Payments & Settlement Engine - PSE
The USP PSE platform is a complete payment and settlement solution, which enables operators to allow 3rd party service providers (XSPs) to bill the operator's customers safely and securely without exposing the operator or the XSPs to potential revenue leakage, fraud or unsolicited charges. These Operator Payment Services can be offered as a hosted solution or the USP PSE platform can be installed as an in-network solution.
PSE is split into two interworking components, Payments and Settlement, both of which can be deployed independently, though Settlement is rarely deployed by itself. The Payments API enables 3rd party Service Providers (XSPs) and merchants to charge subscribers of the operator for their services and to receive appropriate settlement. In addition the platform supports charging 3rd parties for use of network resources. For both components there are associated 3rd party and customer care and self care functions, integrated with Aepona's Partner Relationship Management (PRM).
Click here to download the Aepona USP brochure which includes further information on our Payments and Settlement Engine.
At the heart of Aepona's NaaS solution set is the acclaimed Payments and Settlement Engine (PSE), which has been created by integrating the ValistaPlus™ product suite into Aepona's Universal Service Platform.
An operator's subscribers are charged through the operators' existing charging instruments, such as post-paid bills or pre-paid accounts. The settlement component provides the necessary data for the business systems to settle automatically with the 3rd parties, whether paying them their revenue share for services rendered, or charging them for network use or a combination of both.
PSE Components
Aepona's Payment & Settlement component of the Universal Service Platform licensed software suite includes modules for payments, settlement, and merchandizing. Built in a modular fashion, operators are able to determine which modules best fit their needs. These modules include (click on each for more detail):
The PSE Payments module is a unified platform supporting multiple payment options over multiple channels including operator bill, credit/debit card, premium SMS, stored value and loyalty. It is the only solution that enables multiple payment options to be combined in a single transaction, while enabling funds to be distributed in real-time among multiple recipients involved in the transaction. For example, funds can be shared with intended recipients while also paying the service provider's transaction charges in real-time..
The PSE Stored Value module is a prepaid account that provides payment processors with a low-integration, low-risk, low-cost payment solution. Users can have multiple stored value accounts each of a different currency including virtual currencies such as loyalty and game points. The module enables companies to expand their customer base by tapping into the unbanked market while simultaneously enabling lower value payments, minimizing non-payment risk, and reducing processing costs.
The PSE Subscriptions module provides users with flexibility to create a wide range of subscription programs based on criteria such as date and time. It also supports promotional programs such as discounted or trial periods with commitment periods and cancellation terms which protect revenue. The module provides users with a payment method for increasing sales by encouraging users to sign up to an ongoing subscription while simultaneously lowering the operational costs associated with repeat transactions.
The PSE Settlement module manages the settlement relationship between all participants involved in a transaction such as a payment processor, merchant and advertiser. The module provides out-of-the-box support for common revenue-sharing terms while also providing flexibility in specifying revenue-sharing terms through a simple to use browser-based application. The use of a standard accounting ledger system ensures money is neither created nor lost ensuring accuracy. By automating the settlement process, users improve their operational efficiency preventing potentially costly mistakes.
The PSE Discounting module provides users with the ability to offer promotional discounts to target customer groups. The module is designed to provide maximum flexibility in creating discounts to meet the dynamic changes in sales models with a variety of eligibility criteria including merchant, product, monetary and time-based conditions. Through ValistaPlus Discounting, users are able to target and incentivize consumers to make the types of purchases required to meet the business needs of the merchant and/or the payment processor.
The PSE Bundling module provides users with the tools to create promotional bundles; motivating consumers to purchase a higher volume of combined products at a lower price than if individually purchased. It offers users flexibility in designing bundles and targeting to specific markets through a variety of criteria including pre-defined eligibility rules, pricing, and bundle details. The module incorporates user-friendly care applications, simplifying the creation process and enabling bundles to be quickly defined based on market needs.
The PSE Loyalty module has been designed to enable users to establish loyalty and promotional programs. It allows customers to sign up for loyalty accounts, accrue points, and use or transfer the points in partial or complete payment for goods and services. The module also provides analytics such as amount of points awarded over a time period, expiry profile of points, and reports on services take up to facilitate continuous improvement of loyalty programs.
