Respected industry leader Edward “EJ” Jackson joinsFirst Data
to lead new Integrated Solutions Group
Retail cloud technology provider KWI joins many otherISVs in offering an end-to-end solution developed with new First Data businessline
NEW YORK,JANUARY 13, 2017 –In a rapidly evolving FinTech ecosystem, speed, agility, and collaboration arecritical. That’s why today FirstData(NYSE: FDC), a global leader in commerce-enabling technology, is launchingFirst Data Integrated Solutions Group (ISG), a new business segment focused onexpanded software developer tools for integration with First Data’s platforms.With the formation of First Data Integrated Solutions Group, First Data isdeepening its engagement with independent software vendors (ISVs), value-addedresellers (VARs), software developers, system integrators, and other marketparticipants to expand commerce capabilities around the globe.
“First Data has a long and establishedheritage of working with a diverse group of software partners, from leadingdevelopers in Silicon Valley to multinational technology companies,” said DanCharron, EVP of Global Business Solutions, First Data. “The First DataIntegrated Solutions Group is an important milestone in our effort to furtherenhance our market-leading platform and operational processes to better servepartners and clients who have increasingly sophisticated technology needs.”
First Data Integrated Solutions
With support from First Data’s IntegratedSolutions Group, partners will be able to easily integrate and certify theirsolutions with First Data. A full library of easy-to-use integrationspecifications, allowing developers to securely embed payments and othervalue-added services into their software applications, will be available aspart of First Data’s ISG. Developers can also take advantage of a self-guidedcertification process or work with First Data specialists for certificationassistance.
Partners will receive a “one-stop-shop”experience that addresses the full spectrum of developer needs, including:
Adeveloper portal for ISVs to manage their relationship with First Data,including self-directed or assisted integration as well as account management
Abroad menu of commercial options tailored to partners’ individual preferences,including referral, independent reseller, or payment facilitator
Sales,marketing, and training support
Competitive,transparent compensation and incentive structures
Automatedboarding processes
Anextensive array of value-added services that complement payment cardprocessing, such as TransArmor security, loyalty offerings, eCommercesolutions, and data & analytics tools
24/7dedicated partner service and support
Hardwarefulfillment
Accessto First Data’s global merchant acquiring footprint through a singleintegration
First Data is also launching enhancements toits Clover point-of-sale platform that allow developers to build their ownbranded solutions for merchants within the platform. The enhancements include:
Accessto Clover source code, allowing developers to write their own register andorder applications that can be deployed through the Clover cloud-basedoperating system
Anew “Platform-as-a-service” model, which allows POS developers to build theirsoftware directly on top of Clover’s operating system and modular APIs
Useof Clover as a fully PA-DSS compliant, semi-integrated terminal that supportsEMV, contactless payments, physical and virtual gift cards, and electronicchecks
“The launch of Integrated Solutions marks animportant new chapter of openness for First Data, and continues the spirit ofcollaboration we have built in recent years,” said Guy Chiarello, President,First Data. “From our point-of-sale operating systems to our eCommercesolutions and mobile technology, First Data has made significant strides in building platforms to spur the development ofnext-generation FinTech innovations.”
In addition, ISG today is announcing acollaboration with KWI, the pioneer of real-time cloud technology solutions forspecialty retailers. KWI is the latest of many partners to integrate with FirstData on a robust POS device that supports merchandising, omnichannel commerce,loyalty, and loss prevention.
“Working with First Data, we are able toprovide the first end-to-end platform for specialty retailers that is bothcompletely scalable and EMV ready, eliminating the cost and complexity ofrequired certifications,” said Sam Kliger, Founder and CEO of KWI. “Thecollaboration we announce today takes an innovative approach to solving some ofthe most significant challenges facing retailers now and in the future.”
The KWI partnership follows First Data’ssuccessful integration with other leading software partners including BypassMobile, the developer of POS software for the sports and entertainmentindustries, and Booker Software, a provider of cloud-based appointment-bookingand marketing software for the service industry.
EJ Jackson joins First Data to leadISG
First Data has hired EJ Jackson, awidely-respected industry leader, to head up ISG. Jackson has spent more thantwo decades in leadership, product strategy, business development, marketing,and sales for VC-backed software companies. He comes to First Data from SAP,where he served as SVP and GM of SAP Anywhere. Prior to his role at SAP,Jackson was the president and founder of Provade Inc., a leading VMS SaaSprovider in the market.
“I’m excited to join the First Data team andlook forward to collaborating directly with the company’s partners across theISV and software developer community,” said Jackson. “By leveraging the agilityof our partners combined with the distribution, scale, and innovation of FirstData, we can deliver best-in-class solutions to the marketplace.”
“EJ has a proven track record ofunderstanding the important role the developer community plays in the commerceecosystem. We are thrilled to welcome him to the First Data team,” addedCharron.
To learn more about First Data’s IntegratedSolutions Group, visit our website.