Retail News CRM

Tag: platform

  • AirAsia’s new platform for medical services

    AirAsia’s new platform for medical services

    Karen Chan, chief executive officer of AirAsia.com said the digital platform is aimed at making it as seamless as possible for everyone from the initial consultation to post-treatment services. “Healthcare is essential, and its affordability and accessibility should be a right for everyone. We want to help facilitate that. AirAsia Health is where healthcare meets travel, complemented by the strength of our ecosystem encompassing travel logistics such as flights, accommodation and mobility options, enhancing the convenience factor for any medical traveller’s end-to-end journey,” she said.

    Furthermore, AirAsia Health will partner with reputable medical providers and hospitals.

    To kickstart the launch, it is offering booking for Covid-19 RT PCR tests on its platform, provided by its medical partners from Lifecare Diagnostic Medical Centre and Sunway Medical Centre.

  • Payments Platform PPRO Enters Indonesia

    Payments Platform PPRO Enters Indonesia

    The cross-border payments specialist is integrating e-wallet leaders Doku and Ovo into its global portfolio. The new integrations help to accelerate market entry and boost conversion for businesses hoping to tap on Southeast Asia’s largest e-commerce market, where credit card penetration is less than 5 percent of the population, the company said in an announcement.

    PPRO’s local payments platform-as-a-service provides partners with the ability to accept locally preferred payment methods through one contract and one API. Its integrations feature a total of four payment types: e-wallet, internet banking, bank transfers, and cash for consumers who prefer to pay at ATM and convenience stores.

    Indonesia is a strategic market for our top-tier customers and their merchants, who are being pressed to globalize faster than ever in the wake of the pandemic. Indonesia is also one of the world’s most complex regions regarding compliance, regulations, and consumer preferences, Kelvin Phua, PPRO global head of payment networks, said.

    Indonesia’s e-commerce market is set to grow 50 percent year-over-year to $35 billion in 2020, with many consumers using online shops for the first time this year due to the pandemic, PPRO said, citing a recent survey by management consulting company Redseer

    Founded in 2006, PPRO is backed by the likes of PayPal, Citi Ventures, and HPE Growth Capital. The company currently works with Alipay, WeChat Pay, GrabPay, Bancontact, iDEAL, BLIK, Boleto Bancario, and other local payment methods on its platform.

    In 2019, the company began its push to increase global coverage with the expansion of its Asia-Pacific (APAC) operations out of Singapore and partnered GrabPay to support its payments and e-commerce solutions in Singapore.

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  • UOB Launches Platform for Corporate Clients

    UOB Launches Platform for Corporate Clients

    The new platform aims to transform the digital banking experience for corporate clients and manage their banking needs in a simpler, smarter, and more personalized manner.

    Customers will be able to manage a range of domestic and cross-border banking activities on UOB Infinity, which aims to streamline business banking by integrating features such as cash management and trade finance, as well as real-time payment receipt confirmation at the beneficiary bank and information on charges for the cross-border transaction, including those from the intermediary bank.

    In addition, its app allows clients to make a wide range of payments – from local bill payments to making domestic and cross-border fund transfers – through services such as PayNow, FAST, and telegraphic transfers.

    The platform will be rolled out across the region, beginning with Singapore, the bank said in an announcement on Wednesday. Users of BIBPlus, the bank’s existing business internet banking platform, can use Inifinity with the same credentials.

    The design of Inifinity, such as its customizable desktop, comes amid rising demand for personalized digital experiences and increased use of electronic payments for business transactions.

    The result is «an experience that is intuitive for corporate clients and enables them to access the financial intelligence they need quickly and easily,» So Lay Hua, UOB head of group transaction banking, group wholesale banking, said.

  • Southeast Asia’s largest used car platform unveils experience centre

    Southeast Asia’s largest used car platform unveils experience centre

    Southeast Asian online used car trading platform Carsome has launched its new Carsome Experience Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

    The move signals the opening of the firm’s B2C segment, introducing a highly digitized and transparent car-purchasing process, aimed at addressing consumer distrust when buying second-hand cars. The firm works to enhance trust and assurance throughout the industry’s supply chain in the areas of sourcing, financing, retailing, and after-sales services.

    “We want to create an end-to-end trusted experience for consumers when it comes to buying used cars,” said Carsome co-founder and CEO Eric Cheng.

