prevent startups from staying the course. TazPad was slotted to get its production models out in July to developers / system integrators. That didn't happen. So we know there have been delays, but that is more than a common occurrence in the tablet market. Just this last week, rumors are circulating that the iPad 3 has been pushed back to next year due to production problems. Unlike other tablet announcements, however, TazPad isn't vaporware. We contacted the company to see what gives and happily now have some good news to share.

"We are to deliver the first units to our customers in September. Our first batch is already sold out on pre-orders basis, included in 'Technology Access Packs' for integrators and solution providers. And we are going to launch a second batch very soon for October, targeting pilots/deployment units. They will be delivered FCC certified," Michel Delaux, International General Manager & Co-Founder, told NFC Rumors. So, the TazPad is not vaporware and is gaining traction. The first NFC tablet was always going to be an issue to push out the doors and subsequent models will happen with comparative ease. The company will already have integration partners and developers who are used to working with TazTag by that time.

"NFC is now coming fast and new usages are booming, as we planned 3 years ago when starting TazTag with our vision. Our TazPad is the prerfect secure NFC device for professional usages, e.g. as mobile device for staff agents and vendors, or as a mini-kiosk at counter or check-in, to interact with smartcards, new smartphones, and all the new smart objects NFC enabled arriving in consumer's hand these days. TazPad unique association of NFC + security + biometry makes it the best answer for integrators and solution providers to propose these new services every consumer is now expecting having heard all the buzz lately on NFC," said Delaux.

We also wanted to know how much a unit would cost. Michel didn't disappoint or play coy and let us know that "Pricing goes down to 400USD (depending on volume)," which compared to Sharp's Enterprise NFC tablet which weighs in at a lofty $785.03 for Japanese businesses, the TazPad represents a massive value proposition to the enterprise market. We also think the TazPad NFC tablet has better specifications.

TazTag's TazPad NFC tablet specifications

Here is a quick recap on specifications. Our full fun down can be found here.
It weighs slightly less than the iPad 2 (1.33 pounds or 601 g) weighing in at .99 Lbs or 450 g. It has a 2 megapixel shooter that can, oddly, either be built on the front or back of the device and it sports an A8 1Ghz processor. This may well be great for B2B applications. Choice never hurts!
Networking: ZigBee PRO which can work up to 50m in an open environment, NFC courtesy of INSIDE MicroRead which includes a secure element from Infineon Technologies. Wifi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR & 3G comes in the flavor of HSDPA (Think T-mobile & AT&T). A slim slot is onboard - you pick your network.
Other features include 1080p video, 3-axis accelerometer, stand alone GPS and a 4800 mAh, LiPo battery. The TazPad has 512 MB of Mobile DDR memory, has 4 GB of internal storage and can accommodate a Micro SD card up to 32 GB. So, from this we can see it has security, a lot of connection options, including ZigBee PRO which we see a big future for, alongside a pretty capable NFC chipset.
Obviously we are interested in the NFC capabilities of this slate and the TazPad doesn't cheap out in that department. TazPad is compliant with both ISO 14443 A/B & ISO 15693. It supports Tag Types 1,2 & 4 but doesn't support FeliCa which is mainly used in Japan anyway. No loss there. TazPad, does however, have a trick up its sleeve the Nexus S is yet to master: Emulation.
“No other Android tablet combines fingerprint authentication with the NFC transaction capabilities of the TazPad,” said Alan Kramer, AuthenTec’s Vice President of Government and Access Control. “Whether a user is interested in convenient yet secure authentication for NFC, ZigBee or Wi-Fi transactions or linking a customer to a back-end system for authentication, the TazPad is a very capable platform for mobile identification. We look forward to supporting TazTag in a successful launch of this new NFC tablet.”

If TazTag and its NFC tablet TazPad have caught your imagination, consider this last quote we will leave you with from Michel Delaux: "We have other announcements coming up, with major partners such as the latest one, and for some new products on our roadmap." So, not only is TazTag's TazPad NFC tablet not vaporware there will be more news to come. We'll bring it to you as we get it and in the meantime, hope to see the TazPad here in the States in the near future.

