This service allows for internet shopping (and any other transaction where a card is not physically present) by way of credit card to be much more secure for both buyers and sellers. This ‘on-behalf-of’ service reduces the risk of unauthorised use of a cardholder’s account. It enables card issuers to verify a cardholder’s registered CNP PIN on-line and provides results to the merchant in real time during the checkout process. This service therefore reduces the merchant’s exposure to fraud and unnecessary disputes, and protects the cardholder from fraudulent use of their credit card.

This was introduced by and forms part of Visa’s verified by Visa (V by V) and MasterCard’s secure code (3D Secure) programme which reports on results in real time.

The solution can be customised and supports a variety of implementation methods. Upgrades are easily rolled out from a central point and local application support is available. Robust, scalable and easy to administer, the solution also includes a reporting functionality.

Features and advantages

• Flexibility:
  
  Issuers and acquirers can make use of several methods to implement the solution, offering a seamless integration and upgrade path. The core authentication software is hosted centrally at BankservAfrica, allowing the implementation of one central upgrade which automatically upgrades the issuer solution with the latest release. Acquirer upgrades may differ, depending on the customisation required.
  
   

• Administration:
  
  The system has been designed around ease of use. Issuers are provided with full merchant and administration systems as part of the standard product offering.
  
   

• Customisation:
  
  The BankservAfrica solution can be customised to meet issuer and acquirer requirements. All customisation can be facilitated locally within reasonable timeframes and reasonable costs.
  
   

• Robustness:
  
  The MPI (merchant plug in) has been designed and built to cater for an ASP (active server pages) environment, enabling the management and implementation of large numbers of merchants with little impact on current processes.
  
   

• Support:
  
  BankservAfrica offers local application support which is handled efficiently and professionally on site.
  
   

• Reporting:
  
  The system has a fully developed web-based reporting module to provide users with accurate reporting on transaction volumes, status and raw message material. This reporting module can be customised to cater for unique requirements.
  
   

• Reduced risk:
  
  BankservAfrica will sign contracts with the suppliers of verified by Visa and SecureCode to ensure continuity.
  
   

• Disaster recovery:
  
  BankservAfrica offers customers full disaster recovery, with a second infrastructure hosted at another BankservAfrica site, offering business continuity within 48 hours, as per the Visa requirements.
  
   

• Track record:
  
  BankservAfrica has successfully implemented several issuer and acquirer solutions in South Africa and internationally.