PYMNTS

APRIL 25, 2017

Chatbots have moved into a unique position over the past few years. Rather than using chatbots to resolve customer service issues solely on company websites or for inside use at organizations, businesses have begun branching out to help optimize both internal and external organizational needs. While chatbots may be traditionally thought of as the standard instant message chat windows, they have evolved to meet the needs of today’s fast-paced consumer.

Technology 79

Technology Start-ups Retail 79

PYMNTS

APRIL 12, 2017

Are the stars aligning for companies to make API investment a top priority? The April B2B API Tracker™ looks at how companies engaged in cross-border trade are turning to API solutions to reduce the friction that some players encounter when engaged in cross-border trade. A Passport to Simpler X-Border B2B Payments. Over the past few weeks, several companies made investments in APIs with a focus on improving the flow of cross-border trade.

B2B 79

B2B Finance E-commerce 79

PYMNTS

APRIL 20, 2017

Facebook’s annual developer conference F8 is seeing its fair share of chatbot integration announcements. Now the fashion world is taking center stage as both Rue21 and mode.ai announce their plans for a virtual stylist offering through Facebook’s Messenger app. While Rue21 is working with artificial intelligence–driven shopping bot provider mode.ai to take advantage of Facebook’s newly launched Chat Extensions feature, mode.ai also announced its plans for its own integration.

Retail 78

Retail 78

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

Good news emerged from the U.S. venture capital sphere this week: VC funding for FinTech startups in Q1 alone hit $1.2 billion, found a new report from KPMG. Analysts said the industry has seen its highest venture capital activity since Q1 of 2016, fueled by focus on late-stage investment rounds. “The U.S. leads the rest of the world in the total value of FinTech investment due to the large amount of funds available to invest in the market, with investors focusing on late-stage, clear front-runn

B2B 77

B2B Technology New York California 77

Speaker: Danny Gassaway and Wayne Richards

Finance leaders are prioritizing efficiency and digital transformation, yet many hesitate to automate due to uncertainty. Without a clear understanding of its impact, organizations risk falling behind competitors who are leveraging automation to drive productivity and cost savings. Join Wayne Richards and Danny Gassaway from AvidXchange for a practical guide on bringing accounts payable (AP) automation to your organization.

Finance

PYMNTS

APRIL 7, 2017

The approach to financial services for consumers and businesses is quite vast, but across the spectrum, access to and management of financial data is a critical component. Today, APIs have become a popular way for banks to share this financial data with other services and have given rise to more possibilities for FinTechs in how they meet their customers’ needs — and more debate about the security of such facilitated information-sharing.

Technology 76

Technology Start-ups Maine Tax 76

PYMNTS

APRIL 21, 2017

It was a fairly quiet week for B2B startups on the venture capital front: Just three companies landed funding, all of which in the U.S., totaling $26 million. One startup focusing on enterprise cybersecurity blew the competition out of the water, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the total funds raised. And investment plans are looking up, with two venture capital funds announcing their own latest raises headed toward the B2B FinTech space in the future.

B2B 76

B2B Manufacturing Sales Technology 76

PYMNTS

APRIL 19, 2017

From phone support and mobile apps to ATMs and chatbots — when it comes to customer service, banking automation has come a long way. However, the one missing piece that these automated banking features lack is a real human being to interact with during a transaction. That’s something that Soul Machines, a New Zealand-based startup, is hoping to change.

Technology 72

Technology Hospitality Government Start-ups 72

PYMNTS

APRIL 12, 2017

Last year, payments technology company Ixaris announced it would spin off some of its operations to form a separate unit dedicated to B2B payments. Now, the company is exploring the B2B payments space even further. The company launched its OPC Live! Innovation Challenge this week at the Innovative Finance Global Summit, held in London, Ixaris said Tuesday (April 11).

B2B 70

B2B accounting and finance Finance Technology 70

PYMNTS

APRIL 24, 2017

Consumers and business buyers alike are placing new pressures on merchants and their supply chains. The rise in omnichannel B2B and B2C eCommerce has, for some companies, created a disconnect in the product content viewed by buyers and a lack in product information management across sales channels means money lost. According to new data from 1WorldSync, almost half of surveyed merchants and suppliers have lost at least $1 million because of this challenge of omnichannel sales — and more than a t

B2B 70

B2B B2C Sales Technology 70

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

Apexx, a FinTech startup, is reportedly launching in London, aiming to create a transparent marketplace in which merchants can browse and plug into competing services for a network of acquirers and payment brands. In a report , Apexx said with its platform, merchants can see how the costs compare from one payment brand to the next and get advice on the payment providers that would be best suited for the merchant.

