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Welcome to the Protx Quarterly Newsletter – September 2007
Technical Update
. Important new releases
Features of the new Protx payment system
Tighter control of VendorTxCodes for VSP Server and Direct users
New custom templates
Authenticate and Authorise
New integration kits available for ASP
. Fraud Screening Update
Benefits of 3D Secure
. Latest News from American Express
Update from American Express
. Latest news from Sage
Accept payments through Sage 50 Accounts
. How to…
Access your CMS account
. New contact details
. Useful Links
. Feedback
New Payment System now launched
The new version of the Protx VSP Payment System was launched on 01st August. The system upgrade represented the largest system change that Protx have implemented since November 2005.
Features of the new payment system
• An additional page has been added to the VSP Server and VSP Form payment process. First of all your customer will select the card they wish to use, then they will be asked for card details (card number, expiry date, CV2 etc.) on a subsequent screen. This means that the card details screen is kept as simple as possible and unnecessary details (such as issue numbers) are removed.
• There is a new order confirmation screen. This displays the contents of the Basket Field (if this has been sent across to us), order, address and card summary details. The VSP Form payment system now also sends an email to you if your customer clicks cancel on the payment pages.
• The final authorisation screen has been improved to show a simple progress-bar style animation – so that the customer knows their payment is being processed whilst waiting for confirmation from the merchant bank.
• The payment pages are now multi-language compliant. This means that the new system has the ability to detect the language settings in the customer’s browser and display the payment pages in that language. If you have specific language support requests, let us know by emailing support@protx.com.
• New custom templates have also been launched with the new system. The advantage of the new custom templates is that EVERY page can be customised to look exactly like your site including error pages, customer and vendor emails, 3D Secure pages and even authorisation screens. Read more about the new custom templates.
Important information for VSP Server and VSP Direct Users
Tighter control of VendorTxCodes from 1st November 2007
Protx will be restricting the acceptable characters in the VSP Direct and VSP Server VendorTXCodes from the 01st November 2007.
The main benefit of this is that it will prevent further errors in the transaction process, for example when performing a refund.
From the 1st November, VendorTxCodes will be limited to the characters a-z, A-Z, 0-9 and the minus (-), underscore (_) and full stop (.) characters ONLY.
All other characters will cause the transaction registration to be rejected.
VSP Form customers already have these format restrictions in place, so you will not need to change your code.
For further information on VendorTXCodes and our protocols, please visit the Protx technical support website.
If you wish to delay settlement of your transactions for more than 7 days, or you do not know the exact price of the order at the time it is placed, you should use our new payment method Authenticate and Authorise.
This payment method is now live, and will become compulsory for Pre Auth users from the 1st November.
If you are currently using Pre Auth and Repeat as your payment method, you will need to switch to Authenticate and Authorise before the 01st November.
After 1st November Pre Auth will be switched off and transaction registrations with a Pre Auth transaction type will fail.
Detailed information on the AUTHENTICATE protocol can be found in the integration guidelines on the technical support website.
How does Authenticate and Authorise work?
With this payment method, the card details are authenticated under the 3D Secure scheme at the time the order is placed, but no authorisation request is sent until you are ready to collect the funds. If 3D Secure is unavailable (for example if you are a VSP Terminal user, or if you are processing an American Express, Diners or JCB card), the transaction details cannot be authenticated but will be registered and stored by Protx until authorisation is requested. When you are ready to ship the goods, you send an authorisation request through VSP Admin (or from your web server) and the transaction will be sent for settlement overnight as normal.
With Authenticate and Authorise, you have up to 90 days to fulfil the order (except for with International Maestro cards where the authentication is only valid for up to 30 days). You can authorise the transaction for any amount up to 115% of the value of the authentication, with no lower limit (or up to 100% of the transaction with International Maestro cards).
Benefits of Authenticate and Authorise
- Unlike Pre Auth, an Authenticate/Authorise transaction will have undergone full fraud screening checks and will be fully 3D Secured, further protecting you against chargebacks for fraudulent card use.
- Protx will store the card details securely for you so that you do not need to worry about storing cardholder data yourself.
- The Authentication is valid for up to 90 days (except for with International Maestro cards where the authentication is only valid for 30 days), which is the amount of time you have to fulfil the order.
- You can authorise for any amount up to 115% of the value of the Authentication, with no lower limit (or up to 100% of the transaction with International Maestro cards). This is useful for merchants who do not know the exact value of the transaction at the time the order is placed.
