Sybase Inc. has been ranked at the top of the latest non-NFC mobile commerce Vendor Matrix released by ABI Research.

Digby and JiGrahak Mobility Solutions claimed the second and third spots in the company's new worldwide evaluation of mobile commerce vendors using technologies other than Near Field Communications. The Vendor Matrix is an analytical tool developed by ABI Research to provide a clear understanding of vendors' positions in specific markets.

"Enterprising solutions providers are working with MNOs and merchants in Austria, India and Germany to provide true mobile commerce options to consumers today, with positive results," said Mark Beccue, Tampa, FL-based senior analyst of consumer mobility for ABI Research, in the report.

"Sybase, through its acquisition of mobile commerce pioneer Paybox, has the most successful program today," he said. "That experience, combined with Sybase's strong MNO relationships, earns them top ranking."

ABI Research provides analysis and quantitative forecasting of emerging trends in global connectivity, including the mobile industry.

Vendors are assessed on the important parameters of "innovation" and "implementation" across several criteria unique to each vendor matrix.

For this particular matrix, under "innovation," ABI Research examined the functionality of the vendors' SMS, mobile Internet and downloadable application offerings, and their NFC-readiness.

Under "implementation," ABI Research scrutinized the vendors' financial services companies, MNO and physical merchant relationships and the breadth of their solutions. For example, "Does the solution include SMS, mobile Internet and downloadable applications?"

ABI also evaluated any complementary products such as loyalty and gift card solutions, e-commerce solutions and mobile banking, as well as the vendors' general financial and organizational health.

To view a chart showing the rankings of the top eight firms in this Vendor Matrix, clients of ABI Research can visit "Mobile Commerce (Non-NFC) Vendor Matrix.".

"Second-place Digby, which creates mobile commerce Web sites and downloadable mobile commerce applications for merchants, is well positioned to help merchants in the rapidly growing mobile internet shopping boom," Mr. Beccue said.

"And JiGrahak, which operates the popular NGpay program in India, has created a successful mobile marketplace which enables consumers to easily shop with a broad range of e-commerce merchants from nearly any mobile phone," he said.