Cobus Loots, CEO of Pan African Resources, on delivering sector-leading returns for shareholders. Watch the video here.
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Lol. Mathys & Squire fight back:
https://register.epo.org/application?documentId=LORLO4FM1BHKJ2A&number=EP18715240&lng=en&npl=false
I'm left wondering what Sycurio's intentions were / are:
1. Make PCIP burn cash.
2. Consume PCIP's management in a legal swamp.
3. Take a look at PCIP's engineering for Agent Assist.
Hi NoCheddar
It does make you wonder. This Document is dated 17th May 2023.
Read from 24 Counterclaim
https://www.ipo.gov.uk/p-ipsum/Document/ApplicationNumber/GB1020894.0/64547799-c621-49c2-a23c-864f9dd85379/GB2473376-20230619-Letter%20%20Agentapplicant.pdf
Hi Victor,
Thought this was an interesting little snippet in yesterday's Prelims:
"Sycurio also accepted that the variants submitted by PCI Pal, which were changes it could make to its solution, would also not have infringed."
Sounds familiar?
Maria Ward-Brennan
Fri, 10 November 2023
During the case, High Court judge Justice Bacon previously found Haji-Ioannou to be a “deeply unimpressive witness” concluding that she could place “very little weight on his evidence”.
Last month, the Court of Appeal upheld Judge Bacon’s ruling that Easygroup had failed to prove genuine use of any of the trademarks by IWG.
In a statement following the decision, Haji-Ioannou said: “We are disappointed that the Court of Appeal found that Mr Dixon’s Regus is not infringing our marks with its use of www.easyoffices.com in what is essentially a ‘live and let live’ decision.”
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/charity-tech-firm-vows-fight-060000728.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABtj8qeLefXu9HBBXxiaUeJzDhIHpCQf8uv_inSCTibt6fObBiyF71cFNliOfHBdvxCuZbaVvUyXUXjwdwgm3sxUh54IpgzONamt4F1UxwzuQS3yNSi8QND_IuVT6UhJT9EmoftgsYRmEjXp4mNmxrObUKZgTFZDrMhbLsbns7pJ
------------------------------------------
MRS JUSTICE BACON
Between :
EASYGROUP LIMITED
Claimant
- and -
(1) NUCLEI LIMITED
(2) PATHWAY IP SARL
(a company incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg)
(3) REGUS GROUP LIMITED
(4) IWG PLC
(a company incorporated under the laws of Jersey)
Defendants
13. "easyGroup’s principal witness was Sir Stelios, who is the founder, ultimate beneficial owner and director of easyGroup. He provided a witness statement for these proceedings, and also relied on a previous witness statement given in October 2009 for the purpose of his defamation claim against Mr Dixon and others. When cross-examined Sir Stelios was revealed to be a deeply unimpressive witness. He was argumentative, giving answers that were defensive to the point of implausibility, and repeatedly contradicted points set out in one or other of his witness statements. It was clear that he had a poor recollection of the events that formed the background to these proceedings. It also became evident that his most recent witness statement contained substantial material that (contrary to the requirements of Practice Direction 57AC) was not within Sir Stelios’ personal knowledge and recollection, but was instead drafted by his lawyers, giving evidence of points on which Sir Stelios had no clear recollection whatsoever. In those circumstances I unfortunately have to conclude that I can place very little weight on his evidence save where it is corroborated by other evidence in the case, including contemporaneous documents"
https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2022/901.html&query=(.2022.)+AND+(EWHC)+AND+(901)+AND+((Ch))
Possibly, though I'd be surprised if that many people viewed the Cavendish note that quickly. 16% growth would mean quite a dramatic change in their business trajectory and if that were the case, they could cut back on spending more than is in the Cav note
I would imagine it's because of disappointment in the FY25 numbers. That's effectively management guidance and only calls for growth of 16%.
Surprised by the share price reaction, though the lower price reduces my holding value enough to allow me to add more!
Trying to work out why people will have sold today. Current trading looks good - adding 11% more ACV than last year in a tough market. Will on course for profitability this year. Cash is no problem given they've stated that the remaining legal costs and will be profitable as well as cash balance + facility.
Only thing I can think of is whether people might mistake the +11% narrative and think that means that they're only growing at 11% rather than the new ACV being on course for 25%-30% growth?
There's a 35 page Cavendish note available on Research Tree. Crazily pessimistic - £22.1m revenue in FY25 and 1.5p EPS. My own figures are around £24m and 3p-4p. At least they reference them as being conservative!
Anyone managed to get hold of the house broker forecasts for FY25?
