FedEx is reported to be interested in acquiring TNT, which seems to suggest that it does not want to rely on organic growth to strengthen its position in the global express market. Although combining two of the world’s leading players would put strong pressure on the other two integrators, UPS and DHL, overall, the competitiveness of the industry looks set to remain intact.

FedEx, which reported negative results in the last quarter of its financial year and subsequently issued a pessimistic outlook, is heavily reliant on the slowing US market. As a result, it now appears to be looking for radical ways to improve its position in the global express sector. Despite the weakened US dollar, the effects of a tougher economic environment and rising fuel costs appear to have sparked FedEx’s renewed interest in the acquisition of Dutch mail and express rival TNT. Continue reading “FedEx interest in TNT renewed despite economic situation” »

A new report, B2B Online Media Report, finds that the English-language website alibaba.com which specialises in business between international buyers trying to contact Chinese sellers retained its top spot in the top 30 Asian online B2B companies.

Continue reading “Alibaba.com Still Number One Asian B2B Website” »

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) is growing rapidly and has the potential to be a multi-billion dollar market, taking advantage of the trend towards single process deals in human resources outsourcing.

The report “Opportunities for recruitment process outsourcing in a changing HRO market” estimates the global RPO market in 2007 to be worth $720m and forecasts it will grow by 22% in 2008 to $880m, surpassing the $1 billion level in 2009. According to the report, demand is predominately from Fortune 1000 companies in the US, but the market is growing rapidly in the UK and continental Europe and is beginning to gain traction in the Asia Pacific region.

Continue reading “Recruitment Process Outsourcing Market Experiencing Growth Despite Economic Downturn” »

As announced in a detailed report into the subject area, US court has ruled that the product patent covering Prevacid in the US is valid and enforceable, leaving Teva unable to launch a generic equivalent until May 2009. Although sales of Prevacid are still expected to decrease due to strong market competition, Takeda will look to maintain its market presence by launching a follow-on product.

Continue reading “Takeda and Abbott: Will Not Feel the Burn Until 2009″ »

Developed in the United Kingdom, the first voice-verified payment processing system has recently been launched, substantially reducing the threat of credit and debit fraud.

The Voice Pay system uses a customer’s own voice as a means of digitally signing and authorising payments. It incorporates VoiceVault voice biometric authentication technology that is already in use by global banks, insurers and public-sector organisations.

Continue reading “Will Speaking into Your Mobile Pay the Bills?” »