PURCHASE, N.Y. – MasterCard Inc. yesterday said it plans to open its proprietary payment system to software developers to allow them to create new smartphone applications.
Later this year MasterCard plans to release the computer codes known as Open Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs, to independent software developers worldwide. The company also will open a new computer portal to give software developers a way to sign up for access to all of the APIs that MasterCard releases.
Through the portal, MasterCard will provide developers with technical documentation, software development kits, sample source code, reference guides and other testing applications. A developer forum designed to spur collaboration between MasterCard engineers and developers will be included.
"We are excited about tapping into the ingenuity of software developers around the globe to help create the next generation of game-changing payment applications," said MasterCard’s Chief Innovation Officer Josh Peirez.
MasterCard has identified about 20 platforms and services that it plans to open up to developers via the portal. Development will include software for online games, merchant e-commerce websites, mobile applications and payroll systems.
The company said it has developed internally new iPhone applications and other programs, but decided to open up the creative process to the global development community to expand payment options.