Retail 66

Retail 66

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Technology

PYMNTS

APRIL 18, 2017

In the effort to shore up cyber defenses among financial companies, regulations are looming in New York state. Beginning this spring, and in staggered increments from March, when the regulations went into effect, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has mandated new practices and protocols for firms within insurance, banking and financial services.

New York 66

New York B2B 66

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

Although it’s still in its infancy stage of being used outside of the financial arena, blockchain technology is slowly showing signs of impacting other industries. On the tip of everyone’s tongue in the digital advertising arena is blockchain technology. Just as recent as this January , ethereum-based blockchain technology company adChain partnered up with decentralized application studio ConsenSys with the goal of specifically developing a blockchain solution for the online advertising industry

Non-Profits 64

Non-Profits Technology 64

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

The U.S. was the number one target for ransomware last year. Its end users were also the most willing to pay. This according to the latest volume of the Internet Security Threat Report published today by software company and security product provider Symantec. In an interview with PYMNTS’ Karen Webster, Kevin Haley, director of Symantec Security Response, spoke to the many ways in which 2016 was a landmark year in cybercrime, where threat vectors point in the future and what’s being done to try

Start-ups 62

Start-ups Sports Legal Government 62

PYMNTS

APRIL 13, 2017

Dubai is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and has big ambitions to become a global tech hub. The young country is working to address the inefficiencies that can arise with increased growth. With comparatively less red tape in the way as compared to many other cities, Dubai is able to implement smart city-type technologies in order to continue pushing digital development in many areas.

Technology 62

Technology Government Maine 62

Speaker: Jennifer Hill

Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.

payroll

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

India has been the next bastion of growth for eCommerce companies, including Amazon and Alibaba, but the market is still in its infancy, accounting for just 1 percent of the world’s spending online. That’s according to Seeking Alpha which, in a broad report looking at the state of eCommerce in India, said the low penetration rate of eCommerce in the country is mainly due to the low number of Internet users compared to its total population.

Maine 62

Maine Retail accountant accounted 62

PYMNTS

APRIL 6, 2017

Oftentimes the best ideas come from trying to solve a problem. And when that problem is a personal one, the drive to create an innovative solution that actually works is even stronger. For Marc Werner, founder and CEO of Nature’s Sleep , this meant making a mattress that actually helped him get a good night’s sleep, despite dealing with chronic neck and back pain.

Florida 61

Florida Start-ups E-commerce Sales 61

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

Everyone knows the convenience of reviewing and signing a document anywhere at any time online, even on mobile devices. But for payments that might accompany those contracts — such as security deposits or escrow payments — documents remain separate and therefore a separate transaction. It was a friction that Woody Levin, DocuSign vice president of Growth/Consumer, decided to investigate.

accounted 60

accounted Account accountant Sales 60

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

In terms of the country most willing to pay ransomware money, the United States came out on top. It’s not only the most willing payee, but it’s also the most targeted country in the world. According to software company and security product provider Symantec’s Internet Security Threat Report , ransomware attacks intensified in size, number and type. Here are the numbers: 100 | Amount of new malware families launched in 2016. 36 percent | Global increase in ransomware attacks. 266 percent | Inc

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60

Speaker: Sierre Lindgren

Fraud is a battle that every organization must face – it’s no longer a question of “if” but “when.” Every organization is a potential target for fraud, and the finance department is often the bullseye. From cleverly disguised emails to fraudulent payment requests, the tactics of cybercriminals are advancing rapidly. Drawing insights from real-world cases and industry expertise, we’ll explore the vulnerabilities in your processes and how to fortify them effectively.

Finance

PYMNTS

APRIL 27, 2017

U.K. consumers lodged 3.04 million complaints in the second half of 2016 concerning financial products. This according to figures published yesterday by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the U.K.’s financial watchdog. In its figures, the FCA noted that total complaints were higher in the second half of 2016 compared to the first — when 2.05 million were recorded — in part because the organization changed its recording process.

accounted 60

accounted Account accountant Finance 60

PYMNTS

APRIL 5, 2017

Making a run to the corner store for one item, or even a few small items, can sometimes be a difficult feat to accomplish. Whether it’s lack of time in a busy schedule, transportation issues, proximity to a good store or just plain, “I’m going to stay home in my PJs and not do anything” laziness, convenience store runs can sometimes be more trouble than they’re worth.

Washington 60

Washington Transportation Start-ups New York 60

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

Talend, a leader in cloud and big data integration software, announced in a press release the results of an international consumer and IT business survey that reveals a surprising gap between customer expectations and what organizations are actually providing. With industry research suggesting businesses are losing $62 billion per year through poor customer service, this information can help companies figure out where they are falling short.

Retail 59

Retail 59

PYMNTS

APRIL 21, 2017

Cybercriminals certainly had a habit of churning out headline-worthy attacks in 2016 — from the Mirai botnet’s infamous distributed-denial-of-service attacks on domain directory Dyn and the DNC hack to hackers targeting the SWIFT interbank system. With these and other high-profile cases, the world became acutely aware of vulnerabilities in the digital realm.

Technology 57

Technology 57

Speaker: Debra L. Robinson

CPAs know the drill: taxes, compliance, rinse, repeat. But what about the sneaky cash flow that’s quietly messing with your organization’s success? It’s time to step into the spotlight and expose the “dirty little secrets” of cash flow to fuel strategic growth. By upskilling your accounting practices and shifting focus from tax compliance to the strategic movement of money, you can transform your role from reactive accountant to proactive financial strategist.

CPA

PYMNTS

APRIL 13, 2017

The man accused of being involved in a massive hack of Yahoo email accounts was denied bail in Canada, delaying U.S. plans to have him extradited. According to Reuters , prosecutors argued that Karim Baratov, a Canadian citizen who was born in Kazakhstan, posed a flight risk. Baratov will now remain in Canadian custody until his next bail hearing at the end of May, with sources saying that the attorney general of Canada will be ready to proceed with an extradition hearing by June 12.

Government 57

Government accountant accounted Account 57

PYMNTS

APRIL 22, 2017

Spain’s number-two bank, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, or BBVA, said Friday (April 21) that it has successfully completed its first cross-border payment using blockchain technology from Ripple. According to reports , BBVA transferred 50 payments in euro from Spain to Mexico, with the transaction taking only a few seconds. According to the bank, these transactions would typically take days.

B2B 56

B2B cost accounting Technology accounted 56

PYMNTS

APRIL 14, 2017

Cannabis, a favorite relaxation method of choice for some, has slowly become less stigmatized within the past few years. After it became illegal in the United States through the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, the business of selling cannabis went mostly underground. Not until 2004 did cannabis become legal for non-medical use in certain areas of the country.

Technology 56

Technology Legal Nevada Retail 56

PYMNTS

APRIL 27, 2017

Quovo, a data platform providing insights and connectivity for financial accounts, announced Wednesday (April 26) that it has raised $10 million in Series B funding. In a press release , the company said F-Prime Capital and Napier Park Financial Partners co-led the round and were joined by existing investors, FinTech Collective and Long Light Capital.

financial accounting 55

financial accounting accounted Account accountant 55

Speaker: Aaron Berson

Managing spend is more than a cost cutting exercise – it's a pathway to smarter decisions that unlock efficiency and drive growth. By understanding and refining the spending process, financial leaders can empower their organizations to achieve more with less. Explore the art of balancing financial control with operational growth. From uncovering hidden inefficiencies to designing workflows that scale your business, we’ll share strategies to align your organization’s spending with its strategic g

Spend Management

PYMNTS

APRIL 11, 2017

The Super Bowl may be a memory, but the somewhat improbable victory of the New England Patriots was still fresh in the minds of many at snow-jammed Boston during Innovation Project 2017. In a fireside chat with PYMNTS’ Karen Webster, First Data CEO Frank Bisignano stated that his firm “just gave up the championship title,” where, for more than 500 days, First Data had the spot as the largest IPO.

Sports 55

Sports Real Estate payroll Retail 55

PYMNTS

APRIL 5, 2017

Magento , an eCommerce platform, announced on Wednesday (April 5) that it will now support B2B capabilities through the launch of its Magento Digital Commerce Cloud for B2B offering. The digital cloud for B2B companies will handle the complex B2B commerce requirements in order to empower manufacturers and distributors to grow and enhance their businesses.

B2B 55

B2B B2C Manufacturing corporate accounting 55

PYMNTS

APRIL 11, 2017

We had a bit of fun last week writing that Alexa was taking time out to work on itself — but the reality of the matter is that Amazon isn’t resting easy. As of late, Alexa has grown to play a broader role in the Amazon ecosystem. It was embedded into the Amazon mobile app last month, for instance. More recently, the online retail giant rolled out additional capabilities for third-party developers to create skills that leverage the voice-activated assistant’s location capabilities.

Manufacturing 53

Manufacturing Retail 53

PYMNTS

APRIL 28, 2017

NewVoiceMedia, a provider of cloud contact centers and inside sales technology that enables businesses to have more successful conversations, announced Thursday (April 27) that the global payments company Paysafe increased its customer support center productivity by 20 percent over the last year, using NewVoiceMedia’s ContactWorld for Service platform.

Sales 53

Sales Technology 53

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