- Q: What is Chip & PIN?
- A: Chip and PIN is the next evolution of electronic payments in Canada and helping to make the credit card payment system even more secure. This state-of-the art technology will provide enhanced protection against counterfeiting and card fraud because the embedded microchip is encrypted and virtually impossible to replicate. Used in combination with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for transaction authorization Chip and PIN provides an added layer of protection because the PIN is unique to you.
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- Q: What information does a Chip & PIN card contain?
- A: Chip and PIN cards contain an embedded microchip which holds the same information that is currently contained on the magnetic stripe of a typical credit card (card number, cardholder name and expiry date) and is embossed directly on the back of the card. Chip and PIN cards also contain added risk parameters and security keys to enable PIN transactions and to provide added protection.
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- Q: What does EMV stand for?
- A: EMV is the abbreviation for Europay-MasterCard-Visa. The EMV standard specifies chip cards and the associated infrastructure such as terminals and card readers. Due to the rapid evolution of chip card technology and the corresponding applications there is a strong demand for a common standard unifying all these functionalities on a technological base.
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- Q: When is the best time to start an EMV project?
- A: Now. Financial institutions have already started to roll out chip credit cards and terminals across Canada, following a successful market trial that took place in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, in 2007.
The timelines for the introduction of chip vary from one financial institution to another but the liability shift will occur in October 2010. An EMV project can take 6 to 12 months to complete including any development, integration and certification work.
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- Q: What are the steps to completing a chip and PIN transaction?
- A: At the point-of-sale (POS) or Automated Banking Machine (ABM):
- Insert your chip debit card into the reader.
- Leave your card in the terminal for the duration of the transaction.
- Simply follow the prompts as usual to complete your transaction.
- Once the transaction is complete, remove your card.
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- Q: How are the EMV standards maintained?
- A: Since the release of EMV version 3.1.1 in 1996, EMVCo (www.emvco.com) has published version 4.0 in December 2000 and version 4.1 in May 2004. In addition to periodically publishing new versions of the specifications, EMVCo publishes clarifications, corrections or changes to the specifications and communicates these via bulletins, errata and application notes on the EMVCo website.
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- Q: I currently use a cash register to track my sales and store cash. Does Appaloosa POS work with my cash register or would I need to replace it?
- A: Appaloosa POS does not run on traditional cash registers. The application is installed on a Linux-based computer with point-of-sale peripherals attached via the available ports on the computer. Cashiers or sales associates ring up orders and tender sales with Appaloosa POS. Appaloosa POS also tracks and maintains detailed customer information, analyzes sales information, interfaces with popular accounting applications and manages inventory.
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- Q: Other than the software, what additional equipment will I need to purchase?
- A: Minimum requirements include a PC with a Pentium lll 1.2 GHz or faster processor, as well as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, barcode scanner, cash drawer and receipt printer. STJ Retail recommends the HP RP500 point of sale system which comes complete with all of the aforementioned hardware elements. Optional hardware available for use with Appaloosa POS include full-page printers, magnetic stripe readers, personal identification number (PIN) pads for accepting debit cards and dual display monitors.
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- Q: How will Appaloosa POS help me make more money?
- A: Appaloosa POS can help you increase your profits in many ways. Faster customer throughput means more sales, instant reports allow you to maximize you inventory levels and control costs and gift card programs encourage repeat business. Contact STJ Retail to learn about additional ways Appaloosa POS can make your business more money.
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- Q: What types of transactions can I perform at the POS?
- A: Appaloosa POS supports returns, voids, layaways, house accounts, deposits and regular sales.
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- Q: Can I integrate my current credit card processing system with Point of Sale?
- A: Yes. Appaloosa POS gives you the flexibility to maintain your existing banking relationships or select a new one from a wide range of supported banks.
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- Q: I'd like to offer gift cards to my customers. Does Point of Sale support gift card programs?
- A: Yes. You can quickly enable gift card processing, set up a personalized program, and then issue, track, and redeem cards while working within Appaloosa POS.
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- Q: I have multiple registers in my store. Do I need to enter my inventory information once for each register?
- A: No. You can have multiple registers connected and sharing the same data. A very typical configuration is to have the Appaloosa POS software running on each cash register and then have the Appaloosa Enterprise software running on a back office computer—all networked together using the same data.
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- Q: I have a growing retail business with multiple stores AND employees. Can I use Appaloosa POS in more than one store?
- A: Yes. STJ Retail offers an application called Appaloosa Enterprise that allows retailers with a small chain of stores to centralize control of their Store Operations databases and reporting. For instance, if you had six stores and a head office, you would have six licenses for Appaloosa POS (each store with its own database) and one license for Appaloosa Enterprise at the head office.
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- Q: Is my store too small to benefit from Appaloosa POS?
- A: No. More than likely, you can't afford not to have an automated point of sale system. Appaloosa POS is designed to fit businesses of any size—from single location mom-and-pop shops to the mega-chains with thousands of locations.
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- Q: What is PCI DSS?
- A: PCI DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, is a strict set of standards designed to protect cardholder's data from fraud and misuse. The PCI Security Standards Council is an organization dedicated to the development and implementation of security standards for protecting credit card data. If your retail software is not compliant with PCI DSS, you may be subject to large fines. It is critical to select PCI-compliant software that will protect your customers' credit card information as well as your business.
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- Q: Should I buy or lease a retail POS system?
- A: Whether you buy or lease a retail point of sale system depends on your budget. STJ Retail offers flexible leasing and financing options for POS systems. By leasing the retail software and/or the point of sale hardware, you can reduce the initial start-up costs associated with a new retail point of sale system.
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- Q: Will someone teach us how to use our new system?
- A: Training is a critical part of a successful transition to a new Point of Sale system. STJ Retail provides thorough training conducted by our professional full-time trainers and once the system is installed our 24/7 helpdesk staff will provide support and assistance when you need it.
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