UNISOC 4G Watch Platform W307 Is Newly Upgraded

HONG KONG, Jul 15, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – UNISOC, the world's leading supplier of core chips for mobile communications and the Internet of Things, launched its new smartwatch platform UNISOC W307. Based on ultra-low-power architecture design, it adopts the high-precision positioning scheme and highly integrated 4G full-network, which will bring users a richer intelligent experience.





The W307 is made using TSMC's 28nm HPC+, with a chip integrated with CPU, memory, 4G multi-mode modem, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GNSS, and image system. W307 package area is smaller than the previous generation UNISOC 8521E, which brings more freedom for the design of terminal products. W307 significantly optimizes performance, connectivity, intelligence, and power consumption. Highlights of the platform include:

– High integration: W307 SoC adopts a single-core A53 processor, and the packaging area is reduced by 30% compared with the previous generation, which greatly saves the PCB layout area and can be used as a single-side ornament.

– Light system and low power consumption: W307 adopts RTOS lightweight system and has a smooth and responsive user experience. The overall power consumption is more than 30% lower than the previous generation, which can bring more lasting performance for smartwatches.

– HD video calling: The W307 adopts UNISOC's reliable, globally certified second-generation 4G LTE multi-mode modem. It supports LTE Cat-4, WCDMA, and GSM communication standards, providing 4G + Wi-Fi HD video calling.

– Sub-meter high precision positioning: Combined with the AI multiple positioning technologies and high-precision positioning SDK of UNISOC, W307 can support sub-meter high precision positioning, and provide a strong technical foundation for the electronic fence and other application scenarios. It meets the needs of parents to obtain accurate positions of children.

– Rich applications: W307 can be adapted to a variety of RTOS applications. It supports the nine-axis sensor and popular voice assistant, voice micro chat, pedometer, and other applications, which provides the rich and interesting interactive and entertainment experience for children.

As the demand for the watch market shifts from 2G to 4G and continues to grow rapidly, UNISOC takes a leading position in the field of 4G children's watches by its innovative advantages and has established long-term cooperation with the mainstream smartwatch brands in the industry. The release of platform UNISOC W307 further enriched the platform portfolio for smartwatches.

Media Contact:
UNISOC Technologies Co., Ltd
Miranda Wu – UNISOC PR Team
E-mail: mengran.wu@unisoc.com
Website: http://www.unisoc.com


Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Suprema Intelligent Access Control Solutions Help Maintain Employee and Business Wellness

SEOUL, KOREA, Jul 7, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – Suprema, a leading global provider of access control, time & attendance and biometric solutions, recognized the trend towards contactless, biometric and mobile credentialing long before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's premier biometrics solution, FaceStation 2 Smart Face Recognition Terminal, employs intelligent facial recognition ensuring highly accurate personal identification and authentication for improved overall security with contactless operation. Mobile Access, Suprema's contactless credentialing solution, eliminates the need for costly access cards and proximity devices by utilizing iOS and Android smartphones as a secure personal access credential.





"Suprema has been pioneering contactless access control solutions long before the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened market demand for safer and more secure access control solutions," said Young S. Moon, CEO of Suprema Inc. "Our FaceStation 2 Smart Face Recognition Terminal and Mobile Access contactless solutions seamlessly integrate with our BioStar integrated security platform to deliver comprehensive functionality for the most demanding security and workforce management applications."

Suprema FaceStation 2 Smart Face Recognition Terminal delivers outstanding performance including: up to 3,000 matches per second; a memory capacity capable of accommodating up to 30,000 users, 50,000 image logs and 5 million text logs; live face detection with IR-based fake face blocking (anti-spoofing) technology; and multi-band RF reading technology to support the latest RFID standards for multi-modal credentialing when required. The ergonomically designed and highly aesthetic device features an Android-based intuitive touchscreen LCD providing ease of use that requires little to no training for both users and system administrators.

