Europe’s Wincor Nixdorf is gearing up for more expansive Software business in Brazil. At the same time, it plans to work in cooperation with Perto in the Hardware sector. On the basis of an agreement recently concluded between both parties, the Brazilian company will take on the task of final production of Wincor Nixdorf systems for customers in Brazil.
ParTech announced that Fogo de Chão recently installed PAR POS terminals. Fogo de Chão (fo-go-de’e-shoun) is an authentic Brazilian Steakhouse with 24 locations in the U.S. and 9 locations in Brazil. Fogo de Chão has selected the PAR EverServ(R) 7000 POS hardware family as the standard POS for all new store openings and replacements or upgrades at existing stores in the U.S. Fogo de Chão initially deployed the EverServ 7000 terminals for its new flagship restaurant in New York, which opened on December 19, 2013. EverServ 7200 terminals are used at the server stations and EverServ 7700 Low Profile terminals are used at the hostess station for seating guests and taking reservations.
NCR announced that Fogo de Chão successfully implemented NCR Aloha POS software at its 32 restaurants around the world. Already using the NCR Aloha in its 23 U.S. locations, Fogo de Chão selected NCR because of the sales and administrative functions it offers the international restaurant chain. Fogo de Chão is also using NCR Insight and NCR Configuration Center’s above-store capabilities, allowing the chain to improve operational efficiency at the store-level in their Brazilian locations. The NCR Insight software is expected to help the chain forecast revenues, increase controls, lower operational costs and reduce time spent on lower-value administrative tasks.
The debit market in Brazil is set to double in size by 2016 and will be worth up to 493 billion BRL, according to the “Debit Card in Brazil” study by MasterCard Advisors. Debit cards have been the fastest-growing payment method over the past five years, rising 25% annually, ahead of private consumption in Brazil, which grew 12% annually during the same period. Cardless transactions, such as payments using cash, checks and bank transfers, have risen 9%. Of the many payment methods available, debit cards are still consumers’ second choice but the gap between debit and cash, which is in the top spot, is shrinking. The survey reveals that between 2005 and 2012, consumer preference has risen from 26% to 34%. The preference for cash fell from 60% to 48% over the same period. The study also reveals that the main debit benefit reported by consumers was security, cited by 67% of users, followed by convenience (37%) and control, attracting 31% of the responses.
VA-based BioPay has signed up 18 grocery stores across three brands in California and the Mid-Towne IGA in St. Charles, Missouri for its biometric payment solution. The BioPay system uses a person’s unique finger image and their chosen non-private BioPay number (usually a phone number) to authorize a secured debit direct from their checking account. The Company says its payment technology has been used to complete over seventeen million transactions worth $7 billion. Over 2 million customers are enrolled in BioPay. More than 1,500 merchants are using one or more of BioPay’s smart, secure methods for processing financial and other transactions requiring identification. BioPay charges merchants 15 cents on a $100 transaction.
American Express and Six Continents Hotels Latin America have launched a promotion through May 31st to offer a free weekend night at any participating hotel in Central and South America to “Priority Club” members who spend any five nights at any participating hotel in Central and South America and pay with their American Express card. Priority Club Rewards is Six Continents Hotels’ loyalty program, where members can redeem points for hundreds of rewards including more free hotel nights, free flights, vacation packages, retail and dining certificates and brand-name merchandise.
UniCERT Brasil, a joint operation backed by Telsul Communciations and American Bank Note Company, announced that it has become one of the first managed security service providers to receive compliance certification from the Brazilian Central Bank. As a result, UniCERT Brasil can now provide digital certificates for the Brazilian Payment System (SPB), a set of rules governing transactions between banks. These rules will apply to all of approximately 170 Brazilian banks.
UniCERT Brasil easily and successfully met the rigorous standards set forth by the Brazilian Central Bank. As a result, any Brazilian bank can now deploy digital certificates through UniCERT Brasil’s hosted certificate authority, with complete assurance that it will meet the requirements of the SPB.
The Brazilian Central Bank has two primary goals for the SPB. The first is to guarantee the authenticity of other banks through the use of digital certificates, creating a highly secure banking system. The second objective is to accelerate the payment cycle time among the member banks. Currently, banks have to wait several days before funds from other banks can clear. The secure system would allow the banks to automatically deposit funds and have those funds available immediately, as well as promptly check and approve deposits from other Brazilian banks.
UniCERT Brasil, based in Sao Paulo, provides security services for the financial and government markets based on Baltimore Technologies’ UniCERT(TM) Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system. Baltimore UniCERT is one of the world’s leading Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems, providing the confidentiality, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation functions necessary for conducting secure e-business.
“There is a growing need for advanced security solutions in Brazil, particularly in the financial sector,” said Celio Ribeiro, president of UniCERT Brasil. “We are deeply committed to meeting that need with superior services built on industry standards and the best PKI technology available. Baltimore Technologies’ UniCERT is clearly unmatched in PKI technology leadership. The strength of our partnership with Baltimore, combined with our superior service and support, has been substantiated by our rapid completion of the certification process with the Brazilian Central Bank.”
About UniCERT Brasil
UniCERT Brasil is a company focused on the implementation of Public Key Infrastructures (PKIs) for the electronic commerce market. UniCERT Brasil operates a Certificate Authority (CA) with technology developed by Baltimore Technologies, a leading global supplier of security solutions and worldwide leader in the PKI-based electronic security market. The services provided by UniCERT Brazil include:
–Issuing UniCERT digital certificates for integrators and suppliers of PKI Solutions
–Issuing certificates that can be integrated into the solutions developed by companies or users
–Hosting of dedicated servers for Certificate Authorities (CA) of companies or other entities
–Hosting of customers’ critical and confidential files in storage devices located in a physically safe environment
UniCERT Brasil has offices in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre.