Category: Featured News

Komercni Banka uses QR codes to expand mobile commerce in Czech Republic

| December 8, 2012

 

QR Codes Komercni BankaKomercni Banka eyes QR codes for new mobile commerce services

Komercni Banka, a leading financial institution in the Czech Republic, has launched a new direct banking service that offers some mobile commerce capabilities to mobile consumers. Unlike other mobile commerce services that revolve largely around the use of NFC technology, Komercni Banka has chosen QR codes as a platform for this new initiative. QR codes are most often used in marketing, but have proven capable of powering mobile commerce in recent months. The financial group believes that QR codes are ideally suited to meet the needs of Czech mobile consumers.

Codes begin breaking away from advertising

QR codes are beginning to break away from the field of mobile marketing, where they have been used extensively over the past years. The codes have shown that they can be powerful engagement tools, but have seen limited use in the field of mobile commerce. Retail companies like the United Kingdom’s Tesco have used the codes in the past for virtual “pop-up” stores, where consumers could scan  the codes to purchase products that were later mailed to their homes.

Consumers can use mobile platforms to make payments

Komercni Banka customers will be able to make payments using QR codes generated by the financial institutions. The codes can be scanned using a generic QR code scanning application or the Mobilni Banka 2 platform developed by the financial group. Users of the bank’s platform will be able to use QR codes to pay bills and issue payments to any company they choose. The new service may be well received among the growing number of mobile consumers in the Czech Republic.

QR codes may be a viable alternative to NFC technology

Mobile commerce continues to  gain momentum around the world, especially where mobile technology penetration is high. Most mobile commerce initiatives rely heavily on NFC technology, which is still rare amongst mobile devices. In order to make mobile commerce more inclusive to a wider range of consumers, organizations like Komercni Banka have been adopting alternatives, like QR codes, which have proven somewhat effective in the past.

Monetise works to expand mobile commerce division

| December 8, 2012

 

mobile commerce Monetise ExpansionInvestments and acquisitions power Monetise mobile commerce push

United Kingdom-based mobile commerce firm Monetise has announced that it has raised more than $130 million in investments by offering more than 333 million ordinary shares to institutional investors. The firm has plans to use the funding it has raised to strengthen its mobile commerce business. Monetise has also announced that it will be taking over operation of Mobile Money Network, a mobile e-commerce service in the UK which was acquired for some $20 million.

Firm aims to take advantage of growth in mobile commerce and banking

Monetise is working to position itself to take advantage of the growing popularity of mobile commerce and banking. The global banking industry has been showing a great deal of interest in mobile commerce recently and has been investing heavily in the development of new platforms and applications that will address the needs of mobile consumers. Monetise believes that are many promising opportunities to expand its mobile commerce arm as interest from banks and other financial groups grows.

Funds to boost company’s mobile commerce business

Monetise plans to rapidly scale up its businesses in order to bolster its mobile commerce capabilities. The company will be relying heavily on the Mobile Money Network in order to reach out to businesses and consumers throughout the United Kingdom. The company has already established itself as a leader in mobile commerce in the UK market and Monetise is eager to further solidify its position as such in the coming years. The funds garnered through investments will help with this endeavor by enabling the company to develop new services and improve those that already exist.

Strong competition may be faced in the future

Mobile commerce is quickly becoming one of the most prominent industries in the world. More consumers are getting their hands on mobile devices, thus the demand for mobile commerce services is on the rise. Monetise, and companies like it, is working to address this demand and expects to see major gains in doing so. Though Monetise has established a strong position in the UK market, the company will face strong competition from larger companies if it decides to take on a more global position.