Thursday, October 6, 2011

Avira Chooses GlobalCollect as Preferred Payment Service Provider



Avira, a leading supplier of security solutions for professional and private use, has signed a partnership agreement with GlobalCollect, the world's leading payment service provider of local e-payments, to facilitate its e-payment needs
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avira, a specialist with sound experience in developing security solutions for both single workstations as well as cross-system protection of professional networks, will be using GlobalCollect to process and reconcile international e-payments. Under the current service agreement, Avira processes JCB (Japan), Sofortüberweisung (Benelux/DACH/UK), iDEAL and Direct Debits (Netherlands), Boleto Bancário (Brazil), Webmoney (Ukraine/Russia), and IPS (China) via GlobalCollect’s single-interface payment platform.
“We chose GlobalCollect as our online payment service provider because they are experienced and offer the largest footprint in terms of payment methods”
The intended extension of this partnership will support Avira's strategic expansion plans in two ways: by adding further alternative payment methods like real-time bank transfers, more eWallets, and cash as well as by helping realize Avira’s geographic growth ambitions to enter foreign markets by advising on local regulations and cultural payment preferences.
As a valued-added service, GlobalCollect supplies Avira with daily customized reports containing specific information on every single transaction, including exchange rate details broken down into initial amount and currency, followed by converted amount in the desired remittance currency at a glance.
“We chose GlobalCollect as our online payment service provider because they are experienced and offer the largest footprint in terms of payment methods,” said Travis Witteveen, COO Market & Operations of Avira. “As Avira continues to grow globally, we wanted to partner with a company like GlobalCollect which can handle any local payment transaction, regardless which country the payment originates from.”
Koen Vanpraet, Chief Commercial Officer of GlobalCollect, added: “We look forward to expanding our successful partnership with Avira. Just as Avira prides itself to provide state of the art security solutions, we pride ourselves to do the same when it comes to global payment solutions and guiding e-merchants to boost conversions rates. Given the in-depth expertise of our industry-specific payment consultants, including being able to advise on harnessing growth opportunities in BRIC countries, I am confident this will be a very fruitful business relationship.”

Mobile Network Operators May Miss Out on USD 100 Billion Mobile Payments Opportunity


MNOs might miss out on USD 100 bln m-payments opportunity

Wednesday 5 October 2011 | 12:04 CET
 
MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) could miss out on USD 100 billion in m-payments unless they implement NFC technology in their handsets, according to a study by ABI Research. Mobile payments are forecast to become a mass market-adopted behaviour in the US and Western Europe by 2016. By end-2013, MNOs and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are expected to flood some markets with NFC-enabled smartphones. The momentum from Google Wallet and other initiatives led by MNOs, such as Citzyi in France, ISIS in the US ant the yet unnamed MNO JV in the UK, is forecast to bring the installed base of NFC mobile payment users to over 16 percent of mobile subscribers in the US and Western Europe by late 2014.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Introducing NFC INDX: Free data for everyone


Introducing NFC INDX: Free data for everyone

Introducing NFC INDX: Free data for everyone

NFC INDX is a project we have taken on to provide NFC industry statistics to everyone, free of charge on an ongoing basis, but we need your help. Let us explain. NFCRumors and NFC Data have a pretty tight relationship. In fact, we are working on a few initiatives together. Both of our groups have this crazy idea that we want to provide resources to the NFC community free of charge. If you are on the huge NFC Data email list, you will see the creative commons statement listed all over the place as you get your daily fill of NFC news, and if you are a regular here at NFC Rumors you will know we give away graphics and provide news everyday that encompasses the whole industry.
We all believe NFC is one of the biggest things that has happened to the tech world in quite sometime and both organizations appreciate that there are obstacles that need to be overcome. So while chatting one day over a month ago, we came up with a crazy idea of creating polls that start to build a picture of what consumers and businesses want to see happen in NFC. Research houses spend an inordinate amount of hours putting together huge reports that only large companies can afford, but in NFC there are lots of small companies building services and products for everyone. Don't get us wrong, we feel that research houses of the ilk of the Yankee Group, ABI, Juniper and other reputable research houses are worth every penny you pay for them for their reports and competitive data. It's just we can't all afford deep analysis of the industry, and yet small companies and large ones alike need quality data from both businesses and consumers.
Want to get involved?Click here to take the survey.

What is NFC INDX and how can I be involved?

NFC INDX is our project that gives the data answered by NFC Rumors and NFC Data readers back to the community. Every couple of weeks, we will launch a new survey where we keep polls intentionally small and quick to answer. It should never take more than a minute or two. We will then aggregate the data we receive and publish it on NFCINDX.com for everyone. We will probably post some of the data on our respective news sites also. If you have answered the survey you will get access to the results quicker than everyone else as we want to reward those who support the NFC community. We have a coming soon page up at the moment because we are only now launching our first poll, but as soon as the results are in, the site that sits behind the splash page will be set loose. Between NFC Rumors and NFC Data we reach hundreds of thousands of people in the NFC industry and consumers alike, all around the world.
Our rules: Your data will never be shared outside of NFC Rumors and NFC data. All answers will be aggregated and your identity will never be divulged. The best way you can take part at this time is to answer the polls that are designed to take no time at all. When we get into the swing of things more and have more data behind us, we will reach out to the community more.
"My perspective as a technologist is to figure out what features NFC provides will give users the fastest marginal utility and drive adoption,” shares Ken Mages, Founder/CTO of NFC Data. “Having been in the payment space the last twelve years, it is NOT payments necessarily that will move the NFC needle but perhaps the synchronous/asynchronous nature of storing and forwarding data that matters most. We hope to uncover these answers in our survey.”
A personal message from me, the Editor of NFC Rumors. "You will normally see our posts refer to us because there is a small team behind NFC Rumors. However, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank our readers who visit us on a daily basis for their support. We have seen record growth since we launched. I really hope you can get behind the polls to give developers and entrepreneurs around the world the valuable data they need to meet market demands, and to push the evolution of NFC further than anything we have seen yet. If we get great response rates to our polls it helps everyone in the NFC ecosystem. Just think, we could well create jobs, help to bring new products to market and generally cement NFC as a positive technology in the minds and hearts of consumers that are yet to hear of this near field technology we all have such a passion for."
We really hope you can support NFC INDX and look forward to seeing your responses and publishing them for the whole community. The comments are open, people. Let us know your thoughts on NFC INDX.


This post was originally written by NFC Rumors. http://www.nfcrumors.com/10-04-2011/introducing-nfc-indx-free-data-for-everyone/#ixzz1ZxuehwRN

Steve Jobs Dead at 56, But not Before iPhone4S Announcment



Steve Jobs passes away aged 56

Steve Jobs passes away aged 56

The very sad news is breaking all over the world tonight that Steve Jobs has passed away. A true loss. Our condolences to anyone who was close to or knew the man that Tim Cook called “a creative genius.”
The following is a memo AllThingsD posted that was sent to employees.
Team,
I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.
Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.
We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.
No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.
Tim

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

NFC Data & NFC Rumors Release Market Survey to Enlighten Industry of Investment Opportunities in NFC


CHICAGOOct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- NFC Data and NFC Rumors are announcing their first collaborative endeavor to enlighten the emerging NFC industry by performing a 3-week independent market survey series based on the two blogs' vast reach. Recognizing a gap in identifying the real market demands from consumers in response to NFC technology, NFC Rumors and NFC Data have partnered to create an independent survey to understand the NFC market demands and identify investment opportunities for both developers and investors.
While recognizing that most NFC studies and surveys have focused on broad issues regarding mobile payments and operating within a cashless ecosystem, the two blogs seek for more specific information from real consumers. "We want to know information on how people would use NFC products and services, how many times they will use them in a day at work or school, and how much they are willing to pay for them," explains Seth Planck, Editor-in-Chief of NFC Rumors. "It's real data feedback like that that will send a message to the industry. We want investors to know how to invest in NFC, how prolific NFC technology can be in the hands of the people. Corporations can fund an entire NFC department, but the independent developers and small companies have been left on the bench."
Both blogs have long known that lack of investment in NFC has been a major factor in the lack of advancement of NFC technology, and NFC Data and NFC Rumors aim to ensure that NFC gets started on the right foot. Part of that is relying on independent research rather than paid surveys.
Ultimately, both blogs realize that advancement in the NFC space will only happen by knowing the right information. "My perspective as a technologist is to figure out what features that NFC provides will give users the fastest marginal utility and drive adoption," shares Ken Mages, Founder/CTO of NFC Data. "Having been in the payment space the last twelve years, it is NOT payments necessarily which will move the NFC needle but perhaps the synchronous/asynchronous nature of storing and forwarding data that matters most. We hope to uncover these answers in our survey."
Participation in the survey is encouraged for anyone, from industry leaders to tech enthusiasts and everyone in between. Please visit http://nfcdata.polldaddy.com/s/nfc-market-questionaire-series-1 to contribute your perspective to help shape the future of NFC.
BACKGROUND
NFC Data is a hardware and software developer integrating payment and/or marketing opportunities for NFC (Near Field Communication) projects.  Our perspective is neutral and we apply ISO standards to provide solutions for our customers.
Contact: Ken Mages, 1-260-632-7468, kmages@nfcdata.com
As a dedicated and independent news and editorial blog, NFC Rumors focuses on bringing to light contactless technologies and its relationship to the global evolution of business and culture. Covering everything from near field communications to gadgets, media, marketing, and social related topics, NFC Rumors is a convergence of everything contactless.
Contact: Seth Planck seth@nfcrumors.com
SOURCE NFC Data
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RELATED LINKS
http://www.nfcdata.com

Banks Losing Ground on Debit and Credit Card Security



Banks losing ground on card security


Related Topics

A generic picture of a some credit cards and debit cards. BANKG REUTERS/Catherine Benson
Tue Oct 4, 2011 2:50pm EDT
(Reuters) - U.S. banks are losing ground in the battle to combat credit and debit card fraud, a new report shows, underscoring the growing threat thieves and hackers pose for the financial system.

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