Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Important MasterCard Mandate Deadlines for WorldPay Customers

Update 3/23/2017: I was actually onsite installing Card Defender for a customer here in Idaho when she received a letter from Heartland addressing the same card number issues noted below. It was very comforting for the retailer to know that Card Defender meets or exceeds industry requirements for payment processing.

Another credit card compliance mandate - this time from WorldPay specific to 2 MasterCard Mandate Deadlines. Do contact your WorldPay  salesperson and your point of sale hardware and software provider to verify compliance if you received the communication below.

If you are orphaned, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com and I will do my best to assess your situation.

If you would rather contact me at RITE, I can be reached at  208-994-9404 or kevina@rite.us

P Logo 

Dec 20, 2016
Important MasterCard Mandates 
Action Required
At Worldpay, our valued customers and partner relationships are our highest priority. We are committed to providing trusted and reliable payments processing and are sending this important reminder requiring action with your point of sale partner.
MasterCard has issued two upcoming changes that may affect you, the MasterCard Unique Terminal Identification (TID) Mandate and the New 2-Series Bank Identification Numbers (BIN). While each update is very different, it is important to note the deadlines to comply are January 1, 2017 and May 1, 2017 respectively. You have been identified as a merchant that may be affected by these changes and may not already be compliant.

MASTERCARD UNIQUE TERMINAL ID MANDATE
What is happening?
Effective January 1, 2017, merchants who do not adhere to the MasterCard Unique Terminal ID mandate which requires unique terminal identifiers for each independent card reading device in a single location, will fall into a status of noncompliance with MasterCard. For each transaction that violates this mandate, you may be assessed a fine by MasterCard.
All merchants with multiple card-reading devices, such as PIN pads, connected to a single host terminal are required to have each of their devices identifiable with a unique Device ID number to remain compliant and avoid fines from MasterCard.
What do you need to do?
To ensure you comply with the mandate, contact your point of sale partner immediately. Card reading devices are required to send separate and Unique Device ID numbers by January 1, 2017
If you would like to learn more about this mandate, click here to review MasterCard Unique Terminal ID Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For additional questions or concerns, contact your Worldpay Client Manager.

NEW 2-SERIES BANK IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (BIN)
In order to support an expanding payments industry, MasterCard will begin issuing cards that utilize Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) beginning with a 2 in the range of 222100-272099. Effective May 1, 2017, merchants will be required to update BIN tables to support the new 2-Series BIN cards. If the appropriate actions are not taken, some MasterCard transactions will be declined at the point-of-sale (POS) and merchants in violation will be fined. 
What is happening?
Working with your respective partners, you will be required to update your POS terminal software in order to begin accepting and processing new 2-Series BIN transactions. If you do not update your software before the deadline, you will fall into a status of noncompliance. Each noncompliant merchant and/or ATM location may face fines in the as noted below.
  • Up to $2,500 per occurrence for the first 30 days
  • Up to $5,000 per occurrence for days 31-60
  • Up to $10,000 per occurrence for days 61-90
  • Up to $20,000 per occurrence for subsequent violations
A noncompliant occurrence is defined as any attempted and failed 2-Series BIN transaction that is confirmed as failed due to a merchant’s lack of readiness to support 2-Series BIN transactions.

What do you need to do?
Contact your point of sale partner immediately to make any necessary updates to BIN tables to support the new 2-Series BIN by the May 1, 2017 deadline.
If you would like to learn more about this mandate, click here to review MasterCard 2-Series BIN Implementation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For additional questions or concerns, contact your Worldpay Client Manager.


© Worldpay 2016. All rights reserved. Worldpay, the logo and any associated brand names are trademarks of the Worldpay group of companies. Worldpay US, Inc. is a registered ISO/MSP of Citizens Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Eagle Bank, N.A.

Friday, December 23, 2016

End of Year Advice - 2016

A few "ponderings" to share as we close in on the final few days of 2016 and look forward to 2017:

