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Smarter Testing, Faster Releases: How PAX Technology, Inc.’s CyberLab is Revolutionizing Payment App Development

In the ever-evolving world of digital payments, speed, security, and efficiency are no longer optional; they’re mandatory. That’s where PAX’s CyberLab comes in. This revolutionary cloud-based testing platform is changing how payment applications are developed, tested, and certified, saving time and resources while accelerating innovation. 

Table of Contents

What is CyberLab?

 PAX Technology’s CyberLab is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline the development, testing, and certification of payment applications on PAX Android terminals. The devices are managed by advanced robotics and supported by skilled system engineers, giving developers remote access to fully functional, physical terminals. 

This enables developers to build, test, and debug their software without having a single terminal on hand, removing physical limitations from the development process while preserving all the realism of a true device environment. 

Cyberlab Benefits | Automated Functional Testing

What are the Real Benefits?

The payments landscape moves fast. Merchants demand custom solutions; they need applications, and they want them quickly. Traditional QA and manual testing processes simply can’t keep up with that pace. 

In the development of payment applications, virtual terminals play a critical role by allowing developers to simulate a full range of transaction types including purchases, refunds, pre-authorizations, and voids without the need for physical hardware.  

CyberLab changes the game by allowing developers to: 

  • • Automate Functional Testing 
  • • Conduct Compatibility Testing 
  • • Simulate full transaction flows  
  • • Eliminate the need for in-person testing or multiple QA analysts 
  • • Accelerate the software life cycle from ideation to production-ready 

In fact, CyberLab has been shown to replace the productivity of 3.75 QA testers per day, thanks to its automation and remote access capabilities. With browser-based testing and scriptable automation, development teams can work faster, smarter, and from anywhere.

Real Devices, Real Results

Unlike other virtual solutions that rely on simulation, CyberLab runs on real terminals. This ensures absolute accuracy and reliability in testing results, which is critical in the world of payment applications where precision matters. 

Developers can create and run customized test scripts to check compatibility across multiple device models, all without lifting a physical card. With screen recording and script debugging features, it’s easy to pinpoint issues and make rapid adjustments.

Security at Its Core

Testing environments are just as critical as production environments when it comes to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance. Virtual terminals, emulators, and sandboxes must be designed to prevent real cardholder data exposure. PCI compliance during testing not only protects organizations from potential breaches but also ensures that the transition from testing to live operation is smooth, secure, and audit ready. CyberLab was built with this in mind. 

CyberLab ensures: 

  • • Isolation of test systems from live networks 
  • • Use of tokenized or anonymized card data for simulations 
  • • Full encryption of any sensitive data 
  • • Secure, auditable environments that align with compliance mandates 

With CyberLab, you get peace of mind knowing your testing is secure and won’t compromise your PCI compliance.

Cyberlab | Deep Compatibility Testing

Stress Test Like A Pro

Need to push your app to its limits? All Android developers can leverage CyberLab to stress test their applications by giving the terminal commands with automated test scripts. CyberLab’s support for automated functional, compatibility, and performance testing allows Android developers to stress test their applications without physical interaction, meaning they can automate card taps, swipes, and PIN entries, even simulate user behavior over hundreds of transactions, with real-time results and feedback. 

These commands can also be screen recorded to make sure the proper actions are taking place according to the script. This is revolutionary and changing the development world as we know it. It’s a modern testing lab for a modern payments world. 

Cyberlab | Script Online Debugging/Recording

Who Benefits from CyberLab?

CyberLab isn’t just for developers. It’s designed to serve various roles across the payments ecosystem:

  • • Developers: For debugging, script testing, and bug verification 
  • • QA Teams: For full automation of smoke, compatibility, and performance testing 
  • • Customer Support: For reproducing issues quickly and remotely 
  • • Sales Engineers: For demonstrating applications on real terminals — without needing a demo kit 

CyberLab is more than a virtual terminal, it’s a fully equipped, cloud-based development environment that brings physical payment hardware to your fingertips. It speeds up delivery, reduces costs, strengthens compliance, and empowers teams to do more with less. For those developing for the PAX ecosystem, CyberLab isn’t just an option — it’s a competitive advantage.