TazTag & Authentec press release

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AuthenTec (NASDAQ: AUTH), a leading provider of security and identity management solutions, announced that its TCS2 TouchChip™ sensor has been integrated into TazTag’s new TazPad Android tablet, making it the first to offer users highly secure fingerprint authentication as part of NFC-based mobile payment transactions. The TazPad is the only Android tablet to combine NFC and ZigBee capabilities with fingerprint authentication.

“No other Android tablet combines fingerprint authentication with the NFC transaction capabilities of the TazPad”

AuthenTec enhances the security of the TazPad via one-touch fingerprint authentication for NFC, ZigBee and online transactions. It is ideally suited for professionals who want to link a bank, a store or other institution’s back-end system with customers via a capable, mobile platform. For example, after fingerprint authentication on the TazPad’s TCS2 TouchChip sensor module, a vendor may provide specific information on products, read a client's loyalty card (via card or NFC phone), book orders and even complete a secure payment. TazPad includes INSIDE Secure’s SecureRead, a pre-integrated NFC microprocessor with chip, Secure Element, and operating system in a single application-ready package.

“We wanted to offer enhanced security capabilities with the TazPad, which is why we selected AuthenTec’s durable, high resolution TCS2 touch sensor for integration in this unique NFC-enabled Android tablet,” said Eric Fouchard, TazTag CEO. “AuthenTec has helped make mobile payment transactions more convenient and secure through fingerprint biometric technology that’s integrated in millions of NFC-equipped phones. They have a proven track record in NFC and fingerprint authentication that made their TouchChip offering a perfect fit for this very capable mobile platform.”

“No other Android tablet combines fingerprint authentication with the NFC transaction capabilities of the TazPad,” said Alan Kramer, AuthenTec’s Vice President of Government and Access Control. “Whether a user is interested in convenient yet secure authentication for NFC, ZigBee or Wi-Fi transactions or linking a customer to a back-end system for authentication, the TazPad is a very capable platform for mobile identification. We look forward to supporting TazTag in a successful launch of this new NFC tablet.”

AuthenTec’s TCS2 sensor is mounted on the front of the TazPad to enable quick and secure user authentication. The TCS2 provides excellent fingerprint image performance across a wide range of users, making it a highly reliable solution for a variety of identity verification applications. TazPad’s TCS2 utilizes AuthenTec’s durable SteelCoat™ surface coating to provide additional protection for the sensor.

The TazPad is also equipped with a 7-inch color screen that offers multitouch capabilities as well as a full HD and HDMI output. The tablet connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and ZigBee. Additional TazPad functions include a camera, a GPS location device, and an accelerometer.

AuthenTec offers complete security and identity management solutions for the mobile market, including embedded security, smart fingerprint sensors and software. AuthenTec’s mobile market offering includes embedded and downloadable DRM content protection, mobile VPN client solutions, security hardware IP, identity management software, and smart fingerprint sensors that are used in more than 15 million mobile phones. AuthenTec provides the most advanced levels of security, reliability, and performance for mobile phone users, mobile operators, content providers, embedded security developers and many others, saving them time and money while optimizing performance.

About TazTag

TazTag uses its expertise in contactless technology to provide its customers with products and platforms facilitating new contactless services deployment, both with infrastructure products and mobile devices, always based on a secure architecture. Our flagships are the TazPad, World 1st NFC/Zigbee/Biometry ANDROID Tablet, and the TazModule, a small box to let you NFC/Zigbee enable your own equipment. For more information please mail us at contact@taztag.com or visit our website www.taztag.com

About AuthenTec

AuthenTec is the world’s #1 provider of fingerprint sensors, identity management software, and embedded security solutions. AuthenTec solutions address enterprise, consumer and government applications for a growing base of top tier global customers. Already shipped on hundreds of millions of devices, the Company's smart sensor products, software and embedded security solutions are used virtually everywhere, from the PC on your desk to the mobile device in your hand to the server in the cloud. AuthenTec offers developers and users secure and convenient ways to manage today's rapidly evolving digital identities and security needs. For more information, visit www.authentec.com or follow us at twitter.com/authentecnews.




End Authentec TazPad press release.




