Card Defender Checklist

Quick Update: Card Defender is no longer available for Microsoft RMS unless you are a beer, wine, or liquor store that will be moving to the Cloud Retailer point of sale software in the near future. 

Wow - fresh off some new installs in Idaho, Colorado and Utah and I've had multiple people email and call me about the Card Defender EMV/Chip Card add-on for the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software.

As I've already posted some information about Card Defender and links to videos showing how Card Defender works with RMS, here is a checklist related to some of the Card Defender options and requirements:

• Cabled Ethernet or Wireless? 

I strongly recommend cabled for security reasons - just make sure that you have a router or switch near where the terminal will be placed.

• Available electrical outlet near where the terminal will be placed?

Terminal should be plugged in to a good quality surge suppressor, line conditioner, battery back-up or similar device.

• Do you want to accept NFC/contact-less payments like Apple Pay and Google Wallet?

• Do you need to accept pin based debit?

• What company do you use for merchant services/credit card processing services? 

Has to be Heartland, First Data or TSYS - keep in mind that the companies name does not matter as much as who they use for processing.

• What version of the Microsoft RMS software are you using? 

Has to be RMS version 1.3 or higher.

• How many check out lanes do you have?

• Are you using Microsoft RMS HQ? 

Card Defender works with HQ - just some extra setup steps to complete so the data sync's correctly.

• Are you using any add-ons for RMS like e-commerce or customer loyalty programs? 

This normally does not effect Card Defender but better to check ahead of time.

• Are you also taking phone or mail orders that require entering the payment information by hand? 

This requires some thoughts as to whether to use a Card Defender terminal  or not for manually entered payments and how this would effect the batch and close out process.

As a reminder, Card Defender is the only EMV/Chip Card solution for Microsoft RMS (that I am aware of) that is processor agnostic, does not have any additional per-transaction fees, and does not have any contracts at all.

Always, contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 with any questions or comments.

TSYS SHA2 Deadline: What Microsoft RMS Users Need to Know

Wow - lots of calls and emails the last couple of days asking about the looming January 1st, 2017 SHA2 compliance deadline and what options are available for retailers using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software. It appears that TSYS and possibly First Data are pushing for compliance via the companies that use the TSYS and First Data platforms for merchant services.

First off - this is actually a good thing from a security standpoint as many retailers have held off on implementing EMV/Chip Card solutions and/or are still using Windows XP. Given the calls that I have been receiving about EMV fraud, the time has come to move forward with putting in the equipment to process EMV/Chip Cards.

I would strongly recommend that retailers using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software move to Windows 7. Windows 10 is possible with some help from myself or another Microsoft Dynamics RMS Partner. Skip Windows 8 or 8.1.

When it comes to retailers using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software, you have several options to meet the SHA2 deadline. My, advice (in order of preference) is the following:

1. Implement Card Defender for Microsoft RMS: Card Defender solves your security issues and allows for both EMV/Chip Card processing and NFC (Apple Pay and Google Wallet) processing as an integrated add-on for Microsoft RMS .  Card Defender does not add any gateway or per-transaction fees above what your merchant services company charges, is processor agnostic (TSYS, First Data, and Heartland), and requires no contracts. Visit this page on my blog for more information on Card Defender or contact me for more information - I've already had 5 retailers using RMS contact me in just the last 2 days about Card Defender so it is clear that the is upcoming deadline is being taken seriously. 
2. Vantiv/Mercury, Shift 4, Heartland and Cayan/Merchants Warehouse also offer some EMV/Chip Card add-ons/payment gateways/payment tunnels for Microsoft RMS. Generally I have found that these solutions are more expensive than Card Defender in the long run (1+ years) due to additional per-transaction fees and/or locking you into a contract using only one company for merchant services (which is another thing that I like about Card Defender - its keeps your merchant services provider honest when it comes to the rates and fees that they charge as they know that you can switch companies of you are unhappy while these other solutions basically lock you in). 
3. Use a separate credit card terminal that does not interface with the Microsoft RMS software. While this is the easiest and lowest cost option, keep in mind that you will be reconciling two reports at the end of each day and you open up the system to human error when entering the total on the credit card terminal (for example: a transaction totaling $15.20 could be entered as $1.52 or $152.00 - not fun to have have to track a customer down to correct the error).

