I have been in the software industry for nearly 35 years. You might be surprised at how many legacy software applications, some over two decades old, are still in use today. These programs have provided great solutions and, in many cases, users haven’t been able to replace them, or the software has been working so well that nobody wants to change it. Now, we come to a point where this great software needs a new feature, but its originating language may not be able to accommodate the update. Recognizing this need, I decided to create a solution for such “senior software applications” to utilize them with modern payment acceptance requirements and capabilities, and Smart Connect is the product to the rescue.
The Problem with Legacy Software and Modern Payment Solutions
Legacy software applications, typically designed and developed years or even decades ago, often lack the flexibility to integrate with contemporary APIs or SDKs. These applications may be written in outdated programming languages or operate on older platforms that modern payment solutions don’t support natively. As a result, businesses face the daunting task of reconciling the reliability of their trusted software with the necessity of implementing secure, efficient payment processing.
Why Modern Payment Solutions Are Essential
Integrating a robust payment solution is crucial for several reasons:
- Security: Modern payment systems adhere to the latest security standards, protecting your business and customers from fraud and data breaches.
- Efficiency: Streamlined payment processes reduce transaction times and improve customer satisfaction.
- Compliance: Up-to-date payment solutions ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards, such as PCI DSS.
- Analytics: Advanced reporting and analytics tools help businesses make informed decisions based on transaction data.
The Custom Solution for Your Legacy Software
If a legacy software application needs a payment solution but cannot utilize readily available APIs or SDKs, the good news is that a custom solution can bridge this gap effectively.
Niche Market Software Challenges
Many niche market software applications have not been approached by new development technologies due to their complex requirements. These applications, often tailored to specific industries or business needs, continue to operate effectively. However, they require an integrated payment solution to avoid the mistakes and errors that can arise from processing payments in a separate terminal and manually entering them into the software.
Proven Solution Using Available Technology
Smart Connect is a solution that relies solely on available technology to integrate modern payment processing into legacy software applications. Whether the system is built using Microsoft Access VBA, Pascal, or other older platforms, Smart Connect can seamlessly integrate a secure and efficient payment process.
Example: Microsoft Access VBA Integration
For instance, a recent payment solution was developed for a business using a Microsoft Access application with VBA. The solution required no additional APIs or SDKs, instead leveraging the native capabilities of Access and VBA. Here is a simplified example of how the integration was achieved:
Private Sub ProcessPayment()
Call Shell("""C:\Program Files (x86)\Smart Connect\SCPayment\SCPayments.exe"" /Amount:" & Me![Amount Paid] & " /TransType /AUTORun", vbNormalFocus)
End Sub
This straightforward VBA code allows the legacy Access application to initiate a payment process by calling an external executable with parameters dynamically filled from the application’s data.
Example: Pascal Application Integration
Similarly, for a legacy Pascal application, Smart Connect was developed to interact with modern payment systems through simple command-line operations and file-based data exchanges, ensuring that the existing application logic remained unchanged while seamlessly adding the new payment functionality.
program PaymentIntegration;
uses
SysUtils;
begin
// Example command to initiate payment
ShellExecute(0, 'open', 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Smart Connect\SCPayment\SCPayments.exe', '/Amount:100.00 /TransType /AUTORun', nil, SW_SHOWNORMAL);
end.
Example: FoxPro Application Integration
For legacy applications developed in FoxPro, Smart Connect provides a simple and effective solution. By utilizing FoxPro’s ability to execute external commands, the integration of modern payment systems becomes straightforward. Here is an example of how this can be achieved:
* FoxPro example to initiate payment
lcCommand = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Smart Connect\SCPayment\SCPayments.exe /Amount:" + ALLTRIM(STR(ThisForm.AmountPaid)) + " /TransType /AUTORun"
RUN /N &lcCommand
Solution Formats: DLL and Command Line
Smart Connect comes in two flexible formats to accommodate various legacy applications:
- DLL Format: For applications that can call external libraries, the solution is available as a DLL. This allows legacy software to directly interact with the payment processing functions through well-defined interfaces, making the integration smooth and efficient.
- Command Line Executable: For applications that prefer simplicity and ease of use, the solution is available as a command line executable. This can be launched from any application to trigger a payment device. The command line approach ensures that even the most outdated systems can initiate payments without needing to modify the core application significantly.
Supported Payment Devices
Smart Connect supports a variety of payment devices, including Pax, Dejavoo, and Valor, for a semi-integrated solution. This flexibility ensures that businesses can choose the best hardware for their needs while maintaining seamless integration with their legacy software.
Storing Transaction Results
To maintain compatibility with legacy systems, transaction results are stored in a simple text file format. This file is readily accessible and can be easily read by any legacy Windows application. By using a standard text file, the solution ensures that existing software can handle the payment data without requiring complex parsing or additional software.
How Smart Connect Can Help
By focusing on available technology and understanding the constraints of legacy systems, Smart Connect can develop a payment solution that:
- Integrates seamlessly with existing software.
- Requires minimal changes to the current setup.
- Maintains the stability and reliability of the legacy application.
- Enhances security and compliance, ensuring transactions are safe and adhere to current standards.
- Reduces errors by eliminating the need for separate payment processing terminals and manual data entry.
Let’s Talk
Don’t let outdated software hold your business back. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and discover how Smart Connect can enhance your operations. Together, we can transform your legacy software into a powerful tool for your business.
Kourosh
