Latest news with #ISV
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Merchant Focus Appoints Travis Jordan as President to Lead Embedded Payments Strategy
PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merchant Focus, a leading provider of secure, customized payment processing solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Travis Jordan as its new President. This strategic move strengthens the company's leadership team as it accelerates growth in embedded payments, with a focus on serving the evolving needs of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Leadership News: Travis Jordan has been named President of Merchant Focus! He'll lead the charge on embedded payments & ISV growth. Big moves ahead. #Fintech #Payments #Leadership #ISV Share Travis Jordan brings more than a decade of experience in the payments industry, including leadership roles at Merchant Focus as Vice President and Business Development Manager. His expertise spans embedded payments, dual pricing, and high-risk merchant services. In recognition of his industry impact, Travis was recently named a 2025 ETA Forty Under 40 award recipient at TRANSACT 2025. 'Travis will be instrumental in driving innovation and growth at Merchant Focus,' said John Waldron, CEO of Merchant Focus. 'His deep expertise and client-first mindset make him the ideal leader to guide our next phase of expansion.' As President, Travis will focus on expanding the company's embedded payment capabilities to deliver seamless, integrated experiences for software platforms and their users. His vision includes leveraging technology to simplify payment workflows, enhance security, and develop flexible, scalable solutions tailored to a range of industries. 'I'm honored to take on this role,' said Travis Jordan. 'Our mission is to empower businesses through innovative, easy-to-integrate payment solutions that help them grow and adapt in a fast-paced, tech-driven world.' Merchant Focus has supported businesses of all sizes for more than 20 years, offering a full suite of payment processing tools including mobile, online, contactless, and POS systems—all backed by best-in-class security and dedicated support. About Merchant Focus Founded in 2004, Merchant Focus is a privately held financial services company headquartered in Portland, Maine. The company specializes in fast, secure credit card processing with a focus on tailored solutions for software platforms, eCommerce, and in-store transactions. Merchant Focus combines cutting-edge technology with personalized service to help businesses thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
Channel Post MEA
15-04-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Zebra Announces AI Developer Challenge Winners
Zebra Technologies Corporation has announced the winners of its inaugural AI Developer Challenge, highlighting the art of the possible with Zebra solutions and its developer community. In first place is Zebra independent software vendor (ISV) partner, with its StoreAi app designed for Zebra mobile computers. The application offers three core features enabled by on-device product recognition capabilities: realogram generation, store navigation, and product picking. It was selected as the first-place winner for its business value, ability to overcome real world challenges in retail, and technological innovation. 'Zebra's on-device AI vision technology is a game changer, minimizing both the latency and costs typically associated with cloud-based AI,' said Dr. Pat Narendra, Founder of 'This journey has been an exciting blend of tackling real-world business challenges, innovation, and enjoyment. Congratulations to my fellow winners, participants, and the entire Zebra team.' The second place winner is Zebra ISV partner, SoftServe for its Zebra Eyes and Ears – an AI-powered reporting app for public safety professionals. The app enables hands-free incident documentation combined with speech-to-text transcription and camera-based evidence capture, allowing first responders to focus on their environments and cut down on manual, paper-based administrative tasks. Zebra ISV partner, Tego, Inc. takes third place for its Tego Warehouse Management Solution. It leverages Zebra optical character recognition (OCR), product recognition, and barcode localization AI models which are integrated into workflows to ensure the seamless, automated handling of inventory from receipt to shipping. This product could offer significant cost reduction, efficiency gains, and error minimization by automating critical warehouse processes. The AI Developer Challenge was launched in September last year, with participating developers tasked with creating a functioning AI vision application on a Zebra handheld mobile device. A total of 40 developer partners applied with ten progressing to the final round. All the participants were invited to take part in private community forums and sessions with Zebra engineers and developers throughout the challenge. In addition, they were given access to an advanced release of the Zebra AI Suite for Mobile Computers which will be more widely available to all Zebra's ISV partners later this year. Final applications had to include at least one Zebra AI model (Shelf and Product Localizer, Barcode Localizer, Product Recognizer, Feature Extractor, OCR/Text Recognizer) and AI Data Capture software developer kit (SDK) which could be combined with other technologies and AI application tools. 'Enabling our developer community to be at the forefront of building AI applications for the frontline is a key area of focus for us, and this challenge has demonstrated how together we can extend the capabilities of Zebra's mobile computers for our customers across a variety of industries,' said Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, Zebra Technologies. 'Congratulations to the winners, all the participants, and the Zebra team for taking another important step in how we connect with our community as well as learn and build the future of AI for the frontline.' Zebra's next developer conference, DevCon 2025 will take place June 4-6 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It will bring together developers, engineers, solution architects, ISVs and alliance partners for three days of networking, breakout sessions and keynotes by senior executives from Zebra, Google Cloud, Edge Impulse, a Qualcomm Company and Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn and others who will share insights on the importance of connected frontline workers, asset visibility, and intelligent automation. KEY TAKEAWAYS A total of 40 developers applied in Zebra's inaugural AI Developer Challenge, and participants were tasked with using the Zebra AI Suite for Mobile Computers to create a functioning vision application for Zebra mobile devices. Ten developers made it through to the final round, with SoftServe, and Tego Inc finishing in the top spots in the challenge. 0 0
