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Using the LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway to Transact E-Commerce Online The LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway integrates into the most popular Internet storefront software and exiting fulfillment systems, using an open application program interface (API) to accomplish the integration efforts. It allows merchants to have complete flexibility in designing their storefronts. The payment module communicates with the credit card processor to authorize credit card transactions in real time. Customers receive immediate purchase confirmation informing them that their transactions were successful. The payment engine uses a multithreaded process that allows multiple transactions to be processed concurrently on one server. This important feature ensures that customers will no longer have to wait in line for the merchant to process their transactions. Why choose the LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway? The LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway offers more value than any other payment system on the market and a level of extensive fraud protection unmatched in the industry. The system also offers electronic soft-good downloads (ESD), shipping and tax calculations, fulfillment APIs, and user-friendly merchant reports and tools. The gateway offers scalability as it grows with your business and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How Secure is the LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway? The LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway offers secure online transactions by utilizing RSA 1024-bit encryption technology. Coupled with extensive fraud-protection capabilities, LinkPoint International offers payment solutions that use the safest transaction methods available today. The Cardservice Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) API guarantees that the orders and payment information generated by the merchant's Web server remain totally secure.
LinkPoint Central LinkPoint Central is the Internet equivalent of a point-of-sale terminal (POS) or PC-based transaction software. LinkPoint Central gives merchants all the power of a POS terminal or software without the hardware/software or maintenance expenses. Merchants simply enter transactions into their browser via an Internet-connected computer. Sales, returns, authorizations and reports are all provided by LinkPoint Central. Product Detail Merchants each get an account from their LinkPoint International agent. Merchants connect to the Internet and direct their browser to a specific URL address given to them by their agent, and they log on using their user name and password. On-screen instructions take over from there, and the merchant can read or print a copy of the LinkPoint Central User's Guide or view the LinkPoint Central FAQs LinkPoint Central is very straightforward and easy to use. Merchants connect to the Internet and access a secure, password-protected LinkPoint Web site created especially for them. At the secure Web site, merchants enter transaction information. For example, merchants can choose to enter just the required data, such as credit card number, expiration date, dollar amount, and customer name and address, or they can also enter additional information, such as order number, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address, as well as a brief memo. Pressing the "Submit" button processes the order on-screen, regardless of whether it's a regular sale, a pre- or post-authorization or a return for credit. Merchants can also view a chronological record of their sales by day, week, month or year to date. More detailed information on this can be found by reading or printing a copy of the Merchant Reports and Tools Guide. Merchants processing via LinkPoint Central will enjoy such benefits as: Target Market Market LinkPoint Central to the following target merchant types:
Technical Expertise Required for Setup Low technical expertise is required for LinkPoint Central setup. Merchants need only the ability to operate a PC and connect to the Internet with a Web browser. LinkPoint Central provides each Internet merchant with:
System Requirements LinkPoint Central runs entirely on the LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway. Merchants need only a PC with Internet connections running browsers that are (3.0 or higher) from Microsoft (Internet Explorer) or from Netscape (Communicator or Navigator). LinkPoint Connect LinkPoint Connect is an inexpensive way for merchants to add payment functionality to their Web Sites. LinkPoint Connect enables the merchant's Web Site to accept real-time, online, credit card transactions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Merchants implement LinkPoint Connect by integrating specified HTML code into their existing Web Site's HTML code. LinkPoint Connect provides automated transaction processing, as well as allowing merchants to enter transactions manually. Product Detail Merchants get their account from their LinkPoint International agent or sales representative. Merchants connect to the Internet and direct their browser to the specific URL and log on using their user name and password. On-screen instructions take over from there, and the merchant can read or print a copy of the LinkPoint Connect User's Guide or view the HTML Online Help System. Once LinkPoint Connect is implemented, and a consumer visits a merchant's Web Site and decides to buy, the consumer clicks on an order button that engages the program. LinkPoint Connect then collects the order information and runs the transactions. The information collected/uncollected is determined by which LinkPoint Connect mode the merchant chooses: PayOnly, PayPlus or FullPay. Merchants processing via LinkPoint Connect will enjoy such benefits as:
Target Market Target prospects for LinkPoint Connect are:
