Here’s a sneak preview of two innovations that will improve your EBITDA in 2012 with very little effort by your legal staff. The first improves billable time data capture and the second enhances payment acceptance with a flexible PCI Compliant solution, while mitigating risk.

Capture more billable time with a new innovative mobile time tracker that enables you to capture and assign billable time by matter code and client. A key feature is the pop-up on incoming calls; when you hang up, you can immediately assign the call to a client for billing and even enter notes. The length of call is prefilled for you. This data is all accessible back in the office via a web based dashboard.

Expense record on mobile device. Assign and submit billable/ reimbursable expenses on the go.

Our  innovative payment gateway works with your existing payment processors, creating numerous efficiencies, increasing cash flow, and reducing the cost of payment acceptance. Partners will have unprecedented access to client billing and payment data based on permissions granted. Clients will have new ways to receive invoices and make payments. Finance staff will have tools to automate processes and control payment processing costs. You’re in control of the most flexible, scalable payment solution available today.

We’ve been too busy bringing clients on board to create comprehensive marketing materials; technology is ready for immediate implementation. Payment Modules include: virtual terminal, batch upload, Electronic Bill Presentment & Payment (EBPP), Dashboard Reporting, report writer, shopping cart and pay page.

Legal Payment Brochure (pdf Download) . This one page document will be updated in the future.

Join clients listed in the 2011 U.S. News – Best Lawyers ‘Best Law Firm’ Rankings. Contact us now to find out why they chose our technology.

From the Retail Payments Risk Forum December 5, 2011, The future of mobile payments is explored. Although mobile payments have been much slower to develop in the United States than many industry observers had predicted, there have been a number of encouraging recent developments. Starbucks, for example, has processed more than 20 million mobile payments since launching its app, and the Chicago Transit Authority’s new fare collection system will be able to accept mobile payments starting in 2013. Still, despite these small successes, the United States has not seen the mobile phone really take off as a vehicle for point-of-sale payments.

The Retail Payments Risk Forum recently interviewed David Evans, a payments industry consultant and the founder of Market Platform Dynamics, in a podcast exploring some of the challenges facing widespread mobile payments adoption. Evans maintained that a couple of obstacles have kept mobile payments from taking off in the United States. “Barrier number one is that there is not a very persuasive mobile payments alternative for consumers to use at the point of sale, and the second is that there’s really not the technology at the point of sale capable of processing a mobile payments-type transaction.”

In addition to these barriers, he said, is the simple fact that most consumers are satisfied with the way things are. Evans explained, “I can pull out a credit or a debit card at the point of sale, I can swipe it, and it works beautifully. Takes about a second. No fuss, no muss—the clerk knows what to do. The technology is all there. So we have this wonderful system that works really well right now that’s extremely efficient.” To change the status quo, a compelling value proposition must emerge for all parties. “Someone’s going to have to come up with a really great alternative that adds value to the merchant and adds value to the consumers to make both of them want to do something different than [what] they are currently doing,” said Evans.

Regarding the prospects for mobile payments outside the United States, Evans said, “I think that where we are going to see mobile payments take off around the world is primarily in countries that do not already have a very well-developed payment card industry with acceptance at the point of sale and that have very well-developed mobile phone systems.”

The role of different types of market players has been a major source of debate among those forecasting mobile payments. Many disagree how the mobile carriers, such as Verizon and AT&T, will fit into the new landscape. Evans predicted that “the likely role of the carriers in payments is basically being a pipe.” He stressed that mobile carriers do not have the expertise to operate mobile payments and are more likely to become pipes for others who will develop mobile payments alternatives.

When asked about his predictions about the type of technology that will ultimately support mobile payments, Evans said that it was still too early to know. However, he did say that “it’s really the solution that is going to drive the adoption of a particular acceptance technology at the point of sale, rather than the acceptance technology driving the solution.” There are clearly still a lot of unknowns with regards to mobile payments, and Evans wisely concluded that “we should talk about this in 10 years when we may actually know the answer!”

By Jennifer C. Windh, a payments risk analyst in the Retail Payments Risk Forum at the Atlanta Fed

In some respects, the Common Short Code Administration (CSCA) is to Common Short Codes as ICAAN and Whois are to Domains. Common short codes are administered by the CSC Administration (CSCA) for wireless carriers. In addition, the CSCA oversees the CSC Registry, which provides the technical and operational aspects of CSC functions and maintains a single database of available, reserved, and registered CSCs.

