Who's to say which one is better...web based (cloud) solution termainals...or resident server based software? Are there pros and cons to each? Absolutely. But if you could only choose one, which would you choose and why?
Before I go on, I'll tell you that our end goal is to appease both solutions: web based and software based. So you might ask then "isn't it moot to care about the why's of both?" I don't think so and I'll explain.
Web based/ cloud solutions are getting a lot of hype right now. The mobile industry has driven this. Your smart phone works almost entirely on web based solutions. And in this trend, industry would like to sell you on other solutions that behave the same way.
In payments applications, this can present some issues. Namely, that to run a transaction with a cloud based system, you are engaging numerous additional steps to make this happen. For starters, your device must start the whole transaction by first calling up the application from the web. If step one is having issues, you cannot even proceed onto the rest. You are stuck, unable to complete a transaction. The basis of a web based gateway simply demands too many additional steps prior to the transaction actually moving to the direction of the end processor.
For a software based solution, you can at least store the transaction in a batch mode and run it once you have internet connectivity restored. And the transactions have far less steps involved to move toward the processor. In fact, they may have as little as one single step.
In almost anything, less is more. Simpler is better. The less moving parts required to get the job done, the more reliable the solution.
As mentioned above, we'll eventually offer a web based solution, if for no other reason than the market is somewhat divided on the topic and some people simply want them. Thats fine by us. We'll let the market make the decisions on what they want. Until then, we think its important for you to remain aware of the fundamental differences so that you can make decisions that are in the best interest of serving your merchants.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Front Line
Vendors like us basically have two options to mobilize their product ideas:
a) Become an ISO so that you can complete the circle of setting up a merchant account and product. (which comes with a massive list of fees and logistics)
or
b) Put the product in the hand of professionals who are entrenched in the market and do everything you can to equip and support their mission.
Our aim is focused on the ISO/ MSP/ Agent channel. These are the people who sell the most important and critical pieces of the merchant account relationship. And our job becomes one of supporting that effort with a competitive product that compliments their portfolio.
We do this by making a product that is well targeted for a strong vertical, develop and support it 100% in-house and work toward integrating it with processors in ways that make the most sense for the market.
It's important to recognize this, because its a core component of our identity. That we position ourselves in line of support to the market in real time with the people who are on The Front Line.
a) Become an ISO so that you can complete the circle of setting up a merchant account and product. (which comes with a massive list of fees and logistics)
or
b) Put the product in the hand of professionals who are entrenched in the market and do everything you can to equip and support their mission.
Our aim is focused on the ISO/ MSP/ Agent channel. These are the people who sell the most important and critical pieces of the merchant account relationship. And our job becomes one of supporting that effort with a competitive product that compliments their portfolio.
We do this by making a product that is well targeted for a strong vertical, develop and support it 100% in-house and work toward integrating it with processors in ways that make the most sense for the market.
It's important to recognize this, because its a core component of our identity. That we position ourselves in line of support to the market in real time with the people who are on The Front Line.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
MSP Priority: Speed of Set Up
When signing a new merchant, speed is one of many critical factors to getting your new merchant relationship off on the right foot.
Our shameless plug here is that with Carpe Charge, you can have a merchant up and running at the rate of speed that you it takes to get merchant account approval from the processor. As soon as you have an MID in your hands, its only minutes to get Carpe Charge installed and running on their PC.
Consider this when comparing to other products. We listen to ISO's and agents because this is where the rubber meets the road. Speed to set up is one of many priorities.
Sign up today at: www.carpecharge.com
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CarpeCharge
Our shameless plug here is that with Carpe Charge, you can have a merchant up and running at the rate of speed that you it takes to get merchant account approval from the processor. As soon as you have an MID in your hands, its only minutes to get Carpe Charge installed and running on their PC.
Consider this when comparing to other products. We listen to ISO's and agents because this is where the rubber meets the road. Speed to set up is one of many priorities.
Sign up today at: www.carpecharge.com
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CarpeCharge
Friday, April 9, 2010
Feet of Clay
I just read an "article" featuring a dumb and happy VAR who "now sells card processing" to his clients. He became a referral partner to an ISO who specializes in leaching onto POS makers and VAR's. The article even went on to talk about how the VAR does not know anything about card processing and does not have to. And how he pretty much just refers clients, sits back and makes money.
