| For decades, one of the biggest challenges in | | | | accepting credit card sales. |
| merchant services was providing efficient, | | | | The other non-wired option that emerged even |
| user-friendly, and low-risk ways for a business to | | | | more recently is Wi-Fi credit card processing. Wi-Fi |
| process credit card sales outside of the main | | | | is a wireless, high speed internet connection that |
| location. Certain common business types-limousine | | | | can be accessed by a laptop or other portable |
| drivers, repairmen making house calls, and craft | | | | devices with Wi-Fi capability. Handheld POS devices |
| fair artisans to name a few-needed to accept | | | | that can communicate via Wi-Fi are just now |
| credit cards without access to a landline, or in | | | | coming to the marketplace, but it has been |
| many case, a power outlet. For years, the only | | | | possible for a few years now to process sales on |
| option was the manual imprinter-also called the | | | | your computer using a virtual terminal. Virtual |
| knuckle-buster by those merchants who have had | | | | terminals are web-based POS programs that can |
| the pleasure of using it with any frequency. This is | | | | be accessed from any computer with an internet |
| that archaic device that makes a carbon copy of | | | | connection. Simply log into your virtual terminal |
| the face of the card. The customer signs, and the | | | | website and process your sales. Many of these |
| goods or services are handed over. | | | | programs allow for a USB-connected |
| But what if, when you return to your home base | | | | magnetic-stripe reader, so that you can swipe |
| (and punch in the transaction on your point of sale | | | | your customer's card (as opposed to manually |
| device), the card is declined? The goods have | | | | punching the numbers in). Wi-Fi is generally not a |
| been delivered, the service has been provided... | | | | viable option for outdoor fairs or tow-truck |
| but you have no money. | | | | drivers running transactions along the highway, but |
| The risk of running into this scenario looms over | | | | for vendors hitting indoor convention centers, it |
| many mobile merchants. But what options does a | | | | can be an attractive option - especially the part |
| business have if they are selling from a table in | | | | where you can use a web-based POS for a small |
| the middle of a grassy field, or from a convention | | | | monthly fee, as opposed to laying down a |
| center with no reasonable access to a phone | | | | thousand dollars or more on a wireless credit card |
| jack? | | | | machine. |
| The solution may be to cut the cord, so to | | | | Wi-Fi PROS: Virtual terminals are available from |
| speak, and find a point of sale device that doesn't | | | | any computer on the web. Wi-Fi reception issues |
| need to be anchored to its wired connections. | | | | are easier to predict and manage. Large up-front |
| In recent years, several POS (point of sale) | | | | equipment costs are usually avoidable. |
| manufacturers have developed wireless credit | | | | Wi-Fi CONS: Wi-Fi access only benefits certain |
| card machines. These machines are very similar | | | | types of mobile merchants (indoor convention |
| to their countertop cousins, but they include a | | | | vendors, etc.). With Wi-Fi all-in-one POS devices |
| rechargeable battery, a SIM card (just like your | | | | still emerging, you may need to lug around |
| mobile phone), and an antenna for reception. You | | | | peripherals with your laptop, like a separate card |
| can take it with you and process transactions | | | | reader and a printer for receipts. |
| wherever you go. | | | | As the electronic communications landscape |
| Wireless PROS: These all-in-one handheld units | | | | continues to evolve, more avenues for |
| usually include an integrated receipt printer, | | | | transacting electronic payments will become |
| magnetic strip reader, and internal pin pad for | | | | available, allowing business types that have |
| processing ATM debit cards-all the luxuries of a | | | | traditionally been cash or check-only to benefit |
| countertop POS without the need for a wired | | | | from the ability to accept credit cards-and receive |
| connection. | | | | on-the-spot approvals. Taking advantage of these |
| Wireless CONS: Reception can be an issue. You | | | | new technologies will open new doors for sales, |
| are at the mercy of your signal strength. If you | | | | and reduce the risk of declines after the |
| are transacting in a remote area, if there is local | | | | merchandise has changed hands. Hopefully, the |
| interference, or you're in a bunker-like basement, | | | | information in this article will help point you in the |
| you may have trouble connecting to your | | | | right direction, and allow you to take payment |
| processing network. This may prevent you from | | | | with confidence wherever you go. |