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American Solar Accelerates Path to Energy Independence for North Carolina Homeowners

American Solar

American Solar today announced its expansion into Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Greensboro, North Carolina to help the state expedite the growth of its residential solar installations. American Solar aims to add approximately 5 megawatts (MW) of installed solar capacity, generating enough power for more than 600 residential homes in 2022. The company’s 2023 goal is to add roughly 8.5MW of installed solar capacity for more than 1000 new residential solar installations in North Carolina. American Solar’s proprietary Module Digital Enterprise (MDE) framework has allowed the company to quickly capture market share and demonstrate a growth rate of 150 percent quarter-over-quarter for the last four consecutive quarters. At this pace, American Solar can break into the top five solar companies by volume of homeowners transitioning to solar in North Carolina in its first year of operations in the state and the top two after its second year. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), North Carolina is ranked fourth in installed solar capacity nationwide, and more than seven percent of the state's electricity generation comes from utility-scale solar, compared to just over two percent nationally. However, less than three percent of residential households have moved to rooftop solar even as the state’s electricity rates are approved to rise by more than five percent this year alone. “American Solar’s customers can achieve monthly payment stability and save tens of thousands of dollars. We can also help customers reduce their dependency on utility electricity, advancing North Carolina’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2050,” said American Solar CEO Meir Yaniv, “These combined benefits allow homeowners to secure their energy independence and protect themselves against future rate increases.” American Solar’s expansion in North Carolina will help exponentially accelerate the pace of the state’s residential solar energy installations. This anticipated market growth in North Carolina is enabled directly by American Solar’s proprietary Modular Digital Enterprise (MDE) framework. The innovative MDE framework is a robust, scalable and fully-remote technological platform, enabling American Solar to effectively and quickly extend its reach to homeowners interested in making the switch to solar energy. In addition, the MDE framework has allowed American Solar to streamline the process of going green, making solar power accessible to more homeowners than ever before. About American Solar American Solar is committed to achieving one goal – covering America with solar to achieve net-zero emissions targets at an accelerated pace. The company’s Modular Digital Enterprise™ (MDE™) framework employs innovative management tools and advanced data-based technology to expedite and simplify the way homeowners purchase solar panels. American Solar’s mission is to heal the planet while helping Americans become energy independent, free of utility monopolies, and accumulate a substantial and exponential amount of savings, year after year. The quickly growing company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Please visit https://www.americansolar.com for more information. Contact Details Rainier Communications Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.americansolar.com

March 29, 2022 08:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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edatanetworks Inc. Granted USPTO Patent Utilizing Micro-Donations to Support Communities in Crisis

edatanetworks Inc.

edatanetworks Inc. announced the approval of patent 17/073,310 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This USPTO patent 17/073,310 extends patent 10,846,731 creating a unique Rescue, Relieve, Recover (RRR) portfolio of intellectual property that redirects merchant micro-donations to support relief efforts in times of crisis or emergency. The unique differentiator of RRR is its ability to define campaigns that redirect merchant micro-donations to support immediate disaster relief in a giving ecosystem utilizing rich transactional data. The RRR patents relate to the utilization of tokenized transaction data with a comprehensive, high-tech digital capability creating actionable insights, key analytics, and intelligent decisions. This drives predictive capabilities from transaction data enabling the direction of merchant driven micro-donations for relief organizations. “Rescue, Relieve, Recover is a community assistance program that seamlessly redirects merchant micro-donations towards crisis relief regionally, nationally, and globally, providing support when the need is critical. RRR donations are generated through everyday transactions at merchants within a consumer's local market, and through transactions at merchants outside their local market, nationally and globally making a measurable impact that matters." stated Terry Tietzen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of edatanetworks. About edatanetworks edatanetworks Inc. (edata), edatanetworks.com, a privately held intellectual property company established in 2001, has worked with many organizations and conducted multiple live market deployments creating patented philanthropic innovations utilizing existing technological and financial infrastructures—connecting consumers, local merchants, charitable and community organizations, digital media groups, communications companies, search providers, social networks, banks, payment networks, trusted intermediaries and other financial services organizations. Contact Details Keill & Company, Inc. Catherine Keill +1 780-690-5283 Company Website https://www.edatanetworks.com

March 29, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Omnichannel Engagement Is Becoming a Centerpiece of Customer Experience Strategy for Many Organizations, According to Dash Research

