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Frequently Asked Questions

Interested in our payment testing and ATM testing solutions, yet not quite sure what features you need, how our platforms works or what functionalities they have?

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On this page you’ll find answers to the most frequently common questions we receive here at Paragon Application Systems. 

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Web FASTest FAQ
VirtualATM FAQ
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Web FASTest

 

 

On-Demand Payments Testing: Anytime, Anywhere
Web FASTes is a web-enabled platform designed to support a wide variety of payment testing scenarios and use cases, including functional tests, regression tests, certification tests, performance tests, and many more.
What card schemes does Web FASTest support?
You can use Web FASTest with dozens of global, national and regional card schemes, and multiple message formats, including Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Discover, CUP, AS2805 and Interac.
What browsers does Web FASTest support?
Currently, you can use Chrome, Edge, and Firefox with Web FASTest.
How do I manage my users and testers?

A key benefit of Web FASTest is improving collaboration among your staff members, while providing your administrators with centralized control.

Your Web FASTest system administrators manage individual user IDs, passwords, emails, connections and more. Additionally, your administrators have the flexibility to set up roles and permissions for groups of users or individual users to control who can view and share tests and virtual tests.

Can a tester see another tester's data?
Your Web FASTest system administrators have total control over who can view, edit, and share test data. Your administrators will use Web FASTest to set permissions and roles for groups and/or individuals that grant read/write or read-only access to test data.
Can I use my own test cards?
You can import contact and contactless test cards into a Web FASTest soft card database from a file or by using an external chip card reader. Execute transactions using either the imported soft cards or using the physical test cards through an external chip card reader attached to your workstation.

Web FASTest Commercial

 

 

Does Paragon work with the card schemes, networks, and hardware vendors?
Yes, we regularly engage with the card brands and networks to ensure that we provide timely support for the industry mandates that your organization requires. We participate in network partner programs when they are available. Also, we frequently communicate with ATM hardware vendors and participate in vendor partner programs when they are available.
Is there a trial version of Web FASTest available?

A trial version of the software is not currently available, however your organization can contact our Customer Experience Team to explore the option of a Proof of Concept (POC).

How does Paragon license the software?
Web FASTest is licensed according to the functionality that you require and the number of users that will access the system. The software is made available on a term basis, typically for five years. We can accommodate either named or concurrent licensing scenarios and additional users can be licensed at any time. Paragon’s Customer Experience Team can assist you with details for these options.
Does Paragon offer testing services?
You can contract with our Professional Services Team to assist with testing services in support of your Web FASTest implementation.

Web FASTest Implementation

 

 

How do I convert data from my existing test tool?
Paragon’s Professional Services Team is available to help evaluate your data conversion requirements and can provide a statement of work (SOW) detailing how we can assist with your migration requirements.
What are my deployment options?

You can choose from three standard deployment scenarios for setting up Web FASTest:

  1. A Simple Installation, in which a single web server resides inside a web-facing DMZ. The Web FASTest Server has Web FASTest installed as an ASP.NET application, with IIS and the Web FASTest database.
  2. In a Dual-Tier Installation, a Web FASTest Server (with IIS and Web FASTest installed) resides inside a DMZ while a Database Server is deployed in a more secure network zone which is protected from the DMZ by a firewall.
  3. In a Triple-Tier Installation, a Web FASTest Application Server and Web FASTest Database Server reside inside a Partial Trust, with the Web FASTest View Server in a DMZ.

All deployment options are covered in detail in the product’s Implementation and Planning Guide. If you have questions about deployment options, contact our Customer Experience Team to discuss your requirements

How long does my initial project take?
Since each customer has unique requirements and business drivers, the timing of each project will be dependent on your priorities, availability of resources, etc. For most customers, a Web FASTest implementation will typically take from 1-6 months.
Does Paragon have a SaaS option?
We do not currently offer a SaaS option for Web FASTest. However, you can deploy the product in a private cloud environment, as well as on your premises. If SaaS is your preferred deployment option, we would like to discuss your requirements.

VirtualATM

 

 

Can I compare/test two different ATMs at the same time?
You can simultaneously run multiple copies of the simulator on one desktop to compare/test more than one ATM at once.
Can I display my own screens and graphics?

Yes, because VirtualATM uses the configuration load file from your physical ATM and has a connection to your test host system(s), the screens and transaction flows on the VirtualATM Simulator are exactly like those your customers experience on your physical ATMs.