Zawya
14-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Zebra recognizes AI Developer Challenge winners for visionary approaches to increase frontline efficiency
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. – Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, today announced the winners of its inaugural AI Developer Challenge, highlighting the art of the possible with Zebra solutions and its developer community. In first place is Zebra independent software vendor (ISV) partner, with its StoreAi app designed for Zebra mobile computers. The application offers three core features enabled by on-device product recognition capabilities: realogram generation, store navigation, and product picking. It was selected as the first-place winner for its business value, ability to overcome real world challenges in retail, and technological innovation. 'Zebra's on-device AI vision technology is a game changer, minimizing both the latency and costs typically associated with cloud-based AI,' said Dr. Pat Narendra, Founder of 'This journey has been an exciting blend of tackling real-world business challenges, innovation, and enjoyment. Congratulations to my fellow winners, participants, and the entire Zebra team.' The second place winner is Zebra ISV partner, SoftServe for its Zebra Eyes and Ears - an AI-powered reporting app for public safety professionals. The app enables hands-free incident documentation combined with speech-to-text transcription and camera-based evidence capture, allowing first responders to focus on their environments and cut down on manual, paper-based administrative tasks. Zebra ISV partner, Tego, Inc. takes third place for its Tego Warehouse Management Solution. It leverages Zebra optical character recognition (OCR), product recognition, and barcode localization AI models which are integrated into workflows to ensure the seamless, automated handling of inventory from receipt to shipping. This product could offer significant cost reduction, efficiency gains, and error minimization by automating critical warehouse processes. The AI Developer Challenge was launched in September last year, with participating developers tasked with creating a functioning AI vision application on a Zebra handheld mobile device. A total of 40 developer partners applied with ten progressing to the final round. All the participants were invited to take part in private community forums and sessions with Zebra engineers and developers throughout the challenge. In addition, they were given access to an advanced release of the Zebra AI Suite for Mobile Computers which will be more widely available to all Zebra's ISV partners later this year. Final applications had to include at least one Zebra AI model (Shelf and Product Localizer, Barcode Localizer, Product Recognizer, Feature Extractor, OCR/Text Recognizer) and AI Data Capture software developer kit (SDK) which could be combined with other technologies and AI application tools. 'Enabling our developer community to be at the forefront of building AI applications for the frontline is a key area of focus for us, and this challenge has demonstrated how together we can extend the capabilities of Zebra's mobile computers for our customers across a variety of industries,' said Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, Zebra Technologies. 'Congratulations to the winners, all the participants, and the Zebra team for taking another important step in how we connect with our community as well as learn and build the future of AI for the frontline.' Zebra's next developer conference, DevCon 2025 will take place June 4-6 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It will bring together developers, engineers, solution architects, ISVs and alliance partners for three days of networking, breakout sessions and keynotes by senior executives from Zebra, Google Cloud, Edge Impulse, a Qualcomm Company and Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn and others who will share insights on the importance of connected frontline workers, asset visibility, and intelligent automation. KEY TAKEAWAYS A total of 40 developers applied in Zebra's inaugural AI Developer Challenge, and participants were tasked with using the Zebra AI Suite for Mobile Computers to create a functioning vision application for Zebra mobile devices. Ten developers made it through to the final round, with SoftServe, and Tego Inc finishing in the top spots in the challenge. Registration is now available to attend DevCon 2025. Learn more here. ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides the solutions to help businesses grow with increased asset visibility, connected frontline workers and intelligent automation. The company operates in more than 100 countries, and our customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Designed for the frontline, Zebra's award-winning portfolio includes hardware, software, and services, all backed by our 50+ years of innovation and global partner ecosystem. Follow Zebra on our blog and LinkedIn, visit our newsroom and learn more at Media Contact: Jonathan Walsh WPR Dubai Industry Analyst Contact: Kasia Fahmy Zebra Technologies ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Zebra Technologies Corp. and/or its affiliates.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Usio Inc (USIO) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and Strategic ...
