Nagasthra, your e-secured payment gateway

This is the last of the series which discussed the limitations of e-commerce set-up and revisited the e-security mechanism to add a business level security layer and execute this security through a simple process of authentication. We end with an article focusing on the technology equipped to play a vital role in the above scenario.

WAP is fast overshadowing other Internet related technologies. This is because it provides easy access to the Internet via mobile devices. This feature can be exploited to enable WAP enabled cellular phone users to conduct commercial transactions on the Internet, thus entirely eliminating the computer.

According to the new model, the end user that pays for the goods purchased will be referred to as mPayee. The person/s who will assist him will be called as Order Help Desk. We would discuss the first scenario where the bank holds the central database.

Each mPayee will have a Virtual Card number and d-PIN, which he gets on registering with the card-issuing bank. The mPayee can distribute his Virtual Card to the Order Help Desk who will follow the existing method to place an order. The only difference is that the Order Help Desk will have to enter the Virtual Card instead of the credit card number.

Unlike the current payment gateway, the payment will not be approved on the basis of the credit card information alone. Though it would appear to the Order Help Desk that an order is being processed directly, the backend processing would seek the approval of the mPayee as described below.

Based on the Virtual Card Number the payment gateway sends an alert to the corresponding mPayee's WAP phone. The mPayee enters his d-PIN to view the pending orders. On authentication of the d-PIN only will one be able to view details such as items being purchased, shipping address and the amount to be paid. Based on this information one can either pay or decline the payment. Accordingly, the payment gateway would permit or deny the payment. The final status is intimated to the Order Help Desk and the transaction is completed.

This describes how an asynchronous transaction between people at different locations can be conducted synchronously by using the "WAP Alerts" technology. This service would go a long way in allaying the fears in people's mind regarding e-payments and encourage purchasing on the Internet.

Proposed e-commerce model

1. mPayee (real customer) calls the Order Help Desk to say what kind of goods he wishes to purchase. Also provides the Virtual Card Number.
2. Order Help Desk (Virtual Customer, Proxy Buyer) places an order using the mPayee's Virtual Card Number.
3. e-shop takes the approval from the issuing Bank Payment Gateway.
4. Issuing Bank Payment Gateway sends an alert to mPayee's WAP phone.
5. mPayee takes decision on the pending order.
6. Issuing Bank Payment Gateway provides the payment status to both the e-shop and the Order Help Desk.

Advantages