With mobile messaging exploding, CSC’s are certain to become as valuable as URL’s. Businesses cannot buy short codes, rather they lease them for a specified period of time, and for a specific campaign type. Leases are offered at different prices fromt the four provider types (see below).

What is a Common Short Code (CSC)?

Common Short Codes (CSCs) are short numeric codes to which text messages can be sent from a mobile phone.

• They’re compatible across all participating carriers.
• CSCs are either five-digit or six-digit numbers.
• CSCs can be leased by anyone.
• USA CSC’s are not recognized by phones issued in other countries, which are developing their own CSC’s.
• Applications route all messages addressed to a registered CSC number from any and all wireless networks initiating a message.
• There are four (4) groups of companies that work together to bring CSCs to wireless subscribers; they include content providers , application providers , connectivity aggregators, and wireless service providers. Merchants lease short codes from a provider.

Should I lease my short code directly from the CSCA?

Not necessarily.  If you’re ready to begin a campaign, research what solution you’ll be using for delivering and managing your SMS messages and payments first. They may offer a bundled package. If you’re not ready and have the funds to spare, you may want to reserve your short code to ensure availability when you need it.

501(c)(3) Non-profits must lease directly from the CSCA to be eligible for a 60% reduction in published rates.

How much does a short code lease cost? On the CSCA site 1/1/2012, registering and leasing a CSC costs $1,000 per month for each “Selected CSC” and $500 per month for each “Random CSC.” THESE FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY WIRELESS CARRIER AGREES TO ACTIVATE YOUR CSC. The Registry must receive payment in full for the duration of the registration at the time your application is approved. The CSCA offers Registration Terms of 3 months, 6 months and one year. Because fees are due up front, if you register a Selected CSC for three months the cost is $3000.00, and Random CSC for three months is $1500.00.

Do I need to register a CSC for each type of campaign? Yes.

Are there discounts for charities? Yes, provided that all conditions of the Mobile Giving program are complied with. That includes donations only, no recurring billing, and not product sales.

LINKS:

More information about the Mobile Giving program.

Official Common Short Code (CSC) directory (links to CSCA) and information center.

Official CTIA Guidelines for Mobile Giving (links to CTIA PDF)

Lighthouse Pt., FL October 20, 2011 – 3D Merchant Services, a payment processing solutions consultancy, today announced Rick Case FIAT in Davie, FL, the nations largest Fiat Dealer, chose CenPOS for their credit card processing gateway. CenPOS is an intelligent payment-processing network that streamlines the payment experience for businesses and consumers by using state-of-the-art technology to replace inefficient, outdated payment systems.
“A significant advantage is the ability to drive pin debit, which reduces risks and costs, “ said Christine Speedy, CEO of 3D Merchant Services and CenPOS agent. “Reconciliation is simplified, and merchants get all the other benefits of CenPOS, including remote access to real time data, real time alerts, remote user management, and least cost routing,” continued Christine.

In a post Durbin Amendment era, CenPOS supports all new legislative and card association initiatives, including offering discounts for certain card types. Because it’s remotely hosted, merchants do not need to download terminal updates as rules and laws change. Additionally, CenPOS dynamically routes transactions on the fly with its proprietary switching technology.

The CenPOS automotive industry solution includes a retail point of sale virtual terminal, ecommerce API, mobile payment app, web pay page, Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment, and electronic invoicing. Seven years of transaction data, with signed customer receipts, is dynamically searchable to maximize business insights and minimize disruption during internal changes. Furthermore, it does not require the user to change their financial services providers. Integrated check and ACH services are also available.

About 3D Merchant Services
3D Merchant Services is engaged in growing CenPOS direct business relationships with ISO’s, banks, resellers and merchants. www.3Dmerchant.com. Sales@3dmerchant.com

About CenPOS

http://www.cenpos.com/

“Creating efficiencies through payment innovation”
CenPOS is an intelligent payment-processing network that streamlines the payment experience for businesses and consumers by using state-of-the-art technology to replace inefficient, outdated payment systems. CenPOS provides solutions to a range of organizations including but not limited to retail, card not present merchants, automotive dealers, professional services and academic institutions; special programs are also available for non-profits. Global Sales Contact: Christine Speedy Call (954) 942-0483, or toll free: (877) 630-7960.
About the Rick Case Automotive Group:
The Rick Case Automotive Group, founded in 1962 will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. Located in South Florida since 1986, it is owned and operated by the wife and husband team of Rita and Rick Case, recent winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award. With 15 dealerships in Florida, Georgia and Ohio, The Rick Case Automotive Group offers Acura, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, FIAT and Honda Cars & Cycles to customers, including the World’s Largest Honda and Hyundai dealerships in Broward County, Florida. With locations on I-75 at Griffin Road and on 441 at Sunrise Blvd., Rick Case Automotive Group’s corporate offices are located at 875 North State Road 7 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please call (954) 377-7410 or visit www.rickcase.com.