Dash Network

Although brands have been transforming their customer experience (CX) models over the last several years, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated many organizations’ plans for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies, according to a new report from Dash Research. An omnichannel strategy is a cross-channel strategy that gives a seamless and integrated experience to users across multiple channels. Unlike multichannel strategies, where each channel is managed individually, omnichannel engagement strategies streamline all customer touchpoints under a single platform, with a consistent and continuous experience for the user. “To enable omnichannel engagement, companies must remove data silos and capture and analyze customer interactions at scale,” says principal analyst Keith Kirkpatrick. “With these insights, organizations can uncover pain points, concerns, or challenges, and take action to improve omnichannel CX and drive increased customer retention and loyalty.” Kirkpatrick adds that there are five key market drivers for the growth of omnichannel engagement strategies: Poor levels of customer support A growing shift to digital interactions Changing demographics of customers The COVID-19 impact on sales, service, and support CX as a competitive differentiator Like any technology or approach, however, there are technical and operational barriers to complete market adoption. Dash Research’s analysis indicates that the most notable barriers to adopting and incorporating an omnichannel engagement strategy within the enterprise are: Technical challenges with implementing disparate software and workflow processes A lack of an agreed-upon and supported omnichannel vision Training and personnel issues Privacy issues Dash Research’s report, “Omnichannel Customer Engagement”, examines the market issues, drivers, and barriers for the use of platforms, software applications, and services that enable the deployment of omnichannel engagement strategies for CX. Several case studies illustrating the various ways omnichannel engagement is being used by end users are included in the report, along with best practices, software selection criteria, and recommendations for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website. About Dash Research Dash Research, the market intelligence arm of Dash Network, provides in-depth research and insights on the worldwide CX market including a comprehensive assessment of technology solutions, business issues, market drivers, and end-user dynamics across industry sectors. Dash Research’s global market coverage combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a complete view of emerging business opportunities surrounding contact center technologies, customer data & analytics, customer data platforms, customer insights & feedback, customer relationship management, personalization & optimization, and employee experience. For more information, visit www.dashresearch.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Dash Network is an independent, integrated B2B research, events, and digital media platform focused on best business practices and technology solutions for the global Customer Experience (CX) market. The company provides a unique, CX-focused, full-service content and marketing solution, designed to enable industry participants’ strategic planning and go-to-market initiatives, while simultaneously extending the market reach of corporate brands and product messaging to a global audience of CX practitioners. For more information, visit www.dashnetwork.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Contact Details Clint Wheelock +1 720-603-1700 press@dashnetwork.com Company Website http://www.dashnetwork.com

March 29, 2022 05:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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John Deere Celebrates and Supports Modern Agriculture

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/13ONFt-E4F0 Farmers and ranchers are employing technology and innovation to feed the world. So, how is this being done and what equipment are they using? Smart technology in John Deere equipment helps farmers produce more with less, creating more successful crops while having a smaller impact on the land and environment. John Deere was in Washington, D.C., on National Ag Day, to advocate on behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers A nationwide media tour was conducted featuring John Deere ag equipment on the National Mall and highlighted Deere’s purpose for being there in DC -- to discuss the technology and innovation farmers are employing today to feed the world. The world’s population is set to grow to nearly 10 billion people by 2050, so the global food demand will increase by 50%. There are projections that the population may grow to 10.9 billion by 2100. To reduce hunger and serve a growing population, we need to increase agricultural productivity by 60 to 70%. The only way to create greater food production while using less and protecting the environment is through smart machines that automate an increasing portion of the difficult job of farming to create more consistency, precision, and efficiency. It’s incredibly important to farmers to protect the quality of their land and the environment, as they depend on the land and the world’s other resources to survive and thrive. The more precisely and efficiently famers can use inputs like chemicals, the more sustainable and profitable their operations are. For more information visit: Deere.com or if you’re a Farmer, Contact Your Local John Deere Dealer About John Deere: John Deere manufactures nearly 100 distinct lines of equipment, for agriculture, turf, construction, and forestry. We’re a leading manufacturer of combines and other precision ag machines. Our customers have a deep connection to the land and so do we. Our Sustainability Goals focus on reducing our use of energy and water; recycling our waste; and designing products with a reduced environmental impact. For generations, farmers have cared for their land in ways that preserve it. They strive to make the most of every seed and kernel, every drop of nutrient and fuel, and every hour of work to ensure their business remains productive and profitable. Farmers work to protect their watersheds, preserve the health of their soil, and steward the other environmental resources needed to sustain their crops and their livelihoods. John Deere’s solutions empower farmers to achieve these aspirations. These solutions help farmers do their jobs more precisely and productively through advanced technology as well as make better decisions based on data. We work relentlessly to help them optimize inputs and maximize output. Our vision is to ensure our customers are the most profitable and sustainable in the world. John Deere precision technologies are delivering the ultimate sustainable outcome — farms that are more profitable and less intensive on the soil, water, and air. Since the beginning, we’ve been developing advanced tools and technologies that help farmers achieve this ultimate outcome. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 28, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Irvine, CA Achieves Record Monthly Sales Driven By Apparel and Promotional Products Growth