Yes, looks like someone is being pushed and framing it differently. They have a CMO on the marketing team, and quite possible that they have this manager level under her here in the UK and an equivalent in the US
Ah interesting, she probably just got the sack then!
Bit odd that, because they are hiring for a Marketing Manager, though UK based.
You will be responsible for driving global demand generation activities, and working with internal team and external agencies to develop integrated digital campaigns including paid social, paid search, content and nurture activities. The successful candidate will work with our sales team to grow the pipeline through generating great content, new communication channels and smart nurture activity.
https://www.pcipal.com/why-us/careers/marketing-manager-uk-based/
Looks like PCIP are doing a little restructuring. Not a total surprise in the current market.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kaylahilton_openforwork-b2bmarketing-saas-activity-7126225993526034432-wq9x?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Thanks, NoCheddar
This looks like a contract extension
Telephone Payment Service
United KingdomSalfordH M Revenue & Customs
Winner: PCI-PAL PLC|contractSigned
Contract for the direct provision of secure payment services (Agent Assist) to the Buyer for use in its contact centres. The initial term of the contract is 12 months; however there is the option to extend this contract for 2 periods of up to 12 months each...
£2,751,977.00 Dec 22, 2022 Feb 13, 2026
https://tenderpipeline.thorntonandlowe.com/search?page=1&winners=[%22PCI%20Pal%22]&retenderdatedefault=any
Telephone Payment Service
A Contract Award Notice
by H M REVENUE & CUSTOMS
https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2022/W30/779550903
Hello All,
I've heard back from PCIP and their lawyers have said that the ruling could be between two and three weeks from the hearing, though that's not set in stone.
On the DWP tender, PCIP can handle the outbound calls part of the tender.
Expert report
2 November 2023
Long interesting article. Part 1
1.3. Within your expertise
It may sound obvious, but experts must keep to their sphere of expertise. If an expert is minded to comment on issues that relate to other disciplines, it is important to qualify their comments by deferring to the discipline of an expert who may better assist the court. This avoids any criticism of overreach. In the recent patent case of Sycurio Ltd v PCI-Pal PLC [2023], one of the claimant’s experts, while an acknowledged expert in relation to part of the claim, was not an expert on several technical points addressed in her report. Under cross-examination, she was forced to make uncomfortable concessions, including admitting she had not understood key concepts and had relied upon “research” to try and understand technical documents. Unsurprisingly, the court gave no weight to any of her opinions on matters outside her direct expertise. Her legal team was forced to abandon elements of her evidence during the trial.
https://www.stewartslaw.com/news/preparation-presentation-expert-reports-part-1/
Victor,
I've emailed James, got an automatic reply that he's on paid leave. Will post if I hear back from him next week.
On the Gov.UK tender site it states that the contract notice will be 2/1/24.
Hi NoCheddar
It would just be a guess. Best to ask PCIP.
PCIP & ECK adding products
"Further, as anticipated, we are beginning to launch an array of new products and features. This has included the launch of our AI-powered, enhanced Automatic Speech Recognition ("ASR") feature for our Agent Assist and IVR products. There are also a number of POCs in progress with partners for our new user interface and digital payment capabilities that we have already announced would be launched fully later this year"
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/PCIP/detail-on-patent-case-outcome-trading-update-zd1oqi6092mxma2.html
------------------------------------------------------
Launch of updated Secure Digital Payments platform
17 Oct 2023
The new innovation in Eckoh's cloud platform broadens consumer choice across channels and digital payment methods, which enables contact centres to better serve customer needs at a time when consumers are increasingly looking to adopt an array of digital wallets and varied payment options.
We are seeing a significant shift among consumers towards alternative digital payments. This in turn creates opportunities for Eckoh as it protects a growing international client base and some of the world's largest enterprises engaging with contact centres. Commenting on its 2022 Digital Payments Consumer Survey, McKinsey said digital payments penetration had reached 89%*. What's more, 62% of respondents were now using two or more forms of digital payments, up from 51% the year before.
By using Eckoh's Secure Digital Payments platform, our clients' customers now have the freedom to combine their preferred contact channel with their favourite payment method - Apple Pay over WhatsApp, Pay by Bank via live chat, pay-later apps over the phone - and many other combinations.
In particular, the Secure Digital Payments platform will enable contact centres to better serve customer needs, extend their services to social media and third-party channels, increase payment volume capacity and speed, provide greater choice with pay-now or pay-later options and provide stronger authenticated security through methods such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
As well as supporting traditional secure card payments, Eckoh's Secure Digital Payments platform is also built to support all emerging payment methods that support evolving customer needs such as global 'super apps', cryptocurrencies, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ECK/launch-of-updated-secure-digital-payments-platform-dusnyqi1sl3gj50.html
Hi Victor,
Thanks for that update on the DWP contract. Looks like PCIP keep the contract until August then whoever wins the tender takes over.