CenPOS launches mobile app that transforms the smartphones into a secure credit card terminal, allowing the user to accept card swiped, hand-keyed and/or tokenized transactions and connect to all of the CenPOS payment acceptance platforms.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) November 08, 2011

CenPOS, a fast-growing payment processing technology provider has launched the CenPOS Mobile app. The CenPOS Mobile app will provide CenPOS customers with an easily adopted mobile payment solution. The app is available now at no cost for Android-powered smart phones through the Android Market: CenPOS Mobile Payments Android app https://market.android.com/details?id=vt.mobile

CenPOS Mobile transforms the mobile device into a secure credit card terminal, allowing the user to accept card swiped, hand-keyed and/or tokenized transactions and connect to all of the CenPOS payment acceptance platforms.

“Taking the CenPOS payment solution from the cloud to the android mobile market, places us at the forefront of the evolving digital and mobile payment space,” said Jorge Fernandez, President and CEO, CenPOS. “As more consumers and merchants adopt mobile payment options, CenPOS is positioned to service this growing market segment with our mobile payment solution.”

The CenPOS Mobile app acts as an entry point to the CenPOS network allowing the mobile user to view detailed reporting for transactions that occur throughout the business enterprise, not only on their CenPOS Mobile device. Furthermore, the app integration does not require the user to change their financial services providers.

CenPOS Mobile Features

* Receive credit card authorizations quickly and securely on the go.
* Full transactional array including: Sale, Repeat Sale, Create Token, Authorization, Force, Return, Credit, and Void
* Capture signatures electronically by having the customer sign on the CenPOS Mobile Device.
* Deliver customized receipts instantly to customers by email.
* Easy enterprise level reporting that allows you to view all payment activity through CenPOS.
* Payments made through the CenPOS Mobile device, retail location, and ecommerce website can all be seen in one location.
* Generate credit card authorizations by either swiping a credit card, manual entry, or through the use of a token.
* Payment information is hosted and not stored on CenPOS mobile device.
* Free software and no surcharge to use any other CenPOS products

About CenPOS

http://www.cenpos.com/

“Creating efficiencies through payment innovation”

Founded in 2009, Miami-based CenPOS is a payment technology provider. CenPOS is committed to providing its customers and partners with innovative solutions for today’s rapidly evolving consumer payment choices.

CenPOS is an intelligent payment-processing network that streamlines the payment experience for businesses and consumers by using state-of-the-art technology to replace inefficient, outdated payment systems. The network reflects the core values that drive the experienced and innovative CenPOS team: Simplicity, Scalability, Security and a holistic approach to payment processing strategies.

CenPOS provides solutions to a range of organizations including but not limited to retail, card not present merchants, automotive dealers, professional services and academic institutions; special programs are also available for non-profits. CenPOS sales: Christine Speedy direct (954)942-0483, HQ (305) 630-7960, or toll free: (877) 630-7960.

Accept payments via mobile, internet, and at fundraising events all with a single gateway solution that provides optimum security and cost containment. Fundraising solutions for any candidate must include a variety of payment methods, cost controls, reporting tools, and be simple to implement. This article explores how our solution achieves this.

Just like a business, accepting funds via credit card can be expensive when running for Congress, Senate, President or other offices. However, thanks to debit legislation under the Durbin Amendment that went into effect October 2011,  it’s not nearly as much as it used to be. With a wholesale cost of .05% and $.21 per transaction for non-exempt debit cards, the overall cost of credit card processing has been greatly reduced. With a wholesale merchant account, you’ll pay interchange fees at all levels plus a small merchant discount.

Understanding merchant accounts.