Merchants who already have a Web Site and thus have a basic comfort level with Internet technology, or those with access to a consultant, an Internet service provider (ISP) or a commerce service provider (CSP) with such expertise. Technical Expertise Required for Setup Merchants need to have basic to mid-level programming skills utilizing HTML editor tools or have a Webmaster or a consultant who can perform additional programming tasks. This may or may not be an issue for merchants. System Requirements LinkPoint Connect runs entirely on the LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway. Merchants need only a PC with Internet connections running browsers (3.0 or higher) from Microsoft (Internet Explorer) or Netscape (Communicator or Navigator) to access the reports and administer orders. LinkPoint API LinkPoint API is designed to enable software companies, Internet service providers (ISPs), commerce service providers (CSPs) or sophisticated merchants to add the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) capabilities of secure payments, tax and shipping calculation, and electronic soft-good download (ESD) of digital merchandise to their software products or custom storefronts. The LinkPoint API also provides excellent reporting, based on the sales information passed from the merchant's site to the LinkPoint secure systems. Details can be found in the LinkPoint API User's Guide. The SSL API is not a stand-alone solution; it must be integrated with an e-commerce solution. Modular Development Using the following e-commerce modules, Web customers will be able to order products, pay for them and arrange for shipment, all in real time. These modules include real-time:
Merchants also have the option of choosing auto-settlement or merchant settlement. Taking advantage of the Cardservice International business reporting module allows merchants to view all critical ordering and financial information from a single source, their browser. Technical Expertise Required for Setup High technical expertise is required for LinkPoint API setup. The LinkPoint API requires C++/UNIX programming skills. Companies with advanced programming expertise can easily undertake integration of this product. PERL LinkPoint Central PERL LinkPoint Central is a full-featured, programmer-friendly interface to LinkPoint API. Used alone, LinkPoint API requires expert C++/Unix programming skills and CGI development experience. PVL handles all LinkPoint API's C++ requirements internally and transparently, eliminating the need for potentially hundreds of hours of expensive development time. PVL can be used with PERL, ColdFusion, HTML, JAVA, VB Script or virtually any other Web page development language. Sample code demonstrating all LinkPoint API features is included for your use at no extra charge. PVL also greatly simplifies data integration from credit card transactions into other data collection systems or DBMS (e.g., accounting databases, marketing databases, or decision support software). Introducing LinkPoint Central LinkPoint International has launched LinkPoint 5.4 and LinkPoint Central. LinkPoint 5.4 will add flexibility, functionality, and enhanced security features for all LinkPoint products. LinkPoint Central will enhance LinkPoint Connect, while staying compatible with existing interfaces. A summary of these features and updates are:
CVV2 is an added layer of security for both the merchant and customer. This is the three-digit numeric value found on the back of most Visa cards. E-commerce and mail order/telephone orders differentiate the transaction from originating via the Internet. These features ensure compliance with Visa and MasterCard's latest requirements.
This gives the merchant the ability to accept both swiped and keyed retail transactions (an additional swipe device, such as a cherry keyboard, will need to be purchased by the merchant in order to perform the swipe functions). LinkPoint VirtualCheck - Add On What is LinkPoint VirtualCheck? LinkPoint VirtualCheck is an Internet software payment system that allows merchants who sell physical or hard goods to accept and process electronic check payments directly from their browser-based LinkPoint Central or e-commerce-enabled storefront. This product is not recommended for merchants who sell soft-goods, such as downloadable software or other immediately consumable services. Most transactions will clear in approximately 48 to 72 hours. LinkPoint VirtualCheck makes it easy for online businesses to add an electronic check payment option to their Web Sites. Customers who wish to pay for a purchase with an electronic check can simply select the electronic check option and enter the requested bank account information. The LinkPoint VirtualCheck process encrypts the data using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology to assure your information remains strictly confidential. All VirtualCheck transactions are posted and all check batches are automatically presented for settlement each day. The LinkPoint VirtualCheck processing system debits the consumer's account via the automated clearinghouse (ACH) and then transfers the funds to the merchant's account. If account numbers are entered incorrectly by the check writer, our LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway attempts to validate the form entry accuracy prior to submitting it for processing. If an error is detected, the check writer will be requested to re-enter his or her check information a second time. If the check writer's account has non-sufficient funds (NSF), the merchant is notified. LinkPoint strongly recommends that merchants wait a minimum of five days from the initial transaction postdate prior to shipping any consumer orders. By delaying shipments for the recommended time, the networks can debit the consumer's account, deposit the funds within two days into the merchant's account, and there is one additional day for the bank to post the transaction to the account of the check writer. This is an unavoidable delay. Merchants processing via LinkPoint VirtualCheck will enjoy such benefits as:
Merchant Services provides the following support:
Reports: Merchants can view the check transaction in "View Orders," "View Transactions" and "Check Batch" selections
Status Field Summary
The estimated setup time for the LinkPoint VirtualCheck account is 5 to 7 business days. When processing over the Internet, especially via the LinkPoint VirtualCheck, merchants should follow responsible Internet processing guidelines, such as not shipping a product until the Merchant Reports and Tools indicate, "Paid to Merchant" for that particular order. What about pricing?
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