Point Of Sale, Payment Processing And Data Collection News From May 2015
By The Business Solutions Network
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in point of sale, payment processing and data collection news, Datacap Systems and Pivotal Payments announce an integration, RapidFire Tools unveils PCI compliance testing, Vantiv and Ingenico unveil an EMV payment terminal for SMBs, Janam announces a new mobile computer, Benseron announces new tablet POS solutions, Datalogic announces two, new fixed scanners, Ingram Micro introduces an EMV playbook and bundle, and the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) has received an appointment to the 2015-2017 PCI Security Standards Council Board of Advisors.
Datacap Systems, Pivotal Payments Announce Integration
Pivotal Payments recently announced a partnership between its FlexPoint Division and Datacap Systems. The partnership signifies the launch of Pivotal Payments’ exclusive FlexPoint ePay and FlexPoint Tran services based on Datacap’s integrated payments middleware. The combined hardware, software, and middleware solutions will provide FlexPoint’s network of VARs and ISVs solutions to integrate their payments at the POS and evolve their payment distribution strategies. The joint solution will also provide a transition to EMV via a single integration.
By combining Datacap’s ePay and Tran payment integration software and Pivotal Payments’ payment processing services, FlexPoint will offer VARs and ISVs integration choices under its FlexPoint Partner Advantage Program. These PA-DSS-validated solutions are currently integrated into hundreds of POS systems in practically all vertical markets and support an array of embedded applications including ECRs (electronic cash registers), mobile POS, kiosks, vending machines, and more. The partnership will immediately cover POS dealers in the United States with future support planned for the Canadian VAR market.
RapidFire Tools Unveils PCI Compliance Testing For VARs
Savvy VARs should be very aware of how important payment security is to their retail customers. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of study and dedication to understand the nuances of PCI and its security standards. Whether or not you’re a payments security expert, there are automated tools available to help you deliver security services to your customers. The recently released RapidFire Tools Network Detective PCI compliance module is designed to give VARs automatic assessments of their retailer’s payment environment. Simply run the Network Detective module on a retailer’s network, and you’ll have access to a variety of reports including PCI policy and procedures, PCI risk analysis, PCI management plan, evidence of PCI compliance, internal and external vulnerability worksheets, a PAN (personal account number) scan verification worksheet, and more. All said, running the module generates hundreds of pages of detail-rich — and fully brandable — information about a retailer’s security. The software costs $2,500, but can be used for all of your customers. VARs can choose to charge for the security scan, offer it as a value-add to customers, or use a free security scan as a way into new customers.
Vantiv, Ingenico Unveil EMV Terminal Solution For SMBs
Vantiv and Ingenico Group recently announced the addition of Vantiv’s EMV-certified processing application on Ingenico Group’s smart terminal solution set for SMB merchants. The Vantiv processing application offers fraud and security features including EMV and Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) designed to help merchants reduce chargeback liability following the October liability shift.
Combined with the terminal, SMBs will be able to accept virtually any kind of payment, including EMV chip and PIN, EMV chip and signature, mag-stripe, and contactless via NFC (including Apple Pay).
Janam Announces New Mobile Computer
Janam Technologies recently announced the launch of its XG3 rugged mobile computer. The gun-shaped rugged mobile computer sports a 3.5-inch color display with hardened glass, can survive multiple 6-foot drops to concrete on all sides across a full spectrum of temperatures, and is sealed to IP65 standards for use in wet and dirty environments. The unit runs on the Microsoft Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 operating system, has a 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, and ships with a 5200 mAh hot-swappable Li-ion battery for uninterrupted operation throughout the workday.
The XG3 offers the latest in bar code scanning technology with a choice between Honeywell’s Adaptus imaging technology and Motorola’s SE965 extended-range 1D laser scan engine. Finally, it also offers 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and support for Voice over IP (VoIP) for voice and data across manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, plant floors, loading docks, seaports, and other harsh environments.
Benseron Releases New Tablet POS Solutions
Benseron recently launched its new Prestige POS terminal and Rugged 7- to 10-inch screen tablets with built-in EMV and card reader. The rugged tablets are designed to enable in-restaurant mobility, which converts to added efficiency. In the restaurant industry, efficiency equals happier customers, less wasted time, and higher profits. Tablets are delivered fully installed with Bevo POS software, identical to the customer’s standard terminals, and with the same functionality. As a fully operational POS, the tablets will perform all functions including tableside for orders and payments, and all back office features from anywhere inside the network. All terminals continuously update one another in real time, so they all hold identical data at any given time. More importantly, if one of the terminals goes down, all remaining terminals continue to operate normally and maintain redundancy amongst themselves.
Datalogic Extends Magellan Line With Two New Fixed Scanners
Datalogic has extended its Magellan family of fixed scanners with the launch of the Magellan 9300i and Magellan 9400i scanner/scales. The new scanners have digital imagers in all scanning planes to provide seamless reading of 1D and 2D codes without requiring item orientation by the cashier. Datalogic’s patented imaging technology maximizes ergonomic comfort and throughput for both seated and standing cashiers. The Magellan 9400i is also available with support for Digimarc bar code digital watermark reading to further enhance ergonomics and checkout speed.
Designed as a drop-in replacement for traditional laser bi-optic in-counter scanners, the Magellan 9300i and Magellan 9400i units are available in either scanner-scale or scanner-only options. VARs will tout Datalogic features, which work to provide measurable return on investment and improve their total cost of ownership. For instance, Datalogic’s ScaleSentry shrink prevention system and All-Weighs scale platters combine to recoup revenue previously lost by improperly weighed produce.
Ingram Micro Helps VARs Address EMV With Playbook, Bundle
Ingram Micro recently announced a new “Electronic Payments Playbook” and multivendor solution bundle designed to simplify EMV compliance for retailers and businesses of all types by empowering channel partners with the resources and technology needed to properly address the October 2015 EMV liability shift.
Available now in the United States and Canada, the new playbook and solution bundle provides channel partners a detailed overview of the imminent, global EMV mandate and includes the necessary hardware and merchant services needed to ensure business compliance and minimize liability. As part of the new bundle, Ingram Micro Professional Services is providing channel partners with start-to-finish professional services from assessment and deployment to equipment disposal, solution testing, and certification audits.
RSPA Maintains Critical Seat On PCI Council Board
The Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) has received an appointment to the 2015-2017 PCI Security Standards Council Board of Advisors. This represents an important opportunity for the RSPA to provide the perspective of its membership to this cross-industry and international group.
As the RSPA’s representative, Kelly Funk, president and CEO of the RSPA, is one of 28 board members to join the PCI Council in its fight against payment fraud and data breaches globally. Among many duties, board members provide directional and technical input on matters of focus vital for maintaining the security standards that protect digital purchasing and payments. Areas of importance include new cybercrime tactics, public-private-law enforcement information sharing, app development, and merchant needs in developing economies.
As the only association dedicated to the needs of the retail channel, this appointment is hugely valuable as it allows the RSPA to represent VARs, ISVs, and vendors who, in the past, did not have a voice when it came to payment security matters.