Offline Credit Card Processing Guide

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In the digital world where everything is accessible online easily, the need for Offline Credit Card Processing remains. While transactions will mandatorily happen with businesses, poor connectivity to the internet calls for accepting offline payments. Even though they happen less often, your business should facilitate it readily for smooth experiences.

This blog is all about the basics of offline card processing, how such transactions are processed, the pros & cons, and more.

What is offline credit card processing?

 

Offline credit card processing

Offline credit card transaction processing is all about accepting payments made through a credit card in the absence of an active internet connection. With online transactions, payments are processed immediately with authorization. However, offline payments require businesses to store transaction details securely so that they can be processed promptly as the internet connection is restored.

So, what kind of businesses require this facility? The answer is – ‘all’. Inconvenience to the internet network is uncertain and can happen to any business, even laundry and dry-cleaning stores where numbers of transactions are processed daily. The idea is to keep transaction processing efficient and convenient for customers, retain customer satisfaction, and avoid potential revenue loss due to such mishaps.

How are offline credit/debit transactions processed?

Offline transactions made via credit or debit cards are processed a bit differently than online transactions. Here’s how they work:

1. Deferred authorization – Unlike online transactions where authorization happens immediately, transactions made offline are stored for authorisation later. Hereby, the risk of transaction decline remains with the business.

2. Batch processing – When the internet connection is restored, the payment processor sends all the stored transactions for authorization. The availability of funds is checked & confirmed and the transaction is completed.

3. Settlement – Once authorization is done successfully, funds are transferred from the customer’s bank account to the merchant’s account which marks an end of transaction processing.

Pros & Cons of Offline Card Processing

Pros Cons
Uninterrupted Transactions: Even if a live internet connection is unavailable at the moment, transactions are still getting processed smoothly. This ensures zero impact on sales during network outages. Risk of Transaction Decline: If the transaction fails after the internet connection restores, it will be a risk of loss for the business.
Customer Satisfaction: With faster payment processing in the absence of active internet, customers can complete transactions uninterruptedly. It only increases customer satisfaction. Affected Cash Flow: Offline payments may take longer to process than those made online. This can affect the entire cash flow of businesses.
Lower Reliance on the Internet: If your store is located at a place where frequent internet outages occur, you can rely on such transactions. Data Security Concerns: Even if the transaction details are saved temporarily, stringent security measures are required to prevent data breaches.

Benefits of facilitating Offline Transactions at Laundry & Dry-Cleaning Outlets

If you own a laundry & dry-cleaning outlet at a place where internet outages are frequent, facilitating offline payments can make a huge difference.

1. Uninterrupted Payment is Ensured

2. Staff’s efficiency remains unaffected

3. Flexibility is maintained while accepting card payments

How to process offline payments at your POS?

To be able to accept payments offline, you must have a point-of-sale system supporting this feature.

Here is a stepwise guide. You need to check if your existing POS is capable enough for handling transactions offline. If not, you will need an advanced system like Axcess IT EPOS that functions efficiently and ensures seamless transactions during internet outages.

Top Features of Clean Touch EPOS

➣ Numerous payment management controls with simplified offline credit and debit card processing.
➣ Easy refunds and voided payment management
➣ Updates sent via SMS notification to customers
➣ Optimal staff management
➣ Barcode scanning
➣ Garment tracker
➣ Day-end reports
➣ & many more

The Takeaway

Processing credit card transactions offline is a valuable functionality for businesses, especially those operating in the outskirts or with poor network infrastructure. Understanding the benefits and risks of such payment processing allows businesses to make informed decisions. For niches like laundry & dry cleaning, customer satisfaction and operational efficiency are paramount. It also helps in safeguarding revenue, thus being a smart choice for any business looking to provide exceptional service under all conditions.

You are just a step away from inquiring about Axcess IT Clean Touch EPOS. Let’s get it done now!

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What is POS Debit? Understanding Basics on Point-of-Sale Transactions

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Despite its common usage, many people are unclear about what POS Debit means and how it fits into the broader landscape of financial transactions. This blog details the concept of POS Debit, its significance in point-of-sale transactions and how laundry and dry-cleaning businesses can optimize their POS systems for smoother customer experiences.

What is POS Debit?

 

pos debit

POS Debit, or Point-of-Sale Debit, refers to a transaction made using a debit card at a point of sale.

