PaymentNet™ Releases Java Technology-Based Transaction Interface Client and Upgrades For Enterprise Applications

Businesses building Web store/back office interface applications
in the Java™ language can now get faster transaction
processing execution with greater security and stability

Pleasanton, CA . - January 12, 1999 - PaymentNet (www.paymentnet.com), announced today that it has released a new interface based on Java™ technology for its outsourced e-commerce payment processing service, now in use by a wide range of Web businesses from enterprise-class companies to SO/HO (small office/home office) merchants.

The new transaction processing client based on Java™ technology is immediately available free of charge at www.paymentnet.com for both Solaris™ and Windows NT platforms, and delivers payment performance, security and stability enhancements to Web business IS departments writing Java technology-based applications to link back-office processing systems to Internet storefronts.

"We are delighted to see today’s announcement of PaymentNet’s new enterprise e-commerce transaction interface," said Dr. Lew Tucker, director of strategic marketing at Sun Microsystems’ Java Software. "Payment processing is an important element in linking legacy systems to the emerging Web storefront environments. This new PaymentNet offering is a great example of the use of Java technology on the client-side."

The Advantage of Java Technology

The new client implementation based on Java technology is ideal for enterprise-class applications where programs written in the Java language are used to interface between an Internet storefront and back-office functions such as database access, accounting, inventory control, and related management functions. The new Java client is written in C++ with a Java Native Interface (JNI).

To enhance performance, the library is compiled to native machine language with key functions optimized for fast payment processing. To enhance security, developers can now write their internal interface applications in the Java language, eliminating the need to create system calls for payment processing that increase code complexity and create potential security issues. Developers consequently avoid the need to accommodate a non-Java payment processing interface. The new Java client provides robust payment processing capabilities and is based on PaymentNet client application code that has been extensively tested and used by hundreds of e-commerce sites to conduct millions of transactions.

Based On PaymentNet’s Version II Client

The Java technology-based client is based on Version 2 of the PaymentNet merchant-side client, which includes a number of new features of value to enterprise IS and business unit managers. Chief among them is support for electronic check processing through PaymentNet’s alliance with TeleCheck.

This service, now in pilot, delivers the first system for full-function real-time processing of consumer checks without the need to generate a paper draft for submittal to a merchant bank. Through TeleCheck, a leader in payment verification and guarantee services, the service not only delivers real-time processing, but also fraud screening, authorization and merchant guarantee service.

About the PaymentNet Service

PaymentNet provides secure, Internet-based transaction and payment processing on an out-source basis for both enterprises and small merchants who sell goods and services via the Web and call-centers.

PaymentNet offers industry-leading automation and customer care with its high-reliability credit card, debit card, and electronic check processing services.

The PaymentNet Service is the leading single-source, multi-payment Internet gateway. It has been deployed across a wide range of large and small merchants with excellent results, and has proved its value to key payment processing, banking, ISP/distribution and technology partners. The PaymentNet system is deployed using a free, easily integrated thin client binary file.

The service is based on an agent/host architecture, and leverages the Internet as a virtual private network between its proprietary payment processing server and individual clients dispersed on Internet and Intranet locations.

The PaymentNet Service represents a powerful alternative for merchants who have been disappointed by slow, cumbersome, inefficient and costly Internet-based payment processing solutions that have their architectural and feature origins in the "pioneering" era of Internet payment technologies.

About PaymentNet

PaymentNet, Inc. is an out-source provider of automated, highly secure, Internet-based, real-time transaction processing services for merchants of all sizes and business approaches. PaymentNet is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, and can be found on the Web at www.paymentnet.com. Contact PaymentNet corporate offices at
925/225-1670.

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PaymentNet is a trademark of PaymentNet, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, Java, Solaris and "The Network is the Computer" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

PaymentNet Contact:
Scott Collison
PaymentNet, Inc.
(925) 598-1106
scollison@paymentnet.com