The Illumia* Payment Gateway project implements the Illumia application for department merchants to process online credit card activity.
Illumia replaces the TouchNet payment gateway application. The UC Davis contract with TouchNet expires on July 31, 2026. Department merchant owners using u.Store or u.Pay, will partner with UC Davis Finance to migrate to Illumia in June 2026.
*The system previously referred to as Transact will be launched as Illumia.
Benefits
The Illumia payment gateway provides several benefits to UC Davis merchants:
- Improved revenue allocation: Illumia functionality enables merchants to allocate revenue at the product level, instead of store level. This simplifies reconciliation and reduces manual journals.
- Comprehensive pre-approved vendor list: Illumia has an extensive pre-approved vendor list with established integrations. Vendors are searchable by industry, simplifying the process to identify and onboard additional vendors for department storefronts.
- Enhanced reporting: Illumia functionality supports automated and scheduled reporting.
FAQs
- Why is UC Davis changing to Illumia?
The UC Davis contract with TouchNet expires on July 31, 2026. After considering several payment solutions, Illumia Payment Gateway (formerly Transact) was selected because:
- Illumia is currently used by nearly 2,000 colleges and universities. The comprehensive payment platform supports integrated payments, campus ID services, tuition processing, and other campus commerce.
- Illumia was awarded a UC-wide agreement by UCOP, allowing UC Davis to benefit from favorable rates and terms.
- Illumia provides improved functionality for merchants and simplifies processes for merchant support.
- Illumia? Aren't we transitioning to Transact?
- Transact has recently rebranded to llumia.
During this project, you may have heard the new payment gateway referenced as Transact during meetings, project discussions, and prior communications. You may continue to see references to both names - Transact and Illumia - during the transition period, particularly in previously distributed materials or vendor documentation.
Going forward, campus communications will refer to the platform as the Illumia Payment Gateway. - My department uses a third-party service provider (TPSP). Does this change still impact us?
The migration to Illumia includes TPSPs that are integrated with u.Pay merchants.
A list of current TPSPs has been reviewed by Illumia, and they have confirmed existing integrations with:- 2U
- Cloud CME
- Eresources*
- Imodules
- Slate
- STOVA
*Note: Eresources will require a new integration.- How will merchant owners be supported during this transition?
- UC Davis Finance will lead the project and coordinate with merchants throughout the transition. This support includes plans for hands-on Zoom sessions to provide real-time guidance and address questions.
Merchants will also have access to direct support from Illumia subject matter experts (SMEs). - Will there be any impact or change for market customers?
Customers may notice a change in the appearance of the credit card payment screen when checking out; no other changes are expected. To build awareness and avoid confusion, merchant owners have been provided language to use as an ‘Alert’ message on marketplace webpages.
