The Authorize.Net Customer Information Manager (CIM) allows you to store customers' sensitive payment information on our secure servers, simplifying your compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) as well as the payments process for returning customers and recurring transactions. Why should you enable CIM for your business?

• Simplify PCI Compliance – You are concerned with PCI compliance and protecting your customers' confidential information.
• Process Recurring Transactions or Usage Charges – You bill your customers different amounts or on different days each month, or only when the service is used. (for example, utility companies or pay-as-you-go cell phones)
• Store Customer Data – You want to provide returning customers with the convenience of not having to re-enter their personal data every time they visit your website.
• Provide Payment Flexibility – Your customers can store multiple payment methods for repeat purchases.
• Save Multiple Shipping Locations – Your customers can also save multiple shipping locations.

CIM supports customer profiles that include billing, payment and shipping information. Each profile is stored on our secure servers and assigned an ID that is used in place of all customer information. Each customer profile can include up to 10 payment profiles and up to 100 shipping profiles. You can manage customer profiles and issue transactions manually from within the Merchant Interface, or integrate your website or other application using an Application Programming Interface (API). Additionally, in the Merchant Interface you can view and search for customer profiles as well as review a profile's transaction history.

Note: Integrating the CIM API to your website requires the expertise of a Web developer. The CIM API Guide can be downloaded from our Developer Center. Your Web developer will be able to assist you with integrating the API to any proprietary systems you may be using, setting up customer accounts with user names and passwords, or designing other means for matching a returning customer to their stored profile. Please consult your Web developer for more information or find an Authorize.Net Certified Developer to help you. To sign up for CIM, please see the Answer, "How can I sign up for the Customer Information Manager (CIM)?"