Google expands cloud competition with AWS, Microsoft to payments

Google is partnering with Global Payments Inc. to offer cloud-based digital payment solutions and services.

Google will collaborate with Global Payments to migrate the pure play payments technology company’s merchant acquiring technology to Google Cloud. In addition, Google Cloud and Global Payments will be launching a series of strategic go-to-market and co-sell activities together.

This is the latest step Google has taken to increase its competitive standing with the retail cloud offerings of Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Microsoft offers managed cloud-based payments as a service within its Azure cloud service, while AWS provides access to integrated digital payment solutions from several certified ISV partners on AWS Marketplace.

As an example of how the companies will work together, Google’s public APIs (Google Workspace, Google My Business, Google Ads) and other technologies will be integrated with Global Payments’ software and payments ecosystem. Digital retailers will be able to digitally access a stack of SaaS offerings, including data and analytics, omnichannel ordering, payments, collaboration suite, email marketing, online presence and reputation management, loyalty, gift card, POS, capital access and payroll solutions. 

These products will be delivered through Global Payments’ secure cloud-native operating environment, which offers a secure user experience integrated with Google’s technology. Global Payments will also migrate much of its merchant acquiring technology workload to Google Cloud, streamlining its operating environment with the goals of enhancing performance and driving significant cost efficiencies. 

As part of the agreement, Global Payments will become a worldwide merchant acquiring provider to Google. Google will leverage Global Payments’ unified commerce platform for acceptance technology.

“As digital commerce evolves, Global Payments is building its computing and merchant solutions capabilities on Google Cloud,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. “This partnership will help merchants run and grow their businesses globally with speed, scale, and innovation. Together, we’re excited to support customers in turning their business and technology aspirations into reality.”

“We are delighted to embark on this transformational journey with Google to further enhance our industry leading merchant solutions ecosystem with additional scale, reach and speed of market to seamlessly deliver new innovative, digital technologies to customers worldwide,” said Jeff Sloan, CEO, Global Payments. “This unique partnership will accelerate our technology enabled, software-driven strategy and further enhance our position as the partner of choice for all manner of merchants worldwide.”