Suprema Mobile Access turns virtually any iOS or Android smartphone into a highly secure contactless access credentialing device, eliminating the cost associated with issuing access cards and proximity devices. FaceStation 2 will soon become compatible with Suprema Mobile Access, providing a seamlessly convenient and fast operation. Users can simply tap their smartphone on an RFID reader to gain access from distances within 10cm without the need to wake the host smartphone.

About Suprema

Suprema is a leading global provider of access control, time & attendance and biometrics solutions. By combining world renowned biometric algorithms with superior engineering, Suprema has introduced innovations to the security industry over the last decades. Suprema's extensive range of portfolio includes biometric access control systems, time & attendance solutions, fingerprint live scanners, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint modules. Suprema is named the world's top 50 security manufacturers and has worldwide sales network in over 140 countries with no.1 market share in biometric access control in EMEA region. For more information on Suprema, visit http://www.supremainc.com, or email sales_sys@supremainc.com

Contact:
Sunkyo Lee Assistant Manager of Marketing, Suprema Inc. Email: pr@suprema.co.kr



Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

AppsFlyer Launches Zero, its Free-for-Life Software & APIs to Help Brands Tap into Their Owned Media

SINGAPORE, Jun 10, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – AppsFlyer, the global attribution leader, today announced the launch of Zero, a free-for-life package as part of its Zero Budget Marketing initiative. The new initiative, geared towards developers, product managers, and marketers offers free, state of the art software tools and APIs, to empower their growth and leverage their earned and owned media strategy.

As part of AppsFlyer's effort to enable companies of any size to better utilize their owned assets and channels, Zero includes the powerful tools of AppsFlyer's complete engagement suite, all for free: OneLink deep linking technology, smooth web-to-app & social media-to-app user journeys, Smart Banners, referrals & user invites, SMS & QR codes, cross-promotions, and more.

"Now more than ever, companies need to operate with a 'Zero-Budget Marketing' mindset," said Ronen Mense, APAC President, and Managing Director, AppsFlyer. "If it was not already evident, COVID-19 forced all of us to rethink our marketing strategies and go back to basics, with one certainty in mind – we live in a mobile-first world. Many companies have a 'mobile also' strategy and need to be able to better leverage their most important assets: their owned media, website, social media, and user base as they migrate their customer base to mobile. This is the time for brands to get creative and grow their business with mission-critical tools, so we are proud to provide product managers and app developers with our technology for free as open APIs they can use to delight and engage with their existing customers while also gaining new customers."

New customers can easily create a free account, and start leveraging the Zero package within minutes, without providing payment information or an SDK integration. Part of AppsFlyer's broad offering, Zero includes cost-free software tools and APIs that every marketer, product manager, and developer needs to help improve user experience and acquisition with no advertising budget.

About AppsFlyer

AppsFlyer, the global attribution leader, empowers marketers to grow their business and innovate with a suite of comprehensive measurement and analytics solutions. Built around privacy by design, AppsFlyer takes a customer-centric approach to help 12,000+ brands and 6,000+ technology partners make better business decisions every day. To learn more, visit www.appsflyer.com.

Media Contacts
Ishina Sakhrani
PRecious Communications on behalf of AppsFlyer
appsflyer@preciouscomms.com
+65 6303 0567

Press Contact For AppsFlyer in APAC:
Nico Marco
nico.marco@appsflyer.com

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Transforming the SMART GRID with Fibocom 5G Modules

SHENZHEN, CHINA, Jun 3, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – Fibocom (SHE: 300638), a leading provider of cellular embedded wireless module solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), announced in April that its two 5G supported IoT modules, FM150(W) and FG150(W), had completed the first successful data call using an end-to-end data transmission service under a Chinese Standalone (SA) Structured 5G network. Download speeds skyrocketed, exceeding more than 2.5Gpbs under the ENDC mode.



How do these 5G modules work so fast?



