By Business & Finance 
Authipay, a new online payments service combining a payment gateway and merchant account ‘in one’, has officially launched yesterday, adding pace to the internet economy.
Authipay is offered by AIB Merchant Services, a merchant acquiring joint venture between First Data Corporation and Allied Irish Banks p.l.c. The new service is designed to enable businesses to sell online and take advantage of ecommerce, driving adoption.
Authipay gives businesses access to secure and fast web-based transaction and merchant services with easy set up and integration. The service provides multi-payment and multi-currency settlement options and can provide quick boarding so businesses can accept online payments fast.
As part of its launch plans, Authipay commissioned an ecommerce survey of 200 business decision-makers in Ireland which has revealed the challenges and potential that selling online presents Irish businesses. Four in ten businesses surveyed already operate or plan to operate an ecommerce website with increased growth from online sales and new market opportunities viewed as a driver for 60% and reduced costs key for 53%. Of the 6 in 10 businesses not yet operating an ecommerce website, 80% cited lack of opportunity as a barrier while 12% claim that lack of knowledge and expertise is a barrier. Only 8% claimed that cost was a barrier.
The most essential website features, highlighted by the Authipay ecommerce survey is the ability to make online payments quickly, easily and securely (86%) as well as responsive web design (72%).
Nigel Motyer, general manager of First Data’s EMEA Alliances, comments: “This research reiterates that businesses in Ireland are both positive and realistic about the need to sell online and we believe services such as Authipay will help to drive this adoption. All too frequently consumers are purchasing from websites outside of Ireland as they can’t find an Irish online retailer. With the launch of Authipay we have made it easier for Irish retailers looking for an online presence to get trading online quickly and easily.”
