Today In B2B: Sage Collabs On Cash Management, Aareal Bank Debuts B2B Payments Platform

Today in B2B payments, Amazon takes advantage of cloud adoption with expanded call center functionality, while Sage collaborates on small business cash flow management. Meanwhile, Aareal Bank launches a new B2B payments platform, Cobase teams up for FX and eCapital acquires a commercial lender.

Sage Teams With Satago To Help SMBs Manage Cash Flow

Sage has unveiled a new partnership with Satago, a cash management and finance program for small firms and accounting professionals, according to an announcement. The tie-up is an extension of a current relationship that will have Satago’s offering smoothly linked with Sage Accounting, which will offer clients automated invoice chasing, invoice finance and credit risk analysis in a single system. Neal Watkins, EVP of small segment at Sage, said in the announcement that satisfying the requirements of small companies is even more important at a time when a number of these entities have come into a “clear cashflow crisis.”

Germany’s Aareal Bank Group Rolls Out B2B Payment Platform

Germany-based Aareal Bank Group is rolling out its Aareal Exchange & Payment Platform (AEPP) offering. The solution will let firms put “end-to-end automation” of payment and financial institution-related services into place, with the ability to simply connect those offerings with their enterprise resource planning (ERP) infrastructures, according to a Tuesday (Dec. 1) announcement. While the first applications have been put into place for the housing sectors, more industries are scheduled to be implemented over the medium haul, the announcement stated.

Cobase, Ebury Team Up On FX Payments

FinTech firms Cobase and Ebury are now working together to roll out Ebury’s foreign exchange services on Cobase’s multi-banking platform, according to a press release. Cobase works in cloud-based corporate multi-banking solutions while Ebury is backed by Santander Bank and works in cross-border tech and financial management. Through adding Ebury’s services to Cobase’s platform, clients will gain better access to cost-effective cross-border services and get competitive quotes from Ebury, booking foreign exchange trades without having to go through other systems. In addition, users will be able to access real-time status for transactions and reporting, letting automation happen for the reconciliation process, the release says.

Alternative Lender eCapital Buys UK-Based Advantedge Commercial

Alternative lender eCapital is expanding its global footprint by acquiring U.K.-based Advantedge Commercial Finance, according to a Tuesday (Dec. 1) press release. Miami-based eCapital said the move will allow it to expand its geographical footprint beyond North America and add to its specialty lending solutions, such as factoring. eCapital is a leading provider of financing to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), offering such services as invoice factoring, factoring lines of credit, and asset-based lending. Its customers, up until now, have been largely in the U.S. and Canada. The company also offers financing services through its Commercial Finance, Freight Factoring and Gerber Financial units. Its digital platform allows customers to access services through a wide variety of devices.

Amazon Expands Call Center Business Technology With Voice Recognition

As Amazon sees new demand for cloud services because of the pandemic, the company has announced voice recognition as part of its new services suite for call center businesses, Reuters reported. Andy Jassy, who runs Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s division for cloud computing services, said the new product would be called Amazon Connect Voice ID, according to the news outlet. It will use machine learning to authenticate customers dialing into call centers. Jassy said the new product will aim to build a voice print for customers who want to save time on calls, Reuters reported.