Minuteman Press International Inc

Frank Matsumoto is the owner of Minuteman Press located at 18 Technology Drive, Suite 171, in Irvine, California. Frank has owned the business since 2010 and recently achieved record monthly sales. Frank says, “My growth was sparked by increases in apparel and promotional products sales. This made up 60% of my business while wide format printing was also a growth driver for us.” For nearly 12 years, Frank has built his brand by building relationships and following the Minuteman Press franchise business model to market his business. “I personally visit other local businesses to get to know other people and so they can get to know me. It also gives me the chance to see what they are doing in terms of promotional products as behind every counter are items like cups, pens, and t-shirts. Everywhere I go, I make sure to wear branded Minuteman Press apparel and I come prepared with our branded product catalogs. It starts with me wearing my own branded apparel and showing them our products, and then it goes – and grows – from there.” “As soon as I educate clients on our ability to go beyond printing, their mindset changes and suddenly they realize they can use our services for their apparel and promotional needs.” -Frank Matsumoto, owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Irvine, CA One client that has taken full advantage of Minuteman Press’ printing, apparel, and promotional products capabilities is HI-CHEW ™. Frank says, “We started our relationship on a phone call for a rush order of postcards. I visited with them, introduced myself, and secured the order. At first, we did a run of 25,000 die-cut postcards. This turned into a reorder for 75,000 and then later over 100,000 die-cut postcards featuring HI-CHEW™ products and coupons.” Frank continues, “Thanks to fulfilling that first order and then building that relationship, the number of items we’ve provided for HI-CHEW™ has grown considerably over the past four years. At the end of 2021, we did their string backpacks, sunglasses, laminated tote bags, t-shirts, 13,000 hand sanitizers, keychains, and stickers on their specialty buckets. We also provide branded apparel for their employees and for customer giveaways.” “There’s no way to replace the touch and feel of a promotional item or printed piece. It is simply good business to use print as a marketing tool to reach your target audience and help increase brand awareness as well as ROI.” -Frank Matsumoto Over the past two years, Minuteman Press in Irvine has remained open and operating throughout the pandemic as an essential business. During that time, Frank ramped up his marketing across all channels. He says, “We used mailers, built up our social media, and solidified our presence by generating positive Google reviews. We have earned a 5-star rating with nearly 100 reviews, and we are proud to receive such amazing customer feedback.” Today, as more business events return to Irvine, Frank has seen an uptick in trade show supplies. Frank says, “Orders for trade shows can include everything from booth displays, banners, and table throws to apparel and promotional products. For all of these items, Minuteman Press is here to help.“ “Irvine has one of the largest business hubs in Orange County. There are a lot of opportunities here, and I also am in a business complex building relationships each day with other business owners. I’ve used a combination of direct marketing, promotional mailers, email marketing, social media marketing, and networking through my BNI group to grow over the years.” Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Frank worked in sales. “I was looking at several franchises and did my due diligence. I really liked the structure of Minuteman Press, as well as the B2B nature of the business. I didn’t want to rely on walk-ins like a general retail store, and I love the Monday-Friday business hours. It gives me the freedom and flexibility to do things like pick up my daughter from school and take her to her fencing class while still being able to build my business.” Frank appreciates the ongoing local support he’s received from Minuteman Press since buying the business. “Whenever I need something, Dan Byers and the regional team is here to help me. I also like the FLEX software we use to manage all of the different aspects of the business.” When asked what the biggest lesson he’s learned over the past 12 years as a business owner, Frank answers, “What comes to mind is one of the first things that was taught during the Minuteman Press training program. There was a sign that said, ‘If you don’t market, you won’t make it.’ Over the years, and especially over the past two years, I can say that marketing has been huge for our sustained growth and success.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Irvine, CA, visit their website: https://www.irvine.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

