Overview of Electronic Payment System

Abstract

The emergence of e-commerce has created new financial needs that in many cases cannot be effectively fulfilled by the traditional payment systems. The advent of the Electronic commerce has prompted the invention of several payment tools to facilitate the completion of business transactions over the Internet. There are different methods to pay electronically. Recognizing this, virtually all interested parties are exploring various types of electronic payment system and issues surrounding electronic payment system and digital currency. Broadly electronic payment systems can be classified into four categories: Online Credit Card Payment System, Online Electronic Cash System, Electronic Cheque System and Smart Cards based Electronic Payment System. Each payment system has its advantages and disadvantages for the customers and merchants. These payment systems have numbers of requirements: e.g. security, acceptability, convenience, cost, anonymity, control, and traceability. Therefore, instead of focusing on the technological specifications of various electronic payment systems, the researcher has distinguished electronic payment systems based on what is being transmitted over the network; and analyzed the difference of each electronic payment system by evaluating their requirements, characteristics and assessed the applicability of each system. To sustain in the competition more banks are following e-commerce and especially using e-payment mechanism. Though Indian economy is basically cash driven, still India is not far behind in adopting E-payment services in retail and banking sector.