And yet another mobile bill payment solution hits the market this week. Financial tech company Online Resources Corporation, based in Chantilly, Va., announced its new Mobile Browser Bill Pay solution. The white label product lets billers add a mobile bill pay feature to their existing payment systems so customers can pay their bills with just a few taps on a mobile device.
“In todays fast-paced, multi-device environment, consumers increasingly expect to pay their bills through a variety of channels and through the most convenient means,” said ORCC chief marketing officer Janie West. “Our new Mobile Browser Bill Pay helps billers deliver a great customer experience. Now, combined with ORCCs other payment options, billers can deliver a user-friendly solution that allows their customers to better manage their bills through any payment channel, whether its mobile, web, or telephone.”
ORCCs Mobile Browser Bill Pay detects when a customer is accessing a billers payment website from a mobile device and automatically routes the transaction to the billers new, mobile-optimized site. This streamlines navigation and replaces awkward navigation with a mobile-friendly, easy-to-use payment experience, the company said.
The new Mobile Browser Bill Pay solution integrates with ORCCs other payment channels, giving consumers a consistent payment history, and billers a single administrative tool, posting file, and bank deposit, ORCC said. It also ensures that billers are PCI compliant by using encrypted data transmission and ensuring that no financial or personal data is stored on the phone.
Have you ever struggled with paying bills on time? Do you find yourself juggling multiple payment platforms? Well, I’ve been there too! Today, we’re diving deep into ORCC bill pay – a solution that might just make your life a whole lot easier.
What Exactly is ORCC Bill Pay?
ORCC (Online Resources Corporation) was a financial technology company that developed bill payment solutions Their bill pay system was designed to make paying bills convenient and hassle-free through mobile devices and online platforms
The company created white-label solutions that allowed billers to add mobile bill pay features to their existing payment systems. This meant customers could pay bills with just a few taps on their mobile devices – super convenient right?
The Evolution of ORCC
ORCC’s journey took an interesting turn in March 2013 when it was acquired by ACI Worldwide for $3.85 per share in an all-cash transaction. This acquisition was strategic for ACI Worldwide as it added Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) solutions to their Universal Payments portfolio.
Philip Heasley, who was president and CEO of ACI Worldwide at the time, stated:
“Driven by the increase in electronic transactions from online and mobile banking, bill pay is becoming a major pivot point and area of strategic investment for our customers. With the addition of Online Resources’ capabilities customers can rely on ACI as an end-to-end integrated provider addressing the full range of payment needs.”
How ORCC Bill Pay Worked
ORCC’s Mobile Browser Bill Pay solution had some pretty cool features:
- Smart detection technology – It detected when a customer was accessing a biller’s payment website from a mobile device and automatically routed the transaction to a mobile-optimized site
- Streamlined navigation – Replaced awkward navigation with a mobile-friendly, easy-to-use payment experience
- Integrated systems – It integrated with ORCC’s other payment channels, giving consumers a consistent payment history
- Security compliance – Ensured billers were PCI compliant by using encrypted data transmission
- Data protection – No financial or personal data was stored on the phone
According to Janie West, ORCC’s chief marketing officer: “In today’s fast-paced, multi-device environment, consumers increasingly expect to pay their bills through a variety of channels and through the most convenient means. Our new Mobile Browser Bill Pay helps billers deliver a great customer experience.”
Benefits for Different Users
For Consumers
- Convenience of paying bills from anywhere
- Consistent payment history across channels
- Enhanced security of personal and financial information
- Mobile-friendly user interface
- Multi-channel access (mobile, web, telephone)
For Billers
- Single administrative tool for managing payments
- Unified posting file and bank deposit process
- PCI compliance assurance
- Ability to offer customers a better payment experience
- Consistent customer experience across all payment channels
What Happened to ORCC Bill Pay?
After ACI Worldwide acquired ORCC in 2013, they committed to maintaining multi-year roadmaps and contractual commitments to Online Resources’ customers. ACI stated that ORCC’s customers would benefit from ACI’s size and scale to support current and future initiatives.
The acquisition was significant, with ACI investing 18 percent of revenues in R&D, which was considerably higher than others in the industry. They also provided a world-class hosting environment and global 24/7/365 support.
Is ORCC Still Around Today?
If you’re looking for ORCC today, you might be a bit confused. The original Online Resources Corporation that provided bill pay solutions was acquired by ACI Worldwide in 2013.