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Two in Five Mobile Owners Use Internet on the Go Says eMarketer


Two in Five Mobile Owners Use Internet on the Go

US Mobile Internet Users and Penetration, 2010-2015 (millions, % of mobile phone users and % of population)

A new eMarketer forecast projects nearly 50% growth in US smartphone users this year, along with almost 25% growth in mobile internet usage. By the end of 2011, nearly 100 million Americans will be hitting up the web via mobile each month. Full Article

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SQUARE CARD CASE APP ELIMINATES THE PHYSICAL CREDIT CARD, TAKES ON NFC


 23 August 2011 - GadgetReview.com
Just as the NFC payment is heating up, Square, the same company that brought us the credit card processing device for the iPhone, has their own solution.  Instead of relying on physical proximity to a reader, like NFC, Square’s solution, called Card Case, relies on the customer and a smartphone app to process the transaction.  read more
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E-Complish Announces PaySecure Online PIN Debit Card Processing

There is no question that consumers who shop online are usually able to find better products and selections than in retail stores. So what about the consumers that are not shopping online? With the constant threat of identity theft, studies have shown that some consumers believe that online shopping/payments is still unsafe and unsecure. PaySecure seeks to solve this stigma, lower costs, and provide the merchant chargeback protection.

PaySecure is a patented approach for consumers to pay for their online purchases or bills. PaySecure processes debit card payments using the card's pre-existing PIN (Personal Identification Number). Simply requiring the entry of the PIN that the consumers already knows, the consumers is quickly authenticate without the need for enrollment in a separate authentication service, a new password/onetime PIN, or redirection from the website the consumers is viewing. PaySecure is a software-only payment service that is integrated directly into an existing online pay page. Consumers enter their debit card information at checkout and if their card qualifies, the PaySecure graphical PIN-pad appears over the page providing for secure entry of the consumer's PIN. Consumers enter their bank-issued PIN on the PIN-pad using their mouse, submit their PIN, and the transaction is processed as a true PIN debit.

From a merchant's perspective fraud is reduced from PIN authentication. Charge-back liability is shifted to the bank issuing the debit card, and transaction fees are lower than signature debit, resulting in a significant reduction in overall cost compared to signature debit. PaySecure is the only card-based online payment method that secures funds from a customer's bank account at the point of authorization, eliminating NSFs and re-presentments, further lowering administrative costs.

PaySecure allows the merchant to tap into the 220 million+ U.S. debit cards in circulation – allowing the merchant to provide a highly secure payment method for their customers that isalso cost-effective. Additionally, there are over 80 million debit cards in the U.S. that can only be used with a PIN. With PaySecure, the merchant can accept online payment from all debit card consumers. In fact, when given the choice, 55% of all consumers choose to use PaySecure rather than running their purchase as signature debit. Consumers prefer PaySecure because it makes them feel more secure about using their debit card online and it is a simple payment process. PaySecure brings the same security and familiarity of PIN debit online with a service that requires nothing more than a debit card and PIN.

About E-Complish, LLC

E-Complish, LLC is a privately owned corporation with primary offices in the Washington DC/Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas. E-Complish provides payment processing services such as ACH, PIN and Pinless debit card processing, Secure Vault Payments™, credit card processing, check verification, paper demand draft checks, internet payment gateways, online payment acceptance web services, developer API web payment interfaces, automated interactive voice response telephone payment systems, and in-house programming and consultation services for customized solutions. Our mission is to provide secure, reliable enterprise level payment processing products and services that create immediate return on investment. With proactive technical support and thousands of users, E-Complish has positioned itself to become a first choice payment processing platform for any industry.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/content/1878572/e-complish-announces-paysecure-online-pin-debit-card-processing#ixzz1VxNow7ky
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Rollout of Smart Cards and Mobile Rewards Opens Market for US Patent 5,806,045


