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Omnichannel Payment Orchestration—Why It's Important To Get It Right

Andrew Riabchuk is the Founder and CTO of Akurateco, a white-label payment gateway platform driving innovation in fintech. getty The efficiency of managing all payments—online, in-store, mobile and even the Internet of Things—in a single, intelligent, connected system is a reassurance every business is looking for when seeking a solution. Omnichannel payment orchestration is the key to this efficiency. It seamlessly integrates card-present (CP) and card-not-present (CNP) transactions into a single, unified platform, eliminating the need for multiple vendors or systems. For merchants, this means more innovative transaction routing, fewer failed payments, faster reconciliation and a seamless checkout experience wherever customers pay. This system also enables businesses to optimize approval rates, reduce transaction fees, increase operational transparency and make reporting and synchronization of the customer experience easier. In this article, I'd like to discuss omnichannel and its benefits for businesses. The increased demand for omnichannel orchestration stems from the stream as businesses expand their presence both online and offline. Businesses no longer need the dance of different systems to facilitate electronic commerce and physical stores. Collecting payment across all channels enables merchants to optimize approval rates, reduce transaction fees, increase operational transparency and make reporting and synchronization of the customer experience easier. Payment orchestration platforms sit in between the merchant and multiple acquiring banks, payment service providers (PSPs) and alternative payment methods (APMs), directing transactions dynamically to the best-suited provider based on parameters like success rate, fee, geolocation or card type and centralizing processing of Card-Present (POS, mobile POS) and Card-Not-Present (web, app, subscription) transactions and providing aggregated reporting and fraud management functionality. Technically, omnichannel orchestration integrates both legacy and modern payment protocols: • ISO 8583 (used in traditional POS terminals) • Protocols like ISO 20022 and NEXO for cloud-native, API-driven, real-time processing Over the last 20 years, card-present transactions have undergone significant technological advancements. We've moved from printed receipts to magnetic stripes, EMV chips and now NFC contactless payments, wallets and phone wallets. This evolution has changed not only the way we pay but also the way businesses process these payments. • From printed receipts to magnetic stripes, EMV chips and now NFC contactless payments, wallets and phone wallets. • Technology has evolved from massive dial-up POS terminals to smart, portable, programmable terminals and SoftPOS programs that run directly on smartphones. • Today, cloud-based payment devices communicate securely via APIs, enabling remote updates, multi-acquirer routing, tokenization and custom payment applications tailored to industries such as retail, hospitality and mobility. • Leading vendors now offer programmable, modular terminals that work seamlessly in multichannel payment organization ecosystems, integrating card-present, card-not-present and alternative payment methods into a single, adaptable infrastructure. • This shift enables organizations to offer faster, more flexible and information-rich personal payment options with centrally managed and enhanced account security through certified PCI PTS-equipped and point-to-point (P2PE) encryption. Emphasizing the potential for growth and future competitiveness, sophisticated AI-based payment orchestration platforms are revolutionizing transaction management by analyzing real-time patterns to direct payments dynamically based on success likelihood, optimize fee structures, instantaneously detect and neutralize fraud risks and forecast demand and acquiring partner capacity for improved planning. Juniper Research projects these platforms to process over $2.5 trillion in global transactions by 2027, testifying to their growing influence within the fintech landscape. However, this evolution brings with it significant challenges: • Technical Complexity: Integrating different protocols, devices, acquirers and APIs into a single orchestration layer • Legacy Compatibility: Combining legacy ISO 8583 infrastructures with modern ISO 20022 or NEXO standards • Compliance And Security: Meeting strict PCI DSS, GDPR and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements • Operational Costs: Managing multi-country acquiring relationships, currency conversion fees, tax reporting and reconciliation processes While AI improves efficiency, risk management and cost control, orchestrating these systems requires deep technical expertise and robust infrastructure to ensure seamless, secure and compliant global payments. AI-driven orchestration is no longer a trend but a business challenge for a company operating across multiple channels and countries. The transition for companies that are already implementing intelligent orchestration gives them a competitive advantage in a market worth more than $10 trillion. It prepares their infrastructure for the future convergence of offline and online payments. Omnichannel payment orchestration is, therefore, the glue that holds online, in-store, mobile and IoT transactions together in a single intelligent system. When done correctly, companies can eliminate fragmented systems, enhance transaction routing, minimize failure rates, accelerate reconciliation speed and provide a frictionless and consistent payment experience across all touchpoints by having card-present and card-not-present payments linked to a single, integrated platform. As the demands of modern commerce intensify, adopting an omnichannel orchestration mindset isn't just a benefit—it's becoming a business necessity that should be taken seriously Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?