Microvault and Interface Systems' Partnership Brings 'Consumers' Choice' to Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment
-- EBPP
NEW YORK, Feb 29, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Combined Solution Streamlines EBPP Process
MicroVault Corp., the leader in secure document delivery over the Internet, and Interface Systems Inc., the
leading provider of Legacy-to-Internet (L2i(TM)) technology, today announced a partnership that will provide the
"consumers' choice" for electronic billing presentment and payment. The companies will officially announce the
details of their strategic alliance at a 1:15 p.m. news conference today at the Internet Electronic Commerce
(IEC) conference and exhibition, in the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Additionally, MicroVault's new NetCourier
e-mail EBPP solution will be demonstrated in its booth No. 1379, Feb. 29 to March 2, 2000. Interface Systems'
L2i(TM) industry-leading technology, which converts mainframe-based content or legacy data to Internet-ready
formats, provides the content for electronic bill and statement presentment, and MicroVault's NetCourier EBPP
e-mail delivery solution enables billers to prepare and deliver their recurring bills securely to their customers
direct via an e-mail attachment. Together, the companies can provide a comprehensive EBPP solution for billers
such as telephone, mortgage, credit card and utility companies.
E-Mail EBPP Solution Is 'Consumers' Choice'
Beth Robertson, vice president and director of billing and payments for PSI Global, reports in recent research:
"Consumers and businesses want assurances that Internet EBPP solutions can meet their needs. E-mail is a
comfortable bill delivery solution for many consumers because of its high level of familiarity. "According to our
research, 44 percent of households prefer the concept of bill delivery via e-mail when compared to other
electronic alternatives." PSI Global predicts that growth in EBPP activity will soar to nearly 5 billion consumer
and business bill and bill payment transactions in 2005. Jupiter Communications predicts that the number of bills
delivered online will grow from 130 million in 1999 to 2 billion by 2003, when 18.4 million households will pay
their bills online. According to Michael Killen, chairman and founder of Killen and Associates: "The increasing
popularity of e-mail and its adoption as a primary distribution vehicle for bill payment and messages will be
available to statement issuers as well. This technology will increase the attractiveness of receiving electronic
statements wherever end-users desire them to be delivered."
Seamless Technology Facilitates Cost-Effective EBPP Delivery
The MicroVault Interface partnership brings a comprehensive streamlined solution to the EBPP market. Rather than
evaluating and purchasing component pieces, a company can now purchase a more complete system -- from data
conversion of billing to consumer e-mail delivery and reply. Bob Granger, vice president of marketing for
Interface said: "Interface's technology is a good fit with MicroVault's NetSecure. Together, we can offer
solutions that will enable faster customer adoption of EBPP." Nick Rini, president for MicroVault said: "By
partnering with Interface Systems, leader in Legacy-to-Internet technology, we can offer our customers more
pieces of the EBPP value chain, providing more complete, cost-effective solutions. Our customers will benefit
from improved customer relationship management (CRM) and retention."
About Interface Systems
Interface Systems' Legacy-to-Internet (L2i(TM)) technology allows any Internet application to access and make
full use of information stored on legacy systems. The company specializes in Internet bill presentment and
payment, as well as electronic delivery of statements and other legacy content to the Internet, fax, e-mail and
other destinations. Interface helps its customers extend the life, the reach, and the value of their existing
information systems. Interface has headquarters in Ann Arbor, Mich., and markets its products worldwide. More
information on Interface and its products can be found at www.interfacesystems.com.
About MicroVault
Founded in 1994 in Los Angeles, MicroVault is a leader in secure document delivery over the Internet. MicroVault
uses proven technology to enable companies to send sensitive information to customers electronically in a
cost-effective, expeditious manner. MicroVault's value further extends to consumers by ensuring their privacy
without requiring them to download, install, learn or use any special hardware or software. Customers include
Fortune 500 companies in the financial services, insurance, aerospace, engineering, utilities, and energy
industries as well as government contractors. The company has headquarters in Huntington Beach, Calif., with
sales offices in New York City and Woodland Hills, Calif. For more information visit the company Web site at
www.microvault.com or call 800/572-5277. Note to editors: NetSecure, NetCourier, NetMail Secure and Secure Reply
are trademarks or registered trademarks of MicroVault in the United States, other countries or both. All other
trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. |
