“Fewer Manual Steps, Faster Cash Flow” – Alternative Payments CEO on the Power of API-Driven Billing

Alternative Payments has introduced its new API, a REST-based interface built to simplify and automate how MSPs handle billing. The company says the release is about giving partners the ability to streamline everything from hosted payment links to full quote-to-cash workflows, all from within the systems they already use.

The API covers a wide range of capabilities. MSPs can generate and share secure payment links, issue invoices with detailed line items and discounts, and check transaction status in real time to keep customer communications up to date. It also supports self-service API key management, customer record updates, and automatic payout reconciliation that can feed directly into accounting platforms. The authentication model uses OAuth 2.0 with rate limiting and encrypted keys to keep transactions secure.

For MSPs, the draw is efficiency. Payment management and reconciliation remain time-consuming tasks for service providers trying to scale, and many still rely on manual processes or outdated systems. For many MSPs, the API could become a way to both reduce operational overhead and deliver a smoother billing experience to clients—two outcomes that directly influence growth.

ChannelE2E spoke to Baxter Lanius, CEO and Co-Founder of Alternative Payments to discuss how embedding Alternative Payments’ API into quoting, PSA, or accounting tools, partners can cut back on repetitive work and speed up the time from invoice to cash.

ChannelE2E: A lot of MSPs already use billing and payments automation inside their PSA or accounting platforms. What's different about your API, and why should they care?

Baxter Lanius: PSAs and accounting systems do handle some automation, but they’re built for the “standard case.” They can send recurring invoices or trigger reminders, but they don’t give MSPs much control when workflows fall outside the template. If you need to link a payment request to a quote, or reconcile payouts directly in your accounting system, you’re often stuck with manual steps or waiting for a vendor to build a connector.

Our API closes those gaps. It exposes customer, invoice, and transaction data directly, and even lets MSPs map deposits back to specific transactions. That means they can automate the parts of quote-to-cash that PSAs leave manual. MSPs should care because it means faster cash flow, fewer manual steps, and the freedom to run billing their way - not on someone else’s schedule.

ChannelE2E: One of the biggest headaches for service providers is still manual reconciliation and slow payments. Do you have any early data or stories that show how this actually speeds up the quote-to-cash cycle?

Baxter Lanius: A common scenario comes from ECX Systems. They described the challenge of non-contract customers who call in during an outage. Traditionally, it could take days to get those customers set up and billed. With our API, it’s possible to generate a guest checkout link on the spot and take payment immediately — compressing what used to be days into minutes.

We’ve also rolled out accelerated payouts, which give partners access to funds the next day instead of waiting three, and automatic PDF attachments in reminders, which remove the “I never saw the invoice” excuse that often delays payment. Across our partner base, these improvements have translated into a 30% boost in cash flow, a 50%+ reduction in overdue invoices, and an 80%+ reduction in collection times.

The broader pattern is clear: when billing and payments happen in the same moment as service delivery — whether that’s quote approval, project completion, or emergency response — cash comes in faster, and manual reconciliation largely disappears.

ChannelE2E: How well does this plug into systems MSPs already rely on, like ConnectWise or Autotask? And what about smaller shops without big dev teams—how easy is it for them to get started?

Baxter Lanius: We already integrate directly with the major PSAs MSPs rely on — ConnectWise, Autotask, SuperOps, and HaloPSA. But the channel is broader than that. Some MSPs run on niche platforms, or even build their own PSA in-house. That’s where the API comes in: it gives partners the flexibility to connect Alternative Payments to systems we don’t yet support natively, or to fully customize how invoices and payments are presented to clients.

Beyond integrations, the API opens the door to automation. MSPs can pair it with robotic process automation or agentic AI tools to eliminate repetitive tasks — like automatically reconciling deposits or generating payment links tied to a workflow. The result is freedom to extend billing automation into areas PSAs can’t always reach, without waiting for us to release another connector.

ChannelE2E: Beyond efficiency, is there a revenue play here? Could MSPs package billing automation or payment services into their managed offerings to stand out from competitors?

Baxter Lanius: The real revenue opportunity for partners today comes through referrals. We’ve built a dedicated Partner Dashboard that makes it simple: submit a referral in one click, track the status end-to-end, and see payouts roll in automatically. Partners earn a 10% recurring revenue share in perpetuity, while the referred business gets a 10% discount on their subscription.

What this means for MSPs is straightforward: they can introduce clients to a proven payments platform, strengthen trust by pointing them to the right solution, and create a predictable stream of recurring revenue — all without having to take on payment support themselves.

ChannelE2E: Looking ahead, are you planning partner incentives, referral margins, maybe even a white-label option so MSPs can turn payments into a real profit center instead of just a back-office function?

Baxter Lanius: That’s why we launched the new Referral Partner Program. It lives right inside the Partner Dashboard, giving MSPs everything they need to grow their referral pipeline — one-click referral submissions, templated outreach, and full visibility into tracking and payouts. Partners receive a 10% recurring revenue share in perpetuity, and their referrals receive a 10% discount on their subscription.

Early results are already strong. Some MSPs are earning $3K–$10K a year in referral profit, simply by introducing clients and peers to Alternative Payments. And with co-marketing campaigns, webinars, beta access, and ongoing support layered in, the program provides both financial upside and a way to deepen trust with their client base.