First Data Expands ShopKeep Partnership

First Data, the commerce-enabling technology company, and ShopKeep, a cloud-based company whose technology transforms an iPad into a cash register, announced on Thursday (Feb. 16) they inked a new partnership that expands their existing relationship.

In a press release, First Data said it will make Shopkeep’s POS software available through its distribution network, including with banks, retailers and independent sales organizations. ShopKeep will incorporate First Data’s payment processing and security tools, its Clover Go software developer kit and the Clover hardware portfolio as its strategic infrastructure.

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with ShopKeep, a pioneer in point-of-sale software,” said EJ Jackson, SVP of Integrated Solutions Group at First Data, in a press release. “The agreement illustrates First Data’s commitment of providing an open platform that supports innovation across industries.”

According to First Data, ShopKeep is a longstanding partner and is a natural fit to extend First Data’s offering within the Clover environment. First Data noted ShopKeep’s POS solution, which includes inventory tracking, employee management and detailed reporting, is built for millions of businesses First Data works with each day. “Having worked closely with First Data for many years, we recognize that they have set the gold standard for payments,” said Etie Hertz, chief revenue officer of ShopKeep, in the same press release. “This partnership allows us to extend our relationship with First Data and ensures that the expansive universe of independent retail and restaurant merchants they touch will now all have access to ShopKeep’s best-in-class POS solution.”

In an interview with PYMNTS at the latter’s inaugural NMD event Thursday (Feb. 16th), Dan Charron, who serves as executive Vice President, head of Global Business Solutions for First Data, said that the expanded agreement represents a continued move by the firm into software, and an app-driven “integration layer” approach to services beyond payments processing.

The more robust agreement with ShopKeep allows the latter to work with First Data for functionality beyond payments processing and become part of what Charron termed “the largest ecosystem in the world.” With Clover, he said, First Data can offer a platform for ShopKeep (and others) folding in payment processing and security tools.  More partnerships will be in the offing, he said.

In December, First Data announced the expansion of its Clover platform, launching Clover Mini and Clover Mobile in the U.K. In a press release at the time, First Data said the Clover Mini and Clover Mobile devices use cutting-edge technology that enables consumers to enter their PIN on a tablet-based touchscreen device that is EMV-compliant. First Data said the devices have successfully completed common criteria evaluation against the JTEMS POI Protection Profile. The company went on to say that the Clover Mini and Clover Mobile are among the first devices to be approved with this technology for deployment in the U.K.