The Green Sheet Online Edition
September 9, 2013 • 13:09:02
Industry Update
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Acculynk adds tokenization to online PIN pads
Internet PIN debit authentication provider Acculynk unveiled the Tokenized Java Script Wrapper. The technology tokenizes card information entered into Acculynk's PaySecure online graphical PIN pad online and on mobile devices.
AGR achieves PCI compliance
AGR Group Inc., which provides sales and support to the retail energy industry, became Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard compliant. ControlScan performed the audit that recognized AGR as a PCI-validated Level 1 service provider.
Cubic wins NCTD contract
Cubic Transportation Systems Inc., a division of Cubic Corp., was awarded a $1.5 million contract to provide electronic ticketing equipment maintenance for the North San Diego County Transit District. Cubic also operates the Compass smart card transit payments system in the city of San Diego.
GoPago debuts VAR program
Cloud-based payment solution provider GoPago Inc. signed over 20 value-added reseller organizations in the United States to distribute its POS, mobile POS and online storefront solutions to merchants. "GoPago positions sales agents as forward thinking, technologically savvy business consultants who provide tangible solutions to modernize the entire spectrum of a merchant's commerce needs," said Steve Elefant, GoPago's Chief Strategy Officer.
IRN donates more iPads via Danny's Wish
In the third round of its Danny's Wish program, IRN Payment Systems donated 50 more Apple Inc. iPads to the families of autistic children. The program, named after the autistic son of IRN President Amedeo "Dino" Sgueglia, is part of IRN's fundraising platform, The Hope Process, which allows a percentage of credit card processing fees to be donated to charity.
Boston Market scales with NCR
NCR Corp. said Boston Market Corp. started to deploy the NCR RealPOS 72XRT in over 460 fast casual restaurant locations across the United States. The terminals offer new applications, remote manageability and enhanced security, NCR noted.
Francisco invests in Paymetric
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) payment firm Paymetric Inc. received a majority investment from technology-focused private equity firm Francisco Partners. While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, Paymetric said the funds would be used to launch new modules and extend capabilities to meet customers' expanding needs.
Angry Birds GPR cards flock to Canada
Mobile general purpose reloadable (GPR) prepaid card provider Paymobile reported it will launch an Angry Birds video game-themed GPR card program in Canada. Paymobile said it is seeing exponential growth in its GPR card sales pipeline.
Evolve Money launched
PreCash Inc. unveiled Evolve Money, an online and mobile app that allows consumers to track and pay bills without needing bank accounts, bankcards or prepaid cards. Consumers purchase load packs or PINs at retail locations and then use smartphones, tablets or PCs to make payments electronically.
Primax joins SCA
Europay/MasterCard/Visa (EMV) chip card program integrator Primax joined the Smart Card Alliance to promote the adoption of EMV technology in the United States. Primax said it was one of the first U.S. companies to implement EMV for a U.S. financial institution.
Rent payments go mobile
ProPay Inc., a division of Total System Services Inc., rolled out a rent payments service facilitated via mobile devices. The service is powered by mobile SaaS provider Aptexx, which leverages ProPay's Level 1 PCI compliant tokenization platform, ProtectPay.
Telluride deploys ShopKeep POS
During the Telluride Film Festival, held Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, 2013, in Telluride, Colo., on-site merchants sold movie tickets, T-shirts and popcorn using ShopKeep POS-enabled iPads. It was the third consecutive year that the film festival used the ShopKeep solution.
Keystroke encryption patented
Data security firm StrikeForce Technologies Inc. reported that it secured a patent from the United States Patent & Trademark Office for its GuardedID Anti-Keylogging Keystroke Encryption technology. The technology is designed to prevent keystrokes from being intercepted between keyboards and browsers.
Philly advisory opens U.K. office
Philadelphia-based payment consultancy Vizant Technologies opened a London office to support its client base in Europe and serve as the hub for new business. The consultancy said its rapid increase in clients resulted in the doubling of its workforce over the past 18 months.
#h3RESEARCH
Fragmented bill pay market
Aite Group LLC's Biller Direct and Walk-in Bill Pay: An Update examines key metrics from 12 direct billers and walk-in payment vendors. According to the report, despite consolidation during the past decade, the vendor market remains fragmented, which presents an opportunity for new and smaller vendors to seize market share via online, call center, interactive voice response and mobile channels.
ATMIA explores mobile payments
An ATM Industry Association white paper, Strategic Options for Traditional FIs Facing the Rise of Mobile Payments in the Apps Economy, outlines critical mobile payment strategies financial institutions can deploy as competition from nonbank players heats up. According to ATMIA, selecting an e-service delivery model that aligns with an FI's strategic intent will ensure the best offering of "secure, sensible and scalable m-payment services to their clientele."
Crystal ball on mobile apps
According to Forrester Research Inc.'s The Future of Mobile App Development report, more than 1 billion smart phones and hundreds of millions of digital tablets are in global circulation; modern applications for these devices will require multichannel client relationships, along with licensing and infrastructure elasticity, to deliver the contextual experiences customers expect.