In simpler terms, when you swipe your debit card at a launderer’s outlet or dry-cleaning shop, any other physical or online order, the transaction that deducts money directly from your bank account is called a POS Debit.

Unlike credit transactions, where the amount is billed to you later, a POS Debit transaction instantly reflects in your account, reducing your available balance.

About POS Debit Transactions

POS Debit transactions are the backbone of retail and service-oriented businesses, including laundry and dry-cleaning. They are not limited to in-store purchases; they also encompass online transactions, mobile payments, and even bill payments made using a debit card. These transactions are processed through secure payment gateways, ensuring that funds are transferred directly from the customer’s bank account to the business’ account, usually within a matter of seconds.

POS Debit transactions are highly convenient and are widely accepted across the globe. They allow customers to pay for the products or services without having hard cash at the moment. For businesses, they offer a quick and reliable method to receive payments, boosting cash flow and reducing the risk of non-payment.

Related Read: How does Payment Processing Work?

What are the Types of POS Debit Transactions?

Let us introduce you to different types of POS Debit transactions incorporated by businesses as per their needs and customer preferences:

1. In-Person POS Debit Transactions: These occur when a customer physically swipes, inserts, or taps their debit card at a payment terminal in a store or restaurant. The transaction is processed instantly, with the funds deducted from the customer’s bank account in real-time.

2. Online POS Debit Transactions: These involve the use of a debit card for purchases made through e-commerce platforms. Customers enter their card details at checkout, and the transaction is processed electronically, similar to in-person transactions.

3. Mobile POS Debit Transactions: With the rise of mobile payment apps, customers can now use their smartphones to make POS Debit transactions. Whether it’s through a dedicated app or via  mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, these transactions are becoming increasingly popular.

4. Recurring POS Debit Transactions: These are automatic payments set up for regular services like subscriptions, utility bills, or memberships. The customer’s debit card is charged automatically at specified intervals, ensuring timely payments without manual intervention.

What is a Merchant Descriptor?

A Merchant Descriptor is the brief description that appears on a customer’s bank statement for a POS Debit transaction. It typically includes the name of the business and sometimes additional details like the location or the type of transaction. Merchant Descriptors are important for helping customers to reconcile their bank statements while identifying their purchases.

Common Merchant Descriptor Pitfalls & Ways to Avoid Them

Despite their importance, Merchant Descriptors are often overlooked, leading to issues such as:

1. Vague Descriptors: Using a generic or unclear descriptor can confuse customers. For example, if a coffee shop simply uses “Cafe” as its descriptor, the customer may not immediately recognize the transaction.

2. Inconsistent Naming: If a business uses different names for its Merchant Descriptors (e.g., “Cafe X” on one transaction and “X Cafe” on another), it can lead to customer disputes.

3. Lack of Detail: Not including enough information, like location or transaction type, can make it difficult for customers to recall the purchase.

To avoid these pitfalls, businesses should ensure that their Merchant Descriptors are clear, consistent, and informative. Including the business name, location, and a brief description of the product or service can go a long way in preventing disputes and enhancing customer trust.

Make your POS System Fuss-free for Customers with Clean Touch EPOS

To provide a seamless experience for customers, businesses should consider investing in a reliable and user-friendly POS system like Clean Touch, an Axcess IT EPOS. This system simplifies the payment process, offering features such as:

➣ User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design makes it easy for staff to handle transactions, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

➣ Payment Source Tracking: Whenever the customer makes payment, the EPOS can track whether it was made through cash, card, cheque, or any other mode. This tracking makes it convenient to determine the source of payment used by the specific client, in case any issue arise.

➣ Feasible Integration: It is compatible with several payment methods preferred by customers, including debit or credit cards, and net banking.

➣ Customizable Merchant Descriptors: Allows laundry and dry-cleaning businesses to set clear and consistent descriptors for all transactions.

➣ Real-Time Processing: Ensures that transactions are processed quickly and securely, reducing wait times and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Let us also mention, the features listed above are to be mentioned as a few, our EPOS is smart and efficient for handling POS Debit Transactions like anything. Here are our key features applauded by laundry and dry-cleaning businesses.

➣ Re-stock alerts & Handy inventory management

➣ Customer Relationship Management

➣ Notifying suspicious activity

➣ Staff Management

➣ Credit card integration

➣ Garment Tracker

➣ Email updates

➣ And more…

FAQs

1. What is a POS withdrawal?

A POS withdrawal refers to the process of withdrawing cash from your bank account using your debit card at a point of sale, typically offered at some outlets in conjunction with a purchase.

