PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2016

The Internet of Things may be a burgeoning industry, but according to a new survey by IAB, nearly two-thirds of American consumers, or 62 percent, already own at least one IoT device. What’s more, 65 percent of those surveyed who own IoT devices said they are willing to receive ads on their IoT screens. In a press release highlighting the survey results, IAB said 62 percent of survey respondents said they already see ads on IoT -connected gadgets.

Education 84

Education Gaming 84

Katz,Sapper&Miller

DECEMBER 16, 2016

On Dec. 13, 2016, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act, which exempts small employer health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) from the group health plan requirements. Prior to the 21st Century Cures Act, an HRA not integrated with another employer group plan was subject to a penalty of $100 per day, per employee.

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40

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

IBM is getting into the blockchain game, announcing Friday (Dec. 9) it launched a blockchain ecosystem aimed at accelerating the creation of blockchain networks. In a press release , IBM touted blockchain, saying it has the potential to transform the way all sorts of industries conduct business transactions. In order for it to take off, IBM contends there needs to be a complete ecosystem of industrial players all working together.

Education 84

Education Gaming 84

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2016

The price of bitcoin has continued its December climb this week. Bitcoin is at its highest value since early Feb. 2014. After a drop into the mid-760s on Sunday (Dec. 11), bitcoin rose to a weekly peak of $788.49 on Tuesday afternoon. The remainder of the week was spent lolling about in the mid to upper 770s. The current value of bitcoin at the time of writing was $777.14. —.

Texas 83

Texas Maryland Massachusetts New York 83

Advertiser: Paycor

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PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

Just as businesses need to keep pace with the change of technology, the technology providers that help businesses remain successful need to stay ahead of the curve themselves. Corporations are scaling globally, integrating complex supply chains, working with small suppliers, ensuring international compliance and gaining access to more data than ever before.

Transportation 82

Transportation Technology Sales B2B 82

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

Retailers, already sweating bullets over the “ Amazon Effect ” on their business, now have one more reason to keep sweating. Amazon Go, Amazon’s new grocery store format in Seattle, opened last week. Right now, its only customers are Amazon employees, who are putting it through its paces, but that will change in early 2017, a spokesperson said. Few details have emerged as to how Amazon Go powers the experience that shoppers will find once they get inside the store, but the combination of the Ama

Sales 80

Sales Retail Start-ups Sports 80

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 14, 2016

New insight into eCommerce growth in the third quarter of 2016 has found that publicly traded online retailers outperformed even the overall well-performing eCommerce market — with gains largely due to Amazon. The Department of Commerce released data in November that showed that eCommerce in the U.S. continued to see growth in the third quarter of 2016.

E-commerce 77

E-commerce Retail Sales Account 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

No small business is an island. SME owners need help to be successful, and that aid can come from nearly anywhere — from close friends and family members, to financial institutions, to government agencies. And we’re not just talking about financing. The latest research finds SMEs need support in cybersecurity, employee management and technology.

Finance 77

Finance Florida payroll Education 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2016

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… especially if you’re a hacker. As consumers race to catch the shopping deals and retailers battle it out for their attention and dollars, hackers lurk in the shadows, ready for a chance to strike. This year, they have their eyes on the point-of-sale (POS) system prize. Carolyn Crandall, CMO of Attivo Networks , joined this week’s Hacker Tracker to share the vulnerabilities impacting POS systems and discuss whether massive data breaches are on the horizon

Retail 76

Retail Sales Technology 76

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2016

Atom Tickets, the mobile-first movie ticketing platform, announced Thursday (Dec. 15) it will integrate Chase Pay as a preferred method of payment in 2017. In a press release , Atom Tickets said customers will be able to use Chase Pay in the Atom Tickets app and on the website to pay for tickets and pre-order concessions from over 15,000 U.S. screens, as well as purchase movie-related merchandise.

Entertainment 75

Entertainment Account accountant accounted 75

Speaker: James Kahler, COO of Full Course

Ever wondered where to splurge and where to safely conserve when it comes to operating and growing your restaurant? 🤔 Join James Kahler, COO of Full Course and industry visionary, in this new webinar where he'll talk all about best practices to invest in your restaurant's success! Whether you're a new business or an established restaurant, a seasoned pro or a rookie, you'll learn the keys to sustainable success in this competitive industry.

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 15, 2016

[link]. When it comes to payments innovation, the problem with banks and other large financial institutions (FIs) isn’t a lack of interest or aspiration. The modern consumer is digital in many ways: in how they shop, pay, interact with brands and manage their finances. FIs that want to hold onto these customers have every reason to eagerly embrace the digital future — because, as go the consumers, so go those who serve them.

