Merchants, especially those managing smaller businesses, do not always have the resources readily available to help them set up the payments acceptance portion of their sites. Simplify Commerce is the developer-friendly online payment system that gives merchants the power to accept electronic payments, which can lead to additional revenue and a larger customer base. Simplify Commerce launched in the U.S. in 2013 and is now focused on offering the solution in additional countries.

"There are so many entrepreneurs and small businesses in Ireland, but less than a quarter of small companies in Ireland are selling online, according to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources," said Debbie Barta, Simplify Commerce product lead for MasterCard. "Where they are challenged is being able to accept electronic payments. Simplify Commerce solves that challenge and provides secure, robust features designed to manage their business."

Marion King, President of MasterCard UK and Ireland, said: "The growth and health of SMEs is critical to economic stability and success. As highlighted by the Irish Government's "E Day" initiative, electronic payments gives government and business a safer, simpler and more efficient way to accept payments. Today's launch of Simplify Commerce underpins MasterCard's commitment to partnering with businesses of all sizes across Ireland and delivering innovation at point of sale in both the digital and physical world".

SMEs are a crucial component of the Irish economy, employing over 900,000 people, and equal to 64% of all private sector employees1.
Of the approximately €4bn Irish consumers spend online each year, 60-70% goes on overseas purchases and represents an enormous opportunity for Irish SMEs that decide to accept online payments2.

Simplify Commerce also offers APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and SDKs (Software Development Kits) in a variety of programming languages such as Java, Ruby, PHP, Python andP, Python and .NET for developers who are supporting merchants to use. Mobile SDKs for iOS and Android are also available. In addition, sample source code and engineering support are accessible at www.simplify.com.

Initially, Simplify Commerce will be available in private beta to merchants. Businesses interested in participating can visit www.simplify.com and request to be contacted as the product is launched in other countries.

Simplify Commerce launched from MasterCard's internal Incubation unit within MasterCard Labs.