Payment processor Epoch this week announced its partnership with Mansion Productions and the launch of its new domain, Epoch.com.
The new site (previously known as EpochSystems.com) is host to a slew of new features, including a vastly improved stats-reporting system powered by MPA3, the proprietary software created by Mansion Productions.
Calling it both a re-launch and an improvement over the old site, Communications Director Rand Pate told AVNOnline.com the new domain represents Epoch’s efforts to expand its services and simplify matters. The company also did business under the name Paycom, which eventually became confusing and problematic. The Paycom brand since has been discontinued.
“We’re very excited to have obtained the Epoch.com domain and simplify our branding efforts in that regard,” Pate said Tuesday. “A lot of things are coming together for us right now. We are simplifying what we can while at the same time adding new features and products. It’s been a very busy time for us in recent months, and it’s so nice to see it all coming together.”
Through the MPA3 deal, Epoch’s clients now will be able to direct denied transactions to alternate billing solutions through a simplified version of MPA3, which is free and hosted. Epoch also has added several new features to help affiliates promote its programs more efficiently—affiliates will be able to merge multiple accounts into a primary affiliate code (PAC) and will have access to a new live chat for billing and technical support.
“One of the areas that we have not been as strong as we should have been has been in the area of addressing the wants and needs of affiliates,” Pate commented. “We’ve listened carefully to what affiliates specifically are looking for, as well as smaller- to medium-sized programs, and through the technology of MPA3 software and Epoch’s integration, we have produced a product that we believe will help every program achieve greater sales.”
Pate said Epoch had been in talks for several months with Mansion to integrate a free and hosted version of the MPA3 cascading software.
In December, Mansion’s chief executive officer Oystein Wright told AVN Online, “The Epoch deal had everything to do with trust from both parties. I used to deal with them back in the day, and we’ve had a great relationship all these years.”
Wright also said the deal will bring added exposure to Mansion. “We’re already pretty well known for some of our brands, like MPA3 and MAS. This will take it to a completely different level.” Meanwhile, he added, “everybody knows Epoch, but in bringing these brands together with MPA3, it will almost be like a monster.”
The project was, indeed, such a large undertaking for Epoch that the company brought on new staff to help alleviate some of the burden. “We have also hired someone to work specifically with affiliates and to help us fine-tune our operations in that area,” Pate said. Details on that new hire will be forthcoming, he promised. In the meantime, he said, Epoch—which this past November celebrated 10 years in business—is looking forward to working closely with Mansion to ensure an easy upgrade for its affiliates.
“We’ve known the guys at Mansion Productions for years, and we’re happy to be working with them to bring MPA3 to our clients,” he offered. “This is a new offering for a billing company, and I believe it takes us all to the next level. The new reporting, stats, and affiliate tools are all very positive moves in the right direction.”