Present loyalty environment behind our strategy to exploit market opportunities

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
A dynamic loyalty environment with major players
SCTN
On August 12, 2011, Visa announced plans to take an aggressive step toward curbing credit card fraud in the United States by accelerating the transition to embedded Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) chips in debit and credit cards.  EMV is the global standard for micro-processing chips that are embedded in credit and debit cards to provide additional security and the ability to include other applications such as Loyalty.
AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile carriers, are planning a venture to displace credit and debit cards with smartphones, posing a new threat to Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc.  Apple and Microsoft, two traditional rivals, partnered with other high tech companies to outbid Google's $4 Billion bid with a $4.5 Billion bid for Nortel patents.  Google is spending $12.5 Billion to buy Motorola Mobility, but the big prize isn't Motorola's lineup of cellphones, computer tablets, and cable set-top boxes, it's Motorola's more than 17,000 patents, a crucial weapon in an intellectual arms race with Apple, Microsoft and Oracle to gain more control over the increasingly lucrative market for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
Google sees its future in mobile payments. It is also looking at other ways to reduce the anti-competitive threats against Android by strengthening its own patent portfolio. On August 18, 2011 Citigroup Inc. announced it has launched a mobile-rewards application with Best Buy Co. Inc. that enables its cardholders to redeem ThankYou rewards. The issuer's free app runs on Apple Inc. iPhone or iPod devices and on smartphones that use Google Inc.'s Android operating system. According to IE Market Research, "NFC has the potential to replace cash and other payment methods, and could account for a third of the $1.1 Trillion global mobile payments market by 2014."  
Opportunity for Schimatic Cash Transactions Network.com (SCTN) patented Loyalty Program
Into this global market for EMV compliant smart cards, mobile rewards and patent protection SCTN brings an EMV standard for loyalty on a smart (micro-processing) chip including Smart Cards, Smart Phones, and Near Field Communications (NFC) devices.  SCTN's US patent 5,806,045 is described as:  "A method and system for allocating and redeeming incentive credits on an integrated microcircuit chip platform." The Company has registered patents in United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, andAustralia.  Collectively these patents could enable our company to play the role of game changer in the Mobile Payment and NFC Market space, creating the potential for us to realize a substantial increase in shareholder value.  
Contact us
Call (702) 778-4784 or (702) 361-3624, or email bmchale@sctn.com for more information.
About Schimatic Inc. (Schimatic) based in Las Vegas, Nevada trades under the symbol SCTN. Schimatic is doing business as Smart Chip Technologies (SCTN) LLC. SCTN is a patent licensing company engaged in the research, development, and integration of proprietary processes incorporating smart software technologies for the electronic payment industry. Our mission is "Licensing loyalty for rewarding solutions." www.sctn.com
Forward Looking Statement
Safe Harbor Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: with the exception of historical information, the statements set forth above include forward looking statements that may involve risk and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ materially from the results predicated and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance.
SOURCE SCTN
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ScanSource Receives Highest Honor from Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)


August 24, 2011 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time 
Distributor Receives Gold Award of Excellence from Leading Industry Association
GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ScanSource® POS & Barcoding, the leading international value-added distributor of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) and point-of-sale (POS) solutions and services and sales unit of ScanSource, Inc., (NASDAQ: SCSC), has received the 2011 Gold Vendor of Excellence award, Distributors Category, from the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA). ScanSource’s award was the highest given in its category.
“It is always an honor to be recognized by our reseller partners for excellence in the quality of products and services that we provide”
RSPA is dedicated to the growth and development of the retail technology industry; members include resellers, distributors, hardware manufacturers, and others who bring retail technology solutions to the marketplace. The Awards of Excellence are the only awards in the retail technology industry where solution providers vote for their favorite vendors and distributors. RSPA reseller members are able to vote on a variety of categories, including best hardware provider, software provider and distributor.
“It is always an honor to be recognized by our reseller partners for excellence in the quality of products and services that we provide,” said Jeff Yelton, president, ScanSource POS & Barcoding. “This is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our employees and further evidence of their staunch commitment to our customers.”
“The RSPA Vendor of Excellence Awards are a reflection of a company’s support and dedication to their channel,” said Joe Finizio, president and CEO, RSPA. “These awards are earned by consistently providing exemplary products, support and services throughout the year. Congratulations to the entire ScanSource Team on their Gold Vendor of Excellence Award.”
To view the video shown at the awards ceremony, please go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRdU8JPUAmI. For more information about ScanSource POS & Barcoding, visit www.scansource.com.
About ScanSource, Inc.
ScanSource®, Inc. {NASDAQ:SCSC} is the leading international distributor of specialty technology products, consisting of seven sales units in North America, Latin America and Europe.
ScanSource POS and Barcoding in North America, Latin America and Europe delivers AIDC and POS solutions; Catalyst Telecom® in the US, and ScanSource Communications in North America and Europe, provide voice, video and converged communications equipment; and ScanSource Security in North America offers physical security solutions. Founded in 1992, the company ranks #839 on the Fortune 1000. For more information, call the toll-free sales telephone number at 800.944.2432 or visit www.scansourceinc.com.
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Sabre Travel Network Says Corporate Travel Industry Must Embrace Mobile Capabilities to Keep Pace