5G is the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular networks. Its objective is to support three generic services with vastly heterogeneous requirements: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (uRLLC). These capabilities make future scenarios more flexible, reliable, and secure when providing diverse services in the intended usage scenarios.

Both the Fibocom 5G modules FM150(W) and FG150(W) support 5G standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) network architectures, provide an integrated multi-network compatibility with 5G Sub 6 and millimeter-wave bands and work both with LTE and WCDMA standards. This gives customers an edge in harnessing the full power of 5G networks' faster data transmission, vast network capacity, and ultra-reliable low latency.

The applications of Fibocom's 5G smart modules bring efficient cost-effective advantages to a vast number of industries. In this paper, we will look at the application of these 5G modules in the utility industry, specifically in smart grids.

5G Network Slicing Meets the Needs of Smart Grid Effectively

The term "Grid" refers to an "Electric Grid" fundamentally describing the complete network which includes transmission lines, transformers, distribution substation and all accessories that are used for delivery of electricity from generation plants to home and commercial scale. These services require a flexible and orchestrated network, high reliability, and millisecond ultra-low latency for its diverse needs.

Smart grid systems have provided the possibility of enabling two-way communication between electricity consumers and the distributor, thereby allowing distributors to manage and effectively handle electricity distribution. One of the primary reason technologies like smart grids are in place is because of the capabilities of 5G Network Slicing. 5G accommodates the connectivity requirements of multiple end-points and delivers flexibility at a low cost.

In the era of 5G, heterogeneous services are allowed to coexist within the same network architecture utilizing network slicing. Network slicing allocates network computing, storage, and communication resources among the active services intending to guarantee their isolation and given performance levels. This strengthens the security, reliability, and control over the network by creating slices within the network.

5G IoT Modules Empowering Smart Grid Applications

Production and control scenarios include intelligent distributed power, distribution automation, precise load control, distributed power control, supervisory monitoring, and fault localization. These scenarios aim to address power distribution network requirements, including ultra-low latency (15ms), ultra-reliable communication (99.999% reliability), and high-security isolation.

Management and information scenarios include low-voltage power consumption information collection and smart grid video applications. Networks are required to meet 100 ms latency, 99.9999% reliability, and 4-100 Mbit/s bandwidth requirements, as well as thousands of connections per square kilometer.

Line Differential Protection

Future smart grids will look profoundly different from the power grids used today. The increased number of renewables, like solar panels, will increase the need for cost-efficient, reliable communication to ensure the correct operation of the grid. Using a 5G macro network in line differential protection can be handled with wireless ultra-reliable low latency communication. The protection service can be delivered on the same band handling Mobile Broadband traffic. Fibocom 5G modules embedded in the DTU can monitor the power line transmission status in real-time, anywhere, without using local wired deployment, thus lowering the costs of network deployments.

UAV Inspection

UAV inspection is an innovative and safe way for the assessment of transmission towers and power lines, eliminating human risk. UAV inspections are mainly for maintenance with drone cameras and robots to access dangerous areas. With 5G's high speed and network capacity, Fibocom's FM150(W) and FG150(W) enable data transmission of high-quality resolution (4K/8K) videos which require high bandwidth requirements of over 100Mbps. These devices transmit a crystal-clear view of the maintenance area, making it easier to identify problems in emergency repair scenarios, reducing labor costs, and grid downtime.

Advanced Metering

Automatic meter reading is adapted into smart meters, which leads to applications such as dynamic load management, time of day rates, and net metering to name a few. It has also fueled many behind-the-meter applications such as customer-owned renewables through advanced metering.

Power companies, consumers, and first responders will gain real-time wireless control with 5G-enabled AMI networks, and a variety of sensors monitoring variables including electricity quality, temperature, pressure, rate of consumption, and more. These sensors send readouts directly to utility companies, where data is analyzed and reformatted into diagnostics that help users better understand their averages and monthly use comparisons. This usage information benefits users to improve their energy efficiency and costs. With 5G speeds and access already reaching the consumer market on a limited basis, we will see better performance, faster power reconnection after outages, and more cost-effective measures across AMI-equipped homes and facilities.

