When it comes to debit card processing, it probably seems like a fairly straightforward, simply system. A customer swipes their card, they’re approved or denied, and their money is withdrawn from their bank account and placed in your business’ merchant account for your use. While it is a simple process, it relies on several different pieces of equipment in order to function properly. Knowing the basics about these components will help you understand what you’re looking at when you begin to set up your debit or credit terminal. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to understand these items if you have even the vaguest comprehension of modern technology.
First of all is the actual terminal or PIN pad. In some debit card processing setups, the terminal is the PIN pad while in others there will be a separate pad and terminal. Basically, the terminal is where debit cards or credit cards are used by sliding them through the appropriate slot. Customers will enter their PIN numbers on either the pad or the terminal itself. Some terminals may have digital signature screens in the event a credit card is being used – their digital signature will be used to approve the purchase and will be filed or printed on the receipt.
Some businesses may also purchase software that allows them to accept debit cards online, over the phone, or manually. Debit or credit card info can be entered into the system and processed via the internet. Certain debit card processing setups may require software to operated terminals while in other cases the terminal will be a self-sufficient unit that only needs to be connected to your register and to the internet or telephone lines. Find out just what your software options are when you place your order so you’ll know what you need and what is an optional feature.
Finally, printers will likely be needed to facilitate the printing of receipts. In some cases these printers are built into the terminal itself but in most cases it will be a separate unit. At any rate, they’ll be small and easy to place anywhere on a counter so that you don’t have to clutter up your workspace needlessly. Those are the basic types of equipment that you’ll need if you want to initialize debit card processing in your business. All of the items can be set up quickly and easily, and will come practically ready to use for your convenience.