The single message system is a payment processing workflow that allows authorisation and clearing to happen concurrently, triggered by a single message from the merchant.
The single message system differs from the alternate workflow option: the dual message system. With the dual message system, the merchant has to send two messages to the issuer — one for authorisation and a second for clearing.
There are several reasons why a merchant might prefer the single message system over the dual message system.
- The single message system is quick, allowing the merchant to have faster payouts.
- The single message system is easy to reconcile, reducing the risk of mismatching errors between authorisation and settlement.
- The single message system is efficient, finalising a sale instantly so a merchant doesn’t have to come back to it later.
Both Mastercard and Visa offer merchants a single message system. However, Mastercard handles the workflows a little differently than Visa. Mastercard has a list of chargeback reason codes for the single message system and a different list for the dual message system. Single message system reason codes are typically two digits — like 53. Dual message reason codes are four digits — like 4853.
Regardless of whether your business uses single message or dual, AltoPay can help you create an efficient, cost-effective payments strategy.