To learn more visit: https://www.pax.us/solutions/cyberlab or contact us at [email protected].

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2022 Holiday Payment Trends

December 20, 2022

Shopping around the holidays, whether in-store or online, can be stressful to say the least. Waiting in long checkout lines, out-of-stock items or shipping delays, and the current economic status, can make even the merriest of shoppers take pause.

The good news is, consumers now have more payment options than ever before, and businesses are understanding the need to enhance the in-store payment process by using these options. Doing so not only improves the checkout experience, but it allows retailers to complete more transactions in less time, increasing customer satisfaction and leading to repeat business and loyal customers.

As we wrap up the holiday season, here’s a look at some of the innovative trends making the check-out experience a little brighter.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Alternative payment methods, such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), have gained popularity with both consumers and retailers. Like the layaway system, BNPL allows shoppers to pay for products in manageable installments, making large purchases more accessible. However, BNPL takes it a step further and allows shoppers to take their purchase home immediately, often after making a down payment, rather than having to wait to complete the payment plan. In many instances, the process can be completed right on the terminal at the checkout counter. Several banks, credit unions, and third-party services now offer BNPL options to shoppers. According to CUInsight, this holiday season the projected number of BNPL users is expected to hit 59.3 billion.

Buy Online Pickup In Store (BOPIS)/Curbside Pickup

BOPIS, or Curbside Pickup, also referred to as “Click and Collect,” lets customers buy online and pick up their orders in-store, or never have to leave their car by picking up curbside. Unlike traditional online shopping, the customer physically comes to the store to collect their items, presenting retailers with an opportunity to upsell.

PAX mobile devices such as the A77, A920Pro, or newer terminals such as the A6650, allow retailers to use one device for the inventory selection process, all the way through to the customer picking up in-store or curbside.

BOPIS is also a great option for last-minute shoppers and for those who don’t want to pay for shipping or wait for their items to be shipped. As noted in an article from Bluedot, this method is widely popular among holiday shoppers, with 78% planning to utilize this shopping method.

Line Busting

Did you know the average American spends 37 hours waiting in line each year? These long wait times can frustrate consumers and result in loss of revenue for retailers. Utilizing an mPOS device lets retailers meet shoppers anywhere on the retail floor, meaning customers never have to wait in line to check out.

A recent study showed that retailers saw more than a 25% increase in sales when utilizing mPOS solutions. Applying mobile technology to the checkout experience means that customers do not feel rushed, employees have access to information about products and stock at their fingertips, and the business can provide an individualized approach to build a lasting relationship with their customers.

Digital Wallets/ Mobile Payments

Apps like Apple Pay, Venmo and Zelle work just like cash and are nearly as easy to use. In an article from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Apple Pay and other digital wallets have gained wide acceptance among retailers. Venmo, which was originally intended for “peer to peer” payments, is now accepted by CVS, Abercrombie & Fitch, Uber Eats, Hulu and Foot Locker, among others.

Mobile payments are another innovative payment trend, with Apple, Samsung, and Google offering their own versions. Incorporating the right POS and payment processing technology to take advantage of the rise in mobile payments will help businesses enhance their overall customer checkout experience. 

Self-Checkout

Employee shortages added to the strain of an already challenging retail season. Luckily, many retailers offer self-checkout which provides a speedier and more convenient way to pay for goods. This method lets the customer own the experience and does not require them to interact with a cashier at checkout. A recent report by PYMNTS sited having access to a self-service kiosk was one of the top five in-store shopping features that consumers wanted most.

How PAX can help solve the checkout experience 

PAX Technology, Inc. is at the forefront of innovation, reliability, and security. Our values are more evident than ever in the retail space, where we supply payment solutions for all environments, including multi-lane, self-checkout, and mobile line busting, just to name a few. With our innovative devices, industry-leading Android-based operating system, enterprise solution such as PxRetailer, and cloud-based PAXSTORE application marketplace, retailers of all sizes can create seamless shopping experiences for their customers through fast checkout, acceptance of a multitude of payment options, QR and barcode scanning, unattended self-service, effective inventory management, and more.

