Card Not Present, CenPOS, credit card processing

B2B Cloud payment processing technology blog about increasing profits, efficiency and security.

Card Not Present, CenPOS, credit card processing

Category Archives: Equipment-POS

merchant card processing equipment including swipe and POS terminals

EMV Chip Terminal Buyers Guide

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Merchants and developers are racing to implement EMV terminals to accept chip cards ahead of the October 1, 2015 merchant liability shift deadline. Buyer beware- some ‘EMV Ready‘ terminals may never be certified.

EMV READY VS EMV CERTIFIED

Credit card terminals advertised as EMV Ready, EMV Capable or EMV Compliant are terminals that ‘could’ accept chip cards in the future. But, the terminal must be certified to the processor. Due to the expense and time, not all terminals will be certified. If the terminal is driven by a POS application or payment gateway, both the solution and the terminal must be certified to each processor or merchant acquirer.

Tip: Beware language like “this terminal will get you ready for EMV”.

The image below from First Data shows specific terminals that solutions partners have submitted that their integrating, however, there’s no guarantee any will ever be completed.

CenPOS, an end to end payment engine, offers the only independent payment gateway with US EMV certified terminals available for all major processors today.

CenPOS has offered gateway driven certified EMV terminal solutions since January 2015. Is CenPOS right for your company, POS, or ERP?  Click here to view the full EMV Buyers Guide.

Christine Speedy is a global authorized reseller of CenPOS, specializing in B2B, omnichannel and integrations.

ICVerify Software End of Life & Replacement Options

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ic verify replacement alternativeFirst Data announced today the end of life for ICVerify® Software, also known as First Data Payment Software for Windows®. Following a similar announcement by Verifone for PCCharge in May 2015, It was inevitable that ICVERIFY Software, another PC based payment software solution would also be deemed obsolete. What will software companies and merchant users replace it with?

What does ICVERIFY Software end of life mean?

Product development has ended. First Data has a timeline to stop selling and stop supporting ICVERIFY. The product owner does not have to immediately change, but should review the timeline and consequences for future business decisions.

ICVERIFY KEY DATES:

  • June 17, 2015 End of Development Date: Effective immediately, there will be no new development for the ICVerify product. This includes development work requested as a result of a support issue.
  • July 31, 2015 Final Order/Shipment Date: No new orders or licenses. No new MID/TIDs or adding users to existing licenses.
  • June 30, 2016, End of Support Date: First Data support discontinued. Up until that date, both level 1 and level 2 telephone support for existing users.

First Data will honor valid ICVerify support contracts for customers that have purchased annual support, prior to June 17, 2015, through the end of their annual term. Effective immediately support contracts will not be renewed. This includes contracts for Level 2 integration support for First Data clients as well as Level 1 support agreements for non-First Data clients. Level 1 support for First Data clients will remain free until June 30, 2016.

“This is an ideal time to examine long term omnichannel payment needs to avoid transitioning to other outdated technology,” according to Christine Speedy, a cloud payments expert. “At their core, all payment gateways enable merchants to process web based transactions securely with cloud solutions. Beyond that, there are many differences, and even bleeding edge solutions could lead to further disruption, if the new technology disappears when ideas don’t catch on or venture capital dries up.”

What solutions can replace IC Verify? The days of Windows based payment solutions have been replaced with cloud or internet based payment gateways. What’s the difference between ICVerify and a Payment Gateway?

  1. The most obvious is there’s no software to install. Users process payments via a virtual terminal (login in to a secure web page), or via payment gateway integration. This alleviates many problems related to maintaining current desktop based software, but not all of them, as merchants are still expected to maintain firewalls, update Windows, web browsers etc. for PCI Compliance.
  2. Transaction fees are standard. However, these fees can be offset by efficiency gains, reduced PCI Compliance burden, and even reduced merchant fees through better interchange rate qualification.
  3. More features,  user accessibility, and reporting capabilities.

