New York-based First Data Corp., a global commerce-enabling technology firm, announced today the launch of a division for business and developer collaboration, the Integrated Solutions Group.

This group will focus on expanding software developer tools intended to make it easier for developers and businesses to build e-commerce solutions using First Data’s platform. With the ISG, the company seeks to strengthen its partnership with independent software vendors, value-added resellers, software developers, system integrators and merchant staff who might use e-commerce technology.

First Data’s primary e-commerce service, a point-of-sale platform called Clover, is also seeing some changes. The company is transforming its service into a Platform-as-a-Service model to allow POS developers the ability to write and deploy their own applications through Clover’s cloud-based operating system.

As part of the ISG’s offering, developers will gain access to a library of easy-to-use integration specifications and also a self-guided certification process.

To address the “full spectrum of developer needs,” First Data will offer a considerable number of tools.

ISG offers a developer portal allowing developer teams to manage everything involved with integration and account management. Businesses are offered an automated onboarding process, but will still be able to contact specialists for sales, marketing and training support through a dedicated service. The new tools also include a wide variety of services to complement credit-card processing, loyalty offerings and data analytics tools.

First Data also announced a partnership with Kliger-Weiss Infosystems Inc., developer of real-time cloud-based solutions for specialty retailers, with the intent to build a POS device for merchandising, e-commerce, loyalty and loss prevention.

“Working with First Data, we are able to provide the first end-to-end platform for specialty retailers that is both completely scalable and EMV ready, eliminating the cost and complexity of required certifications,” Sam Kliger, founder and chief executive officer of KWI, said in a statement.

First Data’s announcement boasts that KWI is one of the latest of many partners to integrate with the company. This partnership follows successful integration with Bypass Mobile, developer of POS software for sports and entertainment, and Booker Software, a provider of cloud-based appointment-booking and marketing software.

Image courtesy of First Data