The integration of SAP Upscale Commerce with Barclaycard Smartpay intends to allow customers to convert more business transactions online by removing friction from payment processes.
Recognising the constantly changing consumer landscape impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for strengthened fraud defences, and a frictionless customer experience (CX) today, SAP has recently expanded its partnership with Barclaycard Payments — a leading global payment business at the forefront of developing mobile payment schemes and solutions — by integrating the latter’s payments gateway product called Smartpay into the SAP Upscale Commerce platform. SAP Upscale Commerce, a CX solution designed for retail or direct-to-customer (D2C) companies, addresses the needs of mid-market retailers by delivering a channel-less commerce experience with intelligent personalised storefronts to maximise both customer satisfaction and profit.
Included in the SAP Commerce Cloud portfolio, the next-generation Software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution empowers enterprises to go to market quickly and meet customers in the moment with a no-code and maintenance-free cloud solution. On the other hand, Smartpay allows for one-click purchases and enables user payments through different cards, platforms, and payment methods. As part of the latest collaboration between SAP and Barclaycard Payments, companies that have signed up for SAP Upscale Commerce will have access to Smartpay to boost their payment acceptance capabilities.
Commenting on the announcement, Michiel Verhoeven, Managing Director UK and Ireland, SAP, said:
“We have had a successful partnership with Barclaycard for a number of years and during this time we have seen an explosion of e-commerce, with the payment market evolving as a result. I am proud of the strong relationship we have forged in support of our customers, who continue to challenge us to provide new ways to accept payments as well as make payments to their suppliers.”
Barclaycard Smartpay and SAP Upscale Commerce’s Integration Enables Frictionless CX
Aside from the integration of SAP Upscale Commerce with Smartpay, Barclaycard Payments also intends to enhance the available procure-to-pay services through SAP Ariba. It now offers virtual card services to companies that use SAP Ariba or SAP ERP software. This will enable them to have better control over ad-hoc purchasing, enjoy a more streamlined end-to-end procure-to-pay process, avoid late payments to their suppliers, and utilise early payment discounts.
Nicole Olbe, Managing Director of Partnerships at Barclaycard Payments, emphasised:
“Our ever-evolving partnership with SAP is a result of listening to our customers and clients and making sure we are providing them with the tools and capabilities to thrive under challenging circumstances.”
Moreover, the recent announcement marks the latest in a series of partnerships between Barclaycard Payments and SAP over the years. In 2019, Barclaycard Commercial Payments launched its business-to-business (B2B) payment product Precisionpay into the SAP Ariba Network — the German tech giant’s dynamic, digital marketplace serving millions of buyers and suppliers in more than 190 countries.
Last year, the two firms extended their alliance by making Smartpay available on the SAP Commerce Cloud, aiming to enhance CX, improve fraud protection, and provide seamless integration across channels. This has also expanded the accessibility of the feature to a broader range of customers throughout Europe.
“We have made significant changes throughout the last year to support all our customers, but know there will always be more work to be done. As we continue to strive to support our customers — partnering with the best in class to offer an integrated approach to payments across a wide range of industries is crucial to success,” Olbe concluded.