Checkout may be a customer’s last experience in the store, but we believe it is an opportunity to build valuable relationships and keep them coming back for more.

To learn more about PAX solutions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with [email protected]. 

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A new era has ushered in a world of touchless payments within the restaurant industry.

May 19, 2022

In the wake of the pandemic, people have learned that our most valuable commodities are time, public health, and security. The way consumers want to pay has quickly shifted. Thanks to the quick adaptation and innovation by payment industry leaders like PAX Technology, Inc., restaurants have implemented multiple options for consumers to take control of their transaction experience. 

Touchless payment methods like virtual wallets, curbside pickup, and self-ordering/checkout have become the expectation of consumers today. Nearly 57% of Americans prefer a business that offers touchless payment options versus companies that don’t. 

While many restaurants, large and small, continue to utilize a traditional, fixed-mounted payment solution that works alongside an electronic cash register (ECR), new and evolving ways to order and pay are becoming the new norm in the restaurant industry. 

Pay-at-the-table

Many casual dining establishments have placed payment systems at the table for convenience, allowing the consumer to pay more conveniently. By doing so, restaurants have: 

  • Reduced the wait time for transactions.
  • Allowed consumers to have greater security of their credit cards.
  • Allowed consumers to divide the bill the way they want to with fewer mistakes. 

Payment systems at the tables also allow consumers to plug in their account information to get their loyalty rewards. With Mobile Point-of-Sale Systems (mPOS) to tabletop solutions, PAX Technology Inc. has endless options to fit your needs. 

Online Ordering/Take-Out/Curbside Pickup

While online ordering/take-out is a staple in the restaurant industry, usage since pre-pandemic has increased 44% and is projected to grow another 21% by 2025. Online ordering evolved even further during the height of the pandemic to include curbside pickup where customers do not even need to enter the restaurant. The food is brought directly to your vehicle, and you can either pre-pay online or through a mobile payment device provided by the restaurant. 

To maximize their reach, many restaurants partnered with third-party delivery services to meet consumers where they are. However, those third-party delivery services, while convenient, can mark the pricing up to 91%, and the customer experience is now in the hands of the third party. 

The growing demand for take-out and delivery has encouraged restaurants to utilize applications that enable them to own and control the customer experience for online ordering. PAX Technology, Inc. has developed a solution for restaurants in the form of Retail + Restaurant Online Ordering Management (ROOM). 

“Our (PAX Technology, Inc.) ROOM solution enables restaurants to control and own their brand reputation, bridging the gap sometimes caused by third-party delivery services. By keeping ordering systems in-house, restaurants can reduce the risk of chargebacks, create a stronger connection to their customer base, and create an overall better experience.”

Heather Hatch, VP of Business Development

Let your customers order from wherever they are

Learn More

Self-Ordering

Self-ordering is a relatively new trend that is quickly gaining momentum. Consumers order and pay for their meals all through one device. There is excellent efficiency within the self-ordering method that allows the consumer to control the transaction time. By using self-ordering kiosks, consumers reduce their order times by 40%.

“PAX Technology, Inc. has developed multiple variations of kiosks that are easy to use and easy to brand. Self-ordering kiosks also allow restaurants to create a consistent experience during the transaction,”

John Arato, SVP of Retail Solutions

Drive-thru

While take-out and delivery saw a significant increase due to the pandemic, drive-thru traffic rose 61% from February 2020 to November 2021. Now, many players in the QSR space are re-designing their drive-thrus to include more lanes or even opening drive-thru-only concepts. 

“Whether restaurants are running their own payment application, using a third-party Apple or Android tablet, or need a semi or fully integrated solution, PAX has a payment terminal to suit either need.”

Tony Fernandez, SVP of Product Marketing.