March 28, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Peninsula Fiber Network Announces Anna Glinn and Shannon Black Join Upper Peninsula Team

Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC

Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (PFN), a leading provider of fiber optic-based telecommunications and Next Generation 911 services throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota today announced the addition of Anna Glinn and Shannon Black to its corporate sales team based in Marquette. Glinn is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Communications. She joins PFN with more than fifteen years of sales experience throughout the UP. She will be responsible for leading PFN’s sales efforts for the western half of the Upper Peninsula. Black is also a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He joins PFN with more than twenty-five years of sales and leadership experience in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. He will be responsible for leading PFN’s sales efforts in the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula. Scott Randall, General Manager of Peninsula Fiber Network, stated, “PFN continues to grow and respond to a changing telecommunications world. Anna and Shannon will double our number of Regional Account Directors in the UP and will allow us to better serve our customers.” #### Anna Glinn Glinn is a graduate from Northern Michigan University. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in public relations and communications. Prior to joining PFN she spent fifteen years in the beverage industry in the UP. Glinn and her husband reside in Marquette and are very active with their children living the Yooper life. Shannon Black Black is a graduate from Northern Michigan University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in business administration. Prior to joining PFN he spent twenty-five years in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing/construction, banking, and hospitality. He is a certified scuba instructor for P.A.D.I. (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and has been involved with local law enforcement agencies for more than 27 years. Shannon spends time outdoors with his two children and dog. Contact Details Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (PFN) Scott Randall, General Manager +1 906-232-1012 srandall@pfnllc.net

March 28, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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OPPO Find X5 Pro elevates its cooling system to another level, offering an outstanding experience to users

OPPO

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 28 March 2022 - OPPO Find X5 Pro’s new cooling system allows the device to keep a cool head in any situation. The back panel won’t heat up uncomfortably when playing a rich 3D game, and there won’t be concerns about overheating when recording 4K video. A great cooling system unlocks the full potential of a powerful phone. PC-grade cooling in a miniature shell Perfecting cooling in a phone is not a simple process. The OPPO Find X5 Pro uses a full passive cooling solution, generating zero noise. And all its pieces have to slot in around the core components in a precision-crafted case less than 9mm thick. The OPPO Find X5 Pro cooling system is not treated as a pure logistical block puzzle. Each step of the process is guided by the human body’s perception of temperature. There will be no hot spot on the phone’s back that the users can notice, no heat build-up to distract from whatever situations OPPO vapor chamber design A vapor chamber is the heart of the phone’s cooling system. From the outside, this may simply look like a thin sheet of metal, but there’s an intricate little world inside its walls. The vapor chamber is an ultra-thin copper cave injected with a very small amount of liquid. As heat from the components underneath conducts through the chamber’s bottom, this liquid evaporates and spreads throughout the chamber. It condenses on the outer walls, spreading the heat it held over a much larger surface area, dissipating the heat in the process. The larger a vapor chamber is, the wider and more effectively it can move heat away from the components that generate it, like the primary processor. OPPO has managed to increase its size by 75% over the previous generation. It almost completely covers the battery and SoC, the main processor. The display driver and display panel, the SoC and wireless charging coil are some of the heat-generating areas that require extra attention. OPPO developed bespoke solutions for these components based around three materials: copper, graphite and graphene. Advanced materials engineering Copper is the traditional material for cooling components. However, when devising heat management for the display, OPPO’s R&D team found that both heat dispersal and the resilience of the screen can be improved by using a copper sheet sandwiched with an ultra-thin layer of graphite. It helps to keep the display cool while it delivers searing brightness at 120Hz, and dramatically improves the drop resilience of the OPPO Find X5 Pro by increasing structural integrity. The other hot zones in a phone, like the motherboard and battery coil, did not need the same level of structural support, letting OPPO R&D dig even further into possible solutions. They landed on a graphene film, where the carbon from graphite is arranged in a single-atom layer, which dramatically improves strength and conductivity. Graphene is a wonderful material but producing it on a mass scale is no easy task. To turn graphite into graphene involves a process called sintering, where the graphite is heated at temperatures up to 3100 degrees centigrade. Such high temperatures were unattainable for mass industrial production. OPPO is the first in the industry to achieve it, resulting in the highest quality, most conductive graphene film. Following years of experimentation and fine-tuning, OPPO has achieved a 50% improvement in thermal conductivity of the graphene film compared to its first-generation process, for industry-leading performance. The compromise-free cooling system lowers the OPPO Find X5 Pro heat to a comfortable range, even when running a 90/120 Hz high refresh game and keeps the phone cool while charging. More than passive cooling OPPO also created the new Ice-skin* case to keep the phone cool while protecting it. The core of the case is Glacier Mat, an innovative material that achieves a self-replenishing cooling cycle without using any power at all. Glacier Mat is a hydrogel layer co-developed with Wuhan University, one of the top universities in China. Hydrogel pulls moisture from the air, which is then evaporated through the heat generated by the device. It is an ideal material to bring the heat out from the device. However, the ordinary hydrogel cannot replenish water after evaporation so it can’t be used as a long-term cooling solution. Glacier Mat is different, it is a modified hydrogel that can re-absorb moisture from the air at low temperatures, after the water initially held is evaporated through the process of cooling the OPPO Find X5 Pro, creating a circular cooling cycle. Although it sounds simple, it cost OPPO’s engineers a great deal of effort to put this theory into practice and mass production in less than half a year. Testing shows a 2-3 degree drop in phone temperature when gaming with the Ice-skin case attached. A cooler phone improves comfort during play and ensures the highest frame rates for smoother experience. The most important part: the Ice-skin case achieves all this with minimal weight, zero power use and zero noise. Contact Details OPPO Media Contact press@oppo.com