New integration kits available for ASP
Protx have now developed new integration kits for ASP across all of our VSP systems (VSP Form, VSP Server and VSP Direct).
These new and improved kits include a working example of a shopping cart, and use all of the new payment system URLs. They support all payment types including our new payment method Authenticate and Authorise.
These kits are available to download from our technical support website.
Protx are also in the process of developing new integration kits for ASP.net, Coldfusion and PHP. These will be available to download in the near future.
Fraud Screening Update
- Reduce the number of chargebacks you receive: A fully authenticated 3D Secure transaction cannot be charged back to you if the customer later denies the transaction. The customer’s bank assumes the liability of the chargeback so you are protected.
- Benefit from a lower fraud rate: 3D Secure transactions have a considerably lower fraud rate than non-secured transactions because the customer is required to authenticate themselves with their issuing bank as part of the transaction. This additional security makes it much more difficult for fraudsters to use stolen card numbers.
- Free of charge: Protx provide 3D Secure at no additional cost to you.
- Automate fraud screening: You have the option of setting up a rule base on your Protx account to automatically accept or reject transactions depending on the 3D Secure results.
- The scheme is easy to set up: If you are an HSBC, NatWest Streamline, Lloyds TSB Cardnet or Bank of Scotland merchant, please email support@protx.com for details on how to activate 3D Secure. If your merchant account is with Barclays Merchant Services, please contact Barclays directly to ask them to set up 3D Secure on your account.
Should 3D Secure be active on your Protx account?
All the banks we work with have slightly different rules regarding the processing of Maestro transactions. Protx makes 3D Secure available to all of our merchants, but it is up to you whether or not you choose to activate this service. Please follow the advice of your merchant bank if you are unsure whether or not 3D Secure should be active on your Protx account.
Latest News from American Express
Attract new customers to your website
American Express Cardmembers are some of the highest spending customers that you will see, so if you already have an American Express merchant number set up on your Protx account, it makes sense to ensure that you are visibly displaying the American Express Logo on your payment page, and ideally on your homepage.
You can download this from the American Express merchant website.
Benefit from complimentary marketing opportunities.
Increase your exposure to millions of Cardmembers from all over the world and attract additional customers at no extra cost by promoting your business on the American Express global Cardmember offers site, American Express Selects: http://www.americanexpress.co.uk/selects
In addition, you can show your customers that you value them and drive increased customer loyalty by placing a targeted message on their statements. After shopping with you, they will see your customised message next to the transaction detail. For more details visit http://www.americanexpress.co.uk/selects
Not yet accepting American Express?
If you wish to accept the American Express card on your website, you will need to apply for an American Express merchant account. To apply for this merchant account through Protx simply complete the referral template and someone will call you back to process your application.
How much will it cost?
As a customer of Protx we will waive the usual joining fee of £125 so that all you have to pay is either a flat fee of £3 per month (which includes up to £5,000 of American Express transactions in 12 months), or a rate of 3.10% on every American Express transaction. You decide what makes most sense for your business.
How long will it take?
Once your application is complete, your merchant account is normally set-up on our systems within 48 hours and will be live on your Protx account shortly after.
Benefits of Accepting American Express
American Express Cardmembers spend more and spend more often!
This can mean additional custom for your business.
On average, American Express Cardmembers in the UK annually spend one-and-a-half times more than other cardholders.
Source: American Express Internal Data and the Nilson Report, 2004.
American Express Cardmembers regularly shop on the internet and are above average internet users, making them an ideal target audience for Protx merchants.
On average, American Express Cardmembers are 66% more likely to spend online than other cardholders.
Source: Target Group Index (TGI) UK Survey, February 2005.
Cardmembers are loyal to their preferred method of payment, don’t unknowingly lose out on business!
31% of Cardmembers agree they are more loyal to establishments that accept American Express.
Source: Retail Value Proposition Research, December 2006
Not just a card for the super-wealthy and business travellers.
There are 70 million Cardmembers worldwide, and nearly two and a half million in the UK alone. In addition to the Corporate Card, American Express offers a range of cards for everyday personal use which are all linked to loyalty schemes.
Your competitors may already accept American Express Cards.
Internet merchants both big and small accept American Express Cards. For example: Amazon, Net a Porter, Empire Direct, CD Wow, Apple, Figleaves and Lastminute all welcome the American Express Card.