  1. Please remember the true meaning of Christmas as you celebrate and reflect with family and friends - Jesus birth is the true "reason for the season".
  2. Take some time to plan out any physical inventory counts and ensure that you have the correct training on how to use any physical inventory count features in your point of sale software.
  3. Reflect back on how you use your point of sale system to spot any gaps or room for improvement (or a new system).
  4. Keep an eye out for pesky new regulations and security requirements so you are not blind-sided with outdated equipment that is non-compliant.
  5. Still using Microsoft Dynamics POS 2007/2009/2.0?  Full end of life for these programs is coming up on July 9th, 2019. While this is still a couple of years away, I'd recommend that you start thinking now about a migration plan. Keep in mind that you do qualify for a low cost upgrade to the new Retail Management Hero software.
  6. Planning on using Microsoft Dynamics RMS for the next few years (end of life is not until July 2020/2021 - depending on which support contract you are on)? A few suggestions:
    • Keep an eye on Retail Management Hero since the upgrades are fairly low cost and painless (but watch for differences in features, add-ons and functions).
    • Make sure that you are on version 2.02 of RMS so all the latest service packs and hot fixes have been applied.
    • Consider using Card Defender to ensure compliance with credit card security, EMV, SHA-2, etc.
    • Avoid Windows 10 if possible for the time being.
    • Make sure that you are aligned with an Dynamics Partner that is committed to supporting RMS, HQ and Retail Management Hero - we have actually acquired customers from around 3 different Dynamics Partners that are phasing out support for various point of sale software programs.
  7. Watch this blog and my YouTube Channel for more information on Cloud Retailer which is a cool hybrid point of sale system that combines the best of what cloud based and on-premise point of sale systems offer.
Right now it looks like I will be headed to multiple states in the first half of 2017. Confirmed so far are Seattle, WA, just about all of Idaho, Salt Lake City, UT, and Minneapolis, MN. Pending are Portland, OR, Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ, Tuscon, AZ, Dallas, TX, San Francisco, CA, and San Jose, CA.

Do contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com if I can of assistance. Thanks!

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Ransomware: What It Is and What To Do About it

Must read for any retailer with information specific to explaining Ransomware as well as what steps to take to prevent Ransomwear. This is an official government publication that can be found at: https://www.us-cert.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Ransomware_Executive_One-Pager_and_Technical_Document-FINAL.pdf

Friday, December 16, 2016

Critical Deadline for First Data, SHA-256, and Microsoft RMS

A quick reminder that if you are using First Data for merchant services along with the Microsoft Dynamics RMS software that the deadline for being SHA-256 compliant is December 28th, 2016 (next week!).

If you have not yet taken steps to replace outdated credit and debit card processing equipment, it needs to be taken care of now as First Data has indicated that they will not allow processing via Datawire starting December 29th, 2016.

If you are unsure, it would be smart to contact your First Data merchant salesperson and/or your Microsoft Dynamics RMS Partner to confirm that your system is SHA-256 compliant.

The most common situation involves still using "old school style" credit card swipes that connect to a USB port or use a keyboard wedge style interface.

The good news is that there are multiple solutions to upgrade to SHA-256 compliant equipment AND still use the Microsoft RMS software. These options may include using a separate payment terminal or installing Card Defender for Microsoft RMS.

As always, contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com - I do work for a Microsoft RMS Partner so I can offer advice and solutions.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Updates on the Most Current Version of Retail Management Hero

Thanks to Retail Realm for providing this update related to the Retail Management Hero
software!

Below are some updates related to the Retail Management Hero (RMH) point of sale software
which is a direct replacement for Microsoft Dynamics RMS as well as a great point of sale
software product for single location retailers. You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or
kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information about RMH or RMS.

How to obtain a 30 day trial version of Retail Management Hero: 
http://www.pospondering.com/2017/01/how-to-obtain-30-day-trial-license-of.html






RMH 3.1 Now Available!

We're excited to announce that Retail Management Hero (RMH) 3.1.0 is now available for download and purchase. This new release provides a number of exciting new features, multiple bugs fixes, and numerous improvements. Highlights include:

New Features:
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Loyalty
  • POS Profiles
  • Role Based Access Security
  • New Integrated Payment Processors
 Fixes and Improvements:
  • Multiple bugs fixes and stability improvements
  • Custom POS Buttons Management
  • Improved Receipt Management
  • Import of Purchase Orders from Microsoft RMS to RMH
  • Transaction Item: Item Messages
  • Built-in Browser Improvements
  • Receipt Journal: Reprint a transaction using a different template
  • View Receipt from the Customer History
  • Add BIN location to Item Properties
  • Cancel Work Order functionality
  • Customer Search: Search by company

If you are an End User and/or Retailer, contact your software Vendor or contact sales@rrdisti.com
New feature training docs are published at www.rmhpos.com/resources in the Training Materials section. 
Visit the website at www.rmhpos.com and then sign up / login. For questions or issues regarding the website, email marketing@rrdisti.com

NOTE for ISVs: The 3.1.0 POS SDK version is linked to the corresponding RMH release version and must be used when developing apps and extensions for RMH 3.1.0. You can download this SDK from the RMH POS SDK Link in the Portal. Also, please note that this SDK is also included in the full distribution of the Retail Management Hero v 3.1.0 product and can be found under the RMH POS\RMH POS SDK folder.