5G low-power wide-area (LPWA) connectivity facilitates this need with a longer battery life of devices using 5G enabled modules and expanded geographic coverage for connected devices. Advanced metering will reach its intended potential with the full rollout of 5G with the ability to have multiple end-point connections with 99.9% reliability.

AI and Power Prediction

A smart grid can help utilities conserve energy, reduce costs and carbon emissions, increase reliability and transparency, and make processes more efficient. By combining the current generation of these smart grid cutting-edge technologies with AI, it is possible to automatically adapt to changing conditions so prevalent and modify the grid as needed to improve efficiency. AI will ensure that smart grids are more user friendly by analyzing grid data, scenario and routine learning, and take action without any form of human intervention. 5G will support AI's high bandwidth and low latency requirements to improve power prediction patterns, energy production, and forecast usage more efficiently. Fibocom's 5G modules will aid in the transmission of the data required for AI to be functional in real-time.

Conclusion

Network slicing can create a customized industry-specific network for the power industry to better meet the security, reliability, and flexibility needs of smart grid services. 5G slicing technology can give priority to ensuring high-priority power services, and when necessary, through flexible slicing resource allocation to meet the needs of emergency security services. Fibocom's FM150(W) and FG150(W) 5G modules will enable the next leap in smart grids, reducing labor, costs, fossil fuel usage, and saving time. Eventually, leading to a sustainable greener environment.

About Fibocom Wireless Inc.
Founded in 1999, Fibocom is the first wireless communication module and Internet of Things (IoT) solution provider listed in China (Stock Code: 300638). Headquartered in Shenzhen, with R&D center in both Shenzhen and Xi'an, Fibocom is located globally in North America, Europe, India, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, serving customers over 100+ countries.

Fibocom's main product lines include 5G, LTE, SoC, NB-IoT/eMTC, HSPA+, and GSM/GPRS wireless modules, empowering customers from industries of consumer electronics, wireless payment, metering, security surveillance, and connected cars, etc. With Perfect Wireless Connection as our DNA, Fibocom is envisioned to improve smart life and make the all-connected world within reach. Visit www.fibocom.com.

Media Contact:
Ellie Yuan
info@fibocom.com
+86 755-26733555
www.fibocom.com


Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Suprema announces Suprema Europe SARL to reinforce regional presence

SEOUL, KOREA, May 22, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – Suprema, a global leader in access control and biometrics for physical security, officially announces the formation of Suprema Europe SARL, which has been established to provide partners and customers in the region with better localized support.





Formerly Suprema France SARL, Suprema Europe SARL will provide direct supply products and services to European partners. Suprema Europe has been granted an additional capital and will maintain products in stock and a technical support hotline in Europe. This will help Suprema partners grow further with better services available in Central European Time.

Given the global pandemic and increased demand for touchless access solutions, Suprema is experiencing high demand for contactless solutions such as RFID solutions, mobile access cards and facial recognition readers.

For more information on Suprema products and solutions, please visit https://www.supremainc.com/en/wheretobuy/list.asp.

About Suprema

Suprema Inc. is a leading global provider of security and biometrics technologies. Suprema's extensive range of products includes biometric access control systems, time and attendance solutions, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint solutions. Suprema has No.1 market share in biometrics access control in EMEA region and has worldwide sales network in over 130 countries. For more information, please visit www.supremainc.com.

Press Contact:
Chloe Kim
Manager of Marketing, Suprema Inc.
Email: jskim4@suprema.co.kr

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Highly Effective Disaster Prevention with Retarus Email Continuity

SINGAPORE, May 22, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – When IT systems are no longer functioning, critical business processes grind to a halt. The costs incurred when operations fail can quickly skyrocket into millions. The Email Continuity service offered by Munich-based cloud service provider Retarus ensures that companies and their employees remain productive in terms of communication, even if the email infrastructure becomes unavailable to them, for instance due to a cyberattack.