The PAX Solution

Providing multiple payment options and configurations to consumers is no longer a benefit but a necessity. As the first payment manufacturer to introduce Android payment solutions to the North American market, PAX Technology, Inc. is the leader in enabling a complete payment ecosystem for businesses large and small. With an Android solution, enterprises unleash the power to take payments and manage their business. To learn more about how PAX can help you meet your customer and business needs, please email our sales team at: [email protected] 

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Checking Out the Future of Retail Checkout

January 10, 2022

While today’s digitally savvy consumers have been quick to embrace online shopping trends in general, most of these shoppers still prefer doing business with brands that have physical locations. Brick and mortar locations sacrifice the convenience of online shopping to offer customers the ability to touch, taste, see, and feel products before committing to a purchase. However, these physical stores also risk alienating their patrons through poor customer service and experiences. In a recent survey, more than 70% of respondents identified the retail checkout experience as their biggest pain point.

In response to these concerns, many retailers have started to utilize new technologies and innovative payment solutions to revitalize the checkout experience and provide multiple methods of payment to make the shopping and checkout process as fast and painless as possible.

“New technology allows consumers to pay for products in innovative ways,” said Clint Jones, SVP of Operations at PAX Technology. “Shopping has evolved in the past few years as we embrace emerging payment possibilities like cryptocurrency, Buy Now Pay Later, QR code payments, and curbside pickup.”

Buy Now Pay Later

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to pay for their products. Like the layaway system of old, BNPL allows shoppers to pay for products in manageable installments, making large purchases more accessible to many more people. However, BNPL takes it a step further and allows shoppers to take their purchase home immediately, often after making a down payment, rather than having to wait for the payment plan to finish. An additional benefit of BNPL is that it is not merchant-dependent. Many banks, credit unions, and third-party services now offer BNPL options to shoppers.

Curbside Pickup

Promoted during the early days of the pandemic as restaurants and retailers rushed to find ways to provide goods and services to their customers while keeping their employees safe, curbside pickup continues to be a popular option for businesses and consumers alike. Retailers like how the process streamlines and expedites the checkout experience for inside and curbside customers. At the same time, consumers enjoy avoiding crowds, speeding up the transaction, and even getting free shipping for online purchases. Recent shopping data from Adobe showed that “curbside pickups accounted for 18% of all online orders during Cyber Monday 2021.” To take full advantage of curbside pickup, retailers often turn to innovative handheld and mobile payment terminals, such as the A920 and D190 offered by PAX Technology, to take the checkout experience to the customer.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency has emerged as a payment solution as it has become increasingly popular with tech-savvy consumers. This digital currency has many benefits that appeal to shoppers, from anonymous transactions to peer-to-peer convenience, but it has been slow to gain wide acceptance in stores. This stalemate could soon change as “more and more companies have come around to the idea of integrating bitcoin into their operations.” While cryptocurrency has traditionally been stored in a digital wallet that has impeded its use in traditional payment terminals, companies and exchanges have begun offering crypto debit cards that connect a user’s digital wallet to a physical card that can be used at any retailer.

The Future of Shopping

The landscape of shopping has been forever changed in today’s digital world. Nontraditional payment methods are on the rise, and if you have not yet been presented with an opportunity to use one, you will likely experience this soon. While businesses might be slow to adapt to emerging trends, consumers embrace them at unprecedented rates. According to data from pymnts.com, a combined 10.7% of consumers utilized cryptocurrency or buy now pay later—two relatively new payment methods—during Black Friday 2021.

The message to both businesses and shoppers is clear: do not be afraid to try new payment methods. Consumers can avoid crowded stores and expedite checkout by using curbside pickup, pay quickly and securely with contactless cards and digital contactless solutions, and make that big purchase a reality by spreading out payments using Buy Now Pay Later. Businesses can take advantage of these emerging trends to “[provide] more checkout options [and] boost customer satisfaction.”

To learn more about PAX solutions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with [email protected]. 

