OMAHA (September 30, 1996) -- First Data Corporation/Card Services Group and Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) are expanding the opportunities for small- and mid-size businesses to establish World Wide Web sites that accept credit cards as a form of payment. The companies today announced a program to help businesses establish payment-enabled Web sites with the new Netscape Payment Kit Server software, also announced today.
The Netscape/First Data program is designed to make it easy to establish a Web presence for the first time, as well as to develop Web sites that can accept credit cards as a form of payment. It will be offered through First Data client financial institutions and specially trained Netscape Affiliate Plus and Netscape Commercial Applications Partner Program (NCAPP) VARs (Value-Added Resellers) who are authorized to sell, install and support a full range of Netscape commerce solutions.
Together, First Data and Netscape will offer Netscape Payment Kit, a new software package that includes Netscape LivePayment software for on-line credit card processing, Netscape Enterprise Server software and Netscape LiveWire Pro visual development environment.
First Data will provide Internet Payment Processing services through its clients and Merchant Bank Alliance partners. Some of the financial institutions that will offer this new program include: Banc One; Bank of Hawaii; Barnett Bank; Boatmen's Bank; Huntington Bank; PNC Bank; Unified Merchant Services; US Bancorp; Wachovia Bank; Cardservice International; and National Bank of Commerce-Lincoln, based in Lincoln, Neb.
These First Data client financial institutions will offer First Data Internet Payment Processing services to their merchant clients and match them with more than 50 VARs from Netscape Affiliate Plus and NCAPP programs. Netscape Affiliate Plus and NCAPP members will work with businesses to establish payment-enabled Web sites. They provide services ranging from strategic planning, installation and systems integration to maintenance and support.
The participating Netscape Affilitate Plus and NCAPP members include: ACS; Best Consulting; Data Systems West; Electronic Press; Icon; Idea Center; IIS; Jeffries Technologies; Online Connecting Point; Open Business Systems; Osage; Questra Consulting; and Ulysses Telemedia Networks.
When a merchant business has completed its Web site and goes on-line, consumers with access to the Internet can order goods and services on-line and submit their order with encrypted card data for payment. To complete a transaction, consumers transmit the encrypted data to the merchant's Web server using Netscape Navigator Internet client software or any SSL compliant browser. The data is sent to First Data for real-time, on-line card authorizations and settlement.
"The Netscape/First Data program is an affordable, full-solution offering that gives merchants access to all the necessary tools to capitalize on the rapid growth of the Internet marketplace," said Chuck White, senior vice president of First Data Card Services Group's Electronic Funds Services unit.
"In 1996 we have seen great advances in electronic commerce and in the volume of credit card transactions it is generating," added White. "This program provides a solution that allows us to bring our Internet Payment Processing services to an even wider scope of merchants."
"Together, First Data and Netscape are providing the tools merchants need to build open, cross-platform Internet commerce solutions," said Mike Homer, senior vice president of marketing at Netscape. "By matching Netscape Affiliate Plus and NCAPP members with First Data client financial institutions, the Netscape/First Data program provides small- to medium-sized businesses with the ability to cost-effectively conduct business from their Web sites."
Merchants can apply for the Internet Payment Processing service immediately through any of the listed First Data client banks. The new Netscape/First Data program is available for major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diner's Club, Carte Blanche and JCB (Japan Credit Bureau). Standard bank procedures will be applied to the application process.
Merchants can learn about this service by calling First Data at 415/842-4085, or sending an e-mail to emerchant@firstdata.com. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.firstdata.com/fdcecom.html.
Netscape Communications Corporation is a premier provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live on-line applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, Calif.
Omaha-based First Data Card Services Group is a leading global processor of transaction cards and other card-based services, providing services to more than 1.7 million merchant outlets and 1,400 financial institutions.
First Data Corporation (NYSE:FDC), which reported more than $4.1 billion in revenues in 1995, provides a variety of information processing services to financial institutions, merchants, insurance companies, health care providers, governmental agencies, public utilities and consumers throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico and through its agent network to more than 120 countries around the world.
Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, or by sending email to info@netscape.com. Corporate customers can call 415/937-2555 while consumers can call 415/937-3777 for more information.
Netscape, Netscape Communications, Netscape Navigator, LiveWire Pro, Netscape LivePayment, Netscape Affiliate Plus, Netscape Commercial Applications Partner Program and Netscape Enterprise Server are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation.