Payment Plus Initiative Supplier FAQ

Program Strategy

1. Why has the University of Kansas decided to pay our company by Visa card payments?

Our goal is to optimize our commercial card program in order to improve process efficiency and working capital management, as well as reduce the cost of processing paper checks.
This initiative also supports our green initiative by reducing our use of paper.
Our suppliers benefit from this strategy as well, since Visa payments provide consistent, predictable payments and allow for streamlined processes.

2. What are the benefits to our company of receiving payment by Visa payment solutions instead of check or other payment methods?

More and more, suppliers are coming to realize that they can enjoy significant, tangible savings from accepting Visa payment solutions from their customers, including:
- Working Capital Management: As an incentive, KU is agreeing to pay card accepting suppliers on approval of invoices; which may result in a significant acceleration of payment.
- Process Efficiency: Suppliers can reduce internal processing and transaction costs by eliminating paper-based processes, including check processing and associated reconciliation efforts.
- Customer Acquisition and Retention: By allowing KU to pay by Visa Commercial Card, suppliers provide a valued service which may be a determining factor in becoming or remaining a preferred supplier. Additionally, as other customers seek to concentrate more spend with fewer preferred suppliers, those who offer flexible and beneficial payment solutions may receive increased revenue and strengthen their competitive advantage.

3. Can our company receive payment by ACH instead of card?

Our goal is to expand our commercial card program as much as possible in order to optimize the benefits we can achieve from process efficiency, working capital management, and spend visibility.
As such, our preferred method is a Visa card payment.

4. Are there fees associated with receiving payment by Visa card payments?

The standard processing fees administered by a supplier’s merchant acquiring bank will apply. We encourage suppliers to review their merchant account agreement and discuss ways to achieve the most favorable rates with their bank.
Additional programs may be available to help reduce these fees based on the transaction size, level of data provided, and frequency of transactions processed.

New Payment Process

5. How will card payment change KU’s current purchasing and payment process with our company?

The current processes for orders and invoices will remain the same. The only change will be to the payment process.
With the new payment process our suppliers will receive an email notification for each payment instructing them how to obtain the card account, the amount to process using their Point-of-Sale device/software, and other pertinent details of the transaction.
The new process will allow both our suppliers and KU to streamline operations.

6. What is the process for being paid by the KU Payment Plus program?

The supplier will receive an automated email notification for each payment. These emails will contain a link to a secure web portal where the supplier will obtain the unique Visa payment card account number, the amount to charge, and the other pertinent details of the transaction needed to process and reconcile the payments. The payment card account number will change with each payment so suppliers will not be required to keep this information on file.
We ask that suppliers include the appropriate invoice numbers and/or purchase order numbers when processing the transaction.
Follow this link for more information about the Payment Plus activation and payment process (pdf).

7. What is the CVV2 value?

Proof that the payment card is in the right hands – The 3-digit security code shown on the back of your Visa card lets merchants know that the card is in the right hands when the customer is not present during the transaction. Your Point-of-Sale device/software may require you to enter this value.

Additional Help

8. How do we get set up or what do we need to do to accept payment card payments?

Company Name:
Remittance Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Contact Name:
Contact Title:
Contact Phone:
Remittance Email(s)*:
CVV2 Required: [Yes] [No]

*This is either a Receivable Dept email(s) or designated person to process card transaction payments.

For those suppliers who currently accept payment card payments, they can begin this new payment arrangement by completing the below information (include multiple remittance addresses as appropriate) and send it to the KU Enrollment Team at PPLUS@ku.edu or by fax at 866-935-4843:

You will then receive an automated email notification for each payment. These emails will contain a link to a secure web portal where the supplier will obtain a unique Visa payment card account number, the amount to charge, and the other pertinent details of the transaction needed to process and reconcile the payments. The payment card account number will change with each payment so suppliers will not be required to keep this information on file. We also ask that suppliers include the appropriate invoice number(s) and/or purchase order number(s) when processing the transaction for our reference.

For those suppliers who are not currently set up with a merchant account, to arrange for basic Visa card acceptance, they should contact their corporate banking service provider or contact our preferred payment card service provider, Elavon. Elavon is a bank card acquirer that specializes in business-to-business transaction processing. Suppliers can reach an Elavon Account Manager at 800-707-6122. Once this step is completed suppliers should contact the KU Enrollment Team at PPLUS@ku.edu or call 888-337-3159 to complete the remaining steps as noted above.

9. Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

For enrollment support or questions about the KU Payment Plus program, please email us at PPLUS@ku.edu or call 888-337-3159.