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Improve the checkout experience for the holiday season and beyond

November 19. 2021

With the holiday shopping season seemingly starting earlier each year, retailers are about to see the heaviest foot traffic in their stores since pre-pandemic. Generally speaking, in-store transactions generate a higher ticket than online orders. Therefore, creating a stellar customer experience is crucial to a repeat visit. Retailers would be remiss if the checkout experience were not considered in the overall customer experience. In fact, according to a recent study by Shopify, 70% of surveyed respondents said the checkout experience is their most significant pain point, with long lines and wait times as the most considerable inconvenience.

Businesses should consider enhancing the in-store checkout experience, and the best way to do that is by improving the technology. There have been many advances in current payment technology; self-checkout kiosks, mobile POS (mPOS) solutions, and even the “no checkout” experience.

Providing more checkout options can boost customer satisfaction and reduce wait time.

Improving the checkout experience allows retailers to complete more transactions in less time, increasing customer satisfaction, leading to repeat business and loyal customers. 

Convenience and efficiency are essential to a seamless checkout experience. Below are some of the innovative trends retailers need to utilize to enhance the checkout experience.

Line Busting

When utilizing an mPOS device, customers never have to wait in line to pay. These mobile devices allow retailers to meet the customer wherever they are on the showroom floor. A recent study showed that retailers saw more than a 25% increase in sales when utilizing mPOS solutions. Applying mobile technology to the checkout experience means that customers do not feel rushed, employees have access to information about products and stock at their fingertips, and the business can provide an individualized approach to build a lasting relationship with their customers.

QR Codes

Employing QR codes in the retail environment allows shoppers to use their mobile device to scan products as they shop, complete the purchase on their phone, and then pick up their items or have them shipped directly to their homes. This technology presents the opportunity for higher ticket sales as customers are more likely to complete the virtual cart transaction than they are when given the time to second-guess their choices while waiting in line at the register. 

Buy Online, Pickup in Store (BOPIS)

BOPIS, click-and-collect, curbside pickup, among others, are shopping experiences that allow customers to buy online and then collect their orders in-store. These options are among the best ways to provide customers with added convenience when shopping. Unlike traditional online shopping, the customer physically comes to the store to pick up their items, presenting retailers with an opportunity to upsell. Have you ever walked in the store to pick up one thing, and something else caught your eye? These pickup-in-store options capitalize on this behavior.

Contactless Payments

Tap-to-pay technology allows customers to wave or tap their card over a contactless card reader, providing a faster and safer checkout experience over traditional chip-and-pin and magnetic stripe transactions. 

Mobile payments are another innovative payment trend, with Apple, Samsung, and Google offering their own versions. Incorporating the right POS and payment processing technology to take advantage of the rise in mobile payments will help businesses enhance their overall customer checkout experience. 

Biometrics

While biometric solutions have not taken the market by storm just yet, the technology has the possibility to create an entirely new shopping experience. With the current iterations offered by Amazon, customers enter and shop at a store by scanning an application or fingerprint and through enhanced-AI technology never physically checkout. The technology detects what products are taken from and returned to the shelf, completes the transaction virtually, and charges the customer’s card. 

Businesses must continue to make advancements to adapt to consumer shopping behaviors. A survey by PYMNTS.com reported that consumers prefer unattended retail channels, with 49.4% saying they use self-checkout because it is faster and 34.7% saying they like the self-service option because of the shorter lines.

How PAX can help solve the checkout experience 

PAX Technology is at the forefront of innovation, reliability, and security. Our values are more evident than ever in the retail space, where we supply payment solutions for all environments, including multi-lane, self-checkout, and mobile line busting. With our innovative devices, industry-leading Android-based operating system, and cloud-based PAXSTORE application marketplace, retailers of all sizes can create seamless shopping experiences for their customers through fast checkout, acceptance of a multitude of payment options, QR and barcode scanning, unattended self-service, effective inventory management, and more. Checkout may be a customer’s last experience in the store, but we believe it is an opportunity to build valuable relationships and keep them coming back for more.

To learn more about PAX solutions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with [email protected]. 

