You have purchased a new POS System to replace your cash register and want to use your credit card terminal that you already own. You currently have a contract with a merchant services provider and can not switch without incurring early termination fees. Can you use the credit card terminal with the POS System?
The answer is yes. But whether it is integrated with the POS system depends on what POS System Software is running your POS System, and whether the software is supported by the merchant payment processing provider you are working with. For example, Plexis Software is "processor neutral", meaning it works with any processor you choose, while POS Maid works with ChargeItPro, OpenEdge and TSYS. Shopify POS and PC America integrate with dozens of options, while Intuit Quickbooks functions with only its own Quickbooks Payments. When considering a new POS System it is important to take into account what software you select. It is highly recommended that you purchase your POS System from a reputable supplier such as PointOfSalePOS.com that can offer you a range of software choices and help you make the right choice.
But what happens if you already have the hardware and software and realize it just doesn't integrate with the payment processor?
The good news is that you can definitely use your system, you will just have a couple extra steps.
If your payment processing terminal (credit card machine) is integrated it communicates automatically with the POS System. The process would be something like this:
- Customer brings bananas to the cash
- The employee creates a new sale in the pos system
- The employee scans the bananas
- The customer states they will be paying by credit card
- The employee enters the payment method in the pos system
- The pos system automatically communicates the total to the credit card terminal
- The employee passes the credit card terminal to the customer
- The customer pays
- The credit card terminal automatically tells the pos system that the payment has been done
- The sale is complete
If your credit card terminal is not integrated with the pos system, the process is as such:
- Customer brings bananas to the cash
- The employee creates a new sale in the pos system
- The employee scans the bananas
- The customer states they will be paying by credit card
- The employee enters the payment method in the pos system
- The employee enters the total sale amount into the credit card machine
- (The pos system does NOT automatically communicate the total to the credit card terminal)
- The employee passes the credit card terminal to the customer
- The customer pays
- The employee takes the credit card terminal and verifies if the payment has gone through (the credit card terminal does NOT automatically tell the pos system that the payment has been done)
- The employee enters into the pos system that the payment has been processed
- The sale is complete
While in a high traffic location where speed equals customer satisfaction an integrated system may be essential, but for a business with slower traffic the few extra steps may be negligible.
PointOfSalePOS.com understands that POS Systems and Payment Processing are not a one-size-fits-all solution, just like your business is not like everyone else's. No matter the size or industry of your business we want to help you succeed. PointOfSalePOS.com has the expertise and experience to answer your questions and support you in this process. We take care of your POS System, so you can take care of your customers.