Support for external gift cards

This article explains how to set up external gift cards in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce Store Commerce app, the call center, and the storefront.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce supports both internal and external gift cards. Internal gift cards are managed entirely in Dynamics 365 Commerce, whereas external gift cards are administered by a third party. If a retailer's operations are run entirely in Microsoft Dynamics, internal gift cards are sometimes the best solution. For complex enterprises that span multiple countries or regions, and multiple point of sale (POS) systems, it's often best to use a third party to manage gift card balances and enable gift cards to be used across those systems.

Like support for other card payment types, support for external gift cards must be built into the payment connector that is used. The out-of-box payment connector for Adyen supports external gift cards through SVS and Givex in POS, the call center, and the e-commerce storefront.

External gift card setup

Note

Some setup steps assume that demo data is used. The steps might vary, depending on the dataset that is used. The test connector is for sandbox purposes only. The test connector is not supported for use in UAT or production environments.

Card types

1. Search for Card Types.

2. Select New, add the following values, and then select Save.

   Field name	Value
   Card ID	EXTGC
   Card type name	External Gift Card
   Card types	Gift card
   Card issuer	Enter any description.

Card numbers

1. On the Card types page, select the newly created gift card, and then select Card numbers.
2. Specify the range of card numbers that should be used for external gift cards, and then select Save.

In the following example, if the first four digits of a card number are 6036, the card will be mapped to the gift card that you set up in the "Card types" section of this article.

Field name	Value
Card number from	6000
Card number to	6999
Digits to identify	4

Gift card item numbers

The Gift card item number field values mentioned in the Store setup, Call center setup, and Online store setup sections below should differ from the ID values used to configure internal gift cards (as described in Set up gift cards). The system uses external and internal gift card values to determine the system processing route for the gift cards. Because external and internal gift cards are processed differently within the system (with external gift cards using the payment gateway), Gift card item number values for external gift cards shouldn't match any values in the Commerce parameters > Posting > Gift card > Gift card product value set.

Payment methods

1. Search for Payment methods to open the Payment methods page.

2. Select New, and then follow these steps:

   1. In the Payment method field, enter 12.
   2. In the Payment method name field, enter External Gift Card.
   3. In the Default function field, select Card.
   4. Select Save.

Store setup

1. Search for All stores to open the All stores page.

2. Select the San Francisco store in the list.

3. On the Action Pane, on the Set up tab, in the Set up group, select Payment methods.

4. Select New.

5. In the Payment method field, enter 12. The Payment method name and Function fields should then be set automatically.

6. On the General FastTab, set the following fields:

   • Set the Operation name field to Pay gift card.
   • Set the Connector name field to TestConnector.

7. On the Posting FastTab, set the Gift card item number field to 0010.

   

8. Select Save.

9. Select Card setup, then select New to map the gift card payment method to the newly created external gift card payment method for the San Francisco store.

10. If the gift card number can be entered in the POS in addition to on the payment terminal, expand the General FastTab and set Allow manual entry to Yes.

POS setup

1. In Dynamics 365 Commerce Headquarters, search for Hardware profiles to open the POS hardware profile page.

2. In the left pane, select Virtual.

3. Select Edit.

4. On the EFT service FastTab, in the Connectors grid, select the first entry, TestConnector.

5. In the Supported Tender Types field, add GiftCard.

   

6. Select Save.

   Note

   You can also use the New button to create multiple payment connectors. In this way, you can take advantage of the support for multiple connectors that has been added to the solution. You can then have different payment connectors for different payment methods. For example, all credit cards can be processed through one connector, but gift cards can be processed through a different connector.

Update the button grid

1. Go to the Button grid page.

2. In the navigation bar on the left side of the page, search for F2S1M, and select the filtered option.

3. On the Action Pane, select Designer to download the button designer application.

4. When the grid designer appears, right-click on an empty (gray) area, and then select New button.

   

5. Right-click the new button, and then select Button properties.

6. Set the Action, Payment type, and Text on button properties according to the following matrix.

   Action	Payment type	Text on button
   Issue gift card	External Gift Card	Ext Issue gift card
   Add to gift card	External Gift Card	Ext Add to gift card
   Gift card balance	External Gift Card	Ext Gift card balance
   Pay gift card	External Gift Card	Ext Pay gift card

   When you've finished, your button layout should resemble the following illustration.

