If you are running an online business, you are going to need the benefits of business transaction processing. Both large and small business transaction processing can be done with the click of a mouse harnessing the power of the Internet. Learn about the structure and uses of business transaction processing.
What is Business Transaction Processing?
Business transaction processing is the process of taking money or information from a customer, and delivering a product or service to them in return. Most often, business transaction processing involves credit card purchases, where the customer inputs their credit card information, and receives a product or service in return.
Categories of Business Transaction Processing
Business transaction processing can fall into several categories. The most common are batch processing, and real-time processing.
Batch Processing
Batch processing refers to transaction processing that does not occur immediately. The information is stored in a computer and sent to the business in batches of multiple sets of information. For example, if you write a check at a store, your check will be deposited in a batch of other checks, which will not occur immediately. This type of processing is usually done at brick-and-mortar businesses, not online.
Real-time Processing
Almost all Internet transaction processing business strategies involve real-time processing. Real-time processing means that the credit or debit amount occurs immediately when the customer makes a purchase. When possible, the customer receives their product or service immediately, or it is shipped in a relatively short time from the purchase. The lightning speed of the Internet is one of the reasons that real-time processing is becoming so frequently used.
Framework for Business Transaction Processing
One of the most important features of creating effective framework for business transaction processing systems is to create a scalable business critical transaction processing plan. This type of plan will be easily adapted for individual businesses without changing the entire structure of the framework. Usually, the business-critical transaction processing a pplications are built around database software that allows the client or business to build Web applications to their own unique specifications.
The databases used in transaction processing must be developed to deliver an immediate response to multiple users at the same time. With the power of the Internet, there are literally thousands of people making transactions at any giving moment. This demands massive scalability in the databases used in business transaction processing.