August 24, 2011 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time 
Sabre mobile survey shows business travellers want local deals, navigational tools and transactional capabilities
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sabre Travel Network today offered a sneak peek into the results of its biannual mobile survey of business travellers. The results confirm that the explosion of mobile travel services over the past several years has single-handedly “consumerised” business travel. Tomorrow’s travellers will expect even more convenience and functionality from their mobile devices, and corporations and travel management companies must meet those needs or risk being left behind.
“The corporate travel industry needs to keep pace with the services and apps that travelers can access in their personal life and incorporate those into the world of managed business travel.”
“Our survey shows that business travel today is personal. Travellers want the same functionality and convenience from their business travel tools that they have in their daily lives. People use travel services on their smart phones everyday and for every trip – before, during and after they travel,” said Chris Kroeger, senior vice president of Sabre Travel Network. “The corporate travel industry needs to keep pace with the services and apps that travelers can access in their personal life and incorporate those into the world of managed business travel.”
I’m Here. What Can You Offer Me?
According to the Sabre’s survey, 63 per cent of business travellers want to receive destination specific offers from local businesses - an 85 per cent increase from 2009 – and 47 per cent of business travellers use their smartphone daily to view or receive advertisements, a 95 per cent increase from 2009.
“One of the biggest trends we see in the survey data is travellers’ desire for local business information and offerings based on their location via their smartphone or tablet,” said Kroeger. “Travelers will look for this information from suppliers, travel management companies and technology resources such as online booking tools like GetThere. Smart and savvy travel management companies will use technology as a way to fill this need and improve customer support and solidify customer loyalty.”
Consumers increasingly want to access navigational tools and maps on their mobile devices. According to the survey:
  • 72 per cent of business travellers are interested in ability to view hotels on a map, an increase of 26 per cent from 2009
  • 43 per cent of business travellers reported daily use of their smart phone to access navigation services
  • 71 per cent want to receive driving directions to a specific location via their smart phone
“Consumers already rely on their mobile devices to help them navigate their way through cities around the world,” Kroeger said. “In the future, they’ll look for mobile services that are not only location-based but contextually-aware such as airport navigational tools with the ability to find in-airport businesses but also have deals and offers pushed to their smartphone.”
Introducing the mobile wallet
Sabre’s survey showed that nearly three-quarters of business travellers are interested in shopping and booking air options. More than two-thirds want to shop for and make hotel reservations via mobile devices and 66 per cent of respondents reported interest in the ability to add a hotel reservation to an existing itinerary. However, the highest growth was seen in the ground category. Some 62 per cent of respondents are interested in booking rental cars via their smart phone, a 32 per cent increase from 2009 and 60 per cent of respondents want to shop for car rentals via their smartphone, a 33 per cent increase.
“Today’s business travellers expect transactional capabilities from their mobile devices including buying air extras and in-flight amenities,” Kroeger said. “Tomorrow’s business travellers will move from physical passports, wallets and credit cards and will expect their mobile device to fill those needs as continued advancements in mobile payment, commerce and banking make it easier to electronically transact via mobile devices.”
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network provides technology solutions to the global travel industry. It operates the world’s largest travel marketplace, connecting travel buyers and sellers through the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Its innovative software connects more than 350,000 travel professionals to more than 400 airlines, 93,000 hotels, 25 car rental brands, 50 rail providers, 13 cruise lines and other global travel suppliers. More than 300 million people purchase airline tickets through this channel annually.
Sabre Travel Network is part of Sabre Holdings, a global travel technology company serving the world’s largest industry - travel and tourism. Its innovative technology is used by more than a billion people around the world to plan, book and get to their destination at a time and price that's right for them. For more information, please visit: www.sabre.com.

