Microsoft has signed a global business process outsourcing partnership with arvato AG, one of the world’s largest internationally networked media and communication services providers.

The five-year agreement – which sees Microsoft consolidating operational activities for several key business lines previously handled by multiple suppliers with one vendor – commences in January 2010.Arvato will support this business globally from their operations based in Dublin, Singapore, Reno (Nevada) Fargo (North Dakota), Manila and Buenos Aires.

In its new role as a key global business process outsourcing partner, arvato will manage services for Microsoft Dynamics (formerly known as Microsoft Business Solutions), Commercial Operations, Services and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) divisions.
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The study, “NFC Mobile Payments & Marketing Opportunities: Forecasts & Analysis 2009 – 2014,” (source) predicts NFC mobile payments will exceed $30 billion within three years:

• The first NFC devices will be shipped commercially later in 2009 and the market will ramp up from 2011.
• NFC/Felica payments are already established in Japan but by 2014 North America and Western Europe will be experiencing high growth.
• By 2012, NFC global gross transaction value will exceed $30 billion.

Mobile payments 2010: Market analysis and overview – ‘Mobile payments 2010’ is written and published by Innopay in cooperation with Telecompaper, elaborates on the trends, developments and issues, and provides an overview of more than 150 mobile payment initiatives from around the world.

The report consists of two parts:
Part 1: on the trends, developments and issues in the field of mobile payments
Part 2: overview of more than 150 mobile payment initiatives from around the world

Download free copy of The Mobile Payments Report 2010 here

Bank of America has announced the BankAmericard Basic™ Visa card. “The new card features one basic rate for all types of transactions, including balance transfers and cash advances. That rate, which is tied to the U.S. Prime Rate, will not change over the life of the account.” The new card will be available online at bankofamerica.com in October.

Key features of the BankAmericard Basic Visa card include:

• The interest rate is the same for all transactions, including purchases and cash advances, making it easy for customers to keep track of their interest rate at any given time.

• One interest rate — U.S. Prime plus a margin of 14 percent — that never changes for the life of the account. Rate increases and decreases will only occur if the Prime Rate changes.

• No over-the-limit fee.

• Easy- to-understand, single-page disclosure explains terms and conditions.

• One flat fee of $39 for late payments.