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Credit Card Processing with PCCharge Payment Server
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Credit Card Processing Using PCCharge Payment Server with Amigo Pos 7
PCCharge Payment Server is distributed by Verifone Inc and is not included with Amigo Pos. PCCharge Pro is not supported.
Many merchant account providers will supply and set up PCCharge Payment Server at low or no cost. Many merchant account providers will install and configure PCCharge Payment Server at no cost. Amigo Pos does not maintain a relationship with or accept remuneration from any merchant account provider or payment processor. PCCharge Payment Server offers the freedom to choose any payment processor.
Note: Amigo Pos does not prefer any specific merchant account provider or payment processor. You are encouraged to shop around and obtain the best rates and lowest fees possible.
Amigo Pos has built-in integration for restaurant and retail transactions using Verifone PCCharge™ Payment Server v5.10. The following instructions apply to PCCharge™ Payment Server v5.10. PCCharge Pro is not supported.
PCCharge Payment Server supports that vast majority of payment processors. Refer to the list of PCCharge Certified Credit Card Processors to verify that your processor is supported.
PCCharge Payment Server is the transaction engine that handle all payment processing requests submitted by Amigo Pos. Amigo Pos is capable of processing credit/debit card transaction using PCCharge Payment Server v5.10.
PCCharge Payment Server includes a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that is used for setup. This GUI can also be used for reporting, settlement, maintenance, and transaction processing if needed. When distributing an integrated application, PCCharge Payment Server must be installed and activated on the merchant’s computer or on a computer located in the merchant’s LAN in order to enable payment processing. Note: Merchants should not attempt to process transactions or run reports directly from the PCCharge GUI while the integrated application is processing transactions or settling batches. If the merchant wishes to process transactions or run reports directly with PCCharge (instead of through the integrated application), it is highly recommended that they use the PCCharge Client. The PCCharge Client is included on the PCCharge Payment Server installation CD, and can be installed on the same (or on a different) computer as PCCharge. The PCCharge Client has payment processing and reporting capabilities. A brief overview of the various transaction types is available below.
Setting Up PCCharge Payment Server
PCCharge Payment Server must be configured and running before configuring Amigo Pos. In order to ensure that PC Payment Server is started automatically when Windows starts, add a shortcut to PCCharge Payment Server to your Startup folder (or add an entry to the registry). After you have obtained a merchant account, set up PCCharge Payment Server as described in the next help topic.
Setting Up Amigo Pos to Work With PCCharge Payment Server
After PCCharge Payment Server is configured, the merchant account settings and communication parameters must be configured in Amigo Pos Back Office on each pos station
Using Amigo Pos to process credit card transactions
After PCCharge Payment Server and Amigo Pos Back Office are configured, you can begin using Amigo Pos to process credit card transactions.
Optional: Install the PCCharge Payment Server Auto-Settle Utility
The Auto-Settle utility will automatically settle your batch at a pre-determined time on a daily basis.
Background
Processing credit card transactions is a two-step process. When you perform a sale transaction, the credit card's limit to buy is reduced. The processing company authorizes the transfer of that amount of funds from the cardholder's account to your account. However, the funds are not actually moved to your bank account at that time. Any transactions you've processed throughout the day need to be re-transmitted to the processing company as a batch. Depending on whether your processing company is pos station based or host based, this re-transmission process is called settlement or closure. pos station based systems have batches that are settled, and host based systems have batches that are closed.
· Settlement -- On a pos station based system, the information needed for re-transmission is stored on your computer system. You manually settle your batch, usually at the end of each business day.
· Closure -- With a host based system, the information needed for re-transmission is stored on your processing company's computer system. With a host based system you can be set up in one of two ways.
| 1. | You can be set up for Auto (Time Initiated) Close. At a certain time during the day (varies by processing company), host based systems looks for any transactions you may have transmitted to them. If you have transactions waiting for batch closure, they will automatically be closed. |
| 2. | You can be set up for Manual Close. This setup is basically equivalent to being pos station Based. You, the merchant, are responsible for closing your batch. |
Essentially: individual transactions are authorized (you plan to transfer the funds), but batches are settled/closed (you actually initiate the transfer of the funds).
WARNING: Unless you settle or close your batch (or your processing company does it for you), you will not receive your money. We recommend that you settle or close your batch daily by using the PCCharge Auto-Settle utility, which must be installed separately from the PCCharge Payment Server installation disk.
Transaction Types
There are several types of credit card transactions. The different types of transactions are also known as actions. The following is a list of the various transaction types available in the Amigo Pos PCCharge interface (additional transaction types are available in the PCCharge GUI):
· Sale -- This action decreases the cardholder's limit to buy. It authorizes a transfer of funds from the cardholder's account to your account.
· Void Sale -- This action removes a sale transaction. No funds will be received from this transaction. Use the Void Sale action to correct mistakes and on same-day returns. This action can only be performed before batch settlement/close. With a host based auto-close system, the action has to be performed on the same day.
· Pre-Auth -- This action reduces a cardholder's account's limit to buy for a predetermined amount of time. A Pre-Auth is the first half of a sale. A Pre-Auth specifies that amount to be set aside for a potential transfer of funds. The funds are not transferred at batch settlement/close unless a Post-Auth is performed using the Pre-Auth's approval code. As previously mentioned, there is a time limit on a Pre-Auth's usability. The processor determines the time limit, which is usually 7-10 days. You should contact your merchant service provider/credit card processing company for the exact time.
· Post-Auth -- This action makes an approved Pre-Auth or voice authorized transaction available for batch settlement/close. This action is the second half of a sale. This transaction is also known as a Completion.
Note: There is no action to void a Pre-Auth. This is because you cannot void a Pre-Auth. To remove a Pre-Auth, you can have the processing company remove the transaction (if your processing company is host based, they can probably do it). Or, you could follow up the Pre-Auth with a Post-Auth and do a Void Sale. The only other option is to simply wait for the authorization to expire.
The following transaction is available only when using a processing company that offers restaurant certification with PCCharge:
· Gratuity -- This action allows you to complete a gratuity transaction entered in the Sale window. The Actual Gratuity Amount is entered in this window.
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