2. What does the POS Debit on your bank statement means?

POS Debit meaning on your bank statement is nothing but your recent transaction made using your debit card at a POS Machine which led to an immediate transfer from your bank account.

3. How to differentiate between point of sale and POS Debit transactions?

A point-of-sale transaction can involve any form of payment, including credit, cash, or digital wallets, whereas a POS Debit transaction indicates the payment made through a debit card which has affected your bank statement.

4. What are point of sale charges?

POS charges are fees paid by the businesses for processing payments made by customers via POS terminals or online/phone/email purchases. These charges include transaction fees, card processing costs, monthly discount rates, and more.

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What is POS Security? How to Protect Customer Data?

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While POS (Point of Sale) systems are essential for businesses, it is important to care about their security too. These systems offer extreme convenience but also bring cyber threats along. If data security is ignored, your POS can share customer’s private information with unknown users which is why safeguarding it should be your priority.

In this blog, we will discuss what point of sale security is, its importance, and how you can ensure the same for protecting end-users’ information.

What is POS Security?

what is POS security

POS Security is all about putting protocols and security guidelines in the first place for safeguarding point-of-sale systems from data theft, unauthorized access & any kind of cyber threats.

As these systems collect sensitive user data (for instance: card/payment information), cybercriminals target such data repositories for collecting valuable data. So, a strong POS is not only necessary to keep secure customer data but also for retaining customer loyalty and maintaining your business’ trustworthiness in the market.

Why is POS System Security important?

Point-of-sale system security is vital from any perspective as it ensures the protection of integrity and confidentiality of customer’s private data. Leaving any loopholes for cybercriminals can cause security breaches, thus leading to open access to valuable customer data. It can end up as financial loss among individuals, affect business reputation negatively & make ventures undergo legal proceedings.

Customers share their personal information because they trust the business with their private and financial details. Any breach of the firm’s data security system erodes the trust irreparably.

How to ensure Point of Sale Systems Security?

Businesses need to adopt a comprehensive approach to protecting the security of POS systems. As these systems are connected to the internet, security remains a concern.

Here are some of the best ways to protect customer data:

1. Choose Dedicated Terminals

Having dedicated terminals could be the greatest step to take for trimming attack surfaces, thus making it tough for cyber fraudsters to breach security barriers. It is far better than having shared devices or terminals that are used for multiple purposes. You know your terminal is only engaged for transactions and used by a specific employee, to be precise. So, it is easy to identify any threatening circumstance.

2. Ensure Firewall Installation

Firewall performs gatekeeping of your point-of-sale system. It is capable of determining any security breach and informing the user with a notification for taking immediate action. This firewall installation creates a barrier against data thefts and establishes controlled authorization so that only authorized persons can access sensitive data.

3. Opt for Data Encryption

Make data encryption a rule for your point-of-sale system. When data encryption is turned ON, sensitive user data is stored as unreadable code during transmission or storage. So, even if someone breaches the system’s security, the data will be of no use to them as it’ll be non-readable without its decryption key.

4. Set Permissions

Not all of your employees can access everything your POS is capable of. To ensure this, you need to set employee permissions as per their job level so they can access the limited data they require for helping out customers. This allows sufficient information access and reduces the risk of data breach even by the employee.

For instance, the business owner needs POS data reports for analysis which should not be permitted for employees operating at checkout. So, set admin permissions accordingly which is different than employees.

5. Update Security Patches timely

Before blaming a data breach, ask yourself if you have well-maintained data security systems. Consistent updates and regular monitoring are suggested for keeping the POS system secure as expected. It also allows early identification of cyber infringements and takes immediate action accordingly. All you can do is:

➣ Update your POS Software regularly to ensure that the operating system, firewalls, and antivirus programs are running efficiently.

➣ If you’re fine with running automated updates, do it! You can be occupied by daily business operations while automating updates can look after the system’s security just right. It also reduces human errors while ensuring no important security updates are missed.

➣ Establish disaster recovery plans and educate your team regarding the same. Get them for hands-on practice so there is always a Plan B ready for minimizing the risk of financial loss or downtime. Anyone can take charge and sync the security as soon as possible.