   

7. Close the designer.

8. Search for Distribution Schedule.

9. In the navigation bar on the left side of the page, search for 1090, 1115, and 1070.

10. On the Action Pane, select Run now.

11. Check the status of the job by searching for Download sessions.

12. Wait until Applied appears next to all the jobs, and then close the browser.

    Note

    • If you're using Retail Commerce Scale Unit (RCSU) that is located in the store, you need to perform an IIS reset to clear the cache. You can either do this through the IIS application or open an admin Command Prompt window and enter iisreset. Otherwise, wait for the RCSU to be updated.
    • Existing buttons on the version F2S1m button grid (or version FnS1M for layout) can be similarly configured for internal gift cards. The existing issue gift card (sometimes depicted with the card and plus symbol button in the existing layout) requires that the button properties have the Action property set (for example, to Issue gift card) and the Payment type property set (for example, to Gift card for internal gift cards). Similarly, for the preconfigured Add to gift card and Check gift card balance buttons, the gift card Payment type properties should be set if the buttons are intended to handle internal gift cards.

Configure and test Store Commerce

1. Start the Store Commerce application.
2. Sign in by using the standard credentials.
3. When you're prompted, select Perform a non-drawer operation.
4. On the main screen, select Select hardware station.
5. On the bar on the right side of the page, select Manage.
6. Turn on Virtual Peripherals, and then select OK.
7. In the Available paired stations field, select Virtual Peripherals.
8. You're prompted to either open a new shift or perform non-drawer operations. You can now open a new shift.
9. On the main screen, select Current transaction.
10. Select Gift cards.
11. Select Ext Issue gift card.
12. Enter a number that starts with 9, and then provide an amount.
13. After items are added to the cart, you can pay by using cash or a card.

When you use the test connector to demonstrate support for external gift cards, you should use card number 61234 to make payments. You won't be prompted for a personal identification number (PIN). The test connector should never be used in production.

External gift cards for the call center and storefront

Note

External gift card support for call center and storefront is enabled in the Feature management workspace. Enable Omni-channel payments, then enable Enable advanced external gift card. For additional steps required to set up external gift cards in the storefront, please visit the docs article dedicated to E-commerce digital gift cards.

Adyen external gift card setup

For an example that shows how to set up payment services, see the documentation for the Adyen payment connector.

For the call center and storefront, the Adyen connector supports the following gift cards.

Brand	Gift card type	Supported	Activation
SVS	Physical	Yes	Manually
SVS	Email	Yes	Programmatically
Givex	Physical	Yes	Manually

Note

Only gift cards of type "Email" can be issued in an online order at this time. In the out-of-box Adyen connector, gift cards are not configured by default. To specify the gift card provider in the merchant properties of the payment connector, follow the instructions in the documentation for the Adyen payment connector.

Tokenization

The out-of-box implementation and Payments software development kit (SDK) support for external gift cards in the call center and storefront requires tokenization. When external gift cards are processed, tokens are used to refer to the actual gift card number. This is important for 3rd party implementations because without tokens, external gift card processing may not function correctly. For example, if a gift card payment is captured when it's added to an order, but an issue occurs during order creation, the gift card payment will be reversed using references (tokens) to the transaction itself, not using the actual gift card number.

Purchases and refunds

When an external gift card is used for a purchase, the tender line for the gift card is saved as a prepayment. Therefore, the funds for the purchase are captured when the order is created.

External gift cards aren't eligible for refunds. In part, this limitation is in place to prevent a refund from being given for a gift card that the user has discarded. If an unprocessed order includes an external gift card as payment, and the customer wants to cancel the order, a new gift card or some other form of credit must be issued to the customer.

Gift cards lines that are issued as part of an order can be canceled before fulfillment.

Issuing gift cards through fulfillment

Physical gift cards and virtual gift cards have distinct fulfillment methods.

Physical gift cards are gift cards that are mapped to a mode of delivery of the Shipping type. They must be issued directly through the gift card provider as part of order processing. The gift card number must then be mapped to the order line as part of the pick list registration process. Next, the masked gift card number is saved back to the order line. The gift card that is issued is then activated as part of order invoicing.

Virtual gift cards are issued as part of order invoicing. When a gift card line is marked as Packed, it becomes eligible to be issued. Virtual gift cards are issued as part of invoicing. When invoicing occurs, the gift card number is obtained from the provider through the payment connector. The number for the activated gift card is then sent to the gift card recipient via email. When invoicing occurs, the masked gift card number is then saved back to the order line.