Technology 75

Technology Finance 75

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 13, 2016

Headlines dissecting the U.S. labor market remain focused on full employment, where all who wish to work are pretty much gainfully employed. But within one subsector — that is, tech — there’s a different trend afoot. The war for talent is escalating — so much so that the casualties may include the tech firms themselves. In announcing the recent findings of a survey spanning more than 1,000 tech human resources and recruiting professionals, Indeed, the job site, noted that almost nine of 10 respo

Technology 75

Technology Retail B2B 75

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 13, 2016

Whether it’s while watching actress Taylor Schilling play Piper Chapman as she navigates Litchfield Penitentiary in Orange is the New Black or Kyle Chandler become John Rayburn in his attempt to keep the family’s dark secrets quiet within his Floridian paradise in Bloodline , Netflix has a better plan to enhance its content. This time, however, it’s with a 360-degree view, specifically through virtual reality (VR).

Transportation 75

Transportation Retail 75

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 15, 2016

Silicon Valley adjacent AI innovator Conversica recently announced it had raised $34 million in a Series B venture capital funding round led by Providence Strategic Growth Capital Partners, along with Toba Capital, Wellington Financial LP and Recruit Holdings, with additional funding from existing investor Kennet Partners and Founder Ben Brigham. The company’s flagship product, the Conversica AI Sales Assistant, is used by more than 1,000 companies worldwide, including at IBM and Epson,

Technology 75

Technology Sales Finance 75

Speaker: Jamie Eagan

As organizations strive for agility and efficiency, it's imperative for finance leaders to embrace innovative technologies and redefine traditional processes. Join us as we explore the pivotal role of digitalization and automation in reshaping what is commonly referred to as the “last mile of reporting”. We’ll deep-dive into why digitalization is no longer a choice, but a necessity for finance departments to stay competitive in a fast-paced environment touching on: 2024 trends for the Office of

Technology

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

On Friday of last week (Dec. 9), Michigan became the first state in the union to pass statewide, comprehensive self-driving vehicle regulations that allow autonomous vehicles to drive … well, autonomously. Michigan, the legacy home of the nation’s auto industry, now leads the nation in autonomous vehicle policy, says Recode — ahead of Florida, California and a few others with some current legislation.

Michigan 75

Michigan Technology Manufacturing Transportation 75

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 15, 2016

Thinking about adding a chatbot to your business? You’re not alone. In fact, 80 percent of businesses reported already incorporating or planning on adding chatbots by the year 2020. That’s according to a study pulled together by Oracle, surveying more than 800 decision makers at companies in France, the Netherlands, South Africa and the U.K. Most were in the C-suite — chief strategy officers and marketing officers; others were senior sales and marketing executives.

Technology 75

Technology Sales 75

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

The holiday shopping season is well upon us, and the eternal question remains: How does a gift giver make sure that the gift receiver feels as though they have received the perfect gift? Gift cards may seem a logical answer. They can be picked up in a hurry and can be used at the recipient’s choosing in terms of time and place. But not brand. Therein lies a conundrum.

Retail 75

Retail Start-ups Technology 75

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 13, 2016

Merchants are capitalizing on the power of deals more than ever before. According to DynamicAction’s Retail Index: Holiday 2016 , retailers have increasing their promotions and offers by 52 percent this holiday season. By analyzing more than $8 billion in consumer transactions globally, the index found that more retailers are turning to deals, discounts and rewards than in previous years.

Retail 74

Retail Sales 74

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Technology is rapidly changing the way accountants perform and manage month-end activities. Spreadsheets, email, and shared drives no longer have to slow us down. Join us as we present a "sneak peek" recorded demo of SkyStem's month-end close solution – ART. In under four weeks, your team can start reaping the benefits of month-end close automation by vastly reducing spreadsheets, cut down on reconciliation work, speed up the month-end close, and better manage your remote team.

Technology

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2016

A key part of business life is getting the books closed on time, with clean financial reporting that allows a high-level and granular view of what needs to be done next. Yet, in this most crucial of processes, inefficiencies exist, so much so that timeliness lags. In a survey conducted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and sponsored by Blackline, titled “Process Automation in Accounting and Finance,” examining the attitudes and concerns of 750 financial professionals surroundin

Technology 74

Technology accounting and finance accounting standards accounting software 74

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

New data collected in a survey by online and mobile publishing and advertising company Opera Mediaworks back in September reveals interesting trends among mobile users as they shop in-store. Here are some of the key findings. Perhaps the most striking result is that 47 percent of mobile users ages 14 and older will use their mobile device to research competitor store pricing in-store when shopping for the holidays.

