Mobil is set to launch its new Internet-based bill payment service in early 1999. Mobil Corporation is a leading global oil, natural gas, and petrochemical company with operations in more than 140 countries. But it's also a savvy, experienced retailer and marketer. True to its history as a technology leader, Mobil is one of the first companies in the world to test a new Internet-based bill delivery and payment service called TransPoint, jointly created by Microsoft and First Data Corporation. The TransPoint will lower billing costs, increase the level of statement detail while making statements easier to read, and give retailers the opportunity to customize marketing messages to individual customers.
Most people pay for gas with a credit card.
While most private-label cards have seen declines in recent years, Mobil Card users have maintained their loyalty and in fact have increased their annual purchases. Like most major companies involved in credit card processing on a massive scale, Mobil is always looking for ways to make the process easier for customers, less expensive for Mobil, and grow brand loyalty. In 1994, Mobil outsourced its credit card processing to lower costs. In 1996, the company offered Mobil Card customers the ability to pay their paper bills over the Internet. Although a move in the right direction, this service had shortcomings that prevented Mobil from promoting it.