Official First Data support notice regarding ICVerify End of Life. I misplaced the merchant letter, but this is the published support notice in entirety.
You may be aware of the changing payment landscape — security parameters changes, liability shift with EMV technology, and ongoing cloud-based solutions.
First Data is committed to delivering powerful, up-to-date technology solutions to our clients. In 2001, we introduced our ICVerify software which has now grown obsolete in this environment. As a result, we will discontinue product development and stop supporting ICVerify.
Please note and be aware of the following important dates and business implications:
Effective Immediately – End of Sales & Development
- We will no longer take orders or ship new ICVerify licenses for customers. This includes any additional services such as new MID / TIDs or adding users to existing licenses.
- There will be no new development for the ICVerify product. This includes development work requested as a result of a support issue.
- Support contracts will not be renewed. This includes contracts for Level 1 integration support, as well as Level 1 support agreements.
June 30, 2016 — End of Support Date
- First Data will discontinue support for the ICVerify product. Up until this date, we will continue to offer both leveland level 2 telephone support for existing users.
First Data will honor valid ICVerify support contracts for customers that have purchased annual support, prior to the date of this letter, through the end of their annual term. For any additional questions about ICVerify or other solution needs, please call 1-800-538-0651.
First Data keeps pace with your evolving business needs by providing a full range of products and services. All day, every day, First Data helps its clients thrive in the evolving world of commerce.
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ICVerify users typically paid a one time fee and then used the software forever. Now, merchants will need to use a payment gateway, and will incur a per transaction fee.
- Option 1: use payment gateway from existing merchant services provider. Pros: it might be free. Cons: The average merchant changes processors every three years so business will be disrupted again later. The gateway directly impacts interchange rate qualification and the provider may have limited tools to help automate qualification.
- Option 2: use independent payment gateway and keep existing merchant services provider. Pros: Get exactly what you need for all sales channels, reducing PCI Compliance burden, increasing efficiency, security and profits. Cons: It might or might not cost more, though expenses are likely to be offset by other benefits, including better interchange rate qualification, which will more than offset the differential. Examples: CenPOS, authorize.net. CenPOS is a better solution for larger merchants, B2B, multi-location, and omnichannel businesses.
