PCI QIR Certification and What it Means

PCI QIR Certification and What it Means

Is Your Merchant and POS Provider QIR Certified?

Visa requires all merchants including Level 4 merchants (small businesses) to have their payment processing devices and systems installed by Qualified Integrator and Reseller (QIR).  That means ensuring your EMV or chip reader and/or software used in your business is installed, maintained, and serviced by Qualified PCI Certified Technicians.  Small businesses tend to be more susceptible to fraud thus more at risk. ACCORDING TO VISA, since EMV adoption, credit card theft has dropped about 76%. 

The Difference Between EMV and the Old Magnetic Swipe Process

Although an EMV (or chip) reader can be slightly slower than the old card swipe, it is safer for the cardholder and the merchant. This is because the magnetic strip once carried all of your account information, and it was easy to copy. The new chip technology creates a unique code from with communicates that  “this amount of money from this card was used for this transaction and this one only.” Thus removing the ability to reuse the information because of the unique code generated from the chip. Make sure you are using credit card terminals and or software systems that already have this technology-enabled. 

Why do you need a QIR-certified Payment Provider to Install Your POS System? 

The biggest reason is, securing your data. Only qualified professionals should install or troubleshoot your Point of Sale System or credit card terminals. This we where restaurants become vulnerable and open to malware. The POS goes down and someone does a quick fix or remotes in and leaves a firewall open or with an easy-to-hack password. Also, Skimmers can be placed within a machine and sold to unsuspecting merchants resulting in stolen information and potential fines. 

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has a certification for eligible resellers to give the business owner peace of mind. The customer’s information is secure when making transactions. In addition, the technicians installing and servicing your terminals are trained to do so with the most up-to-date standards, no matter the size of your company. 

PCI DSS recommends always checking your current or new providers to ensure they maintain the highest security standards. We make sure our team at Card Systems is PCI certified.  Even though filling out the form every year and doing a security scan can be painful at times with cameras and other connections in your business, it helps protect you and your customers. It is just common sense like closing your front door, locking it, and then checking it from time to time.

Search by country, region, or state on the PCI SSC Qualified Integrator & Reseller List.

Stay connected with Backup Internet

Stay connected with Backup Internet

What is your Backup Plan to Process Payments?

Connectivity to the internet has never been more essential to business operations. Especially when it comes to authorizing your credit cards or accepting payments. Our weather has never been more volatile: heatwaves, storms, floods, and rolling blackouts are a constant pressure on our connectivity.  Every business needs fast, reliable internet or cell connectivity to keep money flowing through their Point of Sale System or access their data. Having a safety net could be the difference between making a big sale or losing a client. Never miss an order or another transaction on your POS.

Streamline Service with a Fail-over Internet Device

Backup internet is an immediate solution! Your business will never miss a beat when your main internet provider is down for maintenance, bad weather, or any outage.   With options like a Wireless Failover System, the only way you will even realize the failover system has started working is an alert to your email or text. 

What is it, and How does it Work?

A wireless ISP gives your equipment a cellular internet connection (like your cell phone connection) with the reliability you have come to expect from your traditional ISP.  Automatically it detects an internet outage and connects your systems immediately.

Always Feel Secure

If an internet outage occurs, your POS devices are secured because they automatically switch to the wireless backup fail-over system. In addition, most of your customer information and company resources are stored online and remain active, so your customer is unaware of an issue. Whether it’s a database, POS System, or ATM, each holds crucial information for the day-to-day business to run smoothly and will continue with a backup internet system. 

Customer Satisfaction

By having a wireless failsafe installed, the customer never loses connectivity, and neither do you. Keep your customers happy and spare them the inconvenience of long wait lines or the frustration of not checking out quickly.  A wireless backup makes processing credit card transactions, terminal entries, and receipt printing continue without a problem. 

Choosing a Provider 

When choosing a backup provider, it should be fast, reliable, and instant. If you choose to downgrade for your backup internet, your business runs the risk of not making the seamless jump to your backup system defeating the purpose of a backup internet system in the first place. 

The final caution is to make sure you choose a PCI-compliant reseller selling and installing this equipment. Remember, customer information can be in-flight with some of the old legacy systems. Therefore, you always need to know who is touching your data!  and In addition, business owners should always be aware of where they are getting their devices processing customer and employee information. 

Never lose connectivity in your business. Instead, be prepared and invest in a backup fail-over system to keep your network and Point of Sale System or credit card terminal running and your customers happy during an outage. Then, call us, and we can help.

Do I pick a Local Merchant Service Provider or My Bank?  

Do I pick a Local Merchant Service Provider or My Bank?  

Choosing your Merchant Services Provider should be at the top of the list when opening a business

Banks try to “simplify” the task for you by offering their in-house services. However, is the bank really better for your company than a Local Merchant Service Provider? The answer is no; the bank itself is just a large-scale Merchant Service Provider.

