VeriFone Systems Inc. has launched a new point-of-sale software platform and support infrastructure designed to help ISOs and acquirers provide tablet POS solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. The solution, GlobalBay Merchant, is an extension of the company's GlobalBay line of software, which is targeted at highly integrated retail organizations.

Available in the U.S. through the Apple App Store, GlobalBay Merchant is tailored to the needs of SMBs and built for distribution solely through VeriFone channel partners, the company said, and provides acquirers and ISOs with secure, easy-to-use payment capabilities and defined interfaces so vertical market or customer-specific programs can be rapidly deployed using tablets. The solution includes a complete support infrastructure, including VeriFone's 24x7 help desk and automated on-boarding processes.

SMBs are increasingly interested in using tablets as an alternative to electronic cash registers for fixed and mPOS, the company said, but ISOs and acquirers seeking to identify and deploy feature-rich software often find themselves in conflict with the goals of technology providers who are primarily focused on displacing existing processing relationships and are unable or unwilling to work with channel partners.

"The GlobalBay Merchant software platform creates new opportunities for ISOs and acquirers to grow their business and is now available from a partner that is invested in their success," Jennifer Miles, president, VeriFone Americas, said in a news release. "It provides everything that merchants need to support their immediate and future business goals, backed by a comprehensive infrastructure that makes it easy for service providers to sell and support."

VeriFone said that more than a dozen partners representing a base of more than 500,000 merchants have already signed up to sell GlobalBay Merchant to SMBs, including the payments service provider EVO Payments International.

"GlobalBay Merchant combines everything merchants need in a POS software platform for tablets with back-office support and the security and reliability of a trusted partner," Jeff Rosenblatt, president of EVO, said in the release. "The ability to easily integrate GlobalBay Merchant with other VeriFone devices creates an easy path for migration and expansion as merchants grow their businesses and adapt to consumer expectations for mobile wallet acceptance and value-added services at the point of sale."

VeriFone said it is in discussions with additional ISOs, acquirers and processors that represent 4 million merchants.

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