➣ Incorporate regular backups, be it on-site or cloud storage. You can protect your customer data alongside the smooth functioning of daily business operations by doing so.

Prefer Only Genuine Provider for Secure POS

Choosing a genuine POS or EPOS Provider is crucial for keeping your system secure! While looking for a provider, shortlist those highlighting data security, offer transparent services, have disaster recovery plans handy, and have clear explanations on the accuracy of processes. You don’t just get peace of mind by choosing the best one but also avoid any data mishaps to retain customer’s loyalty and trust.

POS Security with Axcess IT EPOS

Axcess IT is a leader in providing secure EPOS solutions. Our systems are designed with cutting-edge security features that protect customer data while ensuring smooth operations. With our Clean Touch EPOS, you can be confident that your business and your customers are safe from cyber threats.

Ready for a FREE CONSULTATION for a tailored EPOS Solution guaranteeing optimal protection?

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Complete Guide on Types of POS Scanners

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POS scanners are essential components for point-of-sale systems. These scanning devices make business operations convenient by reading barcodes/QR codes on the product labels in less than a second.

You may find point-of-sale (POS) scanners differing in scanning technology and the way they are operated. This made us bring 6 major types of POS Scanners here for your reference. Each scanner type is unique and meets the distinctive needs of the business environment.

7 Major Types of POS Scanners

POS Scanner

1. Handheld Laser Scanner

Laser scanners are handheld devices you’ve commonly seen reading barcodes with a light beam reflecting out of them. They can read 1D barcodes like the ones commonly used in stores (UPC and EAN). They work over a range that can be from a few centimetres to several dozen centimetres.

Handheld laser scanners are known for their speed, ability to scan from a distance, and low error rate. They are ideal for busy launderer settings where quick processing of desk order items is needed.

2. Handheld CCD (Charge Coupled Device) Scanner

Such scanning devices use red light LEDs to shine on barcodes and a CCD sensor to capture the reflected light. This light is then converted into a digital signal for decoding. CCD scanners are straightforward and inexpensive, making them popular in small laundry and dry-cleaning stores.

While they can only read one-dimensional barcodes, like laser scanners, CCD scanners are effective at close range, typically within a few centimetres. Their wider light coverage helps them better read damaged or blurry barcodes.

3. Handheld 2D Barcode Scanner

Also called image scanners or camera readers, these 2D barcode scanners are the most common type used at checkouts and POS systems. They are capable of reading a wide variety of barcodes like 1D, QR codes, Data Matrix codes, and those appearing on electronic screens. These scanners use advanced CMOS sensor technology, offering precise and fast scanning capabilities.

With the growth of mobile payment options, 2D barcode scanners are now used for more than just scanning product barcodes. They also handle electronic coupons, and verification codes.

4. In-counter Barcode Reader

You see price scanners built into cash registers or counters capable of automatically reading 1D barcodes as items pass by. These are in-counter barcode scanners.

They use advanced sensors and lenses, allowing for hands-free operation and faster checkout without needing to position items precisely.

These scanners are more costly and require professional installation and integration with your POS system. If they break, repairs need a technician, which can disrupt operations. They also have a fixed scanning range, making them less flexible for large or irregularly shaped items compared to handheld scanners.

5. Wireless Barcode Scanner

The idea of a wireless barcode scanner is to bring the scanner to the inventory instead of taking inventory to the scanner. This improves daily business operations significantly and saves tonnes of
time and effort. Also called cordless scanners, these wireless scanners boost productivity with an extended scan range (up to 200 feet in certain cases) depending on the specifications you choose.

They also have dedicated internal memory for scanning multiple items at a time without any immediate dock proximity.

6. Fixed Barcode Scanner

Typically placed at cash registers, these scanners quickly and accurately read both 1D and 2D barcodes, including traditional product barcodes and mobile payment QR codes. They are perfect for small items.

Customers can easily scan their mobile payment QR codes for fast transactions, which speeds up self-checkout. These scanners are compact and don’t take up extra space, keeping the checkout area neat and efficient.

7. Large Field-of-view Scanner

These advanced devices capture extensive areas in a single scan, providing unparalleled efficiency and detail. Ideal for professionals across various sectors, they streamline workflows and enhance productivity.

Which POS Scanner do you think could be the game-changer for your business? Connect with Axcess IT EPOS and learn more about the best-match POS Scanners that can effectively align with your business requirements and cater to speed, reliability, and ease of use.

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