According to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2020, cyber incidents have grown to become by far the biggest business risk for companies. As soon as IT systems are no longer running, crucial business processes come to a standstill, and when operations are disrupted the resulting costs soon reach millions of dollars. As 100 percent fail-safety can never be guaranteed for any part of a business, effective business continuity management and sound plans for keeping IT operations running in times of crisis have become essential for companies.

"Given that email is a key communication medium in businesses across Asia Pacific, being reachable and having backup systems in place in the event of email infrastructure downtime is mission-critical. By allowing businesses to switch to a backup system in flash, Retarus Email Continuity helps prevent commercial losses and damage to business reputation, with email communication remaining unaffected," says Dylan Castagne, Managing Director, Retarus Asia.

Secure Email Operations

With the state-of-the-art failover service Retarus Email Continuity, companies remain productive even if their own email infrastructures become unavailable, for instance due to server and cloud downtimes or security incidents. In such cases, the service steps in and ensures that the impacted company's email communication continues running uninterrupted. As soon as it becomes necessary, the service reroutes the emails to a server independent of its own email system, ensuring that communication with business partners, customers and colleagues remains smooth and free of disruption.

Added Value for Customers

Retarus' Email Continuity Service provides significant added value for companies aiming to implement a comprehensive cyber security strategy, as is clearly evident from the "Secure Email Gateway – Market Quadrant" market analysis published by the Radicati Group in autumn 2019. According to the experts, Retarus' Email Continuity Services fulfill key criteria for effective disaster prevention.

"More than ever, business continuity management needs to be considered an integral component of the business strategy," says Martin Hager, founder and CEO at Retarus. "Email has a key role to play in continuity, as it has become the main communication channel for companies, both within the company and with external partners. Retarus' Email Continuity service is an essential component in disaster prevention, enabling companies to seamlessly continue communicating via email, even when the infrastructure has failed."

So how can a company ensure that its employees can go on communicating without interruption despite failing infrastructure, thus allowing business-critical processes to stay up and running? Find out more in the Retarus whitepaper titled E-Mail-Continuity: How to ensure email operation. https://www.retarus.com/email-continuity/#whitepaper

About Retarus

With its outstanding solutions and services, intelligent infrastructure, and patented technology, Retarus manages communication for companies worldwide. Retarus' state-of-the-art technologies, highly available data centers, and innovative cloud messaging platform offer maximum security, maximum performance, and business continuity. With experience in steering information flows at the enterprise level, Retarus ensures that information is transferred securely and reliably to the right place, at the right time, in the right format – since 1992 and with now 15 subsidiaries on four continents. Seventy-five percent of DAX 30, half of all EURO STOXX 50, and 25 percent of S&P100 companies rely on Retarus services. Our long-standing customers include Adidas, Bayer, BNP Paribas, Bosch, Continental, DHL, DZ BANK, Fujitsu, Goldman Sachs, Honda, Linde, PSA, Puma, Sixt, T-Systems, Sony and Zeiss.

Media Contact:
Retarus (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Dylan Castagne, Managing Director
T: +65 6323 7354
E: press@sg.retarus.com

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

NIU Technologies Announces Q1 2020 Financial Results: Expansion is Undeterred under Global Pandemic, Expects Growth and Profit in Q2 2020

BEIJING, China, May 19, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – NIU Technologies ("NIU", or "the Company") (NASDAQ: NIU), the world's leading provider of smart urban mobility solutions, today announced its financial results for Q1 2020.

