Terminology
Common terminology and their descriptions.
| Term | Description |
| Authorisations (also known as purchases) | This transaction type will hold funds on the Customer’s card. In the case where the Merchant is instant settlement (i.e txnType=8), these funds will be instantly credited to the Merchant as part of Latitude’s daily settlement process. Where the Merchant is delayed settlement (i.e txnType=18), these funds will be credited to the Merchant at a later time upon completion of the subsequent capture request from the Merchant. |
| Captures (also known as settlements or completions) | Where the Merchant is configured for deferred settlement (i.e txnType=18), an authorisation must be followed with a capture request for the funds to be settled with the Merchant |
| Refunds (of settled goods) | Refunds are only applicable to purchases/orders which are in a settled state. Thus, refunds are applicable to Merchants who - are instant settlement, or - have performed captures |
| Settlement Method | Latitude’s contractual agreement with the Merchant will indicate when the Merchant will be paid for items purchased by the Merchant’s Customers. Instant Settlement (settlement method 1) indicates the Merchant will be automatically paid without the need to perform a Capture. Merchants with Deferred Settlement (settlement method 3) are required to manually perform the Capture via Latitude APIs (or Staff And Merchant Portal (SMP) if API integration has not been completed). |
| Merchant Portal (also known as Staff And Merchant Portal or SMP) | Latitude/Gem-hosted web service to provide administration functions such as viewing the interest free transactions and promotional information and retrieving settlement statements. Can also be used for order management, however it is advisable to perform order management via the platform or payment gateway where available. It is highly recommended to choose one method to maintain orders. If the Payment Gateway is used, Merchants no longer need to use SMP |
| Voids (unsettled goods, also known as merchant reversals) | Where the Merchant has not been settled (paid) for the goods, if a Customer cancels their order, this transaction type will void the initial Authorisation and release the "held" funds |