A. A payment gateway is a combination of hardware and software that provides merchants with the ability to perform real-time credit card authorizations from a web site over the internet.

Q. What are the benefits of having a gateway?

A. Some are listed below:

• Security: Gateways utilize state-of-the-art technology that keep customers' credit card data behind "firewalls," so that the likelihood of the data being accessed by an outside source is lessened.
• Encryption: Gateways use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) channel encryption to deter message tampering while the credit card information is being transmitted over the Internet.
• Back-up Redundancy: Gateways have a back up system in place to ensure that merchants can continue processing in the event of an emergency.
• Up-to-Date Technology: Gateways are services that are constantly upgraded to be up to date with the latest technology. And, because the gateways are not on merchants' computers, there is no need for the merchants to upgrade their hardware.
• Price: Gateways save the cost of an additional phone line that would be needed in a dial application

Q. How do I get my gateway set up?

A. When your web site is built and the merchant account is approved, the payment gateway will be automatically set up allowing you to perform real-time credit card authorizations. ADVANCED PAYMENT TECHNOLOGIES provides complete gateway solutions or you may elect to use your own provider. In either case, simple linking with the gateway provider will have you processing very quickly.

Q. Do I need any equipment or a separate phone line to access and use my gateway?

A. No. All you need is a web browser and internet access.

Q. When an order is placed how do I process the transaction?

A. When an on-line shopper purchases your merchandise, an "authorization" is obtained for the credit card used from the card issuer. Once you have shipped the product, you access your gateway interface from the internet and "settle" the order so the funds can be processed and transferred to your account. Depending on the type of account you have set up, there may be very little for you to do.

Q. Can I use the interface to process returns?

A. Yes. One of the options on your gateway processing page is "Credit," which let's you refund all or part of an order payment to the customer.

Q. Can I set up my account to automatically capture money?

A. Yes. Through your interface, your software will allow you the options of "auto close", where your Internet credit card transactions are automatically transmitted at a predetermined time and settled into your account, or "manual close" where you facilitate the settlement of the transactions. This processing model is designed for merchants who offer services, sell digital goods, or ship products within 24 hours of order placement.

Q. Can I process any kind of credit card through the gateway?

A. Through the gateway, you can process VISA®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, and Diner's Club®, assuming that you are authorized to process all of these cards.