What TouchNet Information Systems does

TouchNet is not just a vendor — we are a partner. We have your students’ best interests at heart, just like you do. We look for opportunities you might miss and keep an eye out for challenges. Just like you, we never rest in the pursuit of better commerce solutions for your campus. Other companies might make the same claims, but TouchNet is not your average company. Our simple objective — being the best at what we do — has never changed since our founding in 1989.

Name

TouchNet Information Systems

Legal name

TouchNet Information Systems, Inc.

Website

http://touchnet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

TouchNet is not just a vendor — we are a partner. We have your students’ best interests at heart, just like you do.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Payments and Campus Commerce Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Educational Support Services (611710), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Campus / Student ID & Closed-Loop Stored Value (FSAMANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Billing, Invoicing & Account Statements (EDALAJAC), Digital Wallet Platforms (Consumer & Merchant) (BPAMAFAC), Card Issuing Platforms (Issuer Processing) (FSAGABAD), Cross-Border & FX Payments Platforms (BPAMAFAK)

Keywords

• Higher education payments
• Campus commerce platform
• Campus ID credentials
• Tuition payment processing
• Student information system integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Lenexa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing/SaaS Subscriptions: TouchNet generates revenue through software licensing and subscription fees for its U.Commerce platform and associated modules including Bill+Payment, OneCard Campus ID, Marketplace, and Merchant Services. Institutions pay for access to the integrated payment and ID management platform, typically through annual or multi-year contracts.
2. Transaction Processing Fees: Revenue is generated from payment processing services including credit/debit card transactions, ACH payments, and other payment methods processed through the U.Commerce platform. PayPath specifically allows institutions to pass card transaction fees to payers.
3. Professional Services: Implementation, training, and support services for TouchNet solutions including compliance consulting, PCI services, and system integration with student information systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

TouchNet provides the U.Commerce platform, an integrated, comprehensive, and secure payments and ID management platform purpose-built for colleges and universities. The platform unifies student billing, tuition payment processing, campus card credentials, mobile ID, point-of-sale, marketplace storefronts, and PCI-compliant merchant services across campus, with real-time integration to student information systems such as Ellucian Banner/Colleague, Workday, Oracle, PeopleSoft, and Anthology.

Product overview

TouchNet Information Systems provides the U.Commerce integrated platform with modular solutions for higher education payments and ID management. The portfolio consists of four solution suites: Student Finance (Bill+Payment, Payment Center, Payment Plans, eRefunds, Student Account Advisor, Third-Party Payments/SponsorPoint), Campus Commerce (Marketplace, Payments & Departmental Deposits, Platform Reporting), Campus ID (OneCard VIP, Mobile ID, 360u App, Access, Dining), and Merchant Services (Compliance, Payment Processing, PayPath, PCI Services, RECON1, Genius POS, Marketplace POS, OneCard Dining POS). These solutions share the U.Commerce platform core and integrate with major student information systems including Ellucian, Workday, Oracle, PeopleSoft, and Anthology, serving over 1,000 higher education institutions through a network of 250+ certified technology partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 360u: A native mobile app that serves as the single point of access for students to manage the entire campus experience, including secure building access, class check-ins, event registration, and campus purchases.
• Student Account Advisor
• SponsorPoint
• PayPath
• RECON1
• Genius POS

Products and services

• U.Commerce Platform Core integrated commerce platform for higher education that unifies payment processing, ID management, and campus commerce operations, with real-time integration to student information systems.
• Bill+Payment Comprehensive payment portal for student accounts that automates billing, manages payments, and provides electronic payment services including consent management, parent pay, and stored payment profiles via uWallet.
• Payment Center Expandable payment environment that enables schools to implement PCI-compliant payment points across campus with payment gateway, management dashboard, and real-time processing capabilities.
• Payment Plans Tuition installment payment plan solution allowing institutions to create and manage payment plans with automated reminders, late fees, and real-time integration with campus SIS systems.
• Payment Plans PLUS Outsourced payment plan management service that reduces business office workload by having TouchNet handle day-to-day payment plan administration.
• eRefunds Student refund and disbursement solution offering multiple refund methods including direct deposit, digital check, paper check, and credit card refunds with automated notifications.
• Student Account Advisor Dashboard solution providing centralized oversight of student financial footprint, pulling data from TouchNet solutions and SIS to give business office personnel complete profile access for real-time answers.
• SponsorPoint (Third-Party Payments) Streamlined third-party account management with automated statements, payments, and reconciliation for sponsored students (employers, governments, other sponsors).
• Marketplace Online storefront and payment page creation platform enabling campus entities to create vendor storefronts, registration sites, and secure payment pages with uStores and uPay components.
• Payments & Departmental Deposits Cashiering module enabling campus departments to record payment transactions and send deposits to business office without manual re-entry, with automatic general ledger updates.
• Platform Reporting Reporting dashboard aggregating data from Marketplace and Payment Gateway to provide flexible dashboards for analysis, reconciliation, and email delivery scheduling.
• OneCard VIP (Campus ID) Cloud-based card credential management system that syncs with student information systems and manages permissions, privileges, and authorizations for campus access and declining balance payments.
• Mobile ID Mobile credential solution enabling students to add their campus ID to Apple and Android devices for secure door access, class check-ins, and payments via NFC tap.
• 360u App Native mobile app serving as single point of access for students to manage campus experience including building access, class check-ins, event registration, dining, and uWallet funds management.
• Access Lock integration and permission-based access control solution for campus security including door hardware options, card types, and detailed access history reporting.
• Dining Campus dining management solution with OrderAhead app, flexible meal plans, declining balance options, and dining POS integration for dining halls, cafeterias, and concessions.
• Compliance Built-in compliance solution meeting or exceeding PCI, card brand, and association rules with tools to reduce liability, simplify management, and develop comprehensive policies.
• Payment Processing Transaction processing solution accepting credit/debit cards, ACH, and MOTO payments in real-time with automated student account updates and secure international payment acceptance.
• PayPath Credit/debit card payment solution allowing institutions to offer card payments for tuition without merchant fees by passing fees to users, with end-to-end security and compliance.
• PCI Services PCI compliance attestation and documentation services including self-service portal, SAQ guidance, quarterly vulnerability scans, and breach protection program.
• RECON1 Reconciliation analytics tool unifying data from campus SIS, payment processing, and U.Commerce solutions for payment pattern analysis, fee monitoring, and easy reconciliation.
• Genius POS Point-of-sale software and hardware solution for higher education that scales to accept payments, streamline workflows, manage inventory, and reduce wait times across campus.
• Marketplace POS Mobile POS extension of Marketplace uStore capabilities enabling in-person payments at any location on or off campus with PCI-compliant processing and automatic back-end updates.
• OneCard Dining POS University dining point of sale system combining POS hardware and software with meal management for dining halls, cafeterias, cafes, and food courts.
• 529 Plan Tuition Payments Integration Integration enabling online tuition payments from any U.S. 529 savings plan with zero transaction fees to families, expanded across the U.Commerce payment suite.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of online FTE transactions processed through online payments (Tennessee Tech)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and ready partner.

• ElluciancoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025TouchNet is a strategic partner in the Ellucian Partner Network (EPN), providing integrated payment solutions for Ellucian's student information systems including Banner and Colleague. The partnership has surpassed 1,000 mutual customers and TouchNet has been named EPN Partner of the Year for three consecutive years (2023-2025). TouchNet supports Ellucian SaaS implementations to live status.
• Global Payments Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTouchNet is a subsidiary of Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN), a Fortune 500 payments technology company. TouchNet leverages Global Payments' technology, expertise, and scale to ensure product development and support continue to lead the higher education industry. The Genius POS solution is built on Global Payments' Genius platform.
• AnthologystrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership providing TouchNet payment solutions connected with Anthology Student information system for seamless student account management and payment processing.
• OraclestrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership for Oracle Student Cloud providing TouchNet payment processing capabilities integrated with Oracle's student information system.
• WorkdaystrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership with Workday providing TouchNet payment and ID management solutions connected to Workday's enterprise systems for higher education clients.
• TransferMateready partnerTechnology or IntegrationTransferMate is a TouchNet Ready Partner providing international payment capabilities integrated with TouchNet's U.Commerce platform, enabling students to make tuition payments from international bank accounts.
• GradGuardready partnerTechnology or IntegrationGradGuard is a TouchNet Ready Partner offering tuition protection programs and student insurance solutions integrated with TouchNet's payment platform.
• Global Payments (Genius POS)strategicTechnology or IntegrationGlobal Payments launched its Genius unified Point-of-Sale solution for colleges and universities through TouchNet. The solution integrates with existing campus systems to centralize payment operations across dining, retail, and campus services, supporting campus cards, credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and gift cards.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nelnet Business Solutions: Nelnet's campus commerce division (formerly QuikPAY) provides tuition payment plans, billing, and refund disbursement for U.S. colleges and universities, directly overlapping TouchNet's Bill+Payment, Payment Plans, and eRefunds modules in the same buyer segment.
• Transact (Blackboard): Transact, formerly Blackboard Transact, delivers campus card, payment processing, and commerce solutions for higher education — directly competing with TouchNet's OneCard, Mobile ID, Marketplace, and Genius POS offerings at the same institutional buyers.
• Flywire: Flywire powers international tuition payments and B2B disbursements for universities globally, overlapping TouchNet's Bill+Payment and TransferMate-enabled cross-border flows with a fintech-native UX and direct competitor for the same institutional procurement dollars.
• CBORD: CBORD provides campus card credentials, dining services, and access control for higher education and healthcare — directly competing with TouchNet's OneCard, Mobile ID, Dining, and Access modules at the same institutional customers.
• PayIt: PayIt (formed from the combination of PayIt, CashNet, and others) provides digital payment and billing solutions for higher education and government — directly competing with TouchNet's Bill+Payment and Payment Plans in student account workflows.

Broad incumbents

• Heartland Campus Solutions (Global Payments): Heartland Campus Solutions delivers higher-education payment processing under the same Global Payments parent as TouchNet; offerings overlap on payment processing and tuition handling, and the relationship is part-sibling, part-competitor within the parent's higher-ed portfolio.
• Anthology: Anthology (formerly Blackboard's SIS business) sells the Anthology Student information system, an integration partner and adjacent competitor to TouchNet — its payments roadmap could directly threaten TouchNet's SIS-integrated billing moat.
• Blackbaud: Blackbaud provides broader EdTech (advancement, CRM, payments) to higher education and K–12, with payment-processing capabilities that compete for the same institutional payments budget as TouchNet's U.Commerce platform.
• Adyen: Adyen is a global payments platform increasingly serving higher education institutions with unified online, mobile, and POS acquiring — competing for the same merchant-services wallet that TouchNet accesses via the Global Payments Genius POS stack.

Emerging players

• Brainstorm (Tuitio/Pay-by-Tuition): Brainstorm / Tuition Management Systems focuses on tuition payment plans and student billing for higher education, overlapping TouchNet's Payment Plans and Payment Plans PLUS modules with a narrower, payment-plan-centric offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TouchNetInfoSys?sub_confirmation=1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/touchnet-information-systems-inc

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TouchNet Information Systems