Road to Recovery with a Revenue of RMB 232.9 Million

For Q1 2020, the revenue is RMB 232.9 million, which decreased by 34.4% YoY due to lower sales volume. The total number of e-scooters sold worldwide was 40,160 units, decreased by 39.4% YoY, which is attributed to the damaging effects of the global pandemic. The number of e-scooters sold in China reached 34,316 units, decreased by 43.5% YoY. On the other hand, the number of e-scooters sold in international markets reached 5,844 units, increased by 5.9% YoY. The number of franchised stores in China is 1,033, which decreased by 17 stores. The international sales network has expanded to 33 distributors covering 42 countries.

The revenues per e-scooter increased by 8.2%. The higher revenues were attributed to increased accessories, spare parts, and services per e-scooter, which is now RMB 1,168 compared to RMB 671 in the same period last year. In addition, the gross margin was 23.6%, compared to 21.3% in the same period of 2019. This increase is driven by higher e-scooter revenues from the Company's international markets, and a higher proportion of revenues from accessories, spare parts, and services.

Many aspects of the Company's operations were damaged because of the ongoing pandemic. The two-wheeler e-scooter market has been hit by shutdowns of factories and retail stores. However, the Company was able to persevere and provide support to distributors and dealers with its strong cash and financial position.

The company extended credit payment date for selective distributors and granted full rebate to dealers that suffered from the pandemic – including those who missed the sales volume target in the Q1 2020. The Company also provided training to dealers in China on e-commerce and organized branding and marketing activities to support dealers to accelerate retail sales.

The Company benefited from the strict measures and recovery actions by the Chinese authorities. Supply chain and operations has returned to normal in early April 2020. The Company expects revenues of Q2 2020 to be in the range of RMB 585 million to RMB 655 million, which represents a YoY increase of 10% to 23%.

Arrival of New Products and Expectation to Return to Healthy Growth in Q2 2020

The Company has continued to expand its product portfolio in 2020 and has continued growing its business. Q1 2020 R&D expenses were RMB 22.7 million (including RMB 2 million of share-based compensation), which increased by 58.6% compared to Q1 2019. It increased by RMB 14.3 million and represents 9.8% of the total revenue. In May 2020, the Company launched a new product called MQi2. This is NIU's flagship product under the new national standard for electric bicycles in China. The MQi2 inherits the design language of MQi series and it is also equipped with the Company's most up-to-date technologies. The NIU app is now upgraded to 4.0 version, which is optimized for better interactive experience, improved GPS positioning and anti-theft security. The Company also plan to launch another model under the Gova series in June 2020.

Meanwhile, the Company's long-term expansion plans are in good progress. Retail sales network expansion in China will resume in Q2 2020 and there is also plans to acquire land use right for a new piece of real estate in Changzhou for further factory expansion in light of the rebounding recovery demand in China.

After being listed on NASDAQ for around 1.5 years, the Company is now added into MSCI's China Small Cap Index, which will take place on May 29th 2020. This demonstrates recognition from the capital market.

NIU Technologies CEO Dr. Yan Li said "Since May, distributors and dealers in selective international markets resumed operation and we are working closely with them to re-activate our expansion plans. We are very excited about the enriched product portfolio and we are looking forward to the continued growth of our business and pleased to see demand is recovering in China. Our China sales are expected to return to healthy growth in the second quarter."

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Suprema further enhances cyber security with new BioStar 2 release

SEOUL, KOREA, May 14, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – Suprema, a global leader in security and biometrics, has released a new version BioStar 2 platform, enhancing the cyber security features. Suprema BioStar 2 is a web-based, open, and integrated security platform that provides comprehensive functionality for access control and time & attendance.





In addition to existing encryption of personal data, used for authentication with passwords, fingerprint templates and face templates, BioStar 2 now encrypts every data available that may potentially link to any specific individual. With this enhancement in BioStar 2 v2.8, this upscaled security will be made available not as an option but a default feature of the system.

Introducing this new update, Young S. Moon, CEO of Suprema Inc., remarked, "We place absolute top priority to strengthen security measures and reinforce our security framework. Along with the current update of BioStar 2, we will continue to strive to make our solutions secure to make sure our customers' personal data is protected."

