PaperCut uses the concept of "TopUp Cards™" or "Pre-Paid Cards" to provide a convenient way for organizations to issue credit or extra quota to users. The concept is very similar to using coupons or vouchers. Using cards is optional and they are not required for simple quota management or silent logging. TopUp/Pre-Paid cards are specifically designed for the school, college or university.

The process works as follows:

1. The network administrator prints a set of customized cards. Each card lists a value, an "valid 'til" date, and a unique ID. Cards are often sealed in envelopes or only handled by a trusted parties.
2. When a user requires additional credit, they purchase a TopUp/Pre-Paid Card. In a school environment, cards can be sold at the library, cafeteria/canteen, or even in the candy vending machine.
3. The user logs in to the systems web interface and enters the card's number.
4. The user's account is automatically credited with the value listed on the card. The card then becomes inactive.

PaperCut Software has worked closely with a number of organizations to design the TopUp/Pre-Paid card system. Over the years we have evaluated a number of payment technologies in conjunction with our education customers. These have included vending machines, smart cards, micro-payment systems, and manual processing. The TopUp/Pre-Paid Card system has been by far the most successful and cost and is a great alternative or compliment to the payment gateway. TopUp/Pre-Paid Cards are also the defacto standard in other areas such as the mobile phone sector (used to handle pre-paid accounts) and iTunes Music Cards. Users, particularly students, will be familiar with the process.

PaperCut NG provides the software, a card creation wizard, and a security framework to implement a TopUp/Pre-Paid Card payment system. Now for a quick tour...

creating cards

the card wizard

• Use to create cards your own TopUp Cards / Pre-Paid Cards
• The card wizard is a separate component installed with PaperCut
• Wizard style interface guides you though the process of creating and using cards
• Integrates with Microsoft Word

defining a batch ID

• Each batch of cards is given unique batch ID
• Batch ID's can be used to track card sale location
• Use batch numbers to quickly track and cancel lost batches

card details

• Allocate a value, and set an expiry date
• Expiry dates ensure cards have a time limited life
• Create batches of different sizes ranging from 5 cards to 10,000

design your own cards

• Use Microsoft Word to design a custom look
• Integrates in with Microsoft Word's mail-merge feature
• Include your own logo, usage instructions, and other details

generate & print

• The card wizard automatically creates a Word document ready for printing
• Cards defaults to a common "Business Card" size
• Need a professional look? Print to PDF and email to your local printing shop for professional printing onto card.

using the cards

entering a number

• Users log in to PaperCut's web interface and enter the card number under the card section
• All activity is logged
• Integrate the PaperCut web tools interface into your organization's intranet site

track

• Import new batch of card numbers
• View the status of all cards
• See which cards are allocated, to who it was assigned
• Review the time and date of card use
• Delete or expire cards by number, date or batch ID

what you can't see

• Fraudulent card use attempts are detected, trapped and logged
• Highly Secure - guessing numbers is practically impossible*

* With 1,000 cards in circulation, the chance of guessing a number is 1-in-10,000,000,000,000, or in non-mathematical terms, it would take over 300,000 years to guess a number if a person enters one number every second!