Escher Grp Share Discussion Threads

[knackers] 11/10/2013 11:58

Glowing praise from NCP for a demanding project well executed.
hxxp://www.eschergroup.com/recent_news/escher-group-solves-the-geographic-challenges-of-new-caledonia-post.cfm

[knackers] 09/10/2013 13:28

Not wrong, Ed! But any IPO of the Royal Mail would likely be accompanied by a desire/need for the Post Office to extend the range and enhance the quality of commercial offerings provided through its network. Not something that'll be lost on Escher I'm sure, after all that's exactly the game they're in!

[edwardt] 09/10/2013 12:13

maybe punters should not be flying into Royal mail and looking at this instead!

[43rick] 09/10/2013 08:22

this looks good - reduces the annual capital repayment from over $3.3m pa to $1.0m pa - when 2012 pretax was £2.7 million

[knackers] 09/10/2013 07:43

That's very welcome news and a clear pointer to what's going on beneath the hood...

I reckon Escher's billable project staff must be close to sold out given that they're working on three major implementations (USPS, Malaysia and Saudi Posts) concurrently.

[battlebus2] 09/10/2013 07:38

Escher Group Holdings plc

US$12 million banking facility

Escher Group Holdings plc, (AIM: ESCH, "Escher" or "the Group"), a world-leading provider of outsourced, point of sale software to the postal industry, has agreed a revised banking facility with Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking comprising a US$9.0 million five year term loan facility and a revolving 12-month facility for US$3.0 million.

The facilities have been put in place. The term loan extends the maturity of the Group's facilities for more than 3 years to October 2018 and also reduces the annual capital repayment from over $3.3m pa to $1.0m pa. It has a margin over US$ LIBOR of 375 basis points; the 12-month revolver has a margin over US$ LIBOR of 325 basis points.

Prior to this amended facility Escher had outstanding loans of US$8.5 million loan facilities with Bank of Ireland.

Liam Church, Escher's CEO said:

"This new facility will significantly improve the maturity profile of our debt, assisting the business in this phase of rapid growth. We welcome the support we have had from the Bank of Ireland as we continue our development."

[knackers] 03/10/2013 18:52

No slouches these guys, last night they picked-up an award for their 'Travel Money Card' sold through UK Post Office branches.

"Best Prepaid Consumer Programme UK - Post Office Travel Money Card Plus"

hxxp://www.prepaidawards.com/2013/10/award-winners-2013/

First Rate is a global wholesale banknote provider, with trading relationships in 40 countries and associations with 12 central banks....

[battlebus2] 03/10/2013 18:04

More good news and no tick up.

[knackers] 03/10/2013 17:49

One that flew under the radar: Tie-up announced at PostExpo in Vienna earlier in the week (1/10)

Post-Expo: Escher Group announces agreement with First Rate

Escher Group has announced that it has entered into an agreement with First Rate, the UK's leading supplier of foreign currency to businesses, to provide post office networks all over the world with the opportunity to add foreign currency services to their existing portfolio of products and services.

Utilising Escher's Easy Exchange software platform and First Rate's expertise in supplying foreign currency services, post office networks can now have a cost effective turnkey solution to increase the range of services to their customers.

Liam Church, CEO of Escher Group, said, "We are excited to be working with First Rate who operate this service on behalf of the Post Office in the UK, and have proved that foreign currency services can be very profitable for post office networks. Offering this service to our customers will affirm our commitment to supporting their business strategies."

Bjorn Larsson, director of First Rate, added, "This is a powerful and innovative partnership that can bring new revenue streams to post office networks worldwide. The combination of First Rate's and Escher's expertise has created an unrivalled proposition for foreign currency in the post industry."

hxxp://www.firstrate.co.uk/clients

[knackers] 30/9/2013 12:22

Escher management team currently in Vienna for one of the big industry events of the year: hxxp://www.postexpo.com/downloads/efd/PX2013_WEB_FLOORPLAN.PDF

"Escher group is a leading developer and provider of digital point-of-service software. escher's riposte family of products is a seamlessly integrated and trusted solution for postal organisations across the globe. The escher group is currently focused on developing the next generation of mobile-based products, which empower posts to engage consumers in an omni-channel environment.

"By providing identity, loyalty, payment and eMoney solutions, escher enables postal organisations to adapt to the digital age of retail and build strong and profitable relationships with existing and new customers.escher group employees will be on hand to demonstrate the benefits of the company's retail products.
In addition, in the operations and Technology conference the group will be discussing the interactive service experience and how digital and mobile technology work in emerging countries. On Tuesday 1 October, Fionnuala Higgins, EVP sales & marketing, Escher Group, will look at how post offices can offer new ways to interact with their customers, delivering an enhanced customer experience while generating new revenue and on Thursday 3 october, Donal McGuinness, managing director, Escher Interactive, will look at how in emerging economies, mobile devices have become a necessity. The presentation will cover how understanding their usage allows post offices to offer new and innovative services such as mobile banking, loyalty and payments.