All in all - there are plenty of options that allow Microsoft RMS point of sale software users to keep using RMS and meet the SHA2 deadline. Do contact me with any questions or clarifications.

Total Cost of Ownership for Card Defender

I've been asked the best way to compare costs for the various EMV/Chip Card add-ons for the very popular Microsoft RMS point of sale software. One of the main issues is that many of the solutions charge a per transaction fee which may sound nominal but really adds up over time. Card Defender may have higher up front costs but the ongoing costs are much lower as shown in the chart below (example only - contact me for more specific details):

Pretty cool that Card Defender has a significant cost advantage over many of the other EMV add-ons for RMS and Card Defender is flexible when it comes to selecting a merchant services company (TSYS, Heartland and First Data) so you can always shop around for the best rates.

Do call (208-340-5632) or email me (kevinantosh@gmail.com) with any questions related to Card Defender, Microsoft RMS, or retail point of sale systems in general.

Some Retail Management Hero Updates

A couple of quick updates related to the new version of the Microsoft RMS point of sale software - now re-branded under the new Retail Management Hero (RMH) name:

• RMH does not have any accounting integrations yet. Integration to QuickBooks Accounting is planned but no firm ETA at this point (this is now available as of Q1 2017)
• While there are only limited options when it comes to EMV/Chip Card processing with RMH presently, this should change over the coming months as more processors become certified with RMH as well as third party solutions like Card Defender
• Existing Dynamics HQ users can use HQ with RMH but the actual HQ module for RMH is still in development stage with no firm ETA (best guess is last half of 2017)

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

In need of no-cost retail point of sale advice? You can reach me on my cell at 208-340-5632 or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.

Idaho Targeted Again for Credit Card Fraud - Who Is Liable?

This seems to be happening about every 2-3 months in the Boise area, criminals come in from out of state with stolen or fraudulent credit cards and hit the town making multiple purchases at multiple retail stores.

So, those of you wondering about the EMV liability shift may be asking who "eats" the $5000 in fraudulent purchases racked up by just one of the criminals?

If the stolen credit card was chip based, and the store did not have the correct EMV equipment in place, it is possible that the merchant will have to absorb the loss.

If you have not implemented an EMV solution, the following news article may give you reason to move forward:

http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/bpd-out-of-state-fraudsters-target-treasure-valley/279050796

Comments or questions? I can be reached at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Card Defender EMV Add-On for the Microsoft RMS Point of Sale Software

Wow, so I know a lot of Microsoft Dynamics RMS and HQ users have been looking at what to do related to the EMV liability shift date. For many of the 1104 stores using RMS that have contacted me, this is the main reason that you are looking at other point of sale programs like Retail Management Hero or NCR CounterPoint.

If your only 'issue' with RMS is the lack of built in EMV/Chip card processing then I would strongly advise taking a look at Card Defender for RMS (and HQ).

Compared to other third party EMV add-ons for RMS, I really like the fact that Card Defender does not have any per transaction charges - just a very nominal flat monthly fee in addition to initial hardware, software and setup costs. Compared to other RMS EMV/Chip card solutions that charge a per transaction fee - which can easily add up to $730/year for even a modestly sized retail store - Card Defender allows for an initial investment.

Oh, and even better - you know I am very opposed to any systems that lock you into using a specific company for merchant services - Card Defender is processor agnostic so you can use the merchant services company that offers you the best rates.

Card Defender works with RMS version 1.3 or higher and also works with HQ for multi-location RMS users.

Plans are to make Card Defender compatible with the new Retail Management Hero point of sale software (subject to what Retail Management Hero ends up offering for payment platforms) which means, for RMS users, Card Defender can be an interim or a long term solution.

Card Defender is already in use at multiple businesses using RMS so this is not something new that you have to worry about being a beta tester for.

No per transaction fees + processing agnostic + established solution = a very cool EMV./Chip card interim or long term solution for Microsoft RMS (and HQ) point of sale software users.

Want more information on Card Defender or have general point of sale questions? If you are in the US, I can be reached at 208-340-5632 (I am on Mountain Time), using the contact form to the right, or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com