Batch FTP - Batch Transmission FAQ

Answer common questions about building, sending, testing, and reading batch transmission files.

External – merchants using Forte batch transmission.

Q1. How should I test my batch transmission files (QA Test Plan)?

Forte recommends:

1. Build a test batch file with a small number of transactions (debits and/or credits), each valued at $2.00 or less.

2. Before your first formal transmittal, upload this test file to the root (/) of your user account on ftp.paymentsgateway.net and ask your Integration Specialist to review it.

3. After approval:

   • Formally upload the file following the Batch Transmission File Specification.

   • Wait for the items to settle or be funded to your account.

   • Use online reporting (Virtual Terminal), Web Services APIs, or settlement (“S”) files in the dl folder to update your internal systems with settlement details.

4. For items that have settled, if needed, build and send reversal transactions and repeat the process.

Q2. Does Forte provide sample batch files?

Yes. Forte provides sample batch files you can use as a reference when building your own files.

• File_specification.pdf
  

• You can find the files below, attached to this article 

Q3. Can I send debits and credits in the same batch file?

Yes. You can send debits and credits in the same file for:

• NACHA-type files, and

• Files built to Batch Transmission File Specification v3.0 or greater.

Q4. Why are my FTP batch confirmation and settlement files unreadable?

If downloaded files look unreadable or scrambled:

1. These files are often compressed and/or encrypted.

2. Use a zip application, preferably WinZip:

   • Download the file from FTP.

   • Change the file extension to .zip if needed.

   • Double-click the .zip file.

   • When prompted, enter your processing password (from your welcome letter).

You can also follow the Decrypting Files Downloaded from the FTP Web Interface guide (7-Zip method) for an alternative workflow.

Q5. How do I build and send a batch file?

1. Build the file

   • Use the Batch Transmission File Specification to structure your records correctly.

   • Use the provided sample files as examples.

2. Choose a delivery method for your file:

   • Internal systems / automation: Build internal tools to handle file transfer exactly as defined in the Batch Transmission File Specification. Use the CSG Forte Batch File Upload PGP Public Key provided below when it is needed to encrypt a batch file before sending it to CSG Forte for batch processing.

     -----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
     
     mQGiBDnTWtgRBADRPX9RN8MZSlNRyoAKaxOYgTsKgauYNer1d3 X9Q7O0awzrKfES
     CnhUw95LDvwaGjj58DjUZDrDkW2N5S1WjXpPJepqA28zxQyrWB tvxtqRVpcEewiD
     6ZUO8S+YGrvMvpfUwLuKUWkjxEMbX6ofXxooO00t6UZk8hUah1 DQVXGlBwCg/92U
     DUldiy/X92QNDtIetmP7m90EAMoIb45c+G/UhTQCfhq8U7RmrEpx0xxdvdHoV344
     gZRzF5pNnh5zbyW3onQjpH+ti7v58hYzcy1yNuPJLcY+T5jBe0 eCQ1PrkYhLmfSS
     iAAd5Be+YgCGcb0KX0ku87dMgHRhmgjM3a8YrmJ/yxEsAA84SPOAtDC0tYJHOIzv
     Ob+8BAC10ZZEpIYvqBMfmH+0e4I/7riBDowzVY4n7SAIbA/4qHo4lmzCBjJ7vpg6
     0fSUbbEpdOrHKIQHTzGCeFWLdxxNzXedQh/tZYYACYPkpFxiVyi8bZqsDrbBiRku
     rDogLDM5uwF61fCJ1k/x7IlxeL3jORJygLqbjqK+qfUFE7mxWLQwUGF5bWVudHNH
     YXRld2F5IDxQcm9jZXNzaW5nQFBheW1lbnRzR2F0ZXdheS5uZX Q+iQBOBBARAgAO
     BQI501rYBAsDAgECGQEACgkQUaPpPpkZVFzGHACcCA8ZypVyeW iZnmFovsOVa+gc
     YrUAn1HmqQhPiVlKFO9Wo6Wmv76GcOQQuQINBDnTWtgQCAD2Ql e3CH8IF3Kiutap
     QvMF6PlTETlPtvFuuUs4INoBp1ajFOmPQFXz0AfGy0OplK33TG SGSfgMg71l6RfU
     odNQ+PVZX9x2Uk89PY3bzpnhV5JZzf24rnRPxfx2vIPFRzBhzn zJZv8V+bv9kV7H
     AarTW56NoKVyOtQa8L9GAFgr5fSI/VhOSdvNILSd5JEHNmszbDgNRR0PfIizHHxb
     LY7288kjwEPwpVsYjY67VYy4XTjTNP18F1dDox0YbN4zISy1Kv 884bEpQBgRjXyE
     pwpy1obEAxnIByl6ypUM2Zafq9AKUJsCRtMIPWakXUGfnHy9iU siGSa6q6Jew1Xp
     Mgs7AAICB/4qadF3lHmqtLlAci1FXs4TRTKRCHOVvZJ1tVOFcIv58bdQSFB0 yYxu
     zu5bINDc9FJmeHo/AyVO1c+ureVp8cYcjqbu/v77yBLQegNalEvkiQw5vbHqE637
     VnbFgDztw9vQ6JBEHl3iYcfy14hc09QwtxMo7jYa2204jokZG5 1+ZfeMICeijZjf
     yNPAIU3jWsUfBOgPWBtTR8xNbvyCoJjWRX/dvl70mcPCXomyN/r5EgfJtOB75VM6
     OJ5U79bCdHIWhPnIZ+C5lxo7wsKbmkezTxUfMknD+K/lYyexVg7cczrCwUBUjrDw
     MdKn4uTozixpB/2zoLpd/il/GHaggzaxiQBGBBgRAgAGBQI501rYAAoJEFGj6T6Z
     GVRcowUAoKXG5vrlZec+4R/JdqXTTfHOFLWwAJ9XWtTpbTdbeTEyT7SQ1ItpULNp
     4A==
     =bA9r
     
     -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

   • Secure FTP client: Use a third-party FTP client (e.g., FileZilla, FireFTP, WinSCP) that supports:

     • SFTP

     • FTP/SSL implicit

     • FTP/SSL explicit

   • Virtual Terminal (if you don’t have secure FTP):

     1. Log into Virtual Terminal.

     2. Navigate to the Transaction menu.

     3. Select Upload.

     4. When prompted, enter the User ID and Password from the “Logging In” section of the Batch Transmission File Specification.

Q6. Why do my batch confirmation files come back with “Test Company”?

This usually happens when the file name format is incorrect.

• Make sure your file is named according to the Batch Transmission File Specification and any environment-specific naming conventions (e.g., na3xxxxx.r01).

• Process Batch Files with GlobalScape Secure FTP SoftPak Guide
• FTP Batch Transmission FAQ Testing, Files & Common Errors
• Download Files from Forte Secure FTP Web Interface 
• Upload Files to Forte Secure FTP Web Interface 
• Decrypt Forte FTP Downloaded Files 7-Zip & WinZip