Business Bits

By Zoe Francis, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Mobile Payments Improved with goSwiff's New Services

goSwiff, a global mobile commerce and marketing services provider, has introduced a new suite of professional services for banks and mobile network operators.

The company introduced the new range of services to improve the mobile payment infrastructure not just to enable transactions, but to increase the volume of transactions.

"Our experts are working with over 50 banks in 25 countries, helping them to establish the industry standards for mobile payment infrastructure together with central banks, regulators and card schemes to ensure secure mobile and online transactions and active merchants," Simone Ranucci Brandimarte, goSwiff CEO, said.

goSwiff consulting services allow clients to analyze the benefits and value of mobile commerce and marketing services for customers before defining a strategy and implementation of mobile payment solutions.

The company's managed services provide clients with flexible and scalable operational support. Outsourcing various services to goSwiff's experts to attract new customers and partner will save time and resources while bringing in new business.

Learn more about goSwiff, based in Singapore with a Hacienda office, at goswiff.com.
Xerox Expands Learning Services for Businesses

Xerox has expanded its learning services with the recent acquisition of the Seattle-based Intrepid Learning Solutions' learning services to provide employees with the latest skills and knowledge to improve business performance. Xerox's learning services unit focuses on implementing systems that manage a company's internal talent management and employee learning programs, including live classroom sessions and e-learning.

The acquisition of Intrepid's learning services will add consulting services and custom-tailored course curriculum. The firm also offers instructors, trainers and facilitators to provide classroom instruction, plus administration and logistics to ensure employees get instruction in a timely and effective manner.

"The speed of change in today's business world means that in order to stay relevant, companies and their employees must be at the top of their game," Mark Hill, group executive of Xerox human resource services, said. "The addition of Intrepid's expertise to our learning organization significantly expands our ability to deliver impactful, engaging and comprehensive learning solutions accessible to our customers at the point and time of greatest need."

Xerox's acquisition does not include Intrepid's cloud-based learning technology business, which will continue to be marketed under the Intrepid Learning brand. The two companies will launch a partnership alliance to present clients with unified learning options using Intrepid's technology and Xerox's e-learning, consulting, administration and classroom training programs.

Learn more about Xerox at xerox.com. Read about the acquisition at news.xerox.com/news/Xerox-Acquires-Intrepid-Learning-Solutions-learning-services.
Elavon Extends Payment Alliance with Union Bank

Elavon, a leading global payments provider, and Union Bank have extended their multi-year alliance.

The extended agreement will expand the geographic coverage and availability of payment consultants across Union Bank's retail branch network, private bank and business banking relationships. It will also provide enhanced products that help today's tech-savvy small business customers.

"Continuing our long-term relationship with Union Bank is a strong endorsement for Elavon," Guy Harris, president of North America at Elavon, said. "Continuing our relationship allows us to offer innovation and solutions that will help Union Bank's merchant customers compete in today's marketplace and manage the cost of payments."

Georgia-based Elavon, with an office in Hacienda, has been a leader in processing payments for more than two decades. The company leverages the world's best technologies for its customers, ranging from large worldwide enterprises to locally owned small businesses.

Learn more about Elavon at elavon.com. Learn more about Union Bank, with a location in Hacienda, at unionbank.com.
Accuvant & FishNet Security Merge to Form One Firm

Accuvant and FishNet Security have merged to create a single expanded company.

The merger, announced in November 2014, brings together two of the leading providers of information security services and solutions. The move brings together the complementary strengths of the two firms, creating a new provider with a broader suite of servicers, smarter solutions, more expertise and an expanded reach.

Blackstone private equity funds will maintain majority ownership in the combined company. Current investors, Sverica International private equity and FishNet's corporate owner, Investcorp, will maintain minority ownership. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal was finalized in early February.

"The coming together of Accuvant and FishNet Security is entirely about growth and transformation, about joining two respected companies and continuing to evolve the new, combined entity to better meet our customers' needs," Dan Burns, Accuvant CEO, said. "The leadership of both companies realized that we had been trying to solve many of the same problems for our customers, but in slightly different ways. When we put the two companies together, we will add strength to our similarities and options with our diversity, creating more value for our customers."

The combined company's name, marketing brand and corporate headquarters location will be announced in the second half of 2015. FishNet is based in Overland Park, Kansas, while Accuvant is based in Denver. Both companies have offices in Hacienda.

Visit accuvant.com and fishnetsecurity.com to learn about both companies and the merger.

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