To sign up for an American Express merchant account or to speak to an American Express representative, please register now: https://amex.estoriltech.com/protx
Latest News from Sage
Accept payments through Sage 50 Accounts
Protx have been working with Sage to develop a solution that allows you to accept card payments via mail order or over the telephone (MOTO) from within Sage 50 Accounts.
This means that you can automatically update your accounts with the payment information for MOTO orders. You no longer have to re-key the information into your accounts software, or take time importing the data.
This means that whilst talking to your customers on the phone and processing their order, you can take their payment details and create their invoice at the same time.
Key Features and Benefits
- Completely secure: your customer’s card details are entered on a secure payment page from within Sage 50 Accounts and no cardholder information is ever passed unencrypted.
- Payments can be taken simply by pressing a “Pay Now” button in Customer Receipts, Bank Receipts or Supplier Refunds within Sage 50 Accounts.
- The system provides a simple wizard that will take you through the payment process step by step.
- Payments can be reconciled directly into your bank account specified within Sage 50 Accounts.
- The payment functionality will only be available to authorised users so that you can specify which members of staff are able to take payments from your customers.
- All payments will also show up in your transaction reports within VSP Admin.
You can save yourself time and effort keeping on top of your accounts, with Sage 50 Accounts 2008. By linking directly with Protx your accounts are always up-to-the-minute, as it takes your customers’ MOTO payment details and automatically updates your accounts as you take your payment.
This is just one of the great new features of Sage 50 Accounts. Want to know more? Then visit our website.
As you are an existing Protx customer, there is no additional charge for adding MOTO payments using Sage 50 Accounts to your existing Protx account.
Once you have upgraded to Sage 50 Accounts, simply email your vendor name and MOTO merchant number to our support team to add this new payment option to your Protx account.
What do I need to do to sign up for this service?
This new payment option is only available with Sage 50 Accounts. If you would like to upgrade to Sage 50 Accounts, Sage is currently offering the following special offer:
Buy Sage 50 Accounts and SageCover Extra and get up to 20% off
When you buy Sage 50 Accounts with SageCover Extra before 30 September you will get up to 20% off.*
Switching to Sage?
If you’re already using different accountancy software and you’re worried about changing, you needn’t be. Sage have years of experience helping customers switch to Sage, and you’ll get free support for 45 days so we can take you through it step-by-step.
What is SageCover Extra?
When you’re looking after the accounts you want peace of mind knowing you always have support on-hand to help you with your software.
That’s why Sage offer their customers SageCover Extra. As a member of SageCover Extra Sage’s award-winning support team will be there to answer your questions and make sure you get the most out of your software.
And it’s nice to know that whenever Sage release a new version of Sage 50 Accounts you’ll get the most out of your software.
And it’s nice to know that whenever Sage release a new version of Sage 50 Accounts you’ll get your software upgraded – all as part of your membership.
Find out more at www.sage50.co.uk today.
Or give Sage a call today on 0800 44 77 77
*New users can now benefit from a combined Sage 50 Accounts and SageCover Extra pack, offering a saving of 10% on Sage 50 Accounts and Sage 50 Accounts Plus packs and 20% from Sage 50 Accounts Professional packs. This offer is valid until 31 December 2007.
Coming soon…
Since Protx was acquired by Sage in November 2006, we have been working together to deliver even better payment solutions to all our customers.
We are in the early stages of developing an e-commerce payment solution so that you can reconcile your web orders straight into your accounting package. Watch this space for developments next year!
How to…
What does CMS do?
Protx Customer Management Services (CMS) has been designed to make the administration of your Protx account as fast and easy as possible.
The Protx CMS system enables you to perform the following functions:
- Change your billing details.
- Set up or modify your Direct Debit details.
- View your current invoice.
In the future, the CMS system will be extended to allow you to:
- Manage your existing vendor accounts more effectively.
- Apply for new accounts.
- Change currencies and card types.
- Switch fraud prevention options on or off.
- Manage your contact details.
What should you use CMS for?
You should use CMS if you wish to perform the following functions:
- Make minor adjustments to or change the billing contact information on your Protx account entirely.
- View account statements and invoices on or after 1st April 2007.
- Make a payment via credit or debit card to clear any outstanding amounts on your account.
- View or edit your direct debit instruction.
