Dell Computer Partners With Bibit to Provide Global Payment Capabilities to Call Centers

Business Wire, Oct 23, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2001

Integrated Transaction Solution Will Streamline Call Center Payment

Processing in Its Europe, Middle East and Africa Region

Bibit Internet Payments(TM), the leading European Internet payment service provider, today announced it has been selected by Dell Computer Corporation(TM) to provide an integrated global payment platform for its call centers that support Home and Small Business (H&SB) customers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) division. By incorporating the Bibit payment platform into its call centers, Dell will now be able to support a broader range of payment options across different regions, making it easier for customers to pay for products and services in methods they are comfortable with.

Beginning in Scandinavia, Bibit will be incorporated into all Dell call centers across EMEA, allowing Dell to accept a much broader range of payment methods from various countries, while streamlining its back office transaction processes. Historically, each call center maintained a relationship with local financial institutions to provide localized payment services. Bibit simplifies the transaction process across multiple regions by offering a platform that incorporates over 60 payment methods from leading financial institutions, eliminating the need for companies to establish numerous independent banking relationships. A simple interface on the call center agents' terminal provides real time access to all major current European payment methods over a secure connection.

"In the Northern Region, we realized the need for an international payment platform to centralize our payment management, and were faced with a classic 'build or buy decision,'" said Tomas Crutze, finance director of Dell H&SB Northern Europe. "After investigating various alternatives, we decided to outsource our payment handling to Bibit because of its functionalities and Bibit's geographical coverage. Cost benefits will come as we increase our volumes to full levels, but at this point we are mainly pleased with the increased customer experience from the moment we went into operation. Dell H&SB in EMEA will leverage off of our experiences with this tool in the next coming months."

Anywhere, Anytime Payment Support

Bibit provides transaction processing across all payment channels, including Internet, call centers, and point-of-sale. The Bibit payment platform provides a multi-lingual, end-to-end payment service that combines 60 multi-currency and international payment methods, including conventional credit cards and the SET protocol for secure transactions, into a single digital solution. Bibit's service offering includes full reconciliation and administrative services, handling both the technical and financial management of the payment solution in a fully secure environment. The payment service seamlessly integrates into existing transaction generating platforms and enables businesses to extend their reach into the European market.

Dell now joins a growing number of companies who recognize Bibit's added value across all payment channels, including call centers and mail-order sales. Increasingly, U.S.-based companies are turning to Bibit to provide support in reaching new customers across geographical regions. Bibit now supports currencies in over 42 countries, and has plans to expand aggressively over the next year.

Bibit Minimizes Risk While Enhancing Customer Service

Bibit has developed a Risk Management Module that allows companies to assess the risk of fraudulent payments for Internet and other remote purchases more adequately. The Risk Management Module subjects each payment attempt to a series of automatic verification processes that identify attempted fraudulent payments. Each check that signals a risk yields a number of points. The number of points per check is based on Bibit's experience with previous fraud attempts. The company is able to adapt the number of points per check to their own situation. If the total score exceeds a specific limit, the chance that fraud is involved is considered unacceptably high and the payment is refused automatically. Some checks yield the maximum score directly. Attempted payments that score on these checks are always blocked. For scores below the specified limit, the merchant can use the signalled risks to decide whether or not he wishes to accept the transaction.

About Bibit Internet Payments

Bibit Internet Payments is Europe's leading Internet Payment Service Provider. Founded in the Netherlands in 1997, Bibit currently operates on a pan-European scale, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States. Bibit's extensive international client list includes multi-channel retailers, as well as pure web shops, call centers, and physical points-of-sale. Customers include DaimlerChrysler, The Financial Times, Canon, and Fleurop Interflora. Bibit is a privately held company, with investments from Residex Investments, BNP Paribas (Paribas Investments), Twinning and Continuum Group Ltd. For more information, please call 408/399-9938, or visit www.bibit.com.