RMH 6-Month Product Update Webinar 

The past 6 months have seen a lot of companies becoming trained and certified in RMH as well as Microsoft RMS users and retailers implementing the RMH solution into their business. This webinar will give you the latest product news, version updates, added features and functionality, marketing and sales news, implementation stories, etc. It will end with a Q&A.

Thursday, Jan. 12th, 2017
9 am PST
Retail Management Hero was co-developed by Retail Hero and Retail Realm.

About Retail Hero: Retail Hero is a company well-known to the Microsoft Dynamics RMS partners and customers because of its value-added plugins and add-ons such as customer loyalty programs, various utilities and "RMS Lite" point-of-sale program. www.retailhero.com  
About Retail Realm: Retail Realm is a multinational company specializing in creating and managing a portfolio of vertical business software solutions that are marketed worldwide through a community of resellers. www.rrdisti.com 

Retail Information Technology Enterprises (RITE) December Newsletter

eNewsletter                                               December 2016
 
Make sure you have the RITE information when making business decisions. 


For over 12 years we have provided Microsoft Dynamics RMS and POS users with new and relevant information on the Retail Industry that helps guide your interests and decisions. The world around us is changing and we are changing right along side it to better suit your needs.
RITE Acquires Microsoft Partner Retail Technology Experts
RITE announces the acquisition of Retail Technology Experts' Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software client base of over 200 retail stores in the United States.

"This is part of our ongoing strategy to help usher as many small and medium retailers as we can into the next evolution of retail technology. The need for these merchants to leverage technology as part of their competitive strategy has never been more pressing" states RITE CEO Rick Feuling.

RITE's focus on customer service means that former RTE customers will enjoy the level of service that has contributed to RITE being the winner of the Microsoft / Retail Realm Circle of Excellence Award for Growth for 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016.

This continues RITE's broad expansion as a highly awarded Microsoft Dynamics Retail Partner and bolsters our ability to provide end-to-end retail software, hardware, and IT services to every U.S. and international retail niche.
RITE Newsletter
We are very proud of our growth trajectory, and have you our customers to thank for a large part of our successes and increasing market share of the retail technology space! 
Federal Judge Halts Implementation
of New Overtime Regulations 

"Providing some relief to retailers and small business owners, Federal District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III of the Eastern District of Texas has issued a nationwide injunction against the expansion of the new overtime regulations created by the Obama administration. 


Retailers Ready And Waiting For Credit Cards
To Catch Up With EMV Capabilities
It seems that retailers are not the ones holding up the transition to EMV, at least not completely. A new  National Retail Foundation Survey has found that among retailers that have yet to support EMV chip-enabled credit and debit card payments, 57 percent reported that they already installed the necessary equipment, but were still waiting for certification by the card networks.

How Retailers Can Compete With Amazon 
For Holiday Shopping Dollars
 With Black Friday already behind us, the Holiday shopping season is in full swing. This year, a new report finds, almost half of consumers (46 percent) will use Amazon for their holiday shopping needs, and 43 percent will buy half their gifts from the online giant. The good news is that retailers can still compete with Amazon: consumers will buy elsewhere due to better prices (65 percent), special offers (46 percent), and similar or faster delivery times (29 percent).  Easier access to store inventory (23 percent) and exclusive or unique products (22 percent) can also help draw customers to physical stores.
Help your customers score a
4th quarter tax deduction touchdown!
Section 179 deduction
* Companies can expense up to a $500,000 deduction
on new or used equipment

* Take an additional write-off of 50% of the
undepreciated balance of capital expenditures and
depreciable property

























Fintech partnership


Makes the RITE Supplier Integration tool work with 2500+ suppliers nationwide.

Normally Fintech services cost $60 per month.  Through our partnership with them it's $50 per month for new customer sigh ups.


Info from Fintech site
 

















































Cloud Retailer
Rite logo

Hours of Operation
Our standard support hours are from 8:30am-5:30pm CST

Of course, as always, you can still reach us outside of
our standard
hours of operation for emergency support if needed.
Credit Card Processing Options with Microsoft RMS
When processing credit cards through Microsoft Dynamics RMS in an integrated way you have quite a few options for the credit card processing provider you choose.
Retail Information Technology Enterprises