Using modes of delivery for gift card products in the call center and e-commerce

In the call center and storefront channels, unlike in POS, a dedication operation isn't used to issue gift cards. Instead, gift cards are issued by adding a line item to a transaction. Specifically, gift card products for e-commerce and the call center can be either mapped to product variants or modeled as standard products.

If product variants are used, the person who creates the gift card order is prompted to select the variant. The relevant mode of delivery will then be available for that product variant.

Modes of delivery must support the type of gift card. For example, a gift card product variant of the Physical style must be mapped to a mode of delivery that is related to shipping. A gift card product variant of the Email style must be mapped to an electronic mode of delivery. The electronic mode of delivery is defined on the Customer orders tab of the Commerce parameters page.

Note

Currently, Commerce only supports digital gift cards. For information about setting up digital gift cards, see E-commerce digital gift cards.

Setup for the call center and storefront

Payment services setup

In the back office, on the Payment services page, configure the payment services account for the call center. Each payment connector requires different setup steps. The payment service that the call center uses is marked as Default.

Call center setup

1. Search for All call centers to open the call centers page.

2. Select the Fashion call center store in the list.

3. On the Action Pane, on the Set up tab, in the Set up group, select Payment methods.

4. Select New.

5. In the Payment method field, enter 12. The Payment method name and Function fields will then be set automatically.

6. On the General FastTab, set the following fields:

   • In the Operation name field, select Pay gift card.
   • In the Connector name field, select TestConnector.

   Note

   If the Connector name field is disabled, save the record, and then on the Action Pane, select Electronic payment setup. Select +New to add a payment type, configure the payment type, and then select Save. The connector field should now be selectable.

7. On the Posting FastTab, set the Gift card item number field to 0010.

8. Select Save.

9. Select Card setup, and then select New to map the gift card payment method to the newly created external gift card payment method for the Fashion call center.

Online store setup

1. Search for Online stores to open the online stores page.

2. Select the Fabrikam extended online store in the list.

3. On the Action Pane, on the Set up tab, in the Set up group, select Payment methods.

4. Select New.

5. In the Payment method field, enter 12. The Payment method name and Function fields will then be set automatically.

6. On the General FastTab, set the following fields:

   • In the Operation name field, select Pay gift card.
   • In the Connector name field, select TestConnector.

7. On the Posting FastTab, set the Gift card item number field to 0010.

8. Select Save.

9. Select Card setup, and then select New to map the gift card payment method to the newly created external gift card payment method for the Fabrikam extended online store.

Online store payments setup

To configure the payment accounts for your online store to use Adyen for external gift card processing, see Configure additional information for the Adyen connector.

Test connector external gift card setup

To set up external gift cards for the test connector, on the Payment services page, select Dyn Online, and then, in the Supported Tender Types field, add GiftCard after Debit. Then select Credit card types, and assign a payment journal to the gift card payment method.

Gift card product setup

The following procedure shows how to set up an external gift card by using product masters. Product masters aren't required for external gift cards. However, they can be helpful when both physical and virtual gift cards are used.

1. Search for Style groups to open the Style groups page.

2. Select New.

3. Enter a name (for example, Gift) and a description (for example, Gift card style group).

4. Add styles to suit the types of gift cards that are available. For example, add Physical and Email styles.

5. Save your changes.

6. Search for Product masters to open the Product masters page.

7. Select New.

8. Enter a product number (for example, Gift), and assign a retail category.

9. In the Product dimension group field, select Style.

10. Select OK.

11. In the product master, select the style group that you created earlier (Gift).

12. On the Action Pane, on the Product tab, in the Set up group, select Dimension groups, and then assign a storage dimension group and a tracking dimension group.

13. Select Save.

14. Select Product variants, select Variant suggestions, and edit the gift card variant numbers as you require.

15. Select Create.

    

16. Select Release products, select Next two times, select a company (for example, USRT), and then select Next. Finally select Next to release the product master.

17. Search for Modes of delivery to open the Modes of delivery page.

18. Select the Electronic mode of delivery, and add the Email gift card variant. Make sure that applicable call centers and online channels are included.

    

19. Select Save.

20. Search for Process delivery modes to open the Process delivery modes dialog box.

21. Select OK.

    Note

    Gift cards aren't currently supported for Store Commerce customer order creation or for in-store pickup. Gift cards being issued as part of e-commerce orders may only use Email modes of delivery. Those gift cards cannot have physical modes of delivery mapped to them.