About Suprema

Suprema Inc. is a leading global provider of security and biometrics technologies. Suprema's extensive range of products includes biometric access control systems, time & attendance solutions, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint solutions. Suprema has No.1 market share in biometrics access control in EMEA region and has worldwide sales network in over 130 countries. For more information, please visit www.supremainc.com.

Press Contact:
Chloe Kim
Manager of Marketing, Suprema Inc.
Email: jskim4@suprema.co.kr

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

JCB Introduces Tap on Mobile Solution for JCB Contactless Payments on Android Smartphones

TOKYO, Apr 28, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – JCB Co. Ltd. ("JCB"), Japan's only international payment brand, is leveraging Asia's leading fintech player, Soft Space Sdn. Bhd.'s ("Soft Space") technological expertise to develop the Tap on Mobile programme that capitalises on the wide availability of Android smartphones equipped with NFC (near-field communication).

JCB Contactless card or mobile device can be used at any merchants that support JCB Contactless. Aimed at driving greater contactless acceptance among JCB acquirers worldwide, JCB has developed the Tap on Mobile programme which will be used to govern all aspects of contactless payment transactions securely made on NFC-enabled Android smartphones, off the shelf. This programme is secure and interoperable based on EMV and PCI standards.

The initiative to develop Tap on Mobile programme is a significant milestone for JCB because it believes that the Tap on Mobile solution is the future of payments, and is poised to help JCB significantly grow its acceptance business globally going forward.

"We are pleased to be working with Soft Space on this Tap on Mobile programme," said Tac Watanabe, the Executive Vice President for JCB's Brand Infrastructure and Technologies Department. "The Tap on Mobile is secure yet convenient for our customers, and given the growth of contactless payment transaction and consumer smartphones worldwide, we believe that the Tap on Mobile will be the key initiative for JCB to drive our contactless agenda to grow globally."

"We are privileged to be working on JCB's Tap on Mobile programme," said Joel Tay, Chief Executive Officer of Soft Space. "With businesses being constantly challenged by changing global economic scenarios, Tap on Mobile is a tool that can aid them through such times by offering them an innovative, cost-effective and secure payment solution."

The Tap on Mobile programme builds on the expertise gained through Soft Space's development of "Fasstap", world's first NFC-enabled payment solution with PIN verification, certified by card brands in 2018[1] and subsequently 2019[2].

Tap on Mobile solution has been developed by incorporating JCB's contactless kernel – the engine that powers contactless payment transactions. Engaging Soft Space's technological expertise, the solution has met JCB's necessary standards and approvals. This ensures that payment data transmitted is secured from potential leakage, thus reducing the risk of fraudulent activities.

With Tap on Mobile programme in place, JCB can offer its acquirers a new, innovative cashless payment option who will in turn, adopt and deploy as a cost-effective payment solution to their merchants.

[1] Businesses can Accept MyDebit Card Payments Using Only Mobile Phones https://paynet.my/press-release/2018/PayNet-Fasstap-Pilot-Launch.pdf
[2] Maybank Tap2Phone offers greater mobility for merchant mobile payments https://www.maybank.com/en/news-support/news.page

About Soft Space

Founded in 2012, Soft Space is a leading Fintech player in the APAC region headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Soft Space simplifies the complexity of financial infrastructure and creates value-added features for businesses to expand their business growth. With over 20 financial institutions in 11 countries adopting its payment solutions, Soft Space is supported by MDEC's Global Acceleration and Innovation Network (GAIN) programme and received financial support through MIDA's Domestic Investment Strategic Fund in 2012. In 2018, Soft Space ranked 66th out of 1000 companies in the Financial Times 'FT 1000: High Growth Companies in Asia Pacific' Special Report. For more information, please visit https://www.softspace.com.my/

