RNS6 Sep 2013 08:09
Visa and @UK plc to Launch cloudBuy, Asia Pacific's First B2B Global e-Marketplace Solution
Organisations can strengthen and streamline e-commerce procure-to-pay processes
@UK PLC (AIM:ATUK.L), the cloud eCommerce marketplace, is pleased to announce that governments and enterprises in Asia Pacific now have an easier way to manage the procurement process with cloudBuy, the region's first business-to-business (B2B) integrated e-marketplace solution.
An exclusive partnership between Visa and @UK PLC, one of the largest e-commerce marketplace solutions, cloudBuy brings together an ecosystem of suppliers and buyers, regardless of geography, to offer cloud-based real-time integrated services thereby enabling a safe, controlled and convenient online purchasing experience. Visa is the only payment card accepted on cloudBuy.
"Many organisations in Asia Pacific are looking at ways to be more efficient by automating current procure-to-pay processes. This partnership with @UK PLC is timely, as we bring cloudBuy to the region, offering organizations a solution that addresses their needs," said Olivia Leong, Regional Head of Enterprise & Government Payment Solutions, Commercial Products, Visa, Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa
"The partnership combines the strengths of Visa's issuer relationships, a proven network and a track record of bringing innovative payment solutions to the market, with @UK PLC's foresight in developing e-commerce and cloud computing solutions," she added.
Key features of cloudBuy include:
· First B2B procurement solution with complete pricing accuracy, which improves efficiency by encouraging take-up of corporate cards in a B2B environment
· Spend insight solutions which cover price variance, benchmarking, spend analysis and supplier rationalization
· Marketplace facilities that span contract pricing to requisition approval processes in a controlled ecosystem
· Reporting tools that cover purchasing data and analytical tools including CenSA carbon analysis.
"This multi-faceted partnership with Visa is an extension of our collaboration in the UK since 1999. It now allows us to expand our cloud-based e-marketplace value proposition to organizations globally not previously available. We will be able to resolve the security, efficiency and pricing issues that is prevalent in legacy systems, hence ensuring that we remain steadfastly committed to helping organizations innovate purchasing processes and achieving their strategic business goals," said Lyn Duncan, CEO of @UK PLC.
"More than 44 million items have been sold through this system to over 30 million visitors. Today there are 4.7 million items on sale to a 1 million strong community of buyers and suppliers, and over US$500 billion of spend analyzed," Duncan added.