In the merchant services industry, terminals and other machinery manufacturers are known to be superfluous in the number of new models that they keep introducing. Half of these are never even heard of and are lost in history for good. Of course, merchants are always on a lookout for a terminal that will make their job easier, offers more security , has a better screen , is multi-functional, more compact, so on and so forth. However, even if you do find such a super terminal that excites you, it would be a disappointment, as most of these terminals are not properly certified with a particular processing bank, or they just aren’t available through any of the terminal wholesalers.
Before being used to process transactions, a credit card terminal must be certified with Visa and MasterCard. In fact, no merchant or outside agency as much as looks at the terminal before it is certified. It is after all these authorization formalities are complete that the terminal is launched or advertised for the first time. This also makes a lot of sense, because there is no point in releasing a terminal publicly and letting everyone know of it, if it isn’t going to be certified for use.
Terminal certification with a credit card processor is also determined by whether or not that terminal has something unique to offer. Does it offer the same features as so many other terminals in the market or does it come with some new desired feature or new technology? Only if a new terminal comes with an additional function that customers have been asking for, is it going to grab the notice of a processor. It is mandatory for every terminal to be Visa and MasterCard certified before anyone hears of it, but the biggest hurdle to it’s becoming popular and widely accepted is it’s certification by a credit card processor. A terminal comes into use only when it has acquired processor certification, which again is not easily done!
There are three certification processor levels:
Level A: Fully Certified and supported by the processor.
Level B: The processor is willing to work with a terminal, but shall not take any responsibility for resolving problems or for troubleshooting.
Level C: The processor refuses to support the terminal in any way on grounds that the terminal will not work on their platform.
As is evident, any terminal that gets a certification other than A, it will not be used. Commonly used terminals are almost always certified A or B+. This certification is provided on the basis of the terminals ability to work in many different situations. For retail businesses, restaurants, gas stations, and any other type of business, a completely unique program must be built, tested and certified as well. In fact, a terminal programmed for a particular kind of business, may not be compatible with another. Hence, always go with a terminal suggested or provided by your processor, as they would also offer support for the same.
Do not go for a terminal, just because it’s the new thing, or the latest gadget in your industry. Instead, buy a terminal that offers you features that you really need. There are several tried and tested terminals out there that will serve you well. They are fast, reliable and come cheap as well!