22. Search for Released products by category to open the Released product details page.

23. Select the external gift card item.

24. Set the following values.

    FastTab	Field	Value
    General	Item model group	MA_Retail
    Purchase	Purchase order unit	ea
    Sell	Sales order unit	ea
    Sell	Allow price adjust	Yes
    Manage inventory	Inventory unit	ea
    Manage costs	Posting item group	Any

25. Select Save.

For the storefront, the gift card must also be included in the storefront's assortment. For more information, see Assortment management.

Note

The gift card product used for external gift card setup in POS should not use product masters with item variants. Gift cards based on item variants may still be used for payments, balance inquiries, and cash out in POS, but gift card products associated with the POS for issuance must be standard products.

Set up notification emails for virtual gift cards

For information about email setup, see Configure email functionality.

For information about how to set up email notifications for Commerce, see Set up an email notification profile.

For gift cards that are issued via email, the value of the Retail email notification type field is Issue gift card.

Call center setup

1. Search for All call centers to open the Call center page.

2. In the list, select a call center.

3. On the Action Pane, on the Channel tab, in the Users group, select Channel users.

4. Add a user, select Save, and then close the Channel users page.

   Important

   Users must be call center users when they access the Customer service page and create orders. Otherwise, call center capabilities won't be available.

5. Back on the Call center page, on the Action Pane, on the Set up tab, in the Set up group, select Payment methods.

6. Select New.

7. In the Payment method field, enter 12. The Payment method name and Function fields should then be set automatically.

8. On the General FastTab, select the connector that should be used for the external gift card.

9. Select Card setup, and then select New to map the gift card payment method to the external gift card payment method.

10. On the Posting FastTab, specify general ledger accounts for the external gift cards. In demo data, 112140 can be used as the general ledger account number.

11. Select Save.

12. Select Card setup.

13. Select New, select the external gift card that you created earlier, and then select Save.

14. Close the Card setup page, and refresh the Payment methods page.

15. Select the external gift card payment method, and then, on the General FastTab, in the Gift card account section, in the Connector name field, assign the TestConnector connector.

16. On the Posting FastTab, assign the gift card item number.

17. Select Save.

18. Select Card setup.

19. The Card setup page for the internal gift card now includes two additional configuration fields: Check expiration date and PIN required. Set these fields as required by the external gift card provider.

Issue external gift cards in the call center

1. As a call center user, search for Customer service to open the Customer service page.

2. Add a customer by using the Search function.

3. Select New sales order.

4. Select Header, and add a valid mode of delivery.

5. Select Lines.

6. In the Item number field, specify the gift card item number.

7. In the Variant number field, specify the variant number if you're using a product master.

8. In the Unit price field, specify the unit price for the gift card.

   Note

   If modes of delivery are mapped to variants, and if Electronic modes of delivery are specified for any gift cards, the gift card type should automatically be set to Email on the Packing tab.

9. On the Line details FastTab, on the Packing tab, follow one of these steps:

   • For virtual gift cards, set the Buyer name, Buyer email, Recipient name, Recipient email, and Gift message fields.
   • For physical gift cards, set the Buyer name, Recipient name, and Gift message fields.

10. On the Price and discount tab, in the Reason code field, specify the reason for the price override.

11. Select Complete, add a payment, and submit the order.

For physical external gift cards, complete the following steps to register the gift card number:

1. Select Pick and pack > Generate picking list.
2. Select Quantity=All and then select OK. A dialogue that warns about posting the doc without printing will be displayed. Select OK.
3. Select Pick and pack > Picking list registration. Under the Lines menu, select Register gift card number. Under the Register gift card number property menu, enter the number in the Number field, and then select OK.

Note

If the error message "Credit card process failed, due to 'Declined'" is displayed, the gift card has already been activated. You should select a different card number.

When you're finished with the registration process, return to the sales order. The Gift card number and Expiration fields are displayed with the added information under the Lines details > Packaging section.

Pay by using external gift cards in the call center

1. As a call center user, create an order, and select Complete.

2. On the Payments FastTab, select Add.

3. Select the external gift card payment method, and enter the number and PIN, if applicable. For the test connector, 61234 can be used as the number, and the PIN isn't validated.

4. Use a percentage amount or a payment amount to define the payment amount.

   

5. Select OK.

6. Select Submit to complete the order.