PAYMENTS SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE
For many small businesses, finding new ways to increase sales, enhance customer service, and lower operating costs aren’t just good ideas, they’re an
absolute necessity for organizations looking to survive and prosper in today’s
challenging economic climate. Throughout the nation, legions of merchants,
service providers, professionals, and entrepreneurs have adopted this mantra
by seeking out new technologies and services that enable them to differentiate
their offerings, expand their customer bases, and attain a level of success.
For payment service providers who must offer the technologies and services
these small businesses need in order to accept and process credit card transactions,
the economic realities complicate an already challenging competitive
landscape. Merchant requirements are constantly evolving, and new, technologically
advanced solutions are introduced on an ongoing basis.
“There’s a saying that the only constant in business is change, and that statement
is particularly relevant for describing the payments business,” explains Lori
Pritchard, Vice President of Payments Systems Worldwide, a California-based
national provider of merchant payment processing services. “Today’s small
business comes in all shapes and sizes. Some may be more traditional in their
approach by selling goods from brick-and-mortar establishments, while a
growing number, particularly home repair, taxi and limousine, pet groomers,
seasonal merchants, and other providers, rely on mobile transaction processing
solutions to sell their offerings. This latter group has grown considerably, and
seems to be always at the forefront of adopting the newest technologies that
can drive revenue and improve profitability.”
But while mobile-based merchants agree in principle that accepting cards in
the field has a very strong appeal from a number of business perspectives, many
express concern regarding the costs and complexities of these technologies.
“Many of our smaller merchants are mindful
of the investment required to accept credit
cards through a wireless device,” said Pritchard.
“They’re well aware that the costs of traditional
made-for-purpose terminals alone can rise into
the vicinity of eight hundred dollars, which for
many small businesses, is well beyond what they
can comfortably afford. Even if they get over the
initial sticker shock, they still need to examine
other factors, like battery shelf-life, and the time
and complexity of downloading and configuring
of software. In our past experiences, they often
concluded that these technologies were just too
expensive and complicated for their businesses to
support.”
After determining that traditional payment
terminal providers were pricing themselves
out of the burgeoning small business market,
Payments Systems Worldwide felt it needed to
partner with a new hardware manufacturer that
could not only deliver the functionality, reliability
and security that its customers demand, but
could do so at a price point that is more aligned
with market expectations.
Upon its exhaustive review of terminal providers and products, Payments Systems Worldwide found that the PAX S90 mobile payment terminal was best suited for these new business opportunities. While the product is priced at some 50 percent lower than competitive offerings, it was really the device’s simplicity and reliability that distinguished it from other terminals.
Released earlier this year, the PAX S90 is a compact and secure handheld device for conducting card-based payments over wireless networks. Certified for reliable and secure processing, the PAX S90 offers full featured payment processing technology, including store-and-forward capabilities for conducting transactions even when a wireless connection is dropped. In addition, the PAX S90 has an embedded high-speed thermal printer, giving merchants the ability to provide receipts to customers in any location.
From an economic performance perspective, Payments
Systems Worldwide finds that the PAX S90 really shines. The
devices are priced substantially less than competing products,
and the terminal’s more powerful battery is up to 800 percent
more efficient than those used in other products.
“We speak with many resellers and ISOs around the country,
many of whom face similar circumstances to Payments
Systems Worldwide,” said Chase Oelkers VP, Sales & Business
Development at PAX Technology Inc. “Their customers are
continually burdened with the high costs of their devices, and
are seeking other options that are not only less expensive, but
are also more user-friendly and reliable. After these distributors
examine the PAX S90, they immediately recognize how the value
and efficiency of this product can benefit their own merchants.
These providers understand that our ability to deliver solutions
that have lower price points, less complexity—and greater
efficiency—is a compelling proposition for their customers.”
reliable & secure transactions
In addition to partnering with PAX for less expensive, more efficient hardware, Payment Systems Worldwide relies on Apriva, the recognized leader in wireless payment processing technology, for its wireless transaction services. Highly regarded for its advanced AprivaTalk™ secure wireless technology, Apriva conducts more wireless payment transactions in North America than any other provider.
As Pritchard explains this level of flexibility gives Payment Systems Worldwide a distinct advantage in how it services its merchants.
Along with adaptability, Pritchard feels that Apriva’s advanced technology gives merchants a level of security that is unmatched.
“AprivaTalk technology exceeds all industry mandates,
so our merchants have complete confidence that
transactions will be properly processed, and that they’ll
be protected in the event of any fraud or misuse of
credit and debit cards.”
“In addition,” she continued, “we’ve found that Apriva
really excels in terms of customer care with a 24/7,
seven days a week staffed help desk. If we have any
questions about the wireless service, security, or any
issues regarding the integration of devices or services
on behalf of our customers, they always respond
immediately with a solution or answer to our question.”
What’s more, Apriva’s ability to connect its payment gateway with all major card brands, payments processors, financial institutions and wireless carriers gives merchants the freedom to choose the products and services that make the most sense for their business.
conclusion
Through its partnership with PAX and with Apriva, Payment Systems Worldwide finds itself in a much stronger competitive position. The company has been able to help existing customers lower their operating expenses and maximize efficiencies. Additionally, the partnership has also given Payments Systems Worldwide the ability to enter whole new markets, such as the seasonal merchant sector.
“The lower price point of the PAX terminals, combined
with the flexibility of the Apriva service, has allowed
us to expand a rental program that is targeted to
merchants who operate for a very short duration,
like the Christmas or Fourth of July holidays,” noted
Pritchard. “With our previous vendors, there was little
chance we could make the numbers work for such a
limited lifecycle. But that isn’t the case today. We’ve
been able to take advantage of these efficiencies by
acquiring a significant number of new merchants,
while continuing to take care of our existing base.”
“It’s not often when we come across partners who are
equally vested in our success,” she concludes. “But
with PAX and Apriva, that is definitely the case.”