    “Our Car Purchase Preference Survey showed that 70 percent of car buyers want detailed information on car condition; 60 percent appreciate an extended warranty; and 40 percent value test drive experience and money-back guarantee.”

    The firm offers a one-year warranty and five-day money-back guarantee on selected vehicles. The service also features a home-delivery option. Test drives take place in a controlled setting from the Experience Centre.

    “Carsome’s B2B business has solved a persistent issue for used-car dealers when it comes to sourcing inventory,” said Cheng. “With the launch of our B2C segment, we are now creating a new customer-acquisition channel for our partner dealers to remarket and sell more cars through our extensive marketing reach. This is an exclusive, value-added service to our partner dealers, who can now list their cars on Carsome website for free.”

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  • Liverpool FC opens E-commerce platform in Japan

    Liverpool FC opens E-commerce platform in Japan

    Liverpool FC has partnered with soccer shop Kamo to launch its first online store in Japan.

    The Liverpool FC online store offers a wide range of replica kits and the brand’s authentic merchandise, apparel and fashion accessories, including the exclusive Hello Kitty x LFC Collection.

    “As a key player in the football and sports-retail industry, we know this store has been a long time coming for Liverpool FC fans here,” said Ken Kamo, president of Kamo.

    “We’re looking forward to working together to bring supporters here closer to the club they love.”

    Launched in 1968 as a small football shop, Kamo operates 23 brick-and-mortar stores and an e-commerce site, offering a selection of sport brands including Puma, New Balance and Adidas.

    Senior VP at Liverpool Football Club Mike Cox, said: “I’ve been able to see first-hand how passionate our fanbase is here and as one of the world’s premier shopping destinations, it’s an exciting opportunity for the club to connect with supporters in the region.”

  • CapitaLand kicked new e-commerce platforms off in Singapore

    CapitaLand kicked new e-commerce platforms off in Singapore

    CapitaLand has launched new e-commerce and food ordering platforms in Singapore.

    The new eCapitaMall and Capita3Eats services are aiming to drive sales for retailers at its shopping malls during Singapore’s Phase 1 safe reopening protocol, as the country starts pulling itself out of the coronavirus lockdown. Both platforms will be accessible via the firm’s CapitaStar app and mall websites from June 1.

    “The circuit breaker has brought to the fore the importance of an omnichannel, 24/7 strategy for Singapore’s retailers,” said CapitaLand Singapore MD Chris Chong. “As the operator of Singapore’s largest mall network, we want to help our retailers reach out to more consumers and online business opportunities by using the strong brand awareness of CapitaLand and the digital capabilities we have built up over the years. Retailers on our eCapitaMall and Capita3Eats platforms will get a leg up in the digital space by tapping the more than 1 million CapitaStar members in Singapore and marketing reach through our physical network.”

    Customers using the app will be able to buy goods from (predominantly) retail tenants at CapitaLand malls, opting for home delivery or in-store collection. The food app is Singapore’s first mall-operated food ordering platform offering consumers three ways to fulfil their food orders – by delivery, takeaway or dine-in.

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  • NuOrder launches virtual showroom as Asia sales surge

    NuOrder launches virtual showroom as Asia sales surge

    B2B e-commerce platform Nuorder is launching a virtual showroom service for brands to showcase products via an immersive online experience.

    About 40 percent of NuOrder’s sales of around US$1 billion per month come from markets outside North America and a spokesperson told Inside Retail Asia that Asia is a standout growth market for the company. The converse is among the brands currently using the platform in Mainland China.

    The move is intended to assist fashion, apparel, and outdoor brands and retailers struggling to do business during the coronavirus pandemic by allowing consumers the ability to see 360-degree views of products. The service will be available from next month.

    Product imagery will enable buyers to interact with products and gear as if seeing it in person, looking at items from all angles and zooming-in to see details close-up. Brands using the service will be able to add premium content such as runway looks, video footage, collection notes, inspirational imagery, and designer interviews to their pages on the platform.

    The firm will also offer its brand and retail partners access to a global photography network to support 360-degree product photography needs.

    “We are in a period of great change in our industry,” said NuOrder co-CEO and co-founder Heath Wells. “Our customers need a solution to present and sell their products in the absence of any travel. With the uncertainty of physical markets, trade shows and fashion events, we know that the virtual showroom will help solve the needs for brands and retailers alike during this critical time.”