I'm pretty sure I saw that same company advertising on my local telephone pole. Something about sitting at home all day making $30K a week.
Now, I'm not saying that this VAR-Replaces-Agent model is all bad....but here are a couple of things to make note of when headed this way:
a) As a VAR, when you lock yourself in with a single ISO/processor....you are no longer "processor neutral." If you have a client who is at all business savvy, then he is going to want to shop his rates and services for the best deal. The "best deal" of course is more than just the transaction rate, but the overall service that comes with it. Simply put: be sure you are willing to shack up with one ISO because it's going to be a limiter to your client base.
b) Now this second point is a bit more hypothetical, but its worth asking; assume you've just got in bed with a single ISO who promised you a rainbow and new pony. You spend a year or two pumping their Rolodex full of clients. Then that ISO gets sold or acquired (as they do every day) to some mother-ship who has their own POS solution in-house.
The answer to that scenario is; "hope you saved up your pennies while you were still in business."
And the lesson there is this: It happens.
If I were a VAR or POS re-seller, I'd sure like to keep my eggs in more than one basket. Its better for my clients and better for my own longevity.
This is why we are a "processor neutral" product. Our interest is in serving the merchant and the ISO with a highly flexible solution. The best ISO's don't stick with the same processor forever -after all, card services is a risk managment game. So it's in our best interest to be poised to move with them. At the same time, as merchants become educated and want to explore more merchant service options, then we need to be flexible to be there as well.
As a VAR, you should look for flexible solutions that are profitable and sustainable.
I'm pretty sure I saw that same company advertising on my local telephone pole. Something about sitting at home all day making $30K a week.
Now, I'm not saying that this VAR-Replaces-Agent model is all bad....but here are a couple of things to make note of when headed this way:
a) As a VAR, when you lock yourself in with a single ISO/processor....you are no longer "processor neutral." If you have a client who is at all business savvy, then he is going to want to shop his rates and services for the best deal. The "best deal" of course is more than just the transaction rate, but the overall service that comes with it. Simply put: be sure you are willing to shack up with one ISO because it's going to be a limiter to your client base.
b) Now this second point is a bit more hypothetical, but its worth asking; assume you've just got in bed with a single ISO who promised you a rainbow and new pony. You spend a year or two pumping their Rolodex full of clients. Then that ISO gets sold or acquired (as they do every day) to some mother-ship who has their own POS solution in-house.
The answer to that scenario is; "hope you saved up your pennies while you were still in business."
And the lesson there is this: It happens.
If I were a VAR or POS re-seller, I'd sure like to keep my eggs in more than one basket. Its better for my clients and better for my own longevity.
This is why we are a "processor neutral" product. Our interest is in serving the merchant and the ISO with a highly flexible solution. The best ISO's don't stick with the same processor forever -after all, card services is a risk managment game. So it's in our best interest to be poised to move with them. At the same time, as merchants become educated and want to explore more merchant service options, then we need to be flexible to be there as well.
As a VAR, you should look for flexible solutions that are profitable and sustainable.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Pass the Buck
You gotta love the card payment industry if no for no other reason than it's an entire vehicle that has found a way to split a penny up to 50 different ways. Its like the 6-Degrees of Kevin Bacon except that everyone who plays gets a piece of Kevin's money just for signing up. Or, like going to church and when they pass the offering plate, everyone goes ahead and skims a quarter, plus .15 cents off the last guy - and another nickel for taking the effort to pass the plate down the line.
This is all fine and good I suppose. It's a large industries model and it works. But it's kind of funny to hear the shock and awe in peoples voice when they hear that we (Carpé Charge) don't get into the stream of collecting residuals. That our fee for the software is what it is and no more. That we really post a single-price and that's actually what we charge. And that the ISO, agent, reseller or otherwise keeps their residuals and their margins right where they planned to in the first place.
It's a sustainable model and it's a model that has an identity uncloaked by smoke or curtains.
