Should EBay be worried about Google or Verisign?
The answer is likely both, but I see Verisign as a larger threat in the commerce space. For a while now, I’ve been noticing some of the aquisitions Verisign has been making and I think they are slipping in “under the radar” while so much focus is on Google. I think EBay should pay close attention to Verisign who has a very deadly set of tools and the money to go after the commerce and marketplace space. They are emerging as a leader in security, commerce, mobile and RFID which will be huge players in commerce in the future.
Notable Assets:
- Network Solutions (domain registrar and web hosting)
- Payflow Pro (payment processing and connectivity to banks)
- Verisign Security Services (SSL certs and more - trusted, secure brand)
- MonsterCommerce (hosted online storefronts w/ over 6000 stores)
- MQube (SMS aggregator and solution provider - mobile solutions)
- Jamster (mobile marketing solutions)
See the following recent press releases:
- Verisign enables mobile purchase of Coca Cola
- Verisign Mobile Services Launches College Sports Updates Via Mobile
- Verisign Aquires inCode Wireless
- Verisign’s Jamster Provides Mobile Content For Walt Disney North America
- … 2006 Press Release Archive
How can EBay compete?
I think larger companies like EBay and Yahoo! should be looking for small alliance partners (hint-hint) who can sidestep the beauracracies they have become to allow a more nimble and targeted response to competition. The M&A strategy simply adds more complexity and yet even more hoops to go through but if they co-fund R&D with smaller firms and share in service royalties, leverage their strength (brand, money and huge customer base) and the smaller firm’s strength (speed and a strong pulse on ‘happenings’), I think they would have a deadly combination.
http://www.goomzee.com
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