March 28, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Contact Center Customer Experience Software and Services Revenue Will Surpass $18 Billion by 2026, According to Dash Research

Dash Network

Today’s business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) organizations have been evolving their call centers into contact centers, which are designed to take a more active role in delivering great customer experience (CX) via an omnichannel engagement strategy that focuses on improving the overall experience of the customer across all touchpoints, rather than just traditional call center key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics. According to a new report from Dash Research, this approach is leading to the purchase of new software and services that not only incorporate basic customer data, but also integrate customer journey information to help provide the most appropriate level of service (which can range from a self-service tool to a voice conversation or other digital interaction with a live agent specialist). The end goal, of course, is to ensure that the customer’s sales, support or administrative engagements with the company are efficient, convenient, and successful. Dash Research projects that the market for contact center software and services will reach $18.1 billion by 2026, increasing from $13.8 billion in 2019, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. The CX market intelligence firm’s analysis indicates that contact center software is likely to be purchased by organizations that have adequate financial resources to deploy each year, as most contact center software is now being sold via an “as a service” subscription model. Additionally, companies that have a dedicated focus on improving the overall CX are also prime candidates for purchasing new technology, as they realize that single-channel, primarily voice-based CXs are rarely preferred by customers. “Providing excellent and consistent experiences can and will be bolstered by investments in contact center applications, platforms and services,” says principal analyst Keith Kirkpatrick. “But overall improvements in CX ultimately depend on an organization taking an assessment of its current CX policies and procedures, listening to customers, identifying the level of service is wants to provide, and then implementing specific operational and behavioral changes.” Kirkpatrick adds that the key adoption drivers of software for contact centers include: An increase in digital engagement from B2C and B2B customers A mandate for more efficient contact center labor and resource allocation A desire to deploy a multichannel or omnichannel engagement strategy A push to generate revenue via contact centers A demand to improve the overall CX However, despite the increasing appetite for deploying new technology tools to improve the efficiency, speed, and effectiveness of contact centers, organizations face several barriers to implementation, including: Technical integration challenges Issues with data quality and data availability Data governance, privacy, and security concerns Return on investment (ROI) considerations Agent dissatisfaction and turnover Support and training Dash Research’s report, “CX for Contact Centers”, examines the market issues, drivers, and barriers for CX and CE software platforms, software applications, and services that incorporate or facilitate the personalization and/or optimization of CXs. Several case studies illustrating the various ways personalization & optimization efforts are being deployed by end users are included in the report. The scope of the market forecasts includes software that is deployed by Dash Research’s ecosystem of companies that spans 20 industries, 5 world regions, and 3 offerings (software platforms, software applications, and professional services). The forecast takes 2019 as a base year, forecasts market value from 2021 through 2026, and segments the market by offering, geography, and function (CX versus CE). An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website. Dash Research, the market intelligence arm of Dash Network, provides in-depth research and insights on the worldwide CX market including a comprehensive assessment of technology solutions, business issues, market drivers, and end-user dynamics across industry sectors. Dash Research’s global market coverage combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a complete view of emerging business opportunities surrounding contact center technologies, customer data & analytics, customer data platforms, customer insights & feedback, customer relationship management, personalization & optimization, and employee experience. For more information, visit www.dashresearch.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Contact Details Clint Wheelock +1 720-603-1700 press@dashnetwork.com Company Website http://www.dashnetwork.com

