Authorize.Net for NetSuite (SuiteAuthConnect) Frequently Asked Questions
Interested in using Authorize.Net inside of NetSuite but not sure if the solution is right for you? Here’s some of the most commnly asked questions about our innovative workaround to the payment gateway limitations of the NetSuite platform.
How much is this solution (hint $0, forever)?
Nothing – it’s FOSS (Free Open Source Software) – and we mean it. You can pay us to help install it, help customize it (or anything else in your instance of NetSuite) – but there’s no cost for the code itself. There’s no contract, no long term on going fees, nothing. We are here to assist (for a fee) but if you want this solution and want to run with it – it’s yours. Even better – our license legally restricts anyone else from charging you to install or assist with the code – when we say free… we mean it!
Should I use this solution?
Maybe. But even tho we wrote this solution we don’t always say it’s the best answer. What it does do is solve the gap Oracle/Netsuite knowingly leave unfilled for new users of the platform migrating from an environment where Authorize.Net is the most common credit card gateway.
The recommendation is always to see if you can find a natively supported payment gateway to use in NetSuite before you choose this solution. While SuiteAuthConnect works really well – it’s NOT using the “payment gateway plugin” framework NetSuite provides…. Because they won’t let it. So – this creative solution uses all the other native NetSuite API’s and the published Authorize.Net API’s to create a robust credit card processing solution for users that are unable or unwilling to migrate to a new gateway.
How does this solution work if it’s “not native”?
This solution was built to live alongside native credit card processing or to be your only form of credit card processing. To accomplish that the solution uses a variety of UserEvent scripts to perform most of the heavy lifting. The benefit to this approach is the most standard actions in the user interface and most common integrations will work just fine with this as an alternative pathway for processing credit cards. There are a few exceptions where this solution does not work – SuiteCommerce web stores are at the top of that list.
How secure is SuiteAuth Connect?
This solution is as secure as NetSuite and Authorize.Net. Nor more and no less. It runs 100% inside YOUR instance of NetSuite, there’s no other server or system on the internet involved beyond NetSuite and Authorize.Net. NO credit card data is saved anywhere nor does it ever exist other than the call to Authorize.Net. Tokenization of customers cards is not doing anything special other than using the API’s offered by Authorize.Net. Finally – it’s Open Source – so you can see it’s not doing anything with your most valuable customer data!
Does this work with SuiteCommerce?
Nope – it does not becasue we can not use the native payment gateway framework. Now – if you are creative you might be able to make it work but the solutions for doing that are not included in the SDF software.
Can I use my existing web store?
Absolutely! That’s actually what this solution was first built to solve. If you have a leading web store like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Big Commerce or really anything – and it uses Authorize.Net, then this solution might be exactly what you are looking for. The web store would perform the card authorization. Now the authorized order is moved to NetSuite using any integration platform you choose with the transaction reference value from the Authorize.Net card authorization (Free & Open Suite Initiative applications expected to be released in 2021 for major web store integrations – free!). Then the Authorize.Net authorization can be captured, settled, reported on and refunded later all from within NetSuite.
Can I save my customers credit cards for reuse?
Absolutely! But – unlike NetSuite that ACTUALLY stores the real credit card number (a PCI no-no), this solution will only store the Authorize.Net token of the card (and only if you enable that option). The card tokens are linked to only that customer and are managed with tamper detection logic so you can not move one card token to another customer. If you don’t need or want to reuse cards, you can choose to not enable the tokenization and storage feature and the code won’t ask Authorize.Net for a token.
Can I change the code?
Sure – it’s open source protected by the Apache 2.0 license with a Common Clause. You can do with it as you see fit to mold the solution into your exact business needs. All the license protects is any business or consultant from picking up the open sourced code and making money from it.
Can I test it in a Sandbox Account?
ABSLOUTELY! The code was written to understand “non-production” so no matter what you do – it will not charge a real card in any test environment. We recommend installing in a sandbox to play with it. Also – many people are unaware Authorize.Net offers a SANDBOX account for free – and the included PDF that installs with the code walks you through how to obtain and set that up for testing as well! This is credit cards we are talking about here – always want to test things our before you start changing real customers, right!
How do I install it?
It’s pretty easy to install actually but there is a bit of legwork to do it. All the parts to install it are free and documented by NetSuite using their SuiteCloud Development Framework. To get the custom records, custom fields, code, deployments, etc all correctly installed into your account you will need to follow the instructions provided by Oracle/NetSuite to setup a SuiteCloud Development Framework environment, also known as SDF. Currently we do not provide a digested version of that because they keep changing it. Best to look for the documents in the Help repository of your NetSuite instance. It will walk you through downloading and install the Eclipse development tool (free) and setting up the NetSuite plugin (free). From there – you download the code from GitHub and you are almost ready to install it!
How do I uninstall it?
Manually unfortunately – NetSuite’s SDF framework does not provide an uninstall option. Ton uninstall it you just start deleting fields, records and script deployments until it’s all gone. There’s no shortcut here.
How much does this cost?
STILL NOTHING! That’s so hard for people to beleive we put this in the FAQ’s twice – it’s free Open Source software!
Does this support "card present"?
For merchants that process cards in person this solution mimics all the native NetSuite card functionality in the User Interface, allowing sales / customer service / anyone to take an order in person or over the phone. Due to the web based nature of NetSuite there is currently not an option for reading card chips / magnetic stripes directly.
Does this support multiple gateways for different subsidiaries?
It does! The software supports multiple subsidiaries, and multi-subsidiary customers as well.
This seems overwhelming, will you help me?
We certainly can lend a hand as not only did we write this code but Cloud 1001, LLC is a full consulting practice as well. If you need a hand with this or anything else inside NetSuite – don’t be afraid to reach out through the various contact us forms across our site or set up an install NOW!
Will this help with batch settlement / reconciliation in NetSuite?
You bet it will! The software automatically pulls in per-transaction settlement data and there’s even a tool for finding any missing or unbalanced transaction between NetSuite and Authorize.net. Customers have gotten the NetSuite “Make Deposits” process down to just a couple of minutes a day for each batch settlement that gets emailed to them from Authorize.Net each day!