However, there is a company using the ORCC name today (ORCC or ORCCs.com) that appears to specialize in trampolines and recreational products. This is a completely different company and not related to the original financial technology firm that developed bill pay solutions.
Today’s ORCC
The current ORCC (as seen on orccs.com) sells various types of trampolines and related products:
- Out-net trampolines in various sizes (8FT through 16FT)
- In-net trampolines in various sizes
- Basketball trampolines
- Kids trampolines in different colors (Green, Blue, Red, Yellow)
- Trampoline parts and accessories
They provide customer support through:
- Phone: +1 302 261 5366
- Email: [email protected]
- Contact form on their website
Modern Alternatives to ORCC Bill Pay
Since the original ORCC bill pay system has been absorbed into ACI Worldwide’s suite of products, you might be wondering what alternatives exist today. Here are some popular bill payment solutions that offer similar functionality:
Bank-Based Options
- Most major banks offer bill pay services through their online and mobile platforms
- Credit union bill payment services
- Integrated financial management apps like Mint or Personal Capital
Third-Party Bill Pay Services
- PayPal Bill Pay
- Prism
- Quicken Bill Pay
- Zelle (for person-to-person payments)
Why Mobile Bill Pay Matters
The importance of mobile bill payment solutions can’t be overstated in today’s world. Consider these points:
- Convenience factor: Pay bills anywhere, anytime without writing checks or visiting payment centers
- Time-saving: No need to visit multiple websites or mail physical payments
- Better tracking: Digital records of all payments in one place
- Environmental impact: Reduction in paper waste from checks and statements
- Automation: Set up recurring payments to avoid late fees
Tips for Using Bill Pay Services Effectively
If you’re using any bill pay service, here are some tips I’ve learned that might help you:
- Set up alerts: Configure notifications to remind you when bills are due or when payments are processed
- Review statements regularly: Don’t just automate everything without checking – errors happen!
- Keep contact info updated: Ensure your email and phone number are current to receive important notifications
- Maintain sufficient funds: Make sure your linked accounts have enough money to cover scheduled payments
- Use secure connections: Only access bill pay services through secure internet connections
- Enable multi-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to protect your financial information
The Future of Bill Payment Technology
Bill payment technology continues to evolve rapidly. Here are some trends we’re seeing:
- Voice-activated payments: Integration with smart speakers and virtual assistants
- AI-powered management: Systems that learn your payment patterns and make recommendations
- Blockchain integration: More secure and transparent payment processing
- Real-time payments: Instant transfer and posting of funds
- Enhanced fraud protection: Advanced security measures to protect sensitive information
My Personal Experience with Bill Pay Systems
I’ve used several bill pay systems over the years, and I gotta say, the convenience is unbeatable. Before I started using digital bill payment systems, I was constantly scrambling to mail checks before due dates or logging into dozens of different websites to make payments.
Now, I’ve set up most of my recurring bills on autopay through my bank’s bill pay system, and it’s been a game-changer! I still check everything regularly to make sure there aren’t any unexpected charges, but the time saved is enormous.
Common Questions About Bill Pay Services
Are bill pay services secure?
Most reputable bill pay services use bank-level encryption and security protocols. Look for services that use multi-factor authentication and don’t store your full financial information on your device.
Is there a fee for using bill pay?
It depends on the service. Many banks offer bill pay as a free feature for account holders, while some third-party services may charge a monthly fee or per-transaction fee.
Can I schedule payments in advance?
Yes! This is one of the most helpful features of bill pay services. You can typically schedule payments weeks or even months in advance.
What happens if a payment fails?
Most services will notify you if a payment fails and give you the opportunity to try again with a different payment method or after resolving any issues with your account.
Can I use bill pay for any type of bill?
Most bill pay services work with major billers directly. For smaller or local businesses that aren’t in the system, many services will mail a physical check on your behalf.
Conclusion
While the original ORCC bill pay system is no longer available as a standalone product, the innovations they pioneered have been integrated into many of the bill payment solutions we use today. The acquisition by ACI Worldwide helped evolve these technologies further.
Bill payment technology continues to advance, making it easier than ever to manage your finances efficiently and securely. Whether you’re using your bank’s bill pay service or a third-party app, the convenience of being able to manage all your payments from one place is invaluable in our busy lives.
Have you had experience with bill pay services? What features do you find most useful? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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