# Quick Start Guide
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercom-extended/documentation/quick-start-guide/index.md

## Overview {#overview}

Mastercom Extended provides a set of APIs that let you consume data in a variety of ways for efficient and secure querying and updating. This tutorial guides you through the process of onboarding and being able to consume this data.
Tip: **Postman Collections Quick Start:** If you are already ready to start making calls, you can head over to our [Postman Collections](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercom-extended/documentation/postman-collection/index.md) page to leverage Sandbox and Production environments without having to write code.
>
> #### You can follow this guide to learn: {#you-can-follow-this-guide-to-learn}
>
> * How to create a project for the service.   
> * How Mastercard Developers approaches authentication.   
> * How to generate your credentials and API client.   
> * How to get access to Sandbox and Production.

## Accessing the API {#accessing-the-api}

1. Navigate to [Mastercard Developers](https://developer.mastercard.com/) and click sign up and create an account.
2. Activate your account by opening the link sent to your email address, and log in.
3. Request access to the API if needed. APIs with a 'lock icon' require permission to view their documentation and create a project. To gain access to these services, you will need to submit an access request form. Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation approving or denying your access.

## Generate Your Credentials {#generate-your-credentials}

To generate your Sandbox and Production credentials, you must create a new Mastercard Developers project. Generating Sandbox credentials will give you access to our Sandbox, which has rich, mocked data that will help you understand the API.

1. Create a project on your [My Projects](https://developer.mastercard.com/dashboard) page.
2. Name your project.   
3. Indicate whether you are creating a project on behalf of a client. Note: Check "yes" if you are creating an API integration project for a customer. For example, you could be an integrator, a processor, or a service provider and the customer could be a merchant, issuer, or acquirer.
4. Provide the client company name and client company address (if applicable).   
5. Select 'Mastercom Extended' for API service.   
6. Download, and keep safe, your PKCS#12 (.p12) keystore file.
7. Create a key alias and keystore password, note these values. ![Oauth](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/mastercom-extended/uploads/Oauth-key-image.avif)
8. Save your Sandbox credentials.
9. Once you complete this flow, you will land on the Project page. From the Project page, take note of your consumer key and begin testing. ![Project](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/mastercom-extended/uploads/create-project-image.avif)

Tip: Review information regarding consumer keys and [Credential Management](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/credential-management/).

## Integrate {#integrate}

### Generate Your Own API Client {#generate-your-own-api-client}

1. Navigate to the API documentation page.
2. Download the API specification (OpenAPI or Swagger).
3. Generate and configure an API client for this API.
4. Configure your client using our [client libraries](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/security-and-authentication/securing-sensitive-data-using-payload-encryption/#client-libraries). For a detailed step-by-step guide, see [Generating and Configuring a Mastercard API Client](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/security-and-authentication/generating-and-configuring-a-mastercard-api-client/).

### Integration Testing {#integration-testing}

After the MTF keys have been configured, test data is loaded and integration testing begins. Your project contact works with you to ensure that sufficient test data is added, and that each endpoint and use case is tested.
Note: The Mastercard Test Facility (MTF) environment is not suitable to perform high-volume or load-testing.

### Contact us {#contact-us}

Contact us when you are ready to onboard with our APIs. Provide your company name, the Mastercard program name (Mastercom Extended), and services that interest you.


Contact details for each region:  

**Asia/Pacific:** Contact your account manager.

**Europe:** Contact your account manager.

**[Latin America and the Caribbean](mailto:CIS_LAC_Support@mastercard.com)**

**[Middle East and Africa](mailto:CIS_EEMEA@mastercard.com)**

**[North America](mailto:CIS_NorthAmerica_Support@mastercard.com)**

A regional customer representative will work with you on how to order this product through the [Mastercard Connect Store](https://www.mastercardconnect.com/-/store-plus), set up BINs, ARIDs and ICAs, and promote the Sandbox keys to MTF.

## Go-Live {#go-live}

After integration testing in MTF is completed, your customer representative works with you to schedule your go-live date. A user must have the correct Mastercom Extended API BIN or ARID access in Access Manager within Mastercard Connect before a Production client ID can be mapped to their account. A Production client ID is associated with one Mastercard Connect User ID.

### Steps to Moving to Production {#steps-to-moving-to-production}

Prerequisite: Complete [Company Verification](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/account-management/company-verification-via-connect-linking/) before requesting Production access.

1. Within your project, select "Request Production Access".
2. Enter your Production key alias and keystore password.
3. Save your key alias and keystore password for future reference.
4. Confirm and download your Production keys. Note: Production Credentials are generated instantaneously, but they still need to be approved for Production environment access before you can go live. Once your Production access request has been reviewed, you will receive a notification confirming your access has been approved or denied.

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

Now that you have access to the service, you can begin testing, proceed to the [Use Cases](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercom-extended/documentation/use_cases/index.md) section to learn about the different use cases of the service.

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