Solution delivers safe and compliant ways for veterinary practices to take payments via many channels that automatically post to practice management software.  

Nashville, TN, June 18, 2020—Sphere, the leading provider of end-to-end integrated payments and security software, and Sikka Software, a market leader in advancing retail healthcare connectivity, today announced their integrated payments platform called Sikka Payments is now available for the veterinary market.

Sikka Payments joins Sphere’s technology and merchant processing with Sikka Software’s innovative practice solutions to streamline collections and payment acceptance. The solution enables veterinary practices to accept client payments securely from a variety of channels.

As practices are now adapting to accommodate social distancing, the need for flexible, self-service methods for clients to pay is paramount.  Whether in person, online, mobile, text and/or card on file, the innovative Sikka Payments platform delivers safe and compliant ways for vet practices to take payments. These transactions automatically post back to the veterinarian’s compatible practice management software (PiMS) for greater efficiency.

Features include:

• Flexible modes of payments for the pet parents, including mobile, SMS and web-based, to enable payments on the go.
• Easy-to-use desktop application that sits next to the PiMS so everything is on a single screen. Payments are posted automatically back to the PiMS in real-time.
• Supports tokenization and validated point-to-point encryption to enable secure card on file payments and safe transaction processing.
• Ability to create set it and forget it installment plans. For those who cannot pay in full at the time of service, customized, automatic payment plans can improve collections.
• Push requests for payments, allowing clients to complete the payment on their phone without the need to come to a waiting room or shared card reader.

“While self-service payments have been on the rise for years, the current environment has greatly accelerated the need to allow customers to pay with their mobile devices.  The work we have done with Sikka has prepared clients to quickly adapt, allowing them to continue to collect payments as interaction within their waiting rooms and front desks has been reduced,” said Steve Rizzuto, Chief Executive Officer of Sphere.

“The payment experience is undergoing fundamental changes for veterinary practices, particularly in the era of social distancing,” said Vijay Sikka, Chief Executive Officer of Sikka Software. “Sikka Payments, powered by Sphere, will provide pet parents with the flexible methods they need to pay their vet bills, and at the same time, automate many of manual processes at the front desk. No solution in the market enables the level of 360-degree integration offered with Sikka Payments.”

To learn more, visit: Sikka Payments for Veterinarians

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About Sphere
Sphere, powered by TrustCommerce, is a software and financial technology company providing integrated solutions that reduce friction and facilitate better and more secure commercial interactions with customers in specialized verticals markets, primarily healthcare, non-profit, transportation and education. Sphere’s integrated payments technology and security software enable its clients to process payments in a way that is highly secure and compliant, integrated with core business software, omnichannel, and processor-neutral. Sphere’s partner-centric focused payments solutions serve small, midsize and enterprise level businesses and software companies in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

About Sikka Software
Sikka Software is helping to rethink the retail healthcare market using a single API cloud platform with Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics. Focusing on non-physician practices in dentistry, audiology, veterinary, optometry, chiropractic, orthodontic and oral surgery etc., Sikka Software now has over 34,000 practice installations on its platform. These are businesses where the primary skilled worker is also the owner who needs tools to digitize their practice and help them make more real-time, optimized decisions. Sikka Software API and cloud platform connect to 90% of the retail healthcare market including practice management systems and financial software. For more information, please visit https://sikkasoft.com.

Advantages of Adopting Flexible Payment Methods in Healthcare

By Ryne Natzke, Sphere and Vince Martino, Chief Product Officer, VisitPay

PaymentsJournal, a leading payments and banking news and information portal, recently published an article co-authored by Ryne Natzke, Vice President of Strategic Accounts and Healthcare at Sphere and Vince Martino, Chief Product Officer, VisitPay.

Click to read the full article.

Below is an excerpt.

In healthcare, the payment process differs from virtually all other industries in one significant way: patients do not pay for the bulk of the service received themselves because their insurance companies do.

American healthcare consumers have come to expect that their insurers will handle most billing issues with their medical providers. However, the responsibility has started to shift in recent years.  Patients are increasingly paying more of their own medical costs due to rising health insurance deductibles and escalating out-of-pocket expenses.  This year, for example, individuals with commercial insurance will be responsible for 20% to 35% of the cost of the healthcare they receive. For hospitals and health systems, this means that 20% to 35% of their total revenue must now be collected directly from the consumer. …

Gives software vendors the power of accepting payments via many channels through one single integration.

Nashville, TN, April 8, 2020—Sphere, Powered by TrustCommerce, a leading provider of end-to-end integrated payments and security software, today announced it has launched a Hosted Multi-Channel Payment suite. This solution gives software vendors the power of accepting payments via multiple channels through one simple integration.

The ability to accept payments within a  Software as a Service (SaaS) solution is essential. With consumer demand for anytime, anywhere payments, Sphere has developed a Hosted Multi-Channel Payment Suite with one of the simplest integrations on the market. One integration into our robust hosted payment form connects independent software vendors (ISVs) to many payment acceptance channels: countertop EMV, call center/back office, and traditional online/ecommerce transactions. These solutions are highly customizable, ensuring branding continuity and a seamless user experience. A full sandbox environment is available as well as sample code assistance.

Using a hosted model, sensitive payment data stays out of software vendor environments, helping to protect transactions and reduce PCI scope. To help further mitigate risk and exposure, the Hosted Multi-Channel Payments Suite supports PCI Validated Point-to-Point Encryption.

Security features include:

• Tokenization for recurring and subscription payments
• Validated Point to Point Encryption
• Velocity controls to reduce fraudulent activity
• Recaptcha

Because Sphere is a gateway and merchant services provider, we are a single source for payments, reducing moving parts and avoiding potential points of interference.

“No other platform gives software vendors more choice, less development effort, and greater opportunities for immediate revenue,” said Steve Rizzuto, Chief Executive Officer of Sphere.

“With decades of experience working with developers and integration partners, the TrustCommerce Gateway offers a wide range of products and integration methods,” said Curtis Bauer, Chief Product Officer of Sphere. “Our new Hosted Multi-Channel Payments Suite represents a revolutionary next step in the evolution of hosted payments.”

To learn more, read the product fact sheet.

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About Sphere
Sphere, powered by TrustCommerce, is a software and financial technology company providing integrated solutions that reduce friction and facilitate better and more secure commercial interactions with customers in specialized verticals markets, primarily healthcare, non-profit, transportation and education. Sphere’s integrated payments technology and security software enable its clients to process payments in a way that is highly secure and compliant, integrated with their core business software, omnichannel, and processor-neutral. Sphere’s partner-centric focused payments solutions serve small, midsize and enterprise level businesses and software companies in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. For news and thought leadership, visit the Sphere Blog.

Sphere is pleased to announce that Dr. Heather Mark, Director of Compliance and Security at Sphere will present an informative webinar on data privacy for Qgiv, leading provider of fundraising technology.

In this webinar, Dr. Mark will share practical strategies to help non-profit organizations keep donor data safe. You will learn:

• The ins and outs of current data privacy laws, such as GDPR and CPPA, and what they mean for nonprofits
• How to protect your organization’s reputation with proactive privacy policies
• Tips for ensuring everyone—including volunteers—is up to speed on data protection

Join this webinar to learn how to keep your organization (and your donors!) safe.

The webinar takes place February 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Register today!

Nashville, TN, December 4, 2019—Sphere, the leading provider of end-to-end integrated payments and security software, today announced a new integration with Sikka Software, the leading API cloud platform and application marketplace for the retail healthcare community. Together, they have launched a new payments platform called Sikka Payments, which integrates Sphere technology and merchant processing for a complete solution that spans the full payment lifecycle.

With this powerful alliance, dental practices can accept patient payments from a variety of channels, all seamlessly integrated to their practice management system. Whether in person, online, mobile or card on file, the innovative Sikka Payments platform delivers safe and compliant ways for dental practices to take payments without disrupting business operations.

Serving more than 34,000 practices, Sikka aims to improve operational efficiency through its API enabled marketplace, including the new Sikka Payments platform. Their API and cloud platform connects to 90% of the retail healthcare market, including practice management systems and financial software.

Sphere’s developer-friendly payment solutions facilitate omni-channel payments in a way that is highly secure and scalable. Designed for ease of integration, our payment solutions:

• Support card-present and card-not-present transactions
• Are secure and compliant, supporting validated point to point encryption and tokenization
• Provide a single source for technology and merchant processing

“We are excited to join forces with Sikka on this comprehensive platform for healthcare,” said Steve Rizzuto, Chief Executive Officer of Sphere. “With their award-winning API and deep healthcare experience, Sikka is a natural fit, aligning with our expertise in healthcare software and financial technology.”

“Sphere continues to extend its reach within the healthcare vertical,” said Andrew Rueff, Executive Chairman of Sphere. “Together with Sikka, we are able to provide our secure, robust integration to a new market segment while leveraging our expertise in healthcare.”