TIPS FOR NEW PAYMENT GATEWAY VENDOR SELECTION:

Is 3-D Secure (Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure) for card not present transactions supported?
Are there any EMV certifications? If not, what is the roap map time frame? (note- EMV certified is not the same as EMV ready or capable)
Is the gateway processor neutral to provide maximum financial flexibility? (Critical for integrations.)
If business to business, for which sales channels does the gateway support level III processing? (mobile, retail, EBPP, kiosk, online payments, ecommerce, other) Can the user bypass submitting level III data on eligible transactions?
Is ACH supported? (If no, this is a red flag as lagging in innovation.)
What type of audit trail is available for PCI 3.0? How long is the data accessible?

ICVERIFY REPLACEMENT PAYMENT GATEWAY OPTIONS

I believe flexibility to choose your own credit card processor (acquirer) and change processors without disrupting business operations is critical for payment gateway vendor selection. For example, Payeezy is First Data’s gateway and it only works with First Data. The list below is payment gateways compatible with most existing merchant accounts, and capable of level 3 processing, critical to qualify for lower interchange fees for business to business; merchants can change acquirers and simply point gateway to the new merchant account.

  • CenPOS

    CenPOS is a robust, global payment gateway. EMV, 3-D Secure, ACH, credit card, level 3 processing, Electronic Bill Presentment & Payment (EBPP), audit trail for every touch to system by user, indefinite record retention, dynamic search online or download; robust custom reports, alerts and distribution. CenPOS does not publish rates online; contact us for a quick quote. For business to business, CenPOS far exceeds any competitors for ROI. Call 954-942-0483 for a quick CenPOS quote. 

  • Authorize.net – no EMV chip card options as of 4/11/2016

    Authorize.net is one of the oldest payment gateways. ACH, credit card, 24 month record retention and search; download reports only.  3-D Secure and level 3 processing typically not available,might be available for card not present depending on integration, “We currently expect the mPOS app and VPOS to support chip payments in the second quarter of 2016.” Link to authorize.net EMV schedule. Update July 2016- looks like they missed the first support date. Call 954-942-0483 for an authorize.net quote.

  • PayTrace- no EMV chip card options as of 4/11/2016

    ACH, credit card, 24 month record retention and search; download reports only. Level 3 processing might be available for card not present depending on integration. “PayTrace anticipated launching its virtual terminal EMV solution toward the end of 2015. Although significant advancements in the product development have been executed, we need more time to complete the certification process. As a result, our timeline has moved into 2016.” Link to Paytrace EMV schedule. Update July 2016- first support date has moved to second half of 2016.

  • eProcessing Network- no EMV chip card options as of 4/11/2016

    ACH, credit card, 24 month record retention and search; download reports only.Level 3 processing might be available for card not present depending on integration.

Do you need a new payment gateway to replace your ICVERIFY account? Payment gateway selection can significantly impact EBITDA, PCI Compliance, and efficiencies. Contact Christine Speedy at 954-942-0483 for standalone, integrated solutions and any new payment gateway accounts.

Apple Pay EMV Ready Terminal Ad Review

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applepay emv terminal

Apple Pay EMV terminal advertisement.

I received this attractive ad today in an email. At first glance, it looks like an Apple offer, but the fine print below says “Apple does not sponsor, endorse or promote this offer. 
Apple Pay is currently available only in the United States.” Let’s review the ad and the landing page at http://link.emlservices2.net/u.d?bYGu4iinutyt1X88jzB=1.

The merchant fees advertised by Total Merchant Services, a First Data ISO, are 1.59% plus $.19 per transaction. The fine print of the offer is not shown. However, this type of offer is for ‘bundled’ pricing. That means it starts at a low retail swipe rate for certain cards, but other types of cards and key entered transactions will be at a much higher rate to achieve the desired profit margins. Nothing wrong with making a profit, but this type of plan is only suitable for certain small retail businesses because bundled pricing always costs more than interchange plus pricing. Additionally, they’ll need to recoup the cost of the free terminal either through a long term contract or high profit margins or both.

The ad message is clear that your business needs to be ready for EMV Compliance and buying this terminal will get you there.  While the terminal is EMV ready, as of today, the unit has not been EMV certified on First Data. Since they’re promoting it, someone is probably working on the certification, but for now, the terminal is EMV capable, or in their words “EMV Compliant”.

“YOU will be RESPONSIBLE for CREDIT CARD FRAUD if you do not have an EMV-compliant terminal by October 2015.” Beginning October 2015, either the issuer or merchant that is the cause of a contact chip transaction not occurring will be financially liable for any resulting card present counterfeit fraud losses. Lost and stolen card use is not applicable for Visa, but is applicable for MasterCard. The card brands also have differing exceptions and extra incentives to encourage adoption of EMV. Refer to EMV deadline misinformation is rampant for more information.

apple payIs it an Apple Pay Terminal? That’s just sales jargon. The terminal supports NFC or ‘contactless’ payments, including Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

Ingenico iCT250 emv terminal

Ingenico iCT250 emv capable countertop terminal.

Note, the iPhone and iWatch are not included and it’s not a mobile terminal. The Apple products shown are items that consumers can use to make payments with Apple Pay.

In summary, nice ad, and easy way for small businesses to update their terminal with a quality brand. If you like their deal, I’ll match any offer they make – and offer an additional incentive- because I know it’s going to be profitable!

My core customers process over one million annually; They’re not required to change processors and this isn’t the solution I’d recommend for them.

 

 

First Data EMV Certified Terminals For Chip Cards

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Which terminals are EMV certified to accept chip cards with First Data today?  There are terminals that are First Data only compatible and there are terminals that can be used with any processor, but need to be certified for each payment solution integrated to First Data.

EMV Capable vs EMV Certified

  • EMV Capable or Ready: A terminal that has the hardware, but has not been certified. EMV capable terminals have been distributed for years in hopes to convert to EMV later. Not all capable machines will ever be certified for EMV.
  • EMV Certified: A terminal that has been certified to a specific processor, including specific application, if applicable.
  • EMV Activated: A merchant with an EMV certified terminal, and merchant account updated to accept chip card transactions.

EMV Certified For First Data:  Requires the merchant to use the certifying partner and have a First Data merchant account either direct or through an independent service organization. The terminals can generally be used with multiple processors, but each will have to choose to certify.

For example, the terminal is compatible with Paywhere and other applications, but each application will need to certify to First Data and or other processors.

  • VeriFone MX915, requires CenPOS, a merchant centric enterprise payment engine; contact Christine Speedy, 954-942-0483 for CenPOS sales and integrations.

    verifone MX915 EMV terminal

    Verifone MX915 multilane signature capture terminal

  • VeriFone E315/E335 PINPAD, requires High-Line payment gateway and merchant account
verifone e315 EMV

Verifone e315 EMV requires Apple® iPhone® 5 or Apple iPod touch® 5 and Highline merchant account

First Data EMV Certified Terminals: These terminals usually require a First Data merchant account and are locked to prevent use with other payment processors.

  • FD35 peripheral accepts EMV today. The FD35 must be paired with an FD50, FD50Ti, FD100, FD100Ti, FD200 or FD200Ti terminal.

    First Data FD35 EMV pin pad terminal

    First Data FD35 EMV PinPad

Additional Information:

 

American Express EMV Terminal Rebate expires April 30 2015

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emv smart card

EMV chip smart card.

American Express EMV terminal rebate for small business expires today. Merchants must submit their proof of purchase today for their $100 reward card.

Do you need an EMV terminal? Which one is best for your business? Where can you buy? See our resources below and call your merchant services salesperson for help, or contact us for assistance.

EMV Buyers Guide

American Express Reward Overview

CenPOS is the only company listed on the First Data Integrated Partner Solutions certified for EMV (4/27/15)* and that also offers 3D Secure, added security standards for card not present. Call 954-942-0483 for more information.