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Online Ordering: Control the Transaction, Own the Experience

September 7, 2021

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging technologies and changes in consumer behaviors were leading to a rise in online ordering. The introduction of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders only accelerated this trend, especially in the restaurant business. This led to companies scrambling for solutions to keep their doors open. The industry reacted, and new technologies and services were introduced to address the situation. Online ordering, delivery apps, and curbside pick-up became a requirement of consumers rather than an extra convenience – and a necessity for business owners to keep from shuttering their doors and laying off employees. However, many solutions today require the restaurant to use one system for online ordering and another for in-store payments.  

The biggest question for the industry now is, what solutions will meet the needs of both business owners and consumers? 

The Growth of Online Ordering

According to a recent study from PYMNTS.com, the past year saw consumers spend upwards of $770 billion on food orders, over 60% of which were for delivery or pick-up. This represents a 46% increase from the previous year. Of those takeout orders, nearly 90% were received through a website or app, either operated by the restaurant or through a third party. While consumers and business owners quickly adapted to CDC guidelines, online ordering increased in popularity, requiring restaurants to suddenly pivot their operations. In fact, 60% of these online orders were placed at restaurants that had previously not offered much in the way of takeout services. This change in consumer behavior continued throughout 2020, and ultimately, by year’s end, around 70% of consumers had increased their usage of drive-thru services, in-store pick-up, and curbside pick-up. While restrictions are now easing and restaurants are opening for dine-in service, it is expected that this segment of the industry will continue to maintain growth, with 33% of surveyed consumers indicating that they are planning on ordering more online in the next year.

Independent Businesses vs. Third-Party Services

A hyper focus on supporting local businesses has been one of the emerging trends with a preference to order directly from restaurants rather than through third-party services. 41% of respondents to a recent survey from Buyer’s Edge reported that they have increased their purchasing from independent restaurants over the past year. Consumers are also becoming more aware of the limitations of third-party services, from higher prices and excessive fees to the poor customer experience. In a recent survey from Preoday, 70% of consumers said they would prefer to order directly from a restaurant, 50% indicated that they used restaurant-specific apps and websites at least twice a month, and over 35% told researchers that they avoid third-party services altogether. 

The Importance of the Customer Experience

The reluctance to use third-party services stems partly from increased publicity of their negative aspects, such as the revenue businesses might lose through the disproportionately high cut taken by such services. However, a large portion of this reluctance is due simply to the poor customer experience offered. Customers ordering through a third-party service often face higher prices, excessive fees, and unreliable delivery time estimates. In a recent survey by First Orion, 50% of consumers said that their most significant issue with online ordering was late delivery, 36% said their food arrived cold, 33% complained that the driver needed too many directions, and 26% said that their food did not arrive at all. When an order is placed through a third-party service, such as a delivery app, the independent driver relies on preparation time estimates and often plans for bulk deliveries for multiple orders. As a result, a customer’s order might sit ready to be picked up for far too long, leading to them receiving a cold and unacceptable meal. This problem is made worse by out-of-area drivers not knowing their way around communities and those with no stake in the transaction delivering orders to incorrect addresses, not delivering them at all, or providing a poor customer experience.

Ultimately, when issues arise with third-party services, it is the restaurant that receives the blame. In a recent study by Raydiant, 38.5% of restaurants surveyed said that they had received negative reviews because of issues caused by the usage of third-party services, mainly revolving around cold meals, late delivery, or no delivery at all. In a survey by Zion & Zion, 35% of consumers responded that they blame the restaurant if their food arrives late or cold. The best way for restaurants to combat this situation is to control the entire customer experience.

Control the Transaction, Own the Experience

When restaurants offer their own in-house online ordering system, they can take charge of their brand, avoid excessive fees, and ensure an experience that is positive for consumers and satisfactory for the business. Ass more restaurants welcome back patrons, having a solution that handles both the in-store and online sides of the business has become more necessary than ever.  With such a system in place, restaurants can ensure that their menus are up-to-date and accurate, provide a fast and convenient ordering process for consumers, and accept all secure payment methods. Most importantly, restaurants control the dining, pick-up, and delivery experience, from placing the order to the customer being handed their products. 

