Mobile Vs Wireless Credit Card Processing

As the title of this article suggests, there are differences between Mobile and Wireless credit/debit card processing. Hopefully, I can clear up some of that misunderstanding here.

As technology continues to evolve, the different levels of freedom and mobility for processing credit card transactions have expanded. If you're looking for ways to possibly utilize some of this newer technology to generate additional revenues, you first need to understand the options available as well as the flexibility and limitations of each.

Wireless Internet Card Desktop

PROCESSING ON WIRELESS TERMINALS

Cordless Terminals

Cordless are designed for short-range use. Typically you'll find these in restaurants or larger retailers with numerous payment stations throughout the business. These terminals "communicate" with a base unit or computer via the wireless network. While this "wireless" option is portable, it's not as flexible as Mobile processing. The advantage, however, is the ability to offer a printed receipt to the customer. For restaurants, especially, it offers a greater degree of comfort security for customers in that their card never leaves their sight. It also provides the opportunity to key in a PIN number which could potentially save money in processing costs for the restauranteur. It's a true win/win situation. However, the recent passage of the Durbin Amendment will likely make this a non-issue beginning in October 2011.

Traditional Wireless Terminals

The traditional type wireless equipment communicates through "land lines" connected over the air to a base unit plugged into a hardwired phone line. This option allows for some roaming throughout a space, limited somewhat by the radius of wireless connectivity to the terminal (often several hundred feet, depending on obstacles and interference). The great benefit, of course, is the ability to offer customers a printed receipt at the time of sale.

NEED TO ACCEPT CARDS ANYWHERE

Go MOBILE

Mobile payment processing simply didn't exist five years or so ago. And, there's no telling what type of even newer technology is on the horizon. But for now, consider how you may benefit from this technology.

Simply stated, this is credit card processing that you take with you making it possible to accept payments wherever your customers are. The equipment is lightweight and easily transportable. Chances are, you currently own the major component for this type of transaction....a smartphone. Really, all that is required for this to work for you is a signal strong enough to surf the internet and an active data package on your phone. The terminal (or card swiper) itself is a tiny unit that typically just plugs into the headphone port on your phone. Some credit/debit card processing may require a customers signature on the phone's touchscreen and a receipt will be provided to the customer by way of email or an SMS text message.

Obviously, if you are doing business anywhere in the field, whether it be in-home, in the field, at trade shows or flea markets or anywhere you get paid remotely for your goods or services, mobile is the answer for you to increase sales. You may want to consider looking for a swiper that features "store and forward" capability for completing transactions where no signal is available. Now, I use this term, "completing" a transaction kind of loosely here. Without a signal, all you are doing is "storing" the credit card information and not actually getting an authorization. So, the risk you take is that you do the work, or deliver goods or service, "store" the data until you later have a signal to "forward" the transactions. If, at that time, you get a decline on a transaction, then you'll have done the work for free unless you can recoup from the customer thru some other payment method.

If you have determined that Mobile is a potential enhancement to how you currently accept payments, I strongly urge you to contact your current payment processor and ask for details. You could also do a search for mobile credit card processing equipment to see what options may be available to you. As always, do your due diligence.

Mobile Vs Wireless Credit Card Processing

wireless internet card desktop

Pci Wireless Network Card How To Do Wireless Networking

Read More

Mobile Computing - The vehicle computer (computer)

Do you want internet access on the move? Connect with your Bluetooth phone and internet to get anywhere you have signal. Lost? Use a Bluetooth GPS module and GPS software to navigate a way out. I just want to play music and videos? No problem, install a frontend like Centrafuse and have at it.

Hardware

Wireless Internet Card Desktop

The setup I have right now consists of an AMD Geode processor at 1.4 GHz with 256 MB of DDR RAM and 30 GB 2.5? Hard drive. TheThe screen is a 7? Lilliput motorized touch screen and power is a Opus 120W. The whole setup fits in my glove compartment. The motherboard is a mini-ITX form factor and size is 7? x 7?. The power supply is right next to the motherboard and hard drive is backed by the power in the small corner crack. Then there is a USB 2.0 hub with its own power supply in order to connect bluetooth, wireless keyboard, etc.

OS

The operating systemSystem is TinyXP Rev. 06 TinyXP is basically a small Windows XP. The entire installation takes up only 400 MB and uses only 40 MB of RAM. Even with only 256 MB of RAM, the computer still boots incredibly fast. Objects on the Windows desktop, it takes less than 15 seconds! Watch the video below for a demonstration.

Peripheral / Addons

To receive the internet, usually tape the phone to the computer via Bluetooth. I'm using a Treo 755p with PdaNetinstalled to connect the computer speed is quite good, while tethering with the Sprint EVDO network, but is close to nothing spectacular. Web pages take to load an additional 2-3 seconds, but nothing special.

For navigation I use TomTom MKII bluetooth receiver SiRFstarIII chipset. The software side includes iGuidance v4 which uses Navteq maps. The GPS navigation system is quite accurate and comes with a ton of POI.

802.11 wireless communicationmanaged by a Zonet ZEW-2500P USB 2.0 card. It has a Ralink chipset that can inject packets and is therefore compatible with many spread of wireless devices available today. Finally, I want Wi-Fi card with a Fonera running at 24 / 7 mode client to replace AutoAP residence. (There is always a lack of em) in this way, the Fonera will open automatically connect to wireless networks, and allows me to remote controlLa Fonera to the Internet. I could have run with Wake on LAN (WOL) on the computer I'm also thinking about using a USB switch module for different characteristics of the car, such as remote start, alarm arm / disarm control, lock / unlock, etc. This means that the car literally be controlled from the Internet!

Want to listen to music or movies? No problemo. Centrafuse front end as the user with a nice interface with large buttons that compliment the touchscreenand fat fingers:). Within the user interface, you can play music, watch movies, check the weather, launch a web browser, and more.

Input is handled by a MadCatz wireless keyboard, which is generally associated with the PS3. However, there is nothing special installation and works well when used with a computer. I like it because I do not have to carry around a bulky keyboard and can be concealed very easily.

Mobile Computing - The vehicle computer (computer)

wireless internet card desktop

Camera Remote Controls

Read More