SNMP is a standard TCP/IP network management protocol used to monitor and control network components and terminals. This efficiency is becoming increasingly important, as acquirers and processors begin expanding their use of TCP/IP networks for payments. Additionally, Lipman’s implementation allows collection and monitoring of transaction-specific statistics and provides a mechanism for remote control of terminal operation and performance. This capability permits acquirers to use off-the-shelf network management systems to better manage and optimize POS operation.

    The new service, linking the TransFirst Transaction Central system to the Gateway EDI portal, is designed to increase efficiency in handling co-pay and post-adjudication payment handling for enrolled users. Through a single sign-on process, staff in practices using the Gateway EDI platform will be able to manage their EDI transaction submission and management along with credit card and ACH payment entry, audit, and reporting.

    The study also shows that consumers are turning to expedited payments to pay their bills as close to the actual due date as possible and they have a variety of preferences for making those payments. For example, while payment by phone is still the principal method of expedited payment, a growing number of consumers prefer to use the biller’s direct web site to make payments.
   The study also points to an increase in expedited (last minute) bill payment. “We are seeing the impact of cycle billing in the survey results,” said Richard Crone of Crone Consulting. “Cycle billing complicates personal finances by spreading payment due dates over the course of the month. The date on which consumers pay their bills has become a critical personal financial management issue.” According to the study, cash flow has become a factor of greater importance in the timing of payments, growing from 48 percent to 54 percent year-over- year. Consumers are turning to expedited payments in direct correlation to cash flow.

The XD2000 Cellular Wireless Solution features a modular design and PC-based Linux operating system giving users the ability to change wireless connectivity between CDMA/1XRTT and GSM/GPRS with the simple swap of a modem.    

    Additionally, Pathmark supermarkets will deploy Pay By Touch’s fingerprint payment service. Shoppers can use Pay By Touch after a quick, one-time sign-up at a special kiosk located in Pathmark stores, or online at www.paybytouch.com.
   Once enrolled, shoppers can immediately use their finger to purchase products at participating Pathmark stores or any other Pay By Touch- enabled retailer in the country. When it comes time to pay, shoppers simply place a finger on a scanner at the point-of-sale and enter their phone number. After the shopper is recognized by name, and the transaction amount is approved, payment is automatically debited from his or her checking account.

    The two companies will collaborate to provide merchants with expertise and installation assistance in establishing Wi-fi based transaction networks.

    Gift cards were introduced around 1995, and since that time, their popularity has exploded. According to Tower Group, gift card dollar volume grew 50 percent from 2002 to 2003, totaling close to $45 billion in sales in 2003 - and future growth is estimated to be more than $90 billion in sales by 2007.

    The synergy of POSDATA’s integrated peripherals and Sterling’s extensive certification to integrated systems is designed to benefit merchants who are using integrated credit card payment point-of-sale systems.

    The OmeroX Lite combines an intuitive user interface with high end functionality including an integrated 16 lines per second thermal printer, the ability to run up to four separate, fire-walled applications and a password secured download feature to facilitate merchant retention.

    By integrating the PPI PayMover gateway with USTI’s ePay solution, USTI and PPI provide one resource for bill presentation and payment needs, enabling municipalities to operate more efficiently and more profitably by eliminating paper bills, manual envelope stuffing and postage costs.

    The company launched two new products that enable payment On The Spot: the Vx 670 for pay at the table, car-side service and home delivery, and the QX720 for drive-thru lanes. Both systems enable consumers to swipe their own credit or PIN-based debit cards when paying for their meals, eliminating the need to hand over the card to a server or cashier.

    More than 200,000 locations nationwide are part of The Retailer’s Network, created by Debitman. Stores using the network include Wal- Mart, Sam’s Club, CVS, Duane Reade, and Walgreens. The merchant- friendly debit payment network creates new revenue sharing opportunities for retailers that issue their own branded debit cards and reduces fees on electronic payment transactions for all card- accepting merchants.
   Debitman has also received new funding, closing its Series B funding round with $8.7 million in financing from investors including HSBC Retail Services, a U.S. business unit of HSBC -North America, Cardinal Venture Capital and Selby Venture Partners.

    Cybera will use a customized iPocket232 as part of Shell Oil Products U.S. CoolBand program. Coolband allows convenience store and petroleum retailers to consolidate a wide range of store equipment on a single broadband network infrastructure.
   Equipment connected by iPocket232 to the broadband IP network could range from payment processing terminals, such as Rubys, to tank monitors to video surveillance. The compact, plug and play adapter, which works seamlessly on any broadband network, speeds point-of-sale transactions and reduces the cost of networking by implementing a single multi-application solution.

    The nation’s financial institutions originated 17.4 percent more ACH payments in 2005 than in 2004. The number of these payments was 12.98 billion, a jump of more than 1.9 billion over 2004, and valued at
   $27.9 trillion. The remainder were originated by the Federal government - 976 million ACH payments in 2005, up 2.6 percent, and valued at $3.2 trillion.
   ACH payments include Direct Deposit of payroll, Social Security benefits and tax refunds, Direct Payment of consumer bills, e-checks, business-to-business payments, and Federal tax withholdings.

    Now, by offering Edentify’s IDBenchmark solution, a patented identity fraud assessment, detection, and prevention technology that produces a score for identity fraud potential, as part of its service, MyPublicInfo can offer consumers a new way to retrieve, review, and control information in their public records, as well as check its accuracy and ensure its safety from identity thieves.

    The television spot, entitled “Great Lady Golfer,” represents an extension of the traditional “priceless” advertising format. Rather than showing a series of purchases that lead to a “priceless” moment, the new spot opens with a “priceless” moment and shows how it leads to a series of related purchases.

    In April 2005, HIMC, agreed to acquire Fast Transact. As part of the negotiation process, both companies re-evaluated the focus to take after the merger. It was concluded that each was moving in a different direction and the two companies have parted in an amicable manner.

    New research from TowerGroup finds that 2006 and 2007 will find card issuers facing new revenue challenges and threats and exploring innovative options to mitigate the impact of these challenges.
   One challenge facing U.S. card issuers arises from recent guidance from the Office of the Comptroller of Currency to increase the minimum monthly payment due on card account balances. Given rising interest rates, TowerGroup believes the increase in minimum card payment (which will nearly double most households due) is likely to dampen credit card use and increase delinquencies. The rise in interest rates tied to the prime rate.
   In addition to factors like the OCC and interest rates, U.S. card issuers face a potentially more profound challenge in the evolution of consumer behavior. TowerGroup expects that the continued consumer shift to debit cards as well as rising prepaid card adoption will reduce the overall transaction volume of base credit card receivables, and therefore reduce transaction-based economies of scale.