A Recipe for Success

Online ordering often results in a lower average order value. In fact, research from PYMNTS.com indicates that the average value of an online order is $35, while an on-site order is worth $43. Therefore, any additional fees charged by third-party companies will continue to cut into the restaurant’s profits. While online orders may result in less revenue, restaurants can control the experience and continue to build or keep their reputations. Reducing excessive third-party fees, improving customer satisfaction, and maintaining an excellent reputation are all ingredients in a recipe for success.

The Fastlane to Online Ordering

Restaurant/Retail Online Ordering Management (ROOM) from PAX Technology, Inc. allows companies to have a cohesive, branded online ordering system where consumers can customize their order and enjoy the benefits of all-in-one automated ordering – where orders are placed online and transmitted directly to the payment terminals in the restaurant. This means they utilize the same system for both their online and in-store business, with no need to have multiple software solutions. The consumer receives direct notifications when their order has been received and is ready for delivery or pick-up. Payments accepted through ROOM are integrated with a business’s existing payment processor, providing consumers the option to pay in advance or when they receive their order. This also ensures a clean, safe, and contactless payment experience.

With ROOM, PAX Technology, Inc. supplies the hardware needed, ensures easy integration with existing systems, and provides the support to successfully run an online ordering and delivery platform. In today’s rapidly changing environment, merchants with ROOM can re-open their doors with the confidence to keep their business going better than ever with newer and easier ways to reach their customers. 

To learn more about ROOM, or any other solution offered by PAX Technology, visit www.pax.us or email us at [email protected].

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Small Merchants Need a Fast Lane to Online Ordering

June 29, 2020

The Fast Lane to Online Ordering

With a public health crisis rocking our economy and our lives, the retail and restaurant industries have no choice but to evolve their brick-and-mortar business models for both public safety and their own survival. Without the ability to quickly adapt to the need for cleaner payments, small businesses–from mom-and-pop restaurants to those eclectic hard-to-replace shops—are sadly shutting their doors all across the country, and for possibly the last time.

Of course, it is easy to say that these restaurants and shops should quickly pivot their current brick-and-mortar business models to e-commerce, but this can be difficult to do without becoming destitute in the process. Restaurants face challenges with high setup costs, pricey delivery and order percentage fees, uneven profit distribution, manual errors, and branding vulnerability with using third-party apps. This makes the necessary transition to a cleaner order and pay experience much more difficult during an already stressful time.

Staying Relevant Amidst all the Evolution

Not only are retailers and restaurants being hit hard, but independent software vendors (ISVs), acquirers, and merchant service providers are also struggling to find ways to stay relevant. They are scrambling to offer solutions that promote new ways of purchasing while simultaneously keeping consumers comfortable, safe, and happy.

The ability to implement online ordering is readily achievable with a variety of offers, but few allow for the seamless integration of e-commerce and card-present integration. With an all-in-one solution that doesn’t break the bank or affect operating efficiency, online ordering and delivery must allow for leapfrogging the competition that will advance the consumers’ direct merchant relationship at a time when it’s needed the most.

The good news, though, is that studies show consumers prefer to order directly from the store rather than from expensive third-party apps[1]. By offering a consumer-driven and merchant-friendly e-commerce solution that allows merchants to maintain their brand, there could be a significant reduction in the additional costs and frustrations that weren’t originally present in the pre-curbside environment.

ROOM: A Clean and Versatile Payment Solution

With ROOM, PAX Technology Inc’s Restaurant/Retail Online Ordering Management, the ability to utilize both in-store and online ordering for a true omnichannel business solution now comes directly on the terminal and without the exorbitant third-party costs. Restaurants and retailers of all sizes can also benefit from branding the online ordering service as their own and integrate easily with their existing services.

This means small businesses can now leverage their own resources to offer cleaner, safer contactless payments without the expense.

ROOM comes integrated on any PAX Android device. We have