Merchant e-Solutions

What is MerchantE

MerchantE, also known as Merchant eSolutions, Inc., is a comprehensive financial technology company that provides an end-to-end payment processing platform. Its main purpose is to simplify how businesses manage money, from accepting payments to making payments and optimizing cash flow. The platform is designed to handle all types of transactions, including online, in-person, and mobile payments, for businesses of various sizes and industries. MerchantE acts as a direct processor connected to major card brands, which can reduce complexity and costs for its clients. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and positions itself as a modern solution for growing businesses needing robust and secure payment capabilities.

MerchantE Features

MerchantE offers a suite of services structured around managing a business's complete financial cycle. Key features include:

• Hosted Payments: Securely accept credit card and ACH payments on your website or application without handling sensitive data directly. This helps with PCI compliance.
• Electronic Invoicing: Create and send digital invoices to customers. Customers can pay directly from the invoice, which speeds up the payment process.
• Mobile Acceptance: Process payments on the go using a mobile device. This is ideal for businesses with mobile workforces or those who sell at events.
• Virtual Terminal: Turn any computer with an internet connection into a credit card terminal. This allows you to manually enter payment information for mail or phone orders.
• POS Terminals: A range of user-friendly Point-of-Sale terminals for retail and in-person environments to streamline the checkout process.
• Multi-Currency Processing: Accept payments from international customers in their local currencies, simplifying global commerce.
• High-Risk Industry Support: Provides payment processing for industries that are often considered high-risk, such as CBD and nutraceuticals.
• Cash Flow Management Tools: The platform includes tools under its Money IN™, Money OUT™, and Money MAX™ services to help businesses better manage their incoming and outgoing funds.

MerchantE Pricing Plans

MerchantE uses a quote-based pricing model, which is common for payment processors. The final cost depends on several factors, including the business's industry, monthly transaction volume, average transaction size, and the specific services required. There are no standard public pricing tiers. Businesses interested in the service must contact the sales team to receive a custom quote tailored to their specific needs. This approach allows MerchantE to create a pricing structure that fits the unique profile of each business, from small companies to large enterprises.

MerchantE Free Plan

MerchantE does not offer a free plan, as it is a transaction-based service. Payment processors make money by charging fees on each transaction processed. However, prospective clients can request a demonstration of the platform to see how it works and discuss their business needs with a specialist. There is no free trial period, but the initial consultation and quote process are free of charge.

How to use MerchantE

Getting started with MerchantE involves a few key steps:

1. Contact Sales: The first step is to reach out to the MerchantE sales team through their website to discuss your business's payment processing needs.
2. Receive a Custom Quote: Based on your business details, you will receive a proposal outlining the services and associated fees.
3. Account Setup: Once you agree to the terms, you will go through an underwriting and account setup process. You will need to provide business documentation.
4. Integration: Depending on your needs, you will integrate MerchantE's tools. This could mean setting up a POS terminal, adding the hosted payment page to your website, or connecting the service to your ERP system like NetSuite.
5. Start Processing: After the setup is complete, you can begin accepting payments from your customers through the chosen channels.

Pros and Cons of MerchantE

Pros:

• All-in-One Platform: Combines payment acceptance, payment disbursement, and cash flow tools in a single ecosystem.
• Supports Various Payment Methods: Offers solutions for online, in-person, and mobile transactions.
• High-Risk Merchant Friendly: Provides services to industries that other processors may decline.
• Direct Processor: Being directly connected to card networks can lead to more reliable processing and potentially better rates.
• Strong ERP Integration: Offers a native, built-in integration for Oracle NetSuite, which is a major benefit for users of that system.

Cons:

• Lack of Transparent Pricing: You must contact sales for a quote, which makes it difficult to compare costs without an initial consultation.
• Potentially Complex for Beginners: The wide range of features might be overwhelming for very small businesses or sole proprietors who need a simpler solution.
• Customer Support: Like many large financial service providers, customer support experiences can vary.

MerchantE integrations

MerchantE provides integrations with key business software, most notably a native integration with a major ERP system. This allows for seamless data flow and reconciliation.

• Oracle NetSuite: MerchantE offers a built-in integration for NetSuite, enabling faster payment capabilities and automated reconciliation directly within the ERP.
• E-commerce Platforms: It integrates with popular platforms like Magento, WooCommerce, and others through its payment gateway APIs.
• Accounting Software: The platform can connect with accounting tools to help automate financial reporting and reconciliation.

MerchantE Alternatives

• Stripe: A developer-first platform known for its powerful APIs and ease of integration for online businesses. It is a strong alternative for companies focused on e-commerce and custom payment solutions.
• Square: An excellent choice for businesses with both in-person and online sales. Square is known for its user-friendly POS hardware and simple, transparent pricing.
• PayPal: A globally recognized payment platform that is very easy for customers to use. It's a good option for businesses looking for a simple and trusted checkout option.
• Adyen: A global payment company that provides a single platform for online, mobile, and point-of-sale payments. It is primarily focused on enterprise-level clients with international operations.

MerchantE API

Yes, MerchantE provides a developer API to allow businesses to integrate payment processing directly into their websites, applications, and software systems. The API documentation provides the necessary information for developers to implement custom payment solutions, including hosted payment pages and direct API connections. To get an API key, you typically need to sign up for a merchant account and then request developer access through their support or a dedicated developer portal.

Here is a generic example of what an API call to create a payment might look like in cURL:

curl https://api.merchante.com/v1/payments \
  -u "your_api_key:" \
  -d amount=2000 \
  -d currency="usd" \
  -d source="tok_mastercard" \
  -d description="Charge for services"

MerchantE Affiliate program

MerchantE offers a Partner Program rather than a traditional affiliate program. This program is designed for developers, financial institutions, independent sales organizations (ISOs), and other businesses that want to offer MerchantE's payment solutions to their own clients. Partners can benefit from revenue sharing agreements. To join, you need to contact MerchantE through the "Partner With Us" section on their website. They will discuss the different partnership models and potential commission or revenue share structures based on the nature of the partnership.