LONDON, April 23 /PRNewswire/ --

- Protx, the UK's Fastest Growing Payment Service Provider, Becomes Sage Pay

- Enhanced Merchant Services and 24/7 UK-Based Customer Support Provide Backdrop for New Brand

- With Photo

From today, Protx, the UK's largest independent payment service provider and a division of business software and services company Sage, becomes Sage Pay. The new brand reflects the payment providers' commitment to safeguard internet transactions in the future and comes amidst a whole host of enhancements that provide internet retailers with a streamlined and cost efficient means to manage their finances.

Selling goods and services over the internet represents a real opportunity for businesses that seek to capitalise on the changing buying habits of the UK public, as retailers take advantage of valuable supplementary sales channel, says Simon Black, Managing Director, Sage Pay. However, while retailers have been quick to develop their online presence and capitalise on the prospect of a valuable additional revenue stream, few have the opportunity to pay sufficient time and attention to the associated administrative and financial complexities. As more and more businesses discover the benefits of e-commerce, it's increasingly clear that there is a real need for a service that simplifies payment processing and eliminates the additional administrative burden.

As part of the rebrand, Sage Pay has enhanced its payments service gateway with 24/7 UK-based in-house customer support and has introduced a range of tailored services designed to assist businesses of all sizes. This, combined with its ability to fully integrate its mail order and telephone payment facilities with a number of existing Sage accounting solutions will provide businesses with a means to reconcile bank accounts or link transaction payments directly to payroll software. Initiatives that will help streamline a common administrative challenge for a multitude of existing e-commerce businesses.

Online sales already account for a significant proportion of our business and, in an ever more competitive retail environment, it's a channel that we are keen to continue to protect and grow, said Antony Comyns, E-Commerce Manager, Hawes Curtis. Having worked closely with Sage Pay since 2007, we've reduced the frequency of fraudulent transactions to pretty much zero - something that has had a clear and demonstrable impact on our bottom line. This, combined with a practical, no-nonsense approach from our payments provider, has helped us to develop client loyalty and trust, while at the same time ensuring that we remain financial compliant and competitive.

Simon Black added, At Sage Pay we aim to simplify online payment processing and provide our customers with an unparalleled level of protection and support. As more and more businesses discover the benefits of e-commerce, there is an increasing need to provide businesses and individuals with an appropriate level of assurance when paying for goods and services over the internet. And by capitalising on our enhanced capability and existing reputation, we are able to do exactly that.

Sage Pay provides payments services to businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large, well-established e-retailers that include easyJet Plus!, LOVEFiLM, National Express and Swiftcover. It also has an excellent reputation among web developers for the simplicity of its integration.

About Sage Pay

Sage Pay is the union of Protx, the fastest growing payment service provider (PSP) and Sage, one of the UK's most trusted business brands. We offer our 22,000+ customers a secure payment service for the millions of transactions that we undertake on their behalf each year.

The philosophy that has driven us since our launch in 2001 is still at the heart of our business - to give our customers more than they pay for, and to make it really easy for them to do business. We make the process of accepting payments simple, fast and safe. Whether your need for online payment is simple, or completely tailored, we can help to make accepting payments online, over the phone or via mail order more profitable.

Note to Editors:

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Media Contacts Charlotte Speller Email: charlotte.speller@sagepay.com Tel: +44(0)7595-272-308 Adam Barber Email: adam@hellochalk.com Tel: +44(0)20-7405-0974 (ext 210)

Media Contacts, Charlotte Speller, Email: charlotte.speller@sagepay.com, Tel: +44(0)7595-272-308; Adam Barber, Email: adam@hellochalk.com, Tel: +44(0)20-7405-0974 (ext 210)