March 28, 2022 05:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AffiniPay for Associations Allows Association Professionals to Accept Payments 85% Faster with Kenect Text-to-Pay Partnership

AffiniPay

AffiniPay for Associations, the leading online payment solution for association professionals, has announced its partnership with Kenect, the high-growth text to pay platform allowing associations to now collect payments via text messaging. Member dues renewals can now be handled by way of texting, through this innovative integration for association professionals. According to recent research, the use of contactless payments in the U.S. has increased 150% since March 2019. The U.S. now has the most contactless transactions of any market globally at 175 million. Additionally, it’s reported that about 66% of consumers would pay more for the convenience of a service with a mobile texting channel supporting it. “We are excited to partner with a market leader like AffiniPay for Associations and bring a new communication tool to the association space with the added benefit of collecting payments,” said Shaun Sorensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Kenect. “We have seen a rise in the need for professionals to connect with their customers and email does not always deliver the results or the immediacy you need. Our integration will increase the tools available to associations so they can send a targeted message to their members to collect a dues payment, for example, and have the payment routed through their existing AffiniPay account.” Both Kenect and AffiniPay for Associations platforms utilize advanced security measures and are built to meet PCI compliance standards, which allows customers to manage payments through text messaging to complete transactions. With this new partnership, AffiniPay for Associations and Kenect customers can expect: Faster dues collections: Recurring payments requested via text with Kenect’s platform are collected nearly 100% of the time Time savings: AffiniPay for Associations and Kenect will save associations’ membership and finance departments up to 40 minutes per person per day by collecting payments via text Member response rate: Compared to the 10% average open rate of email communication, 98% of texts are opened and 96% are read within 3 minutes “We have seen the adoption of text communication with our legal clients as an immediate communication tool and are excited to apply those learnings in the association space”, said Janelle Benefield, Vice President of Association Payments at AffiniPay. “Member engagement and increasing dues renewal rates are the two key issues our associations are facing and we believe this could be another tool to help them communicate more effectively with their members and increase the payments they are able to collect.Our goal is to continually innovate our technology platform by diversifying payment options for our customers that increase their revenue. We understand that our payments need to be made simpler, and that’s why we are excited to bring text-to-pay payment options to our customers.” AffiniPay continues to innovate by implementing the latest technology for contactless payments to better serve customers. This innovation includes a QR Code payment option, Card Scanner functionality to speed up member information collection, and a streamlined recurring billing process for professionals called Account Updater. For more information about AffiniPay for Associations and Kenect, head to https://www.affinipayassociations.com/partners/kenect/. About Kenect Kenect is a text messaging platform that is built for law firms. Kenect allows firms to text their clients directly, generate new leads, improve communication, generate reviews, and collect payments--all via texting. Kenect was recently ranked the 36th fastest growing tech company in North America by Deloitte and is used by thousands of businesses across North America. About AffiniPay for Associations AffiniPay for Associations, an AffiniPay solution, is an online payment technology developed specifically for associations and nonprofit organizations as a secure way to accept credit, debit and eCheck payments. AffiniPay is headquartered in Austin, Texas and offers a modern payment gateway that integrates with more than 30 software solutions and is trusted by more than 10,000 associations. Visit https://affinipayassociations.com/ to learn more. Contact Details AffiniPay PR Manager Keely Leonard +1 512-368-8988 kleonard@affinipay.com Company Website https://www.affinipayassociations.com/

March 23, 2022 01:35 PM Central Daylight Time

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