I'm just wondering if the likes of PCIP and ECK can offer what the DWP require in the new tender.
"The new SCPS Contract is required to ensure continuing capability for DWP to receive customer payments in a PCI DSS compliant manner and provide all Outbound Telephone calls for the department."
In particular the provision of outbound calls.
What do you reckon?
Certainly a nice contract!!
The Department for Work and Pensions: Secure Card Payment Services Procurement
A Prior Information Notice
by DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS
Published, 01 Nov 2023
Value, £0-£13M
Description
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for administering welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy in the UK, serving around 20 million claimants. The DWP operates the largest contact centre in the UK government, providing support to customers from around 135 locations and offering specialist services such as debt recovery, card payments, and assistance for customers with complex needs.
This is a follow up to the previous PIN 2023/S 000-004912 dated 17th of February 2023 and following the market engagement that took place in March 2023 with regards to the provision of Secure Card Payment Services (SCPS) for the DWP. Following the completion of the review of the Request for Information responses the DWP is now proceeding to procure these services.
The current DWP provision allows business groups to receive customer payments in a Payment Card Industry, Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant manner, including an Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) capability to facilitate payments. The DWP service and SCPS contract currently supports approximately 9000 agents. The current SCPS contract also includes the routing of outbound calls via the PCI DSS compliant service provider.
DWP takes approximately 750,000 card payments per annum, totalling approximately £130M per annum. This is collected by two areas of DWP and Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities:
• Child Maintenance Group (CMG); and
• Debt Recovery.
DWP is planning to procure a new SCPS Contract that can meet the current and future needs of the service while providing value for money and service continuity. This contract will replace a current contract that enables Debt and Child Maintenance business groups to take customer payments using a Dual Tone Masking Frequency (DTMF) facility.
Under the new SCPS Contract the DWP has identified the following requirements, which may be subject to change before the issue of the Contract Notice:
• The ability to take customer payments using a Dual Tone Masking Frequency (DTMF) facility.
• The provision of up to 9000 SIP Licences, with an option to increase by 2000 SIP Licences. (Further detail on this potential increase will be provided in the procurement documents).
• The ability to take Inbound and make Outbound (Average 170 million minutes per annum) calls for any Business Group including any systems that take card payments across the whole network.
• The availability of a customer self-service Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) solution.
More here
https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2023/W44/809828453
Is there a view on how long it takes to hear the conclusion/decision from the Markman hearing?
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
89 misc Transcript Tue 10/31 6:20 AM
TRANSCRIPT of Markman Hearing held on 10/24/2023 before Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr.. Court Reporter Cheryl A. Nuccio, telephone number 704-350-7494. NOTICE RE: REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have 5 business days to file a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction and 21 calendar days to file a Redaction Request. If no notice is filed, this transcript will be made electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 calendar days. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the court reporter before the 90 day deadline. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Policy at www.ncwd.uscourts.gov Release of Transcript Restriction set for 1/26/2024. (thh
https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/41847299/Semafone_Limited
Victor
Great and thanks. I will read with interest.
Lucretuis
This is from June 10 2012
Published by Ultra
Ultra Communications: An Overview (Low Resolution pdf, 165kB)
Ultra’s Network solutions for a call centre can be integrated very quickly for a new client in matter of only days instead of weeks or months.
Hosted and Network Solutions overview (Low Resolution pdf, 182kB)
For a number of years, there has been an alternative to the traditional approach of purchase and management of CPE Dialler and contact centre solutions...
Selecting Contact Centre Solutions (Low Resolution pdf, 171kB)
Decision makers and buyers should closely examine the offerings they are presented with, as well as the commitment and credentials of contact centre solution and technology providers.
Call Blending - Summary of Benefits (Low Resolution pdf, 168kB)
There are both direct and indirect cost savings with reduced overheads as you would need reduced numbers of staff to process the calls.
https://web.archive.org/web/20120610073313/http://www.ultraasp.net/Resources/White_Papers.aspx
--------------------------
White papers
This is from Feb 23 2013
https://web.archive.org/web/20130223180856/http://www.ultraasp.net/Resources/White_Papers.aspx
Data sheets
https://web.archive.org/web/20130223180836/http://www.ultraasp.net/Resources/DataSheets.aspx
Only some of the links work