May 12th, 2014 by Elma Jane

New iPhone and VeriFone-made shell combination that can accept chip and PIN card payments. Apple’s revamp in its in-store mPOS system

In 2009, Apple introduced its EasyPay mPOS technology. It consists of an iPod Touch and a shell made by Infinite Peripherals that includes a card swiper and a barcode scanner.

As first reported by 9to5mac,the iPod is now being replaced by an iPhone while VeriFone is being brought in to provide a new shell which will cater for chip and PIN payments as the US finally gets ready for the switch to EMV. The shell also has a spot above the PIN pad that opens the way for NFC contactless payments, according to Forbes. Apple has long been expected to equip the iPhone with NFC but has so far ignored the technology.

Separately, mPOS giant Square has ditched its Wallet app, pulling it from the Google and Apple stores. The app has failed to take off since its launch in 2011, despite the support of Starbucks. It has been replaced by Square Orders, which lets users order and pay ahead at participating merchants and then pick up their goods when they are ready.

Posted in Best Practices for Merchants, Mobile Payments, Mobile Point of Sale, Point of Sale, Smartphone Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 29th, 2013 by Elma Jane

In addition to my article about Credit Card Purchases give way to Tap and Go.

I would like to add an example of contactless payments which was introduced in 1997 called Speedpass.

Speedpass is a keychain RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) introduced in 1997 by Mobil Oil Corp. (which merged with Exxon to become ExxonMobil in 1999) for electronic payment. It was originally developed byVerifone. As of 2004, more than seven million people possess Speedpass tags, which can be used at approximately 10,000 Exxon, Mobil and Esso gas stations worldwide. Speedpass has also been previously available through a Speedpass Car Tag and Speedpass-enabled Timex watch.

Speedpass is another example of “contactless” payment system that provides members with a quick and easy way to pay for purchases at participating Exxon and Mobil stations nation-wide. Speedpass is similar to the electronic toll technology successfully used on subway, bus, and highway systems around the world.

Speedpass key tag has a built-in chip and radio frequency antenna that allows it to communicate with Speedpass readers at gasoline pumps, convenience store terminals, and car wash kiosks at Exxon and Mobil locations.

A quick wave of your Speedpass key tag in front of the reader initiates the automatic transmission of a unique identification and security code to the Speedpass payment system so your account can be located. Your payment is instantly processed using the credit/debit card that is linked to your Speedpass. If the transaction is approved, you will receive a payment confirmation and you can be quickly on your way.

You can securely access your Speedpass account and change the credit/debit card that is linked to your device. You can also specify whether or not you would like to receive a receipt for gasoline purchases made at the pump using your Speedpass. Even if you change your receipt settings to specify that you don’t want a printed receipt, you can always view your complete Speedpass transaction history and all electronic receipts online by logging into your account at any time.

Speedpass is safe and secure. Your card information, preferences, and personal details are not stored in your Speedpass device, so your information is protected from unauthorized use.

Speedpass is a cool payment method for people on the go! You can use your Speedpass to pay for gasoline, food, merchandise, and car washes at participating Exxon and Mobil locations nation-wide.

Speedpass Benefits:

Fast and Convenient 
Simply wave your Speedpass key tag across the area of the gasoline pump, convenience store terminal, or car wash kiosk that says “Place Speedpass Here”. 

Free
There are no fees to acquire or use Speedpass key tags.

Easy and Simple
When you use Speedpass, there is no need to sign a receipt.

Online Account Access 
If you are an existing Speedpass member, you can login to speedpass.com to access your account 24/7. You can review your purchase history, access electronic receipts, update your contact information, change the credit/debit card that is linked to your device, and more! If you are an existing member, but don’t yet have a username and password, setup your online profile today by clicking on the My Account button on this site.

Safe and Secure
Your credit/debit card number and personal information are not stored in
your Speedpass device.

Posted in Electronic Payments, Mobile Point of Sale, Near Field Communication Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 22nd, 2013 by Elma Jane

American Express cardmembers can now use their accumulated loyalty points to pay for taxi fares in New York City through a partnership with VeriFone.

The programme will roll out on VeriFone’s in-taxi devices that process more than 200,000 payments a day in more than 7000 cabs throughout NYC.

Leslie Berland, senior vice president, digital partnerships and development at American Express, says: “With this announcement, we’re leveraging our unique technology to bring it to life at the most critical commerce touchpoint – the physical point of sale.”