Consider this next time you are installing another software payment terminal and then contact us: www.carpecharge.com
This is all fine and good I suppose. It's a large industries model and it works. But it's kind of funny to hear the shock and awe in peoples voice when they hear that we (Carpé Charge) don't get into the stream of collecting residuals. That our fee for the software is what it is and no more. That we really post a single-price and that's actually what we charge. And that the ISO, agent, reseller or otherwise keeps their residuals and their margins right where they planned to in the first place.
It's a sustainable model and it's a model that has an identity uncloaked by smoke or curtains.
Consider this next time you are installing another software payment terminal and then contact us: www.carpecharge.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
Here is the latest from The Green Sheet magazine on Carpé Charge...
December 14, 2009 • Issue 09:12:01
Name recognition for ISOs
Product: CarpéCharge terminal brandingCompany: CarpéCharge
ISO's operate in relative obscurity. The average person outside the payments realm isn't even likely to know what an ISO is, and some merchants even have a hard time naming their merchant services providers.
A big part of that is due to a lack of visible branding. ISOs sell products, of course, but almost always they are someone else's products, branded exclusively with the manufacturer's logo and phone number.
A new service from CarpéCharge aims to change that. The company recently introduced a free branding service for ISOs that sell CarpéCharge's virtual terminals. The aim is to give the often obscure middleman a little name exposure.
CarpéCharge offers a server-based virtual terminal for merchants. "What we're doing is launching this private-label aspect of it where we can take the terminal as it appears on the screen and give it the custom private label branding for an ISO," said Dean Burke, Director of Marketing and New Business Development for CarpéCharge.
Reinforcing company names
Burke said the service would promote loyalty among merchants by reinforcing the names of their service providers and predisposing them to contact those companies when they have questions or needs. Branding can also help ISOs through merchant-to-merchant referrals; merchants who are aware of their providers are more likely to use the providers' names in conversation.
"What makes the ISO so unique is their service and how they support that merchant," Burke said. "This keeps the branding imagery top of mind, keeps that merchant thinking about who their ISO or merchant service provider is, gives them less opportunity to be distracted by third-party branding and ... helps the ISO streamline their communications with their merchants, so they have a cleaner, more concise look that follows their services."
Burke said ISOs who use the service are consulted to determine exactly how the branding will look, but that the work of creating the logo or image is done by CarpéCharge. ISOs supply finished logos and any instructions on color templates and so forth. Then CarpéCharge takes it from there.
"First and foremost we want to make sure that when the product opens and runs, that their name is very [conspicuous] and their design very clear," Burke said. "Second to that, and supporting it, are the colors and fonts designed around it."
No effect on PCI compliance
CarpéCharge Director of Special Projects Dan Wade added that because the customization work is performed by the terminal supplier, the work has no bearing on Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) compliance mandates.
"One of the biggest problems when you're wanting to customize something: more often than not you have to do that from a custom software standpoint, meaning you're actually integrating something that's third party and have to go through your [Payment Application DSS] review," Wade said. "This doesn't require that."
CarpéCharge253-857-6411 www.carpecharge.com
December 14, 2009 • Issue 09:12:01
Name recognition for ISOs
Product: CarpéCharge terminal brandingCompany: CarpéCharge
ISO's operate in relative obscurity. The average person outside the payments realm isn't even likely to know what an ISO is, and some merchants even have a hard time naming their merchant services providers.
A big part of that is due to a lack of visible branding. ISOs sell products, of course, but almost always they are someone else's products, branded exclusively with the manufacturer's logo and phone number.
A new service from CarpéCharge aims to change that. The company recently introduced a free branding service for ISOs that sell CarpéCharge's virtual terminals. The aim is to give the often obscure middleman a little name exposure.
CarpéCharge offers a server-based virtual terminal for merchants. "What we're doing is launching this private-label aspect of it where we can take the terminal as it appears on the screen and give it the custom private label branding for an ISO," said Dean Burke, Director of Marketing and New Business Development for CarpéCharge.
