This case study explores how one of the largest processing centers in Azerbaijan, AzeriCard, implemented Apple Pay and Google Pay in collaboration with Akurateco, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars and months of development.
About AzeriCard
AzeriCard is a leading processing center in the Republic of Azerbaijan, certified by international payment systems like MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay, and JCB. As AzeriCard is not affiliated with any particular bank, it operates as an independent entity. Today, it is servicing the majority of the country’s banks, performing processing for 16 banks in Azerbaijan and abroad.
This company specializes in providing banks and large businesses with access to payment systems, enabling them to process card issuance, card acquiring, and other card-related transactions. Azericard actively implements state-of-the-art payment technologies such as Internet and mobile banking, card-to-card transfers, municipal transport payments via contactless bank payment cards, and many others.
Where were they coming from?
When AzeriCard decided to expand its payment offerings with Apple Pay and Google Pay for card-not-present transactions, several reasons were driving them to search for a white-label payment software vendor.
The demand for contactless and mobile payments in the region
In recent years, mobile payments have gained significant traction in Azerbaijan. Tech.az states that by mid-2023, 62% of all card transactions in Azerbaijan were non-cash, with 83.3% of e-commerce transactions also being non-cash. Such a rapid shift was driven by growing smartphone penetration, increased internet access, and a push for cashless payments in the region. As demand for contactless and mobile payments surged, providing a favorable environment for technologies like Apple Pay and Google Pay, AzeriCard recognized the need to offer these payment options to their clientele.
A need for network tokenization technology
However, in order to process mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay, payment systems heavily rely on network tokenization and data encryption. Network tokenization is a type of payment card tokenization offered by the payments network — Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, etc., that replaces primary account numbers (PANs) and other card details with a unique identifier, called a token, issued by the card brand.
Simply put, when a user adds a card to their digital wallet, the actual card number is replaced with a token, used instead of the actual card details during transactions. It provides enhanced security — since the real card number isn’t shared, the token cannot be compromised and used for fraudulent purposes.
To learn more about network tokenization, check out our recent article:
In addition to tokenization, Apple Pay and Google Pay also rely on data encryption to protect sensitive information. Each time a payment is initiated, a cryptogram — a unique, encrypted piece of data — is generated to verify the authenticity of the transaction and ensure the integrity of the payment data.
Before the payment can be completed, this token must be decrypted. For Apple Pay and Google Pay, token decryption happens within their systems while card networks like Visa or MasterCard perform token validation, including matching the payment data with the original card information and verifying the cryptogram. Thus, token decryption and validation rely on specialized services and infrastructure, ensuring the security and accuracy of every transaction.
The need for a cost-effective and flexible solution
When AzeriCard set out to integrate mobile wallet payments, they were searching for a cost-efficient and flexible payment partner that could offer a comprehensive service for integrating Apple Pay and Google Pay into their system without disrupting their core software. After evaluating several options, they selected Akurateco’s white-label payment system, which offered seamless integration with Apple and Google Pay.
Akurateco not only provided secure tokenized payments but also went beyond, offering a complete interface with both front-end and back-end systems. This allowed AzeriCard to accept requests from merchants, connect to Apple and Google Pay, generate the necessary token, decrypt it, and send the processed data where needed — all without interfering with their existing infrastructure. Akurateco’s authorization as a partner of Apple and Google, along with the system’s flexibility and cost-effectiveness, made it the right fit for AzeriCard.
How we implemented Apple and Google Pay for AzeriCard
As an integrated and approved payment gateway for Apple and Google Pay, we provided AzeriCard with a comprehensive solution. This encompassed the entire process, from adhering to branding requirements set by Apple and Google to initiating payments from start to finish and generating tokens. As part of our role, we performed token validation at the payment provider level, ensured secure token generation and decryption at the token services level, and then forwarded the processed data to AzeriCard’s existing payment vendor for further handling – Alexandra Dolia, COO at Akurateco
This approach allowed AzeriCard to maintain its current payment infrastructure and flow while leveraging Akurateco’s external system for mobile wallet payments. By doing so, they streamlined the integration process and avoided potential complexities associated with additional development work. Akurateco’s solution ensured compliance with Visa and Mastercard standards and provided AzeriCard with an efficient, cost-effective way to seamlessly integrate mobile wallets into their system.
What did we achieve together?
Working with Akurateco, AzeriCard now benefits from a more streamlined payment process, offering Apple Pay and Google Pay mobile wallets for card-not-present transactions among their current payment methods. Here’s what we achieved together:
- AzeriCard benefited from a fast time-to-market, saving months in the development and integration process, which gave them a competitive edge in the market.
- The company remained fully compliant with Visa and Mastercard tokenization and security requirements, future-proofing their operations against evolving regulatory standards.
- By introducing these widely used mobile wallets with Akurateco’s expertise, AzeriCard has contributed to the rising adoption of mobile payments in the region, benefiting local banks and merchants and positioning itself as a key player in the market.
Need a hand?
If you’re looking to implement mobile wallets or other innovative payment features and achieve transformative results for your company, Akurateco is here to help. Our team will gladly answer your questions and guide you through our system, delivering a tailored solution to fit your business needs.
About Akurateco
Akurateco is a global PCI DSS-certified white-label payment software vendor that offers tailored solutions for financial institutions and fintechs worldwide, helping them unlock new revenue opportunities and reduce existing costs. Our platform supports a wide array of payment methods, including card processing, alternative payments, mobile wallets, and cryptocurrency transactions. Akurateco is also an authorized partner of Visa and Mastercard to provide secure tokenization services, crucial for processing mobile payments.
