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Anacom Communications' WebCharge
By Kevin Reichard
June 25, 1999

Simplicity is the order of the day with Anacom Communications'' WebCharge online-transaction service. There is no need to install payment software on your server, nor deal with the hassle of configuring expensive encryption software. There is also no programming involved on the merchant''s end, as the set-up work needed to enable electronic transactions is part of the initial fee.

WebCharge integrates with existing order forms and shopping-card software either on a local server or an ISP''s server. Users don''t need anything on their end (like e-cash or wallet capabilities) to place orders on a site -- all that is needed is a secure Web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

The basic mechanism behind WebCharge is simple: a merchant''s online storefront links to the Anacom commerce server (either via a direct link or through a shopping-cart software used by the merchant) which performs all credit-card transactions. The user will not realize that they connected to the Anacom site, as the entire process is run in the background, with the communication occurring between a merchant''s Web site and the Anacom payment server only. It''s up to the individual merchant to supply a generic "thank-you" page indicating that the transaction was successful and completed for the customer''s benefit. After a transaction has been approved, merchants will receive an e-mail detailing the order and the payment confirmation. Customers receive an e-mail receipt of their order as well. Once the transaction has taken place, it''s then up to the merchant to fulfill the order.
Security Features
An area where Anacom distinguishes itself from the rest of the marketplace is in its special security system, Internet Fraud Screening (IFS). Basically, IFS is a level above the basic security offered by the actual credit-card vendors, and works by applying a series of filters to transactions. (The basic screening is applied to all transactions at any Anacom plan, while users of the premium service have the ability to add filters.) The Basic IFS includes credit-card number and type validation, required data field checking, proprietary data encryption, and duplicate checking. The Premium IFS includes checking against a negative credit-card database, IP address filtering, e-mail address filtering, country filtering, area code/state matching check, and zip code/state matching check.

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