Questions to Ask Before Approaching an Integrated Payments Partner

In today’s digital world, offering integrated payments is becoming an expectation for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). The challenge, however, is that the intricate world of payments often falls outside the expertise of most ISVs. This is where choosing the right integrated payments partner becomes crucial. In this blog post, we will discuss the key questions you should ask before working with an integrated payments partner to ensure the most seamless and successful collaboration.

Let’s start with one of the most important criteria.

How Easy Is the Integration Process?

One of the biggest concerns ISVs have about working with any partner is how much work their teams will have to perform and if that work will pull them away from their primary business objectives. To gain a clear understanding of this, ISVs should consider asking the following questions:

• What systems or platforms do you integrate with? In other words, is this potential partner compatible with your existing infrastructure?
  
  
• What is your integration process? Is it easy to understand? Are there multiple steps, or is it a “plug-and-play?” A well-defined and efficient integration process ensures a smooth transition and minimizes the risk of errors or complications during implementation.
  
  
• Is there an opportunity for customization? Can you see how your unique needs will be addressed during integration? It’s crucial to work with an integrated partner that can facilitate customized solutions.

Payroc’s Approach to Integration

At Payroc, we’ve developed integration paths with ISVs in mind, giving them the choice between a low-code or a no-code approach. For example, some ISVs look for simplified coding during integration. In those cases, our PAYBYCLOUD solution is ideal because it involves only a few lines of code to enable processing for CNP and CP payments — all through the same gateway.

That means no lift from ISVs to dedicate a large engineering team or create multiple API calls and authentication methods. This seamless, low-code transaction process also makes integration with external accounting and management software easy, so settlements and reporting can be just as seamless.

For those ISVs interested in a no-code option, Payroc also allows for a white label option in order to manage any payment type and reporting.

How Is Merchant Onboarding Handled?

First impressions are lasting. The merchant onboarding experience can set the stage for a healthy and positive working relationship with your merchants. When evaluating an integrated payments partner, ask the following questions:

• How streamlined is your onboarding process? What are the steps to facilitate a smooth process? The less friction, the better.
  
  
• Does the potential payments partner offer automated onboarding? Find out if there’s an opportunity for merchants to onboard themselves, and reach out with questions.
  
  
• What level of personal service is provided? This is where you can learn what’s expected of your team.

Merchant Onboarding Made Simple

Onboarding is a hassle that’s rife with friction, especially when you’re boarding each merchant manually. Again, the less tedious, repetitive work your team has to do, the more time they can allocate to bringing your business goals to life. Payroc’s straightforward and user-friendly onboarding experience can be automated or handled by our team. It’s your choice: onboard merchants yourself or delegate to the experts.

How Easy Is Transaction Processing?

When it comes to integrated payments, the transactions should be frictionless and almost undetectable. Make sure your payments partner can deliver by asking:

• How seamless is the processing for various payment types? This goes back to the constant thread of finding out how much work your team will have to perform.
  
  
• Is there an option for single-source payment processing? Granted, you may have existing relationships with various processors types, but it’s important to determine if there’s an opportunity for more efficiency.
  
  
• How efficient is the coordination across payment processors? By asking this question, you can determine where the potential disconnects may happen and what can be done to avoid them.

Single Source for Transaction Processing

As a full-service acquirer and gateway, Payroc wears many hats. Most importantly, we can serve as the single source for all payment types and control all aspects of the payment chain to provide the best end-to-end solution. ISVs have the option to offer a full range of payment types – card present, card-not-present, ACH for cash or checks, and even PAD for Canadian payments.

How Are Settlements Handled?

In today’s payments ecosystem, ISVs often have third-party financial relationships where revenue is shared. Distribution of settlements can get complicated. The last thing you want is to find yourself working with a partner that cannot accommodate those complex requirements. Make sure to clarify a critical question:

How do you handle multiple funding destinations? The answer you’re looking for is “seamlessly.” If a potential payments partner can’t answer this question in a clear way, consider that a red flag.

Dynamic Funding Has Never Been Easier

Payroc’s settlements API streamlines funding and settlement processes to facilitate nearly any type of funding arrangement and payments partner through our platform. No matter the granularity, you can easily direct funds anywhere.

What Type of Reporting Is Available?

How your integrated payments partner facilitates reporting can make or break your ability to measure profitability and maintain relationships with merchants. Make sure to find out the following:

• How easy is it to pull reports? It’s easy to assume that every potential partner makes reporting easy. Don’t fall into that trap. Ask for a demo and see for yourself.
  
  
• Can reports be customized? As much as a payments partner may understand your industry, they won’t know every KPI your company measures. Make sure there’s an option to create custom reports that suit your business needs.
  
  
• What are your options for analyzing the data? Can the data be downloaded? Is there a white label option that allows you to brand the reporting hub for merchants to access? Depending on your current and future needs, these are important questions to ask.

All the Data You Need, When You Need It

Payroc offers everything from direct access to our Insights Portal to full-scale white labeling that embeds reporting within your solution. ISVs can also extract and leverage data into your own proprietary systems.

Specifically, our reporting capabilities can highlight:

• Total funds available for partner splits
• End-to-end transaction flows
• Transactions with minimum processing
• Authorizations and disputes
• Status of disputes
• 1099s and K-9s for automatic submission

What Kind of Support Will We Receive Post-Integration?

It’s not uncommon for some of the more popular payfacs and other integrated payments partners to be unavailable after an ISV downloads the partner’s API. In fact, many ISVs learn this the hard way. Here are some questions you can ask to avoid this situation:

• What post-implementation support do they provide? Your integrated payments partner should offer comprehensive support, including assistance, maintenance, and troubleshooting to address any issues that may arise.
  
  
• How do they handle future updates or changes? As you read this, payments technology is continuing to evolve. Your payments partner should be evolving in lockstep to make sure that you have access to and can offer your merchants the latest innovations as they become available.

Keeping You Informed and Ahead of the Curve

At Payroc, we’re known for our commitment to support. Every ISV is assigned a dedicated partner manager and support team to ensure a smooth journey, prompt support, and swift issue escalation as needed.

When it comes to technology, our APIs make it possible for us to make updates in one location – whether it’s to expand payment types, introduce a new payment terminal, or make our processes even more efficient. Once that change is made, it’s instantaneously available everywhere our APIs are used.

For example, if we add connectivity to the latest hardware innovation, your merchant can literally “plug and play.” There’s no need for installation or testing. It’s simply ready to use as soon as it’s delivered. In this way, we help you keep pace with the future of payments as it unfolds.

Choosing the right integrated payments partner is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the success of your business operations. By asking the right questions, ISVs can find the perfect match for long-term success.

For more information about Payroc’s leadership in integrated payments and payments technology, contact us.