Australia Post has announced a new partnership with global fintech AlphaPaymentsCloud that will see the development an integrated ecommerce platform designed to help local retailers trade and compete online.
Named the ‘AlphaCommerceHub’, the platform will provide an exclusive application programming interface (API) allowing merchants to easily connect to a range of services such as payments, identity verification, fraud detection, risk management, loyalty programs, delivery preferences and shipping.
Designed to be a one-stop-shop for businesses to kick off their online ecommerce presence, Oliver Rajic, CEO of AlphaPaymentCloud, said the hub will also offer merchants a simple way to customise their online services and streamline payments, helping drive efficiency and meet with regulatory compliances.
The fintech company, which is based in Singapore, consolidates payments for businesses through its flagship, payments-as-a-service platform ‘AlphaHub’.
The cloud solution enables banks and merchants from any country to access any payment type with any solution provider, with over 250 third-party solutions currently accessible.
Speaking about the partnership, Rajic said, “It’s amazing to consider the potential for our joint solution to create the infrastructure underpinning Australia’s fintech future.”
According to Australia Post group chief digital officer, Andrew Walduck, combining the company’s tech with Australia Post’s scale will mean Australian merchants will have the tools they need to compete in the online ecommerce space.
“Businesses will no longer need to invest in multiple platforms, integrations and expensive ongoing investment to stay current. “AlphaCommerceHub offers contemporary point of sale and online checkout options. It reduces the cost of doing business, whilst enabling Australian businesses to focus on driving the improved customer experiences that will help them grow,” he said.
The partnership follows less than two months on from Australia Post announcing that Blackmores chief executive and ecommerce veteran, Christine Holgate, would be taking the reigns of managing director and Group CEO from Ahmed Fahour, who departed the company in July.
Speaking about the appointment, chairman of Australia Post, John Stanhope, said Holgate was chosen thanks to her track record of delivering results in “large, complex organisations” globally, as well as her experience in ecommerce.
“The board was impressed by her experience of working very successfully in a range of different industries that are highly regulated. And, on top of that, she has a proven ability to implement strategy – and successfully grow a business in Asia,” he said at the time.
“Her knowledge of global ecommerce will be invaluable as we pursue our Asian Strategy, which is all about offering logistics support to Australian businesses that are either selling in Asia, or sourcing their products there.”
Empowering local merchants to trade online has been a key for Australia Post, particularly in the Asian market.
The organisation first partnered with Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba in 2015, partnership its its Tmall branch to help Australian businesses sell to China through Australia Post’s own online Tmall storefront, auspost.tmall.hk.
Earlier this year saw the organisation form an agreement to launch Australia Post storefronts on Lazada platforms, a large Southeast Asian ecommerce network. Australia Post also signed a deal with Alibaba and Blackmores to combat the sale of counterfeit Australian food across China in March.
Image: Andraew Walduck. Source: Supplied.
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