Contacts

Sabre Holdings
Martin Ferguson, +44 20 8538 8576
Media Relations EMEA
Cell: +44 7740 409 440
martin.ferguson@sabre.com
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U.S. Bank to Offer Chip Technology in Corporate Cards for U.S.-Based International Travelers


August 23, 2011 01:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time 
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Bank, the second-largest corporate travel card issuer in the United States, will begin issuing commercial cards with EMV chip technology for U.S.-based international corporate travelers. U.S. Bank’s international cards will enable users to make card payments via the chip-card readers commonly used overseas or the magnetic stripe readers that still predominate in the United States.
“Global card acceptance and compatibility are concerns for customers engaged in extensive international travel, and we're pleased to offer them this solution”
The new commercial card offering follows on the heels of a June 10 announcement that U.S. Bank had become the first issuer of such “dual interface” chip technology to the U.S. consumer market with its FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa(R) card. The addition of commercial cards has been in the planning stages for several months in response to client requests and market research.
“Global card acceptance and compatibility are concerns for customers engaged in extensive international travel, and we're pleased to offer them this solution,” said Kurt Adams, executive vice president of U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems. “Both Visa and MasterCard have been engaged with us and support our goal to bring this to the U.S. market as quickly as possible.”
U.S. Bank already issues chip-enabled cards to its commercial customers in Canada. In July, the bank began issuing commercial cards with full chip-and-PIN capability for corporate clients in Europe.
About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $321 billion in assets as of June 30, 2011, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,086 banking offices in 25 states and 5,086 ATMs and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp and its employees are dedicated to improving the communities they serve, for which the company earned the 2011 Spirit of America Award, the highest honor bestowed on a company by United Way. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.
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Global NFC PoS Terminal Market 2010-2014: Key Vendors such as VeriFone, Ingenico and Hypercom Dominate the Market


August 24, 2011 05:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global NFC PoS Terminal Market 2010-2014" report to their offering.

Technavio's analysts forecast the Global NFC PoS Terminal market to grow at a CAGR of 10.1 percent over the period 2010-2014. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the growing popularity of NFC as the preferred mode of payment by customers. The Global NFC PoS Terminal market has also been witnessing non-payment applications being offered as value-added services by vendors. However, the high cost of NFC terminals could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

Key vendors dominating this market include VeriFone, Ingenico, and Hypercom.

Global NFC PoS Terminal Market 2010-2014 report has been prepared based on an in-depth analysis of the market with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Global NFC PoS market landscape and its growth prospects in the Americas, the EMEA region, and the APAC region. The report also includes a discussion on the key vendors providing NFC PoS terminals in this market. It does not cover the market landscape and vendors for NFC hardware, software, firmware, solution, components, and integrated circuits.


Key questions answered in this report:
What will the market size be in 2014 and at what rate will it grow?
What key trends is this market subject to?
What is driving this market?
What are the challenges to market growth?
Who are the key vendors in this market space?
What are the opportunities and threats faced by each of these key vendors?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these key vendors?


Key Topics Covered:


1. Executive Summary


2. Introduction


3. Market Landscape


4. Vendor Landscape


5. Buying Criteria


6. Market Growth Drivers


7. Drivers and their Impact


8. Market Challenges


9. Market Trends


10. Key Vendor Analysis


10.1 Ingenico


10.2 VeriFone


10.3 Hypercom


List of Exhibits:


Exhibit 1: Global NFC PoS Terminal Market Size 2010-2014 (US$ million)


Exhibit 2: Market Share by Geographical Segmentation - 2010


Exhibit 3: Payment versus Non-Payment Applications Market Share - 2010


Exhibit 4: Global NFC PoS Terminal Vendor Market Share - 2010


For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/3c299e/global_nfc_pos_ter

Contacts
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

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Fifth Third Bank Introduces Duo Card; First U.S. Issuer to Offer Combined Credit and Debit Card