[knackers] 26/9/2013 13:17

Not so much an 'execution risk', Ed, I think more likely a timing issue i.e. how 'delivery' is defined within the contract. Certainly most if not all IT development work will have been completed by now - any issues with functional requirements or ability to deliver against USPS demands would have been flagged long ago.

[edwardt] 25/9/2013 12:44

is there not execution risk with the USPS contract, that is the only logical reason why these are being held back in the face of these contract extensions? thoughts welcome...

[knackers] 25/9/2013 08:19

Looks like there's a seller being cleared out whilst a buy order is filled.
I'd agree, time to fill boots if we haven't done so already ;o)

[battlebus2] 25/9/2013 07:51

Yes, but sometime soon these will move sharply imv.

[knackers] 25/9/2013 07:34

Battle - v exciting news. Yet more evidence that Escher's core business is in rude health and that they're delivering on their strategy through close client collaboration. Nice.

A clear reference to their NextGen postal/eMessaging services, the deployment of RiposteTrEx combined with their P2P Interactive Services (financial, payment, loyalty etc).

Really impressed by the way this company quietly gets on with it.

Now looking horribly undervalued. I stand by my ~£3.50 target, but with all the excitement going on with USPS we really need to be looking above £4 now...
As Panmure said in a recent note "sizzling..."

[battlebus2] 25/9/2013 07:17

More good news this morning-

License extension with Saudi Post

Escher Group Holdings plc, (AIM: ESCH, "Escher" or "the Group"), a world-leading provider of outsourced, point of sale software to the postal industry, has entered into a contract to extend its license agreement with Saudi Post for the use of its Riposte(R) software. With this contract Saudi Post will extend its software licenses from 150 to 800 operational workstations.

This licence extension follows the successful completion of an initial implementation phase in July 2013, which was mainly focused on mail services. Escher, with its partner ABANA Enterprises Group ('ABANA'), will now deliver front office services for the remaining Saudi postal branches throughout the Kingdom.

Escher will also deliver additional services to existing automated counters, and will complete the automation of the remaining outlets in Saudi Post's national network.

Escher and ABANA are developing a roadmap of services for the future including the implementation of MobileRiposte which makes services available in non-permanent locations. This will help support Saudi Post's ambitious plans to introduce financial, loyalty and other services across its national network.

Liam Church, CEO of Escher Group said:

"This contract extension is a testament of Saudi Post's confidence in our Riposte(R) software and its effectiveness in the initial phase. Our solutions will help strengthen Saudi Post's business operating model and support its aim to provide more value-added services to its customers."

[knackers] 20/9/2013 12:03

Looking cheap as, Ed....esp against valuations elsewhere!

[edwardt] 20/9/2013 09:23

PANMURE RECKON 20P+ ON THE share price

[knackers] 20/9/2013 08:01

Well this is as clear a signal as we've had as to the future - but don't these things take time (patent was filed back in 2001!) That said, I think time v well spent.

If we put in the context of the IT services/dev work they've been putting into the USPS solution plus the recent tender with Posten Norge for a digital mailbox or national 'eMailbox' system - notwithstanding that this is a US patent - looks interesting to me. Also securing the concept clearly protects their future IP and our shareholder value. Good to see.

[battlebus2] 20/9/2013 07:40

20 September 2013 very good news for the future

Escher Group Holdings plc

Escher Group awarded patent for digital mailbox system

System provides users with the capability to have mailings, from multiple sources, consolidated into their user portal and is accessible through the internet or on mobile networks.

Escher Group Holdings plc (AIM: ESCH, 'Escher' or 'the Group'), the world-leading provider of outsourced, point-of-sale software to the postal industry, has announced that its digital mailbox system has received patent approval from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

With this system, users can be given the capability to have a complete digital record of their transactions from start to finish, including catalogue and delivery information from eCommerce companies and transaction information from companies that bill their customers.

In this way, customers may have, at any given time, their purchase details, up-to-date billing and payment histories and other relevant information. In addition, customers also have the ability to make electronic payments directly from the system and to receive offers electronically from suppliers.

Liam Church, Chief Executive of Escher Group said:

"Escher Group continues to focus its R&D investment in the postal market and on the changing communication's landscape. The Digital mailbox is a core component of Escher's RiposteTrEx™ product, and this patent gives us a level of protection in this rapidly changing environment with many new entrants offering intermediary services to businesses and consumers."

The patent granted to Escher is U.S. Pat. No. 8,527,284, titled, "System for personal mail piece tracking and tracing from multiple sources by user identifier." It was filed on Sep. 28. 2001 and the term of the patent is extended by 1089 days. This patent legally protects Escher's digital mailbox system from patent infringement.

[knackers] 12/9/2013 18:16

Building on last year's Best Newcomer Award, Escher shortlisted for International Co of the Year 2013 hxxp://www.aim-awards.co.uk/nominations_and_shortlist/

[battlebus2] 09/9/2013 13:17

lol i was wondering!! eyesight going next lol.