WebSmart

WebSmart allows councils to accept credit and debit card payments via their website by creating a direct connection to the banking network. Rather than collecting the card details on the councils own site, the card details are entered by the customer directly onto the banks own site, removing any security concerns about web based payments.

This solution will cater for any payments the local authority wish to take over the Internet and accept multiple transactions simultaneously with an average clearance time of six to eight seconds. The website will then display a transaction complete page, (either success or failure), with a unique transaction number and/or deliver an email receipt to the user. There are no credit or debit card details stored on the website or recorded in LogSmart.

Before a payment is made, WebSmart will validate the invoice or reference number and where required make sure that legal action for the outstanding amount is not pending. Based on the type of payment being made, WebSmart is optionally able to add a surcharge to the payment or to accept only a specific card type such as a debit card. Where appropriate, e.g. council tax payments WebSmart can also offer the person paying the bill the opportunity to set-up a direct debit mandate online instead. If they decline, the system simply reverts them back to the card payment process.

Taking the payment on-line is only the first stage of the payment process. Payment details are stored in LogSmart to provide a full auditable trail and can be posted from here to their relevant fund code or general ledger as part of the fully automated distribution process.