Retail 74

Retail Sales 74

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2016

Startup Sixa wants developers to go deeper into the cloud and has just secured new investment to help with its efforts. Reports Friday (Dec. 9) said the startup raised $3.5 million in seed funding from Tandem Capital. Sixa has developed virtual machines to help developers move their computers into the cloud, and only a few months after its launch, reports said, the company already has a waiting list for its solution.

Technology 73

Technology B2B 73

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 10, 2016

Two years ago today, Lending Club was ringing the bell on an IPO that one early investor called “a no-brainer.”. “The consumer credit market has huge potential — trillions and trillions of dollars — and I wanted to ride that winner. Lending Club’s model does not need bank branches on each street corner, and it can turn around in minutes and hours, not days.

audit 73

audit Technology Start-ups Sales 73

Advertiser: Paycor

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PYMNTS

DECEMBER 13, 2016

Hackers targeting the SWIFT interbank system are getting more sophisticated, according to a previously undisclosed letter the organization sent to banks worldwide. The letter warns banks around the world of an increasing threat to their systems since a February hack of Bangladesh’s central bank sent $81 million into the ether. The success of the big hack — and the ongoing war increasingly advanced attackers are waging on the system — is turning up heretofore unknown vulnerabilities in the

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DECEMBER 14, 2016

CommLoan, an early stage commercial mortgage lending technology company, announced Tuesday (Dec. 13) it received $2.25 million in venture capital seed funding from Social Leverage and ViaWest Group. In a press release , the company said the funding will be used to accelerate sales and strengthen the company’s position in the market. “CommLoan has built a distinctive platform designed specifically for the commercial real estate finance setting, improving the overall lender-borrower experience,” s

Real Estate 73

Real Estate Finance Technology Sales 73

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 14, 2016

As the band Europe famously sang — we have reached the final countdown when it comes to the holiday retail season. The early shoppers are sitting home, drinking cocoa and feeling superior. The truly professional procrastinators doggedly refuse to so much think about it until next Friday when the heat is really on (and the sales will be particularly aggressive).

Retail 73

Retail Sales Technology 73

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 15, 2016

Stocks are at all-time highs, as measured in the United States. And yet the torpor that marked the IPO market this past year, especially for unicorns, may be setting up for a reversal in 2017. Two encouraging data points emerge here, with two far-flung companies in different industries gunning for public listings. In India, ShopClues, the eCommerce play that plies its trade in what are known as tier-two and tier-three cities, has said that it looks to be EBITDA-profitable within the next year (E

New York 72

New York Government Sales Technology 72

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Technology evolves at lightning speed, and as finance keeps changing, instant payments emerge as a game-changer for small businesses. By 2030, instant payments are projected to surge by 289% and will become the new norm in financial transactions. Our whitepaper reveals seven must-know facts about instant payments, offering to help you navigate this financial revolution effectively.

Finance

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 15, 2016

In what feels like déjà vu, there’s more bad news for Yahoo users. The company announced Wednesday (Dec. 14) that a new cybersecurity breach incident has affected over a billion of its users and their private data. Reportedly, an unauthorized third party stole data associated with the more than 1 billion Yahoo user accounts back in 2013. This billion-user figure means this newest hack is the largest data breach in the digital era.

Account 72

Account accountant accounted 72

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2016

Which?, the research firm, has found that U.K. bank HSBC has closed more than a quarter of its branches in its hometown during the course of the last two years. According to a report , citing the research from Which?, the closures are part of 1,000 closures of bank branches in total for HSBC. Since Jan. 2015, HSBC has reportedly closed 321 branches, which accounts for 27 percent of its bank network.

Maine 72

Maine Account accountant accounted 72

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 13, 2016

And the hits keep on coming for Wells Fargo. California has joined in the lawsuit bandwagon, ordering an investigation into claims retail bankers at Wells Fargo signed customers up for life insurance polices without their consent. Dave Jones, the insurance commissioner for California, said in an interview with Reuters that retail bankers allegedly signed up customers without their knowledge for life insurance from Prudential Financial.

California 71

California Sales Retail Government 71

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 15, 2016

Collect for Stripe, a new app built by entrepreneur and developer Logan Thompson, was launched this week, enabling Stripe users to accept both swipe and EMV chip payments at brick-and-mortar locations using a tablet or mobile device. According to the company, the app enables retailers to take advantage of Stripe at their physical locations and, at the same time, comply with EMV standards, which it said fills a liability gap among small business owners in the U.S.

Retail 70

Retail Account accountant accounted 70

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"Offer payroll and do it yourself,” they said. “It’ll be fun!” Spoiler alert: It was not fun. Most CPA firms know that they need to offer payroll services to their clients or risk losing them to another firm that will. However, many don’t really want to. It is often time-consuming and complex due to changing tax laws and regulations, and with the growing staffing shortages, most just don’t have the resources.

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