1. You can apply for an ecommerce merchant account, MOTO (mail order/phone order), or Retail (card present /swipe). It’s against card association rules to process ecommerce transactions on a MOTO or Retail merchant account. But if you have an ecommerce merchant account, you’ll pay higher card not present rates on swiped transactions. The solution? Our CenPOS gateway  automatically identifies the transaction method and sends the appropriate data so that the transaction will qualify for retail. The CenPOS patent pending switching technology is not available from other vendors and saves big money. For example, save .3% on Visa Rewards cards- the difference between retail and card not present.
2.  Fees are made up of fixed non-negotiable interchange fees, network fees, card association fees, fees that vary by vendor (some hard costs vendors incur may vary), and negotiable merchant discount fees. Altogether when you divide your total fees by the net transactions we call this your effective rate. With a wholesale merchant account, an estimated effective rate for political fundraising campaigns is 2.2%, or 3.5% for very small campaigns. If you’re not paying any where near that, contact us for alternatives.
3. Different payment acceptance points can result in disparate reporting, which is never a problem until you’re trying to research something and then it becomes a nightmare.
4. A gateway is required to accept payments online. You need both a merchant account and a gateway. CenPOS is a universal gateway, compatible with all major processors.

Campaign Fundraising Concerns and how we solve them with the CenPOS gateway:

• Need to accept payments via many methods:  At the core of CenPOS is a Virtual Terminal for card swipe, online payments, mobile payments and any other method. CenPOS automatically switches payment routing for least cost.
• Need to accept multiple payment types: Check and credit/debit cards are currently accepted, and more options will be available in 2012.
• Large volunteer base may assist in payment collection. This creates potential liability for data security, but also a need for simple solution. Have you ever handed out donation cards at a fundraising event that requests credit card information to be written down? Identity theft is a major threat. Instead, use smart phones with the free CenPOS app and get cards swiped at the table or door, or add a card reader to any laptop. Micro manage user permissions and shut them down on demand. CenPOS prompts both the user and the donor for the appropriate actions. “Dummy proof” your payment collection to reduce costs and improve record keeping.
• Donor Management: An API (application interface) is available to exchange data with your donor management software. CenPOS supports recurring billing and can send the appropriate secure token to your software as well. CenPOS stores 7 years of data storage vs the typical 18 months of merchant services providers and gateways.
• Finance scrutiny and Fraud protection: CenPOS mitigates risk of fraudulent cards and also offers advanced protection to block certain payment types including anonymous and foreign issued cards. You’re in control of how tight you want to control donations.

CTIA-The Wireless Association® Releases “Guidelines for Mobile Giving”

October 12, 2011

Adherence to the Guidelines provides qualified charities a 60 percent discount for text-to-give campaigns that use dedicated short codes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – CTIA-The Wireless Association® today released its “Guidelines for Mobile Giving” to provide qualified charities a framework and 60 percent discount for mobile giving campaigns that use short codes. Created after months of collaboration among carriers, mobile giving service providers, major non-profits and non-profit accreditation groups, the Guidelines provide charities with “best practices” to help them create successful and reputable mobile donation campaigns.

The use of text message short codes for charitable donations was initially developed after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, and gained prominence after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

The “Guidelines for Mobile Giving” will provide qualifying charitable organizations greater control over their unique short code. While charities may continue to conduct campaigns on shared short codes, a dedicated code mitigates donor confusion for qualifying organizations.

To qualify to lease a unique code at the discount, a charity must be accredited by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance or receive three- or four-star rating from Charity Navigator. Accredited charities can mix communications, solicitations and mobile giving with their code as long as they follow the Mobile Marketing Association’s guidelines and provide consumers with a separate opt-in for each type of activity. In addition, a single code may be leased by chapter-based groups and used by all chapters or for unified campaigns.

“After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to Haiti’s earthquake to Japan’s tsunami, Americans have generously sent millions of dollars in charitable donations via their wireless devices. The ‘Guidelines’ will help provide consumers with peace-of-mind when sending a text donation while ensuring their accredited charities are in accordance to their donors’ intent,” said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association.

For more information about CTIA Guidelines for Mobile Giving, please visit: http://files.ctia.org/pdf/CTIA_Charitable_Giving_Guidelines_101211.pdf

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CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

CenPOS users have many options for accepting payments during a disaster. CenPOS can be accessed from many endpoints, minimizing the potential for business disruption. If you’re unable to run operations from the affected physical location, all prior sales and financial data is instantly available from your temporary operations and other then getting to a device with internet access, your operation is fully functional at all times.

Download the CenPOS Payment Processing Mobile Disaster Planning Options (pdf) and see also, related article on Payment processing emergency back up during disasters.