Merchant Advice


Quick Links


image - mouse  The Payment Process

image - mouse  When will I receive my money in my bank account?

image - mouse  Some important information about batch files

image - mouse  Which card types do Sage Payment Solutions support?

image - mouse  Fraud Advice


image - Section Divider


The Payment Process


There are two stages to every transaction: Authorisation and Settlement.


Authorisation: Sage Payment Solutions obtains authorisation from the banks as soon as the transaction card details have been submitted from within Sage 50 Accounts. Once a transaction has been authorised, the customer's card is shadowed for the amount that the authorisation was obtained for. This means that for a certain period of time, those funds (transaction amount) are reserved and cannot be spent elsewhere by the customer. Authorisation alone does not mean funds are then transferred to your account. An authorisation must be "settled" by your acquiring bank.


Settlement: In order for you to obtain the funds i.e. to get them transferred into your bank account, Sage Payment Solutions sends a batch settlement file to your acquiring bank on a daily basis. This includes all authorisation codes obtained over the last 24 hours.


back to top


image - Section Divider


When will I receive my money in my bank account?


In order for your transaction funds to be transferred into your bank account, Sage Payment Solutions sends a batch settlement file to your acquiring bank on a daily basis at 2am. This settlement file will include all the authorisation codes obtained over the last 24 hours for all your authorised transactions. Once submitted and confirmed by the acquiring bank, it will then take the acquiring banks approximately 3 to 4 days to settle this money into your business bank account, depending on the agreement you have with your bank when you applied for your Internet Merchant Number.


back to top


image - Section Divider


Some important information about batch files


As the batch files are sent after midnight, the date of the batch is always one day after the date of the transaction - e.g. Transactions for 12th April will be in the batch file dated 13th April.


Each batch file contains transactions from midnight to midnight (e.g. 11th April 00:00 - 12th April 00:00), covering a 24-hour period.


We send all transactions for settlement individually, however the banks may group these transactions in their own way - e.g. by card type - please note we cannot change this.


The normal time for money to be transferred is 3-4 working days from the batch date. However this can be up to 28 days if your merchant agreement terms and conditions dictate that.


We provide all available information to the banks, according to the information defined in their communication protocols. We cannot send any additional information to that which has already been sent.


Please note, we have no influence over the information on bank statements. This is controlled by the banks themselves, so any enquiries relating to statements should be directed to the bank concerned.


If you use multiple acquirers (e.g. you accept Amex and/or Diners Club) you will see more than one batch settlement file for each date. This is because we send a separate file to each acquirer.


back to top


image - Section Divider


Which card types do Sage Payment Solutions support?


Card types are the Credit and Debit cards that you use on the high street.



Visa card image Visa Electron card image Mastercard card image Maestro card image Solo card image  Visa Delta card image Amercian Express card image Diners Club card image JCB card image


  •   Visa

  •   Visa Delta/Debit

  •   Visa Electron

  •   MasterCard

  •   Maestro

  •   Solo

  •   American Express

  •   Diners Club

  •   JCB

  •   International Maestro

To process American Express, Diners or JCB cards you will need to set up a separate merchant account with each of these banks.



We do not support


1. Purchasing or Corporate cards


Protx are a 'Business to Consumer' service not a 'Business to Business' service and do not support the VGIS module ('line item detail' features).


2. International Electron cards


Only UK Electron is supported.


3. Laser cards


We recently integrated with EuroConex and will shortly be supporting this Bank of Ireland card (eta 2007).



For further information on card types and the type of cards you will be able to process please visit the Protx technical support website. Protx is the technology partner behind Sage Payment Solutions.


back to top



image - Section Divider


Fraud Advice


Sage Payment Solutions ensure that your customer's card details remain secure throughout the transaction process.


We also provide several tools to help you to protect your business against fraud.


Key Features:


  • AVS: this allows you to check the numeric in the cardholder's billing address with their card issuer.

  • CV2: this allows you to check the additional 3 or 4 digit security code found on the signature strip on the back of the card.

  • Verified Payment Data Query (VPDQ) with The 3rd Man: this is an extensive risk management tool that is provided within VSP Admin to help you detect and prevent fraud.

  • Fraud screening reports: access to simple and easy to understand fraud screening reports from within VSP Admin.

  • Tailor made fraud screening: we give you the ability to set up rules on your account to tailor the level of fraud screening to suit your particular business.

  • High risk transaction alerts: transactions that are found to be high risk are highlighted in your VSP Admin reports.


For further information on fraud prevention and how to set up rule bases on your account please read our VSP Admin User Guide or visit the Protx technical support website. Protx is the technology partner behind Sage Payment Solutions.


back to top