Batch Processing
The most efficient way to start processing payments is to send them in batches, where many transactions are submitted in one file and the processing results for all the transactions are returned together.
There are two ways to submit batch files to RAVEN. The first, illustrated below, is to upload the files to an online directory, or “webfolder”, where it is picked up and processed by RAVEN, and then later download the results from a related directory. The second is to use RAVEN Online which is documented separately. With RAVEN online you can upload batch files in the same format but you will not receive explicit response files. Instead you can use RAVEN Online to query for and download results.
Batch processing is most commonly performed through the RAVEN file server. Batch submitters are provided with a login that gives them access to two directories: ‘Payments’ and ‘Reports’. These directories are like drop boxes, submitters place files of payments to be processed into the Payments directory, and RAVEN will in turn place response files into the Reports directory.
The batch processing cycle is as follows:
- Submitter creates a properly formatted Request file.
- User submits the request file to RAVEN by logging into the RAVEN file server and placing the Request file in the Payments directory.
- RAVEN will load the request file, and if it is acceptable, RAVEN will put a Receipt file into the reports folder. This file will show the results of a preliminary validation of each payment. If the Request file contains errors and cannot be loaded, RAVEN will place a Reject file into the Report folder. Reject and Receipt files will generally be created within five minutes. In exceptional circumstances it may take up to one hour.
- Once the payments have been processed, RAVEN will place a Result file into the Reports directory. The time it takes for a Result file to be generated will depend on the payment type. For some types, such as credit card processing, the Result file will follow shortly after the Receipt file. For other types, such as a request to print and ship paper cheques, the Result file may take hours.
- Payments may be returned after they have been processed. If a user elects to be advised of returns, RAVEN will place a Return file into the Reports directory containing payments that have been returned.
If you choose to upload your Request Files via RAVEN Online, you may search for the payment results through your client portal. No explicit Receipt, Result, Reject or Return files will be delivered. Regardless of the method used to deliver a Payment Request File, all payments and payment results can be searched within the RAVEN Online portal; please refer to the RAVEN Online section for more detail about viewing payment results