How to log in to Customer Management Services
In order to log in to CMS for the first time you need to log in as an Administrator. The Administrator account will only allow you to create and administer other user accounts, from which you will be able to access the entire CMS system. You will not be able to perform any other functions when you are logged in as an administrator.
To access CMS, you need to type the following URL into your browser:
https://customerservices.protx.com
Click the Customer Login button on the CMS homepage.
You will then be presented with the Customer Login screen:
To log in as an Administrator please enter the following information:
- In the Customer Login ID field: enter your VSP Vendor Name.
- In the Username field: enter your VSP Vendor Name.
- In the Password field: enter your Reporting Password.
(Your reporting password is the same as your VSP Admin reporting password that you use when you log into your VSP Admin account as an administrator).
If you are unsure of your login details, you can access them by clicking on the forgotten password link on the login page.
When logged in as an administrator, you must create your own User account before you will be able to access the full CMS system.
The purpose of the Administrator account is to create other users, modify or delete existing users, and to perform functions such as unlocking users or locking them out of the system. If you become locked out of the Administrator user account, you will need to email info@protx.com to request that your account be unlocked.
Creating User Accounts
When you have successfully logged in as the Administrator, you will be able to view the User Administration screen. You can now create a user for yourself, as well as your colleagues. You will have the option to assign permissions to each user, giving you control over which areas of the system each user is allowed access to.
To create a new user you will need to complete the following steps:
- Click on the create new user button.
- Specify a username, password, display name and email address (which will be used for account notifications).
- When you have entered all the required information, click the save button to save the new user settings.
- The new user account will now be listed in the User Administration table. You will now be able to unlock this new user account, change Account Privileges or delete the user altogether whilst logged into CMS as an Administrator.
- So that the user can view or edit information, you need to assign permissions to the user account. To do so, select the user from the User Administration table and click on the permissions button.
- A Permissions panel will be displayed where you can tick the relevant checkboxes to grant permissions to that user. Tick the required boxes and click the apply button to save your changes.
To log into your CMS account and view or edit your account information, you will now need to log in as the user you have set up.
To log in as a user please enter the following information:
- In the Customer Login ID field: enter your VSP Vendor Name.
- In the Username field: enter your User Name.
- In the Password field: enter the Password that you set up for this user.
Once logged in, CMS provides a menu on the left-hand pane to allow you to navigate easily around the system. Currently there are three main functions available:
- Edit billing contact details.
- View account statements and invoices.
- Set up or edit Direct Debit instructions.
You can click on the Billing Contact or Direct Debit tabs to view your current billing contact or Direct Debit details.
If you require help at any point or if you need an explanation whilst in any parts of the system, you can view page-specific help by clicking on the help link. For further information on the CMS system, please read the CMS User Guide.
New contact details
Change of Protx contact details
We have now moved office and have a new address and telephone number.
Our current address is now as follows:
Holborn Hall
100 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8AL
If you need to send us a fax, our current fax number is:
0845 111 4456
If you need to contact us via telephone, please dial the following number:
0845 111 4455 and select the option relevant to you:
Option 1: Sales and General Enquiries
Option 2: Customer Services
Option 3: Accounts and Billing Enquiries
Option 4: Technical Support
Protx website: www.protx.com
Sage website: www.sage.co.uk
Sage 50 Accounts website: www.sagepaymentsolutions.co.uk/sage50
Information on changes to the Protx system:
Verified by Visa website: http://www.visaeurope.com/verified/
MasterCard SecureCode website: http://www.mastercard.com/securecode/
To log into VSP Admin:
Test Servers: https://ukvpstest.protx.com/vspadmin
Live Servers: https://ukvps.protx.com/vspadmin
To log into CMS: https://customerservices.protx.com
To read the fraud screening rule-base guide: http://www.protx.com/downloads/docs/protxrulebaseguide.pdf
Authenticate and Authorise protocols:
VSP Server:
http://www.protx.com/downloads/docs/VSPServer-Authenticate.doc
VSP Form:
http://www.protx.com/downloads/docs/VSPForm-Authenticate.doc
VSP Direct:
http://www.protx.com/downloads/docs/VSPDirect-Authenticate.doc
Your feedback is welcome
We value your feedback. Please e-mail feedback@protx.com if you would like to comment or make any suggestions on any issues raised in this newsletter. If you have a general enquiry, please e-mail info@protx.com.