Brenda Lim
Communications Executive
Tel: +603 7494 1222
Email: brenda.lim@softspace.com.my

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes over 33 million merchants and over a million cash advance locations in the world. JCB cards are now issued in 24 countries and territories, with more than 136 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit https://www.global.jcb/en/

Kumiko Kida
Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +81 3 5778 8353
Email: jcb-pr@jcb.co.jp

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Retarus Presents Free Anti-Phishing Guide

SINGAPORE, Apr 24, 2020 – (ACN Newswire) – The coronavirus crisis is turning daily work routines upside down in Singapore, as in the case around the world. Businesses in Singapore are being forced to change familiar working procedures, primarily implementing staggered work hours and enabling employees to work from home as part of circuit breaker measures – perfect circumstances for online scammers to exploit.

The Threat Intelligence unit of the Munich-based cloud services provider Retarus has observed a massive increase in targeted cyberattacks. The company has now released the Retarus Anti-Phishing Guide to help raise awareness about fraudulent emails and recognise scams, while also revealing how to successfully combat such attacks.

With state-of-the-art email security services such as Retarus Email Security, companies are generally well-protected against cyberattacks. Yet with home offices set up quickly and pragmatically in the wake of the crisis, these temporary workplaces often don't have the same level of protection as the office – the internet connection at home is not secured to the same extent as an enterprise network and attackers are managing to find their way into company networks through poorly safeguarded home computers.

How cybercriminals are exploiting the coronavirus crisis

"Official" information about the virus pandemic, offers of high-demand products such as respiratory masks and coronavirus test kits, or the purported need to install tools for the home office are just a few examples of the many ways in which scammers are trying to gain access to home office computers, and thus sneak their way into company networks. Staff working from home don't have the option of quickly checking with colleagues across the office, whether the contents of an email could be trustworthy. This is being exploited by criminals committing CEO fraud or business email compromise (BEC) scams. These incidents involve scammers hacking and spoofing email accounts, possibly to trick recipients into sending transfers to their respective bank accounts, or to request confidential information they can use to their own advantage. By impersonating their supervisors and requesting a high degree of urgency and secrecy, specific employees are targeted to disclose confidential information or arrange the remittance of company funds.

How employees can protect themselves

"With 91% of all email-related security breaches emanating from poor cyber hygiene, never has it been more pressing to adopt good practices and invest in solutions that will better support remote working environments in the face of crisis. Beyond investing on email security tools, however, it is likewise paramount that businesses in Singapore and the region focus on keeping employees informed so they can be more vigilant in recognising phishing emails from valid email requests, as they shift towards implementing work-from-home schemes," said Dylan Castagne, Managing Director, Retarus Asia."

How employees in the home office can protect themselves optimally from phishing emails, how to recognise well-disguised scam emails, and how to behave correctly in cases of uncertainty are revealed in the Retarus Anti-Phishing Guide, which is now available for free download. https://www.retarus.com/services/email-security/#anti-phishing-guide

About Retarus

With its outstanding solutions and services, intelligent infrastructure, and patented technology, Retarus manages communication for companies worldwide. Retarus' state-of-the-art technologies, highly available data centres, and innovative cloud messaging platform offer maximum security, maximum performance, and business continuity. With experience in steering information flows at the enterprise level, Retarus ensures that information is transferred securely and reliably to the right place, at the right time, in the right format – since 1992 and with now 15 subsidiaries on four continents. Seventy-five percent of DAX 30, half of all EURO STOXX 50, and 25 percent of S&P100 companies rely on Retarus services. Our long-standing customers include Adidas, Bayer, BNP Paribas, Bosch, Continental, DHL, DZ BANK, Fujitsu, Goldman Sachs, Honda, Linde, PSA, Puma, Sixt, T Systems, Sony and Zeiss.

Media Contact:
Retarus (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Dylan Castagne, Managing Director
T: +65 6323 7354
E: press@sg.retarus.com

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