Sybase Takes Strong Position in the Middle East with New m-Commerce Solutions

Sybase has seen a phenomenal interest in the m-Commerce service it has introduced in the Middle East. With  the acquisition of ‘Paybox Solutions AG’, a leader in mobile payment solutions, Sybase 365- a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY)and  the global leader in mobile messaging services- will now extend mobile payments and mobile money services to customers in the region.

With a footprint that follows both emerging and developed markets, the Middle East market will now have access to Sybase 365 services that include remote mobile payments and mobile banking services. With Sybase365, oganizations will be able to easily offer their end users various mobile payment services, including payment for goods and services, money transfer and mobile airtime top-up as well as cross border remittances
“m-Commerce is a natural progression from e-Commerce. With the number of mobile phone users touching the 100% saturation mark in the Middle East, as compared to 24% of internet users, Sybase 365 views this as the potential size for m-Commerce and mobile money opportunities.” said  Mathew Talbot, Vice President, m-Commerce, Sybase 365 ., “Sybase 365 services are  aimed at both corporate as well as retail customers and our interactions with current and potential clients have been extremely positive in the Middle East. Our focus has been financial institutions, mobile operators as well as retailers.”

m-Commerce has two primarily segments.  One that is driven by remote payments, in particular, SMS-based services such as money transfers. The other is being differentiated by payments based on geographical proximity and mainstream payment applications creating a healthy alternative to cash, credit or debit cards.
“With a powerful combination of ‘paybox’ mobile payment software – Mobiliser Portfolio – and Sybase 365’s integrated mobile messaging services, along with a high penetration of mobile users in the Middle East, we are in a strong position to provide cheaper and more cost effective solutions to our customers.” Talbot added.
Tony Achkar, General Manager, Sybase Products Middle East, said, “Technology has not yet reached the consumer level; however, it has always addressed the needs of the enterprise. The m-Commerce practice will empower people that have never used technology to use their mobile phones in a way no one thought possible by performing a wide range of services such as payment execution and money transfers. With Sybase m-Commerce Solution, we will be able to bring the masses to the world of IT.”

About Sybase 365
Sybase 365, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY), is the global leader in SMS, MMS and GRX mobile messaging interoperability, the delivery and settlement of SMS and MMS content, mobile commerce and enterprise-class messaging services. Processing more than 200 billion messages per year, Sybase 365 reaches more than 700 mobile operators and 3 billion subscribers around the world. For more information, visit: www.sybase.com/365

About paybox
paybox solutions AG is the global market leader in mobile payment enterprise solutions. Founded in 1999, paybox was the first to launch mass-marketable mobile payment solutions in five European markets. paybox set up operator-led, national mobile Payment standards in Germany and Austria proving a blueprint for highly developed markets where an open mobile payment infrastructure drives the expansion of the mobile services ecosystem. As an officially certified GSMA Mobile Money Vendor, paybox also covers the entire value proposition for emerging markets where mPayment, mBanking and mCommerce solutions create low cost banking services for the unbanked.
paybox received the Int’ Stevie Award 2007 for Best Product in Telecommunications and the World BSS Award 2008 for the Best E/M-Commerce Payments Implementation. Recognised for having the broadest mobile Commerce offering worldwide, paybox mobile payment enterprise solutions are deployed by leading companies across Europe, North and South America, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, visit www.paybox.net

For further press information, please contact:
Michelle Silva, Oak Consulting FZC
Mob: +971 50 781 8568 E-mail: michelle@oakconsulting.biz