The integration is currently limited to New York taxis, but it doesn’t take a great stretch of the imagination to see it expanded to include other VeriFone point-of-sale systems.

At the end of the ride, AmEx members who have chosen to pay by card will be given the option to use points for their ride fare, including tip and tolls.

Posted in Credit card Processing, Electronic Payments, Gift & Loyalty Card Processing, Visa MasterCard American Express Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 18th, 2013 by Elma Jane
Ruby 2 Point of Sale by Verifone

Verifone Ruby 2 POS

VeriFone Systems, announced today the availability of Commander Site Controller, the company’s next generation site management solution, and Ruby2 a touch-screen point of sale (POS) solution, both designed to provide greater efficiency, faster payment acceptance and new management capabilities that maximize profit potential for convenience store retailers.

Commander Site Controller is purpose-built for rugged c-store environments and combines site, payment and forecourt control in one device, creating additional flexibility in store configuration. Its future-proof system architecture includes expansion slots and ports for additional capacity and functionality. Additionally, Commander Site Controller features 100 percent IP communication for increased speed of EMV transactions.

Ruby2 is the next evolution of VeriFone’s Ruby POS platform, a 20-year leader in the petroleum industry. It features a fully-touchscreen console that increases checkout speed by providing fast and efficient order and payment processing, and a smaller footprint for increased counter space.      Ruby2 is compatible with the latest VeriFone product offerings, including customer engagement media solutions, site management software to efficiently manage multiple locations seamlessly, and the latest in fuel control management.

VeriFone is taking petroleum retail and c-store operations to new heights of efficiency and manageability. These next-generation systems build on the success of  Sapphire site controller and original Ruby POS systems with the ability to expand in order to meet customers’ future needs.

Commander Site Controller’s cloud based management software platform – Commander Console—enables owners to remotely and simultaneously complete PLU price changes, tax rate adjustments, fuel price changes and promotional updates in real time for multiple site locations from any web enabled device or mobile app for iOS and Android tablets and smartphones.

Ruby2 will be available this fall on certain networks while Commander Site Controller is available today on certain networks.

 

Posted in Credit card Processing, Electronic Payments, Mobile Point of Sale, Point of Sale Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 17th, 2013 by Elma Jane

VeriFone and National Payment Card Association (NPCA) debuted a mobile payment and rewards solution that enables convenience store and petroleum retailers to provide customers with smartphone-based payment options at the pump.

Utilizing VeriFone’s Smart Fuel Controller and NPCA’s mobile payment solution, c-store and gas station operators with VeriFone payment acceptance systems can quickly implement a fixed low-cost mobile payment and rewards program built on existing infrastructure used for merchant branded debit cards.

Consumers are increasingly drawn to rewards-based fuel purchase programs and they expect to be able to use their mobile phone to complete transactions at the pump.  NPCA and VeriFone are showing how easy it is for CSPs to offer mobile payment and reward options to customers that increase loyalty and sales.

VeriFone Smart Fuel solutions make it easy for CSPs to offer forecourt pump POS payment without incurring the cost of installing new dispensers. The Smart Fuel Controller combines pump and pay-point support into a single unit, simplifying installation and maintenance, and eliminating the need for third-party interface devices to integrate pay-point management with in-store POS systems.

Merchants can develop their own mobile app, or apply their brand to a mobile app supplied by NPCA, to enable customers to pay for purchases and receive loyalty incentives using their smartphones.

Consumers today would rather utilize the capabilities of their smartphones versus pulling out their wallets. Using this solution, retailers can easily and cost-effectively create mobile loyalty programs that attract and reward high-value customers – without having to replace their existing payment infrastructure.

NPCA’s debit-based payment programs provide retailers with the ability to drive customer loyalty and reduce the cost of payments. Fuel discounts are funded from interchange savings that retailers would otherwise pay to banks. Payment processing is done by NPCA using the automated clearing house (ACH) system to clear debits to cardholder checking accounts and net settle with retailers each day. The company holds five patents related to the processing and methods for ACH-based decoupled debit and mobile payments.

Come November VeriFone and NPCA mobile payments solution will be available for beta testing.

Posted in Electronic Payments, Mobile Payments, Point of Sale, Smartphone, Visa MasterCard American Express Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,