Global fintech for SMBs

Miami-based Unified Payments, a subsidiary of Net Element Inc. since 2013, earned the No. 1 spot on the Inc. 500 list of America's fastest growing companies in 2012. Today the fast pace continues with tech-driven, value-added innovations. Most recently, Same-Day ACH (automated clearing house) payments became an option on its gateway for the benefit ecommerce and card-not-present merchant clients.

"Tapping into the ACH network creates a valuable alternative for many merchants who need eCheck processing, along with taking credit cards," said Vlad Sadovskiy, President of Unified Payments. "Additionally, NACHA rules have evolved and Same Day ACH is offered by Unified Payments. We continue to offer the fastest funds availability to all of our merchants regardless of the payment methods they choose to utilize."

Since Net Element's acquisition of PayOnline in 2015, the online payment platform serving millions of consumers and thousands of merchants across Europe and Asia has undergone a beta launch in the U.S. market guided by Unified Payments, with full release slated in 2018.

"With the entrance of PayOnline in the United States and getting certified here with direct processing relationships, we will finally be a global gateway from component to the entire business," Sadovskiy said. PayOnline offers plug-in capability compatible with most popular shopping carts.

Also on the horizon and expected to be implemented by Q2 2018, Unified Payments was approved as a payment facilitator, which will further unify systems. "It will entail a few things," he said. "Number one, it will include our PayOnline gateway on the front end. Number two, it will include an omnichannel environment where by design it will be able to process card-present retail or restaurant, as well as card-not-present aggregated transactions."

Developer and ISO centric

Unified Payments employs an in-house team of about 30 developers, a considerable achievement for a midsize ISO. "The team currently covers the development of smart terminal applications and our internal Sales Central system, which can combine and aggregate individual portals," Sadovskiy said, which means sales partners can manage multiple residual streams within one portal.

He noted that partners can manage residual streams from outside sources through Unified Payments' portal at no charge. In addition, the company subsidizes ISO partner business development and has created a lending program for anyone who qualifies.

"We've created a program that we internally call ISO Incubator," Sadovskiy said. "You can start as an ISO with us, and you could start it from the agent level, and become a full direct processor through TSYS, and have front and back end controls all the way down. When it's time to sell, we can accommodate the conversions for you, and you get the maximum amount of money."

The company also offers a true rent-a-BIN (bank identification number) program for qualified ISOs interested in registering and having portability built in.

Development of smart apps for Android, iOS and Windows devices is ongoing. "We believe that the business of tomorrow is going to be conducted on smart terminal devices," Sadovskiy said. "We've Chosen Clover Mini, Clover Flex and Poynt to be those devices. We created a multi-POS offering, a cluster board of three different systems."

As a certified developer for Poynt Co., Unified Payments has developed several apps for the Poynt Apps Marketplace, including gift card and other value-added programs. For added flexibility its Window's-based Aldelo and iOS-based Aptito smart POS systems are popular with merchants. Merchants can actually test a POS system for 90 days and if not completely satisfied make an exchange for another system Unified offers, he added.

Unified Payments also rewards ISO partner achievements. "The most successful ISO of the month can come and visit us, meet with executives and have a nice mini vacation on us," he said. With a Miami vacation on the line, motivating agents to board new merchants is seldom an issue for Unified Payments' partners.

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