Auto Batch Settlement – This feature allows merchants to set a specific time for auto-settlement of transactions across terminals in PayCloud, allowing merchants to control settlement timing while ensuring proper batch management and reconciliation.

Key Technical Details

• Absa’s daily settlement cut-off time is 21:00.

• Transactions banked after 20:30 will most likely be settled together with the next day’s transactions.

• Batch numbers increment by 1 each time a device is banked (settled). Multiple settlements in a day will result in multiple batch numbers.

• Auto-settlement times are configured per merchant profile. Once set, all terminals under that merchant profile are updated, ensuring consistent settlement across the estate.

Merchant Considerations

• Some merchants prefer all transactions for a single day to have the same batch number, simplifying reconciliation. Hence, they will most likely prefer to have their auto-settlement time set later, as some merchants trade until late.

• Others are fine with multiple batches per day if it aligns with their cash flow and operational needs.

• Choosing the right auto-settlement time can help balance timely settlements with batch consistency.

Best Practices / Tips

• Confirm the merchant’s preferred settlement time to align all terminals under their profile.

• If merchants want one batch number for a day’s transactions and trade after 20:30 until late, consider setting auto-settlement later in the evening.

• Educate merchants about how late transactions will roll into the next day’s batch to prevent confusion.

FAQ or Common Issues

• Q: Can late-day transactions be included in the same day’s batch?
  A: Transactions banked after 20:30 are generally settled with the next day’s transactions due to the 21:00 Absa cut-off.

• Q: How do I adjust the auto-settlement time?
  A: This is configured per merchant profile in PayCloud. Once updated, all terminals under that profile adopt the new time.