What ATM applications does VirtualATM support?
We have experience working with CEN/XFS compliant ATM applications from Diebold Nixdorf, NCR, Hyosung, and KAL.
What about other applications loaded on my ATMs?
All the software applications from your physical ATM are captured as part of the virtualization process and can be tested using the VirtualATM Simulator.
Can I manage my own ATM images?
Yes, you can manage your own ATM images and many customers do this. Our Professional Services Team offers training on how to virtualize and maintain your ATM images or we can manage the images for you.
Does VirtualATM support Windows 10?
Yes, you can test both Windows 10 and Windows 7 based ATMs. You can also install and operate VirtualATM on a Windows 10 PC/VM.
Can VirtualATM support my ATM device configuration?
VirtualATM supports any devices that use the CEN/XFS standard. This includes card readers, PIN pads, depositors, cash and coin recyclers, etc.
How do I track communications between the ATM and the host?
You can trace host and ATM communications through the VirtualATM Proxy Trace feature and filter the traced messages to focus on those related to cards, terminals, errors, and so forth.
Can I test ATM fault conditions?

You can use VirtualATM to test faults, jams, and error conditions. You can test many ATM faults by simply selecting the fault from the VirtualATM Fault List.

Options during fault testing allow you to delay the occurrence of the fault (for example, you can specify that the third bill dispensed triggers a dispenser fault) and you can also "stage" faults so multiple faults occur during a single transaction. (Also, alternatively, you can manually configure faults.)

Can VirtualATM support automation?

You can use VirtualATM to record scripts that replay all the steps that occur during any transaction. You can then play (and replay) transactions as desired and compare the results of your automated tests to your previous test results. In addition, you can duplicate, edit, and combine scripts that you have recorded and use them to create new transactions.

You can use automation features in VirtualATM to:

  • Record ATM transactions.
  • Make changes to the script details to create new scripts.
  • Compare screen images for each step of the test transaction.
  • Compare screen text using OCR.
  • Perform data-driven testing utilizing the VirtualATM Scripting API.
  • You can also generate reports of your automated tests with detailed information for every step of your test, including images (such as images of expected and actual screens and receipts).
Does VirtualATM support remote key load?
Yes, VirtualATM supports both signature-based and certificate-based RKL.
Can VirtualATM support kiosks?
VirtualATM can support Windows-based CEN/XFS compliant kiosks.
Does VirtualATM support Bitcoin ATMs?
We are not aware of any clients who are currently using VirtualATM to test Bitcoin ATMs. If you are interested, let us know so we can discuss your requirements. If the devices utilize the XFS standard, we should be able to support them.

VirtualATM Commercial

 

 

How can I get a demonstration of VirtualATM?
You can request a product demonstration here. Before scheduling the demo, we will gather some information from you to ensure that the demo session meets your needs.
Is there a trial version of VirtualATM available?

A trial version of the software is not available; however, you can contact our Customer Experience Team to explore the option of a Proof of Concept (POC).

Does Paragon offer ATM testing services?
You can contract with our Professional Services Team to assist with testing services in support of your VirtualATM implementation.
Does Paragon work with ATM hardware vendors?
Yes, we regularly engage with ATM hardware vendors and participate in vendor partner programs when they are available.
How does Paragon license the software?

VirtualATM is licensed according to the functionality that you require and the number of users that will access the system. The software is made available on a term basis, typically for five years.

We can accommodate either named or concurrent licensing scenarios and additional users can be licensed at any time. Our Customer Experience Team can assist you with details for these.

Are users licensed as named or concurrent?
We can accommodate either named or concurrent user licensing scenarios. Our Customer Experience Team can assist you with details for these options.

VirtualATM Implementation

 

 

What does virtualization mean?
Virtualization refers to the act of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including virtual computer hardware platforms, storage devices, and computer network resources. In this case, we are creating a virtual image of your physical ATM that enables you to use VirtualATM to test with the actual software stack from your physical ATM and the simulated CEN/XFS devices from your ATM.
Does VirtualATM allow multiple test host connections?

Yes, your virtualized ATMs use TCP/IP connections, just like the physical ATMs in your test lab. If you need to use multiple test hosts during testing, VirtualATM includes a host proxy to simplify switching between your hosts.

 
How long does a VirtualATM implementation take?
Since each customer has unique requirements and business drivers, the timing of each project will be dependent on your priorities, availability of resources, etc. Typically, a VirtualATM implementation will take 2-6 months.
Does Paragon work with ATM hardware vendors?
Yes, we regularly engage with ATM hardware vendors and participate in vendor partner programs when they are available.
How does Paragon license the software?

VirtualATM is licensed according to the functionality that you require and the number of users that will access the system. The software is made available on a term basis, typically for five years.

We can accommodate either named or concurrent licensing scenarios and additional users can be licensed at any time. Our Customer Experience Team can assist you with details for thes

Serving the payments industry to innovate with confidence
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How does Paragon handle support?

You can communicate with us 24x7x365 through the Paragon Customer Portal. This accelerates information exchange and leads to faster resolution of any issues.

Through the Paragon Customer Portal, you can do any of the following:

  • Ask questions
  • Report an issue with the application
  • Check on the status of open issues
  • Access the latest release of the software
  • Request an enhancement
How often does Paragon distribute software updates?
We currently make new software releases available every two weeks via the Paragon Customer Portal.