Helping Your Business Survive the Economic Slowdown

Helping Your Small Business Survive the Economic Slowdown
Simple advice for surviving a slow economy.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1507709/helping_your_small_business_survive.html

First Data Global Gateway Highlights

Internet merchants must accept credit and debit cards as payment for their products or services to be competitive. And many retail merchants are now using their PC’s to process transactions. Each must choose a gateway solution that is right for their business needs. First Data offers three Global Gateway solutions: Virtual Terminal, Connect, and API. Each Gateway solution has specific benefits to fill those needs.

Virtual Terminal:

This Gateway is for retail, mail-order, or telephone order businesses. Turn your PC into a point-of-sale terminal and process transactions from almost anywhere with a internet connection and user ID and password. The benefit to Virtual Tour is that all information (batches and cardholder data) is stored with First Data. Alleviating data storage security worries. There is also no need for software, enabling multiple users without any extra licenses or software costs. Virtual Terminal allows for recurring billing, nightly batch functions from any location, and provides reporting capabilities.

Connect:

This Gateway is for e-commerce businesses. Connect will allow the e-commerce business to start accepting credit and debit cards quickly, safely, and reliably. Using First Data servers to process payments ensures that all cardholder data compliance standards are being met. Transaction results are automatically sent to you and your customer. Connect offers recurring billing, level II card support for B2B transactions, administration applications, and SSL encryption.

API:

This gateway is for e-commerce businesses with some programming expertise. API is flexible and allows payment functionality to be integrated into almost any website or tailored application. Compatible with multiple programming languages this gateway solution is verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode fraud services. API offers alternative payments such as PayPal and Google Checkout and accomodates shipping and tax information. Other features of API include level II card support for B2B transactions, extensive real-time reports, SSL encryption, and recurring billing functionality.

First Data’s line of Global Gateway solutions can make accepting payments via your PC or website quick and easy. “Global Gateway has become really popular”, said Joey Shap of PaymentMax “We are seeing more and more retailers with virtual terminals”, said Shap.

Who has started their own business because of unemployment?

Wanted some feedback for an article I am writing on if rising unemployment has given people an opportunity to start their own business or dream job?

Taking a Look at Salon Profitability

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Taking a Look at Salon Profitability

Money Network Fasttrak Pay Card Program

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FD 300 Point of Sale Terminal

PaymentMax is pleased to announce the FD 300 Point-of-Sale terminal has been launched by First Data Corp. The FD300 is the perfect point-of-sale terminal for professional businesses who have multiple businesses housed at one location like Dentist or Doctor’s offices. The FD 300 will allow each transaction to be designated to the appropriate business.
For more information:

www.firstdata.com

www.paymentmax.com

Beauty Salons Use Techology to Make Appointments

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Understanding PCI DSS

PCI compliance, everyone in the merchant arena has heard this intimidating term before, simply means compliance in the Payment Card Industry (PCI).
PCI DSS stands for Data Security Standard (DSS) and compliance is required if you participate with the major 5 networks (Amex, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, JCB).

PCI compliance can be broken down simply into 12 steps.

Step 1: Firewall. Installation and maintenance of a firewall to protect consumer card data.
Step 2: No defaults. Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords or other security features.
Step 3: Protection. Stored cardholder data must be protected.
Step 4: Encryption: Transmission of cardholder data must be encrypted across public, open networks.
Step 5: AntiVirus: AntiVirus software must be in use and updated on a regular basis.
Step 6: Security: Secure applications and systems need to be developed and maintained.
Step 7: Restriction of info: Cardholder data must be restricted to a need to know only basis.
Step 8: ID Everyone: Each individual with access to the computer needs to have a unique ID that can identify them.
Step 9: Restriction of Access: Physical access to cardholder data must be restricted.
Step 10: Monitor: Any access to cardholder data or networks needs to be tracked and monitored regularly.
Step 11: Test: All processes and security systems need to be tested on a regular basis.
Step 12: Policy: Have a policy on information security and maintain that policy.

Following these steps will ensure that you are PCI compliant. If you have any questions regarding your PCI compliance, contact your Merchant Services Provider immediately.

Understanding Merchant Account Recurring Costs

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Increase Sales in Beauty Salon or Spa

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