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  • Google further improves Gmail’s security on all platforms

    Google further improves Gmail’s security on all platforms

    Gmail is already a safe email app, but it’s far from being perfect and Google is aware of that. The most recent update introduces a brand-new technology that Google is still refining, which further improves malicious document detection.

    Google’s security technology is using deep learning, a term that’s been tied by many software developed in the last couple of years. In a fairly technical blog post, Google explains how the new changes will affect Gmail and what other improvements are expected to be added in the future.

    First off, Gmail already protects its users from malicious software that’s usually transmitted via Office documents, but thanks to Google’s new technology, the app can do that even better. Google launched a new scanner at the end of last year, which is supposed to increase the detection of Office documents packed with malicious scripts by 10 percent.

    According to Google, nearly 60 percent of the malware targeting Gmail users is represented by malicious documents, which is why the Mountain View company is so determined to find a way to prevent these emails to reach your Inbox.

    Gmail’s new scanner is an extra layer of security and will run at the same time with the already existing detection capabilities. Google’s approach to the problem seems to be the development of multiple scanners, each dedicated to particular tasks and working in parallel to find and remove all malicious content targeting Gmail users.

    These scanners use artificial intelligence, another piece of technology that’s been the cornerstone of developing faster and better software. Google will continue to use artificial intelligence with the purpose of protecting Gmail users’ inboxes, so this is probably a taste of what’s to come.

  • Japanese shopping service Nippon Passport secures funding

    Japanese shopping service Nippon Passport secures funding

    Nippon Passport has raised ¥200 million (US$1.82 million) in pre-series A funding, led by private investors and business companies through a third-party allotment.

    In response to the Japanese government’s target to attract 60 million foreign tourists annually by 2030, the firm has launched its “NP Pass” service, driving foreign visitors through affiliate shops for a commission fee of 10 percent of total sales. Travelers who download the app can receive discounts and vouchers for participating retailers.

    With the financing, Nippon Passport intends to improve the “NP Pass” app as well as develop its network of affiliate shops and agents.

    “Japan’s population has been steadily decreasing,” said Nippon Platform CEO Shinsuke Hishiki.

    “We believe that Nippon Passport’s service makes significant headway in collaboration with Nippon Platform related to tablet solutions, and transfers from attracting customers for tourism consumption to making solutions for paving the way for regional revitalization.”

    Tharminder Singh, a director at Nippon Passport, says the ever-changing nature of technology such as AI and self-driving cars is starting to move consumers away from products and towards experiences and travel.

    “Using technology and smart mechanisms to harness the value of bringing people together through tourism inbound and outbound [we are] creating a value proposition that helps drive the industry and new ways of attracting people and traffic and increasing business.”

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  • Apple Music gains new Replay feature

    Apple Music gains new Replay feature

    Apple is bringing a new feature to its music streaming service in the hopes to bring Apple Music on par with Spotify and other similar services. The new feature is called Replay and lets Apple Music users check out their favorite music from 2019.

    Simply put, Apple Music subscribers will get a playlist of the most played songs from 2019, as well as playlists for every year they’ve been subscribed to the service, retroactively. All songs alongside playlists can be added to the Apple Music Library to allow users to stream them anytime they want.

    More importantly, Apple Music Replay can be shared with others or posted to social media. Unlike Spotify’s Wrapped feature that’s basically an annual retrospective. Apple Music Replay will continue to be updated throughout the year.

    According to Apple, the playlist and all data insights are updated on Sundays to reflect subscribers’ latest listening activity. Think of Apple Music Replay as a compilation of favorites, which changes throughout the year, not just at the end.

    The new feature is now available from the Apple Music app across all platforms, including via the web, so give it a spin until the beginning of the next year when it will become a blank slate waiting to be filled with your favorite music.

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  • Payments Platform PPRO Partners with Grab

    Payments Platform PPRO Partners with Grab

    Payments platform PPRO adds GrabPay to its list of partners in a bid to tap into a Southeast Asia market estimated to be worth $600 billion this year alone.