“Patients demand more options in how they pay their healthcare providers, such as dentists and veterinarians. Doctors are interested in reducing the time and errors inherent in payment acceptance, with an eye to lower costs. Integrated with Sphere, we are now able to deliver this valuable payment solution to the tens of thousands of practices that rely on the Sikka platform,” said Vijay Sikka, Chief Executive Officer of Sikka Software.

For more information on Sphere, please visit http://www.spherecommerce.com.

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About Sphere

Sphere, powered by TrustCommerce, is a software and financial technology company providing integrated solutions that reduce friction and facilitate better and more secure commercial interactions with customers in specialized verticals markets, primarily healthcare, non-profit, transportation and education. Sphere’s integrated payments technology and security software enable its clients to process payments in a way that is: highly secure and compliant, integrated with their core business software, omnichannel, and processor-neutral. Sphere’s partner-centric focused payments solutions serve small, midsize and enterprise level businesses and software companies in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Connect with us on Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Sikka Software

Sikka Software is helping to rethink the retail healthcare market using a single API cloud platform with Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics. Focusing on non-physician practices in dentistry, audiology, veterinary, optometry, chiropractic, orthodontic and oral surgery etc., Sikka Software now has over 34,000 practice installations on its platform. These are businesses where the primary skilled worker is also the owner who needs tools to digitize their practice and help them make more real-time, optimized decisions. Sikka Software API and cloud platform connect to 90% of the retail healthcare market including practice management systems and financial software. For more information, please visit https://sikkasoft.com.

As Council’s Newest Participating Organization Sphere to Contribute to The Development of PCI Security Standards 

Nashville, TN, November 25, 2019 — Sphere, the leading provider of end-to-end integrated payments and security software, announced today that it has joined the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) as a new Participating Organization. Sphere will work with the PCI SSC to help secure payment data worldwide through the ongoing development and adoption of the PCI Security Standards.

The PCI SSC leads a global, cross-industry effort to increase payment security by providing flexible, industry-driven and effective data security standards and programs. The keystone is the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which provides an actionable framework for developing a robust payment card data security process and preventing, detecting and mitigating criminal attacks and breaches.

“We have tremendous respect for the work of the PCI SSC, and for the organizations that have worked to continuously evolve the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to meet the changing threat landscape encountered within the payments system,” said Dr. Heather Mark, Ph.D., Director of Compliance and Security at Sphere.  “I’m excited that Sphere is joining their effort to further the protection of payment account data.”

As a Participating Organization, Sphere adds its voice to the standards development process and will collaborate with a growing community of more than 800 Participating Organizations to improve payment security worldwide. Sphere will also have the opportunity to recommend new initiatives for consideration to the PCI Security Standards Council and share cross-sector experiences and best practices at the annual PCI Community Meetings.

“In an era of increasingly sophisticated attacks on systems, PCI Security Standards and resources help organizations secure payment data and prevent, detect and mitigate attacks that can lead to costly data breaches,” said Mauro Lance, Chief Operating Officer of the PCI Security Standards Council. “By joining as a Participating Organization, Sphere demonstrates they are playing an active part in improving payment security globally by helping drive awareness and adoption of PCI Security Standards.”

“We are excited to demonstrate Sphere’s commitment to security and compliance through our participation in the PCI SSC.  Through our participation, we hope to be able to work towards a safer, more secure payments ecosystem, which serves to benefit us all,” said Steve Rizzuto, Chief Executive Officer of Sphere.

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About the PCI Security Standards Council

The PCI Security Standards Council is a global forum that is responsible for the development, management, education, and awareness of the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and other standards that increase payment data security. Connect with the PCI Council on LinkedIn. Join the conversation on Twitter @PCISSC. Subscribe to the PCI Perspectives Blog.

About Sphere

Sphere, powered by TrustCommerce, is a software and financial technology company providing integrated solutions that reduce friction and facilitate better and more secure commercial interactions with customers in specialized verticals markets, primarily healthcare, non-profit, transportation and education. Sphere’s integrated payments technology and security software enable its clients to process payments in a way that is: highly secure and compliant, integrated with their core business software, omnichannel, and processor-neutral. Sphere’s partner-centric focused payments solutions serve small, midsize and enterprise level businesses and software companies in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Connect with us on Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Media contacts

Sphere                                                                      PCI Security Standards Council
Melody Hendricks                                                       Lindsay Goodspeed
949.387.3747                                                                781-258-5843
Melody.hendricks@spherecommerce.com            press@pcisecuritystandards.org

Together, Sphere and RMS will allow for a more complete view of the revenue cycle, including health plan and patient-level payment data.

