by Ben Dwyer Converge (previously known as VirtualMerchant and a current service of Elavon) offers a flexible payment system for accepting online payments.
You can accept credit and debit cards, electronic checks, and gift cards. Converge supports major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club.
Converge offers a fully-hosted solution, allowing the convenience and security of payment information going directly to Converge. A buy button is available to facilitate quick purchases. Converge can support Level II business and purchasing cards with more stringent security requirements, but cannot currently support Level III.
In addition to the payment gateway, Converge offers a Virtual Terminal to accept payments for in-person card-present transactions and for mail and telephone payments. Virtual Terminal payment forms can be customized to include fields specific to your business. You can take advantage of the option to store customer information for repeat purchases, or recurring payments. An account updater is available to keep stored card information up-to-date, reducing the number of declined transactions in recurring billing.
Converge is available in the United States and Canada, and can support payments in multiple currencies. You can set up multiple users and limit the permissions so that users only have access to the functions they need to complete their jobs.
Security
For cardholder security, Converge utilizes end-to-end encryption and tokenization technologies, simplifying PCI compliance for your business. Additionally, Converge uses industry-standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates to ensure secure transactions.
Features
Converge’s available features make payment acceptance safe and easy. Features include a hosted payments page to reduce transaction risk and provide maximum ease for customers, robust reporting options, API resources for developers, a suite of fraud management tools, and optional peripherals for use with a Virtual Terminal, including card readers, printers, check scanners, and PIN pads.
Hosted Payments Page
For security and convenience, Converge offers a fully hosted payment page. Customer payment information is hosted and stored on Converge’s secure servers, minimizing risk to businesses while keeping a seamless checkout process for customers.
Reporting
Converge provides detailed reporting with up to 1 year of data storage for easy business management. Report data can be exported in CSV format for use by other programs and applications for analysis and reconciliation.
API Resources
Converge APIs enable developers to write code for applications to integrate with the Converge payment gateway to accept payments. Converge provides documentation and sample code and can support a variety of popular programming languages.
Fraud Management
MasterCard and Visa 3D Secure Authentication is available to help reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions. 3D Secure Authentication requires customers to enter their specific Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode passcode when entering payment information. Additionally, you can set up fraud tools for specific variables, allowing to decline transactions by card number, IP address, email, and more.
Additionally, Converge utilizes CVV and AVS. CVV is used to confirm the 3-digit code printed on credit cards to ensure a buyer has the credit card in their possession. AVS, or Address Verification System, helps minimize fraudulent transactions by comparing the address provided by the buyer with the address on file at the credit card company of the card being used.
Accessories
For card-present transactions using the Virtual Terminal, Converge supports card readers, printers, PIN pads, and check scanners. The Converge Device Assistant must be installed to use peripherals. Specific supported accessories vary, but Converge currently supports the following:
Card Readers
- MagTek Mini Wedge USB card swiper
- MagTek MagneSafe Mini Wedge USB card swiper
Printers
- Serial Epson T20 Thermal Printer
- Parallel printer using network-connected printers
PIN Pads and Combo Devices
- PINPad 1000SE
- Equinox L5200 Combo Signature Capture, Swiper, and PIN
Check Scanners
- RDM 7111 with MSR
- MagTek Micr Imager with MSR