    GrabPay, developed by cab-hailing app giant Grab, joins a list of 150 local payment methods (LPMs), such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay, which will leverage PPRO’s capabilities. The firm is able to reduce digital payment complexities through a «unified offering of LPMs, as well as processing, collecting, reconciling and settling funds – all through one contract and one integration», according to a release.

    The GrabPay partnership includes two phases which will be rolled out separately. Firstly, PPRO will support GrabPay’s one-time payment solutions in Singapore and its recently launched e-commerce payment capabilities. Secondly, it will support GrabPay’s tokenized payment option and expand market

    PPRO highlights its commitment to the Asia Pacific region not only through the new partnership but it also expects to triple its Singapore staff headcount by 2020 and open additional offices in the region in the coming years. Its Asia head of partnerships, Tristan Chiappini, underlines Singapore’s «well-developed fintech pedigree» as a key enabler of an LPM business for the firm to tap the region’s estimated 115 million users – or 8 out of 10 digital consumers globally.

    This will enable us to continue to broaden our LPM service offering, payment expertise, and customer support across the APAC region quickly, and position us as the unifying force of today’s fragmented payments landscape, Chiappini said. «Our partnership with GrabPay is a testament to this vision.»

    London-headquartered PPRO support LPMs across more than 100 countries with around 130 payment presence provider partners and around 100,000 merchants on its platform.

  • Citi to Drop Two-Thirds of FX Platforms

    Citi to Drop Two-Thirds of FX Platforms

    Citi will drop links to two-thirds of the existing foreign exchange platforms it is using, in a move to consolidate technology and reduce costs.

    Citi will reduce the number of FX platforms it uses from 45 to 15 by the first quarter of 2020, citing anonymous sources. The report added that the move to cut links could save the bank $5-10 million per year.

    Lower FX volatility over the past decade has led banks to invest heavily in electronic trading systems to reduce costs and maximize margins. But a moderated outlook for the FX trading business is likely to drive providers to rethink their offerings.

    Alongside J.P. Morgan, Citigroup is one of the two largest FX traders by market share, according to a 2018 Greenwich Associates report, highlighting advantages in its technology and client networks.

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  • Fave launches takeaway platform in Singapore

    Fave launches takeaway platform in Singapore

    Southeast Asian digital merchant-platform Fave has launched a food takeaway service in Singapore.

    Fave Takeaway will allow customers to pre-order their meal selection and make payment via the app’s digital wallet FavePay before picking up their order at participating stores. Customers can expect to collect their order within 30 minutes (or less) depending on the restaurants’ speed of service.

    Takeaway is part of Fave’s strategy to further digitize Southeast Asia’s F&B sector by allowing merchants to serve more customers beyond the capacity of their outlets while diversifying their revenue streams and increasing productivity.

    “As the [Singapore] government continues to push for a digital and seamless economy, Fave is helping SMEs adapt to the new landscape and in a more cost-effective way by giving them the tools to enable them to serve their customers in the best and efficient way possible,” said Fave co-founder and CEO Joel Neoh. “The introduction of Takeaway is our way of enabling that our merchants get the most out of the platform by increasing productivity and revenue.”

    “Queueing makes up a large portion of the average Singaporean’s time, but it is not something we would want to do when we are in a rush,” said Fave Singapore MD Ng Aik-Phong. “With the introduction of Takeaway, we hope to bring convenience and efficiency to our consumers while improving our platform for both merchants and consumers.”

    More than 200 merchants are participating in the launch of Takeaway with more to follow in the coming months.

    The new feature follows the launch of Fave’s Table Ordering service in May this year.

  • Google One paid storage service gets more phone backup features

    Google One paid storage service gets more phone backup features

    If you don’t have a Google One membership yet, you might consider one after the latest improvements the paid storage service has just received. The Mountain View company has just announced that Google One is now getting additional phone backup features on Android devices.

    Google has taken the standard Android backup, which includes texts, contacts, and apps, and improved with additional features like automatic phone backup. On top of that, Google One subscribers will be able to back up original quality photos, videos, and multimedia messages (MMS).

    Furthermore, users will be given the option to manage their backups directly from the Google One app. The storage service will allow users to get everything they need to be restored when they set up their next Android phone.

    Google One subscribers should expect the new automatic phone backup feature to become available to them this week. Simply open the Google One app and head to the “Device Backup” section to check out the new improvements.

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