First Data Integrated Solutions Group Launches To Expand Software Developer Relationships

First Data, the commerce-enabling technology company, announced Friday (Jan. 13) the launch of a new business, First Data Integrated Solutions Group, which is focused on expanding software developer tools for integration with the platforms of First Data.

According to a press release, by creating the First Data Integrated Solutions Group, the company is boosting its relationships with independent software vendors, value-added resellers, software developers, system integrators and other players, to expand commerce capabilities.

“First Data has a long and established heritage of working with a diverse group of software partners, from leading developers in Silicon Valley to multinational technology companies,” said Dan Charron, EVP of global business solutions at First Data, in the press release. “The First Data Integrated Solutions Group is an important milestone in our effort to further enhance our market-leading platform and operational processes to better serve partners and clients who have increasingly sophisticated technology needs.”

Thanks to the new business unit, partners of First Data can integrate and certify solutions with First Data. They also get a full library of easy-to-use integration specifications, which allows developers to securely embed payments and other services into software applications. Developers can choose to use First Data’s self-guided certification process or work with a specialists at First Data to get certified.

Additional benefits for partners from the new business unit are a developer portal for ISVs to manage their relationship with First Data; a broad menu of commercial options tailored to partners’ individual preferences; sales, marketing and training support; and an array of value-added services that complement payment card processing and access to First Data’s global merchant acquiring footprint through a single integration. First Data also said the new unit is collaborating with KWI, the real-time cloud technology company for specialty retailers.

Additionally, First Data announced it is rolling out enhancements to its Clover point-of-sale platform that will enable developers to build their own branded solutions for merchants within the platform. “The launch of Integrated Solutions marks an important new chapter of openness for First Data and continues the spirit of collaboration we have built in recent years,” said Guy Chiarello, president of First Data, in the same press release. “From our point-of-sale operating systems to our eCommerce solutions and mobile technology, First Data has made significant strides in building platforms to spur the development of next-generation FinTech innovations.”