Nashville, TN, November 7, 2019—Sphere, the leading provider of end-to-end integrated payments and security software, has partnered with Revenue Management Solutions (RMS), the leading technology-based healthcare remittance automation platform, allowing RMS to provide a comprehensive payment platform spanning across payer and patient payments.

RMS simplifies the complete revenue cycle by automating remittance management and eliminating manual processes. This solution scales to fit the unique needs of any healthcare provider from a single-doctor practice to a multi-facility hospital system. Trusted by more than 40 commercial banking partners and 1,000 providers, RMS solutions save time, reduce costs and improve efficiency.

The combination of the Sphere payment platform and RMS will greatly enhance remittance processing by allowing for a more complete view of patient revenue that includes both health plan and patient-level transaction data. Through dashboard and reporting tools, users will benefit from a clearer picture of health plan, patient payments, the payments breakdown, and other valuable insights.

With deep integrations into popular Electronic Health Record (EHR) software, the Sphere payment platform delivers broad payment acceptance functionality that is highly secure, compliant, and scalable.

“RMS has a long established track record in solving the complex challenges of healthcare remittance processing,” said Steve Rizzuto, Chief Executive Officer of Sphere.  “With relationships with top financial institutions and other large health systems, we are pleased to partner with RMS.”

“At high velocity, Sphere is expanding our strategic partnerships to include more of the healthcare revenue cycle,” said Andrew Rueff, Executive Chairman of Sphere. “As patient out of pocket expenses increase and become a greater part of healthcare providers’ revenue, solutions that provide consolidated financial information are critical. Our combined solution with RMS achieves this goal and much more.”

“Sphere’s commitment to providing secure, integrated payment processes allows us to expand our offerings to our healthcare and financial customers alike while maintaining the sacred trust we have earned,” said Scott Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of RMS.  “We are very excited to partner with Sphere to help shape the new payment experience from that of a patient to a customer in the healthcare market.”

For more information on Sphere, please visit http://www.spherecommerce.com.

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About Sphere
Sphere, powered by TrustCommerce, is a software and financial technology company providing integrated solutions that reduce friction and facilitate better and more secure commercial interactions with customers in specialized verticals markets, primarily healthcare, non-profit, transportation and education. Sphere’s integrated payments technology and security software enable its clients to process payments in a way that is: highly secure and compliant, integrated with their core business software, omnichannel, and processor-neutral. Sphere’s partner-centric focused payments solutions serve small, midsize and enterprise level businesses and software companies in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

About RMS
Founded in 2006, and based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, RMS is the leading technology-based healthcare remittance automation platform tool available in the market. Currently used by more than 1,000 acute care, revenue cycle management, dental and pharmacy clients, RMS allows healthcare providers, outsourcers and facilities to optimize the remittance matching, reconciliation, and management processes. The Company, which processes nearly 14 million transactions each month, offers its technology-driven solutions both directly to customers and through established channel relationships with leading financial institutions throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit https://www.rmsweb.com/.

Sphere, the leading provider of end-to-end integrated payments and security, welcomes new partner ServiceWorks.

ServiceWorks delivers a unified cloud-based platform to optimize all field service industry business operations so that owners can make intelligent decisions to grow their business. This all-in-one solution simplifies jobs, dispatch, inventory, point of sale, real time tracking, accounting, and much more. Founded in 2015, ServiceWorks has quickly established themselves as a leader in field service industry with more than 1,100 clients using the platform.

Through this preferred provider relationship, ServiceWorks will offer Field Service business owners bill payment using Sphere credit card processing and secure payment technology. In addition to accepting payment via many channels, owners will now be able to set up automated recurring billing that uses tokenization for secure card storage. With 24/7/365 customer care, easy sign up and flat rate pricing, payment processing is seamless and convenient.

Nashville Venture Connections Publication features Sphere in the article, “Nashville fintech: Waud-backed SphereCommerce eyes M&A opportunities.”

Here is a preview:
Sphere, the integrated payments technology and security software provider, won’t be deterred in its role as M&A consolidator by the frothy valuations it often observes, said Executive Chairman Andrew Rueff, whose office is in downtown Nashville, his hometown.

Read the full article here: http://www.venturenashville.com/fintech-spherecommerce-llc-cms-1898