August 24, 2011 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 
CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifth Third Bank announced today the introduction of its Duo Card, a combined credit and debit card providing customers the convenience of conducting all card transactions with one plastic. Fifth Third Bank is the first card issuer in the U.S. to offer this dual functionality and the Duo MasterCard cards are now available.
“The Duo Card gives these consumers the freedom to choose how to pay and access their cash without having to carry multiple cards.”
“Many consumers see the value in both debit and credit options and choose their payment method at the point of sale for a variety of reasons,” said Jon Groch, senior vice president and director of Bankcard Services for Fifth Third Bank. “The Duo Card gives these consumers the freedom to choose how to pay and access their cash without having to carry multiple cards.”
With the Duo Card, customers can choose to make purchases using either a line of credit or funds available in their checking account. To draw funds from their checking account, cardholders would simply select the debit option at the point of sale and enter their PIN, or they can withdraw money from their checking account at an ATM.
To draw funds against a line of credit – like a traditional credit card – consumers need only select the credit option at the point of sale and sign to complete the transaction.
Every signature or credit purchase is covered by MasterCard® core benefits including MasterCard’s Zero Liability Protection. Unlike traditional debit cards, the Duo Card’s signature transactions are not directly tied to the customer’s checking account, so no cash is in jeopardy should the card be stolen or compromised.
Groch adds, “We believe the combination of added convenience, flexibility and security is a key differentiator for this product and we are pleased to offer this to our valued customers.”
“Consumers today want payment cards that provide them the ability to make purchases when, where and how they want,” said Tim Murphy, chief product officer, MasterCard Worldwide. “MasterCard and Fifth Third have a long track record of working together to meet the needs of both consumers and businesses. Today’s announcement reinforces this commitment.”
Visit http://www.my53card.com/duo/ for more information.
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $111 billion in assets and operates 15 affiliates with 1,314 full-service Banking Centers, including 103 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,434 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 49% interest in Vantiv, LLC, formerly Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2011, had $276 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $25 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC. Subject to credit review and approval.

Contacts

Fifth Third Bancorp
Stephanie Honan, APR, 513-534-6957

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Banking Security Summit Brings Industry´s Experts to Miami


August 24, 2011 09:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time 
CELAES

The Annual Bank Security Summit CELAES 2011, organized by FIBA and FELABAN, in Miami September 15th and 16, is the most important regional meeting of the industry. Conference will discuss bank fraud; physical, electronic and data security; business continuity; and risk management, among other issues
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The combination of new technologies, fast paced lifestyles and comfort leads to an increasing number of people making purchases through the internet and over the phone. These purchasing activities, known in the banking industry as “card not present”, have resulted in a rapidly growing number of fraudulent activities related to the payment method.
“Credit or debit card and check fraud, just like computer information fraud, is based on bank information obtained unlawfully, and represents a major challenge to the effectiveness of bank security”
This and other key issues that have been affecting the banking industry will be discussed at the Annual Bank Security Summit, CELAES 2011, in Miami September 15th and 16. The conference will bring together a group of top panelists representing Walmart, American Express, U.S. Secret Service, Visa, Federal reserve Bank of Atlanta, Prosegur, Citigroup, Scotiabank, Banco Santander, Banco de Crédito del Perú, Caja Mediterraneo, Diebold, Banco de Bogotá, Asociacion de Bancos del Perú, Emrisk, Discover Financial services, and Visa among others.
Annual Bank Security Summit CELAES 2011 is the most important regional meeting for the industry. Nearly every aspect of banking, from operations, to human resources, IT systems, and even the customers of the bank, will be discussed. Main topics include: risk management, physical and electronic security, personal security, banking fraud, data security and business continuity.
“Credit or debit card and check fraud, just like computer information fraud, is based on bank information obtained unlawfully, and represents a major challenge to the effectiveness of bank security,” says Miguel Angel Carlos Jaime, chairman of the CELAES Conference Committee, as well as the Director of Prevention and Corporate Security at Banco Santander in Mexico and one of the panelists at the event.
“The Conference could not be more timely,” said FIBA’s Executive Director Patricia Roth. “In years past, the main threats to banks were physical security and bank robberies. Today, we have a more complex scenario, with banks having to address the role of new technologies, business continuity, an increase in credit and debit card fraud, transnational organized crime, and identity theft,” Roth emphasized.
For the complete agenda, please click http://www.felaban-seguridadbancaria.com/programa.php

Contacts

Florida International Bankers Association
For interviews:
Daniela Martucci, 786-218-1846
dmartucci@americascomm.com
or
Julio Gama, 786-454 9866
jgama@americascomm.com
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