Total Revenue Growth: Up 3% for the quarter, with growth in Card, ACH, and Output Solutions. GAAP Net Income: $600,000 or $0.02 per share, including a $1.5 million ERC benefit. Total Dollars Processed: Exceeded $1.9 billion in Q4, a 36% increase year-over-year; $7.1 billion for the full year, up 33%. Operating Cash Flow: $2.9 million for 2024, with over $900,000 in Q4. Cash Position: Over $8 million at year-end, with expectations for further increase. Card Processing Volume: Over $1.5 billion for the year, a 10% increase from fiscal 2023. PayFac Revenue Growth: Up 29% in the quarter; PayFac volume up 28% for the year. ACH Transaction Volume: Up 34% in Q4; electronic check dollars processed up 44%. Output Solutions Growth: Electronic documents processed up 86%; total pieces mailed exceeded 5.4 million in Q4. Prepaid Card Load Volume: Over $100 million for the sixth consecutive quarter; up 35% for the year. Share Repurchase Program: New $4 million authorization approved by the Board. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with USIO. Release Date: March 26, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Usio Inc (NASDAQ:USIO) reported a 36% increase in total dollars processed in the fourth quarter, reaching over $1.9 billion. The company achieved its third consecutive quarter of positive GAAP net income, reporting $600,000 or $0.02 per share. Usio Inc (NASDAQ:USIO) generated $2.9 million in operating cash flow for 2024, with $900,000 in the fourth quarter alone. The new Usio One initiative aims to integrate all products and services under one brand, enhancing cross-selling opportunities. The company has a strong cash position, rising to over $8 million at year-end, and expects further increases in 2025. Usio Inc (NASDAQ:USIO) faced the challenge of replacing $12.1 million in annualized revenue lost from an expired COVID incentive program. The company's growth is partially dependent on the successful implementation of new ISV programs, which can be delayed. Despite positive cash flow, Usio Inc (NASDAQ:USIO) had to use cash for stock repurchases, which could limit other investment opportunities. The company is still in the early stages of implementing its Usio One initiative, which may take time to fully realize benefits. Usio Inc (NASDAQ:USIO) is cautious about M&A opportunities, indicating potential challenges in finding suitable acquisition targets. Q: What is the visibility for Usio's growth in 2025, and how should revenue cadence be expected throughout the year? A: Louis Hoch, Chairman and CEO, stated that growth is expected to be back-end loaded as implementations come live. The visibility for 2025 remains positive, with expectations for great growth. Q: Is Usio relying on a single or a few large customers to achieve the projected 14% to 16% growth? A: Louis Hoch confirmed that the growth is widespread and not reliant on a single or a few large customers. Q: How is Usio prioritizing share repurchases versus reinvestment in the business or potential M&A? A: Louis Hoch explained that Usio is authorized to repurchase up to $4 million in shares, and they will make purchases if market conditions allow. The company is also open to M&A opportunities but remains selective in acquisitions. Q: Are there any changes in sales conversations with local or state governments due to the change in federal administration? A: Greg Carter, Executive Vice President of Payment Acceptance, noted that while the PayFac side is not affected, there might be potential opportunities in the disbursement space, although nothing specific can be commented on at this time. Q: What are the key initiatives under the new Usio One strategy? A: Louis Hoch highlighted that Usio One will integrate all products and services under one brand, enhancing cross-selling opportunities and improving client onboarding with a universal application. The initiative also includes AI adoption for fraud protection and marketing efficiency. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SignaPay Welcomes Christopher Hester as Vice President of Business Development
DALLAS, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SignaPay is thrilled to announce the appointment of Christopher Hester as its new Vice President of Business Development. With more than 26 years of experience in payment services, Hester brings a remarkable track record in ISO/ISV recruitment, underwriting, risk and compliance, and sales management. In his new role, he will spearhead the Partner Outreach and Recruitment of new Sales Partners to strengthen SignaPay's nationwide footprint. Hester has led successful initiatives at Priority Payment Systems, WorldPay, and Payment Resources International. Most notably, he pioneered the Merchant Services department at Axiom Bank, transforming it into the institution's most profitable division. Guided by his core philosophy—"no hurt in asking"—Hester fosters a culture of proactive engagement and relationship-building to drive growth and innovation. "I've always believed in looking for new ways to empower partners and deliver real value," says Christopher Hester, Vice President of Business Development at SignaPay. "I'm excited to bring that mindset here at SignaPay, and to support our mission of driving growth through strong relationships and forward-thinking solutions." Hester's hands-on approach, combined with his ability to navigate complex compliance and underwriting challenges, will be instrumental in propelling SignaPay's sales partner network to new heights. Beyond the office, he spends time with his family, enjoys outdoor activities, indulges in pop culture, and cheers on the Atlanta Braves. "Christopher's depth of experience in payments and partner recruitment is unmatched," remarks Managing Partner, Matt Nern. "We are delighted to have him join the SignaPay team, and we look forward to seeing him foster strong relationships with our current and future sales partners." For more information about SignaPay and its suite of payment solutions, please visit About SignaPaySignaPay is a leading provider of innovative payment solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses through reliable, efficient, and secure transaction processing. With a commitment to world-class customer service and a robust partner network, SignaPay offers tailored solutions that enable merchants to succeed in today's fast-paced marketplace. Contact: Sean Martillo, seanm@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SignaPay Sign in to access your portfolio
