Payment Systems Group: Web Services

Web Services

What is a web service?

The simple version...

Simpy put, a web service is a software system designed to support computer to computer interaction over a network.

Web services are usually web applications that can be accessed over a network like the Internet, and are executed on a remote system hosting the service.

More...

The W3C Web service definition encompasses many different systems, but in common usage the term refers to clients and servers that communicate via XML messages that follow the SOAP-standard. Web services present a distributed method call interface that is familiar to many developers. This means that regardless of your platform or in-house technologies, web services serve as the common gateway communication between us.

Here's what web services look like...

Web Services Diagram

Why use web services?

There are several reasons to use web services and all of them benefit you:

We do the heavy-lifting and this leaves you to run your business.
You don't need to have in-depth knowledge about payment processing, NACHA Rules, Regulation E, etc.
Platform independent. It doesn't matter what programming languages (.NET, Java, etc.) you use or what platform you operate on (Microsoft, Linux, Unix, Sun, etc.)
Changes in technology or regulations are constantly maintained and upgraded by us.

What about using file transfers?

Web services are superior to file transfers for several reasons. Perhaps the most important reasons are instant confirmation, validation, and response.

Typically, with file transfers, you are left wondering if the person you sent your file to actually received it. Not in this case. You are instantly aware of any connection or transfer problems.
Your data is verified in real-time as you send it. This provides you with an instant response if any data required correction. You're not left waiting for several hours or till the next day.
The basis of web services is communication between machines. It's not a one-way conversation. You receive responses for all data sent so you know if it's correct or not. Once you've transferred everthing and it's been validated, you know you're done with nothing to worry about.

XML Transaction Samples

Our goal is to make payment processing simple for you. Below are some samples of how easy it is to use web services to process payments:

Debiting a Customer's Account

<Transaction>
     <CustomerName>Smith,Tom</CustomerName>
     <TransactionAmount>999.00</TransactionAmount>
     <ACHFee>1.20</ACHFee>
     <AccountNumber>123456789</AccountNumber>
     <RoutingNumber>987654321</RoutingNumber>
     <Transaction>Debit </Transaction>
     <AcctCode>Checking </AcctCode>
</Transaction>

Crediting a Customer's Account

<Transaction>
     <CustomerName>Smith,Tom</CustomerName>
     <TransactionAmount>999.00</TransactionAmount>
     <AccountNumber>123456789</AccountNumber>
     <RoutingNumber>987654321</RoutingNumber>
     <Transaction>Credit </Transaction>
     <AcctCode>Checking </AcctCode>
</Transaction>

It's that easy.

Account Setup and Testing

The first step is to contact us to create your account. Once this is done, you will be assigned a subscriber account. This will give you access to our Support Center.

At the Support Center, you will have access to detailed information on how to communicate with our web service. We provide samples for download, process flows, and will be happy to assist you with any development needs.

Once you are ready for testing, we will begin the verification process. This allows both you and PSG to make sure everything is formatted correctly and working properly.

Once testing is complete, we will turn your account live!