While banks offer some of the same services that a Local Merchant Provider does like their own POS System and credit card readers, your Local Merchant Provider typically carries a larger variety of POS Systems. They make sure you never feel lost in the sea of merchants and almost always provide better service over the phone or in person. It is their core business to service your processing needs.

Bank of America Merchant Services and most Banks are just resellers that outsource customer service, leaving the merchant without immediate help if a problem occurs because the technology doesn’t typically belong to them. They are just reselling merchant processing along with their other bank services.

Technology is Key

The technology doesn’t always belong to the Local Merchant Provider either, but they take the time to learn the products that they are selling. For example, Card Systems has teamed up with business solutions merchants like Clover and Sound Payments, and others to help businesses directly and never leave you without support. In fact, last year they purchased an ownership interest in Edgeserv POS  to help local restaurants provide a better overall dining experience.

Fees can be difficult to determine

In addition to the customer service not reaching the public’s standards, bank reviews reflected that banks can be deceptive in claiming lower rates. They try to say their rates cannot be beaten, but they just waive certain bank fees while raising prices on other services.

Pricing seems to even out or be more favorable from your Local Merchant Service Provider when unexpected fees begin showing up on the bank’s merchant statements.  Businesses also ran into undisclosed contracts and high termination fees when the services were no longer needed.

3 main takeaways:

  1. Do your research before choosing your Merchant Service Provider
  2. Know what your business really needs
  3. Make sure your Merchant Service Provider is available when you need them (not just 9-5)

A 200-seat restaurant and a 7-table coffee shop do not need the same processing services, but they both need quality services. You want your customers to feel safe when making payments while at the same time make maximum profit from the transactions. Don’t overpay for services and technology you don’t need and make sure your provider is always available to help when you need it.

Are you ready for Father’s Day with Gift Cards?

Are you ready for Father’s Day with Gift Cards?

The number one impulse gift is a gift card.  Are you offering gift cards to your customers?

This is an excellent way to promote your business and create additional revenue at the same time. Successful business owners know this and prepare well in advance of every holiday.   But wait….don’t forget birthdays, actually, they are the number one Holiday so keep refreshing your displays

  • Display Gift Cards everywhere. Dress up your store and make sure people see them. This is the easiest and most effective way to market your gift cards
  • Advertise on your table Tents
  • Send an email to your customers via Mailchimp or Constant Contact
  • Have a drawing weekly to collect names and give away
  • Add gift cards or e-gift cards to your website and all your social media sites

Here are ways to promote your Gift Cards for Father’s Day and all year long. Check out our Gift Card tips.

We have the supplies you need for your gift cards: Gift Card holders, presenters, table tents (we will design) gift card signage to help you promote your gift cards, and more.

Gift Cards – You Still Have Time!

Gift Cards – You Still Have Time!

How can you sell more this season?

Gift cards continue to be the #1 gift given and also the #1 gift most people want to receive.  E-gift cards and Mobile Gift cards are becoming more popular than ever and you can begin selling these cards today! Especially with so many people using their mobile devices for everything these days.  Not only e-gift cards are easy to buy and send, but they are also instantly delivered or they can be ordered ahead of time.

3 Quick Tips to sell more gift cards this year

Add Value
Offer an additional bonus gift card with a large purchase or in addition to a $50-$100 gift card purchase. This is another great way to acquire new customers. A mere $10 or $20 free gift card is an inexpensive way to increase your customer base since most people give the free card away to friends or family. There is a reason the big box stores have huge banners up this time of year!
Creating Impulse Gifts
Give your customers a “grab and go” option at check-out with your cards in a basket or simple gift bag.  A bottle of wine and pasta in a basket or maybe some chocolates with a plate on display will appeal to your customers. Get creative, and have fun with it!  You have a captive audience and visualization always sells more gift cards.  Customers love the time savings of not having to wrap it themselves or think of items to add. Your gift cards fly off the shelves and your sales will skyrocket!  Not to mention the new business you will gain from the recipients of these gift cards.
Advertise e-Gift Cards Everywhere
Use banners outside or notices on your doors, and a fun display at your check out counter.  Also, don’t forget social media…with a simple QR code directing them to your website to order e-gift cards, mobile or plastic gift cards online!
We are all pressed for time these days and just by making it easy for your customers to order with gift ideas or different methods of delivery, you will create the “WOW” factor and be remembered!  Last year Statista reported retail sales were projected to amount to $6.03 trillion in 2022!
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Learn More about Gift cards

Gift Cards

Increase Ticket Amounts
Build Brand Awareness
Increase Repeat Purchases

Loyalty Cards

Loyalty Reward Programs

Encourage repeat business
Combine with gift cards