Reinforcing company names
Burke said the service would promote loyalty among merchants by reinforcing the names of their service providers and predisposing them to contact those companies when they have questions or needs. Branding can also help ISOs through merchant-to-merchant referrals; merchants who are aware of their providers are more likely to use the providers' names in conversation.
"What makes the ISO so unique is their service and how they support that merchant," Burke said. "This keeps the branding imagery top of mind, keeps that merchant thinking about who their ISO or merchant service provider is, gives them less opportunity to be distracted by third-party branding and ... helps the ISO streamline their communications with their merchants, so they have a cleaner, more concise look that follows their services."
Burke said ISOs who use the service are consulted to determine exactly how the branding will look, but that the work of creating the logo or image is done by CarpéCharge. ISOs supply finished logos and any instructions on color templates and so forth. Then CarpéCharge takes it from there.
"First and foremost we want to make sure that when the product opens and runs, that their name is very [conspicuous] and their design very clear," Burke said. "Second to that, and supporting it, are the colors and fonts designed around it."
No effect on PCI compliance
CarpéCharge Director of Special Projects Dan Wade added that because the customization work is performed by the terminal supplier, the work has no bearing on Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) compliance mandates.
"One of the biggest problems when you're wanting to customize something: more often than not you have to do that from a custom software standpoint, meaning you're actually integrating something that's third party and have to go through your [Payment Application DSS] review," Wade said. "This doesn't require that."
CarpéCharge253-857-6411 www.carpecharge.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Private Label - It's Not Just for the Cool Kids
Don't you just love press releases?
There is a certain mystery to these kinds of things. Like a secret formula with equal parts fluff, BS and smoke, while at the root of it all there lay some form of the truth all done up in her best prom dress. Pardon me as I enter the realm and issue one myself. (And I tried to go real easy on the fluff and BS...but the dress...well).
Carpé Charge Unveils Private Label Product for ISO’s
In direct response to feedback from the ISO reseller marketplace, Carpé Charge now offers their card acceptance software for merchants in private label options specific to the ISO. The skin of the virtual terminal can now take on your own ISO brand, look and feel with multiple customization options. The Carpé Charge brand name and logo is minimized while the ISO brand is prominently featured along with your custom colors and graphics.
“This gives ISO’s the added benefit of strengthening their brand of support and services to their merchants. Instead of having 3rd party branded products pop up all over the place, this new co-branding effort helps keep the lines of communication and support forward between the merchant and their ISO.” Says Dean Burke, Director of Sales and Marketing for Carpé Charge.
Best of all is the price. Customization by our Carpé Charge developers is free of charge for ISO’s who buy their product licenses in bulk. (And Carpé Charge does not take any residuals!)
Call Carpé Charge today and learn how we can increase your market brand equity with a custom private label virtual terminal. And Seize the Charge!
Now what do you do?
Call us at 253-857-6411 and we'll talk shop on how to make it your own.
There is a certain mystery to these kinds of things. Like a secret formula with equal parts fluff, BS and smoke, while at the root of it all there lay some form of the truth all done up in her best prom dress. Pardon me as I enter the realm and issue one myself. (And I tried to go real easy on the fluff and BS...but the dress...well).
Carpé Charge Unveils Private Label Product for ISO’s
In direct response to feedback from the ISO reseller marketplace, Carpé Charge now offers their card acceptance software for merchants in private label options specific to the ISO. The skin of the virtual terminal can now take on your own ISO brand, look and feel with multiple customization options. The Carpé Charge brand name and logo is minimized while the ISO brand is prominently featured along with your custom colors and graphics.
“This gives ISO’s the added benefit of strengthening their brand of support and services to their merchants. Instead of having 3rd party branded products pop up all over the place, this new co-branding effort helps keep the lines of communication and support forward between the merchant and their ISO.” Says Dean Burke, Director of Sales and Marketing for Carpé Charge.
Best of all is the price. Customization by our Carpé Charge developers is free of charge for ISO’s who buy their product licenses in bulk. (And Carpé Charge does not take any residuals!)
Call Carpé Charge today and learn how we can increase your market brand equity with a custom private label virtual terminal. And Seize the Charge!
Now what do you do?
Call us at 253-857-6411 and we'll talk shop on how to make it your own.
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