The new payment standard was introduced in October 2005 in order to offer buyers and retailers on the Internet, greater security with regard to online payments. Today over 10% of all e-commerce transactions in the Netherlands are already done via "iDEAL".

"iDEAL" is an online transfer with payment guarantee that offers numerous advantages, which customers can use as an alternative to paying with a credit card over the Internet. The process is user-friendly, simple, cost-effective and, above all, highly secure. In the retailer's on-line shop, customers can choose the "iDEAL" payment method by clicking on the "iDEAL" logo, where they will be directly forwarded to their banks' website.

A decisive factor in Atos Worldline being granted the implementation and operation contract was that the company was able to fulfil all of the operator's technical requirements and complete the project within budget and according to schedule in just nine months. "We were looking for a reliable service provider who already had proven experience in implementing major projects on an international scale. In addition, it had to be able to provide cost-efficient processing and offer a "one stop shop" solution, with development and operation from a single source. Atos Worldline was able to meet all of these ambitious demands. The company specified the functionalities and created a highly available acquiring platform in an incredibly short time and, what's more, supported the banks in a design and advisory capacity, which proved to be particularly helpful in the integration of new supplementary functionalities to be determined specific to the banks," states Bart Nicolai, at that time Senior Product Manager TWYP/iDEAL Acquiring, ING Group, Amsterdam.

Bank-specific adjustments mean that the system can also be used on a European and international scale. For instance, at present there is a standard that can be adapted for use throughout Europe that facilitates standardised implementation using a Single European Payment Area (SEPA).

According to Erik Munk Koefoed, Executive Vice President and responsible for international business at Atos Worldline, "iDEAL reinforces our capacity to garner new customers in the international arena and to accomplish on our own demanding large-scale projects in a flexible manner within the stipulated time frame. In addition, with "iDEAL" we are operating an acquiring platform for a payment standard that can really compete with similar methods in other countries."

The retailer begins a payment inquiry with the corresponding bank. Customers identify themselves on their bank's web site for the payment procedure by the use of a "security code", such as a PIN or TAN number or a password. After the buyer's identity has been validated and the bank has authorised the payment procedure, the payment takes place online in real time and is guaranteed to the retailer. Customer and retailer alike receive a payment confirmation as proof of the purchase transaction.

Designed to be user-friendly and forward-looking, the standard is also open to modern payment methods such as mobile, mini or micro payments. Acquisition, maintenance and changeover costs are easy to understand for the user.