PARTNERSHIPS
Century Business serves NLA
Century Business Solutions became the official credit card processor for the National Limousine Association, a nonprofit trade association formed in 1985 to represent the interests of the luxury, chauffeured, ground transportation industry.
Realex connects with Elavon
U.S.-based global payment processor Elavon Inc. selected European payment gateway Realex Payments as a strategic partner. Realex is expected to provide its managed gateway solution and services in support of the new Elavon Payment Gateway.
Genmega-GetBranded.com ATM venture
ATM manufacturer Genmega Inc. inked a deal with ATM branding firm GetBranded.com to deliver factory-installed, off-premise ATMs featuring external wraps in select colors and custom designs, the companies stated.
Intrix aligns with CEDIA
Payment processor Intrix Technology Inc. signed an agreement with the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association to provide credit and debit card services, as well as PCI compliance guidance to the more than 2,500 professional home electronic system installers affiliated with the organization nationwide.
Optimal advances with Payline
Canada-based Optimal Payments PLC formed a strategic partnership to extend its Neteller eWallet payment services to France-based Monext's Payline payment platform clients. Through the partnership, Payline's online customers will be able to pay for goods and services in 19 currencies and select from 13 languages, the companies stated.
Payza engages Neopay
Payza engaged Neopay, a regulatory firm specializing in e-money and payments, to integrate its Virtual Compliance Service program with Payza's global payments platform. "With the ever-changing global and regional regulatory landscapes, in order for our business to evolve and expand, monitoring and adapting to new compliance requirements is vital," said Ferhan Patel, Payza Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Global Risk and Compliance.
ROAM mobilizes Cynergy, Merchant Warehouse
ROAM Data Inc., an Ingenico company, agreed to integrate its white-label mobile commerce platform to power Cynergy Data LLC's forthcoming Vwalaa! Mobile Pay. Cynergy's all-in-one mobile POS solution is designed to leverage ROAM's core platform components, including the G4X secure mobile card reader, mobile app and web portal. ROAM also partnered with Merchant Warehouse to expand the latter's mobile solutions.
Singular links Kindable
Singular Payments LLC entered a strategic alliance with Kindable to launch its donation, volunteer and event management SaaS application as a fully integrated payment acceptance module powered by Singular. With the integration of Kindable, which also integrates with the SaleForce Nonprofit Edition, Singular expects to simplify electronic payment and donation acceptance for nonprofits that deploy the new module, the company said.
VeriFone signs Hailo NYC taxi deal
VeriFone Inc. integrated Hailo's third-party e-hailing application with VeriFone's open application programming interface cloud platform, making it possible for passengers to pay for fares on e-hailed trips in New York City, where VeriFone's Way2ride mobile payments app is deployed in more than 7,000 NYC yellow taxis, the company stated.
APPOINTMENTS
Haggarty joins NAB
North American Bancard selected Kirk Haggarty to be its new Chief Financial Officer. Haggarty, who brings more than two decades of experience to the company, will help to drive NAB's profitability and overall fiscal health during a period of rapid expansion. He came to NAB from Atlas Oil Co., where he served as Executive Vice President and CFO.
CAN recruits Ray
Capital Access Network Inc. appointed GE Capital veteran Shiladitya "Shila" Ray as the company's new CFO. Ray succeeds former CFO Daniel DeMeo, who is now CAN's CEO. While leading CAN's Finance and Accounting teams, Ray will assist in long-range strategic planning and initiatives, as well as work with DeMeo to set the course for the company's sustained growth.
Sadowski signs with Apriva
Brian Sadowski joined Apriva as Senior Vice President for Information Technology. He will be responsible for engineering and operations for Apriva's core POS gateway. He will also oversee technology and support services for the company's network of independent software vendors and value added resellers.
Equinox appoints Walsh, Taylor
On the second anniversary of its separation from Hypercom Corp., Equinox Payments LLC reported it hired payments industry veterans Stuart Taylor and Tony Walsh as the company's Chief Product Officer and Vice President, Middle Market Group, respectively. Taylor previously held senior executive roles at VeriFone, Hypercom and ViVOtech. Walsh held senior sales and business development positions at Ingenico, First Data Corp., Elavon and Retalix.
#h3Retail Briefs
- USA Football Inc. estimated 2.8 million U.S. children ages 6 to 14 will play organized football this season, and the average family will spend from $225 to $470 for football uniforms and equipment.
- A Global Industry Analysts Inc. forecast predicted handbag sales in the United States will reach $9 billion, and global footwear sales will total $195 billion by 2015.
- According to TrueCar Inc., the average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States rose to a record high of $31,252 in August 2013, up $978 from last August and $24 above the record of $31,228 set in December 2012.
Whether you want to upgrade your POS offerings, find a payment gateway partner, bone up on fintech regs or PCI requirements, find an upcoming trade show, read about faster payments, or discover the latest innovations in merchant acquiring, The Green Sheet is the resource for you. Since 1983, we've helped empower and connect payments professionals, starting with the merchant level salespeople who bring tailored payment acceptance and digital commerce tools, along with a host of other business services to merchants across the globe. The Green Sheet Inc. is also a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals.
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