What's an eMarket?

eMarkets are online storefronts powered by Transact that allow university departments to securely collect payments for approved services, products, and fees. Customers have access to customized online storefronts where they can make purchases using debit or credit cards. These eMarket storefronts have replaced the old Touchnet storefronts.

eMarkets can be implemented in two ways -  either connected to your existing systems for ordering, events, or billing, or as a simple standalone online store to sell goods and services.

  • eMarket Storefront: Our most common option. This option allows departments to create an online store using their own text, logos, and product images. Storefronts can include item descriptions, quantity options, and fields to collect important customer details like names, addresses, shirt sizes, etc.
  • Virtual Terminals: This option allows departments to use a wireless device, like an iPad, to manually process credit card payments in person using the web-based point-of-sales system. You can borrow a terminal or purchase one for your departments. If your department is interested in renting a Virtual Terminal, please contact Dan Olsheski. If your department is interested in purchasing its own Virtual Terminal, please contact Steve Lewis. 
graphic depicting the differences between Virtual Terminals and Online Storefronts

Features of Virtual Terminals and Online Storefronts

  • Virtual Terminal

    Primary Purpose: A virtual cash register that lets you take payments using a wireless device 

    End-User: Used by staff to enter payment details for a customer 

    Transaction Type: Great for pop-up events where you handle the transaction

    Integration: Can be used on its own or paired with campus eMarket tools

  • Online Storefront

    Primary Purpose: A public online store where departments can sell items, tickets, or services

    End-User: Used directly by students, parents, and other customers to make purchases

    Transaction Type: Great for self-service online purchases, where customers make their own purchases 

    Integration: Part of the eMarket system and works well alongside a virtual terminal for in-person payments

FAQs

The creation of a new eMarket Storefront requires 3-14 days to build and implement, depending on the complexity and testing to ensure payments will process correctly. 

Please contact Dan Olsheski, dlo219@lehigh.edu.

eMarkets are great for quick, flexible payment solutions, but are not always the best fit for every need. 

  • eMarkets are great for: 
    • Collecting membership dues
    • Selling event tickets where the events do NOT require assigned seating 
    • Application fees or deposits 
    • Subscription services 
    • Tangible products and services 
  • eMarkets are NOT a good fit for:
    • Replacement or in lieu of point of sales systems 
    • Donations
    • The sale of alcohol 
    • Events that require assigned seating
    • Lehigh branded gear (merchandise that has ONLY Lehigh’s branding on it, similar to items in The Lehigh Store)
    • Course fees
    • Tuition payments 
graphic showing what items are good a good fit for eMarkets

Contact Information

  • Dan Olsheski, dlo219@lehigh.edu - For information about how eMarkets may fit your needs, if you'd like to start the process of creating a new storefront, or for Virtual Terminal setup

  • Steve Lewis, sgl3@lehigh.edu - if your department would like to purchase their own Virtual Terminal for a new or exisiting storefront