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Mobile expense management company ttMobiles is warning companies to guard their assets before costs explode out of
control when mobile phones are used to pay for products and services, just like
a credit card.
Mark Chapman, Commercial Director of ttMobiles stated: "Make sure that your
business mobiles don't ring to the sound of the cash register.
"This is about to explode off the Richter scale.
"More companies are providing goods and services which can be paid for via the
mobile phone.
"For example, you can text your Sky box to record a programme, and British
Airways can give you flight departure details via text message.
"Paypal have launched Text 2 Buy where users can text a number in an advert or
promotion to buy the goods or service"
"The market for mobile payment is forecast to hit $36 billion globally in the
next two years.
"Already, we can charge car parking straight to the phone bill in some cities
like York.
"By the end of this year mobile ticketing will be launched by Chiltern Railways,
while Transport for London is looking at a similar scheme for the Oyster Card."
"The next phase will include more products and services charged straight to your
mobile, just the same as with a credit card.
"But business should beware. These costs will be finding their way onto the
company phone bill and I can easily see that based on our experience of personal
calls and trends in Japan mobile expenditure could be costing business in excess
of £1 billion in the next few years.
"Companies like M-Pay will revolutionize the way we use our mobiles. Soon we
will be using them to pay for all sorts of products and services, from buying a
can of Coke to paying taxis, buses, trains, to cinema tickets and home
deliveries.
"It is unlikely businesses will be able to bar these services as it could be
seen as a restraint of trade under European Legislation.
"Mobile network operators also see m-procurement as key to increasing revenues
per connection"
"The company mobile is standard equipment, critical to productivity and
flexibility.
"This can make companies responsible for the costs of hundreds or thousands of
mobile devices. It is difficult to control their whereabouts, and their use.
"This trend towards paying by mobile makes it vital for companies to keep track
of their mobiles, how they are used, and how much they cost."
"These new methods of payment are revolutionary. Don't let your business become
a casualty."
It is estimated that personal use on mobile phones already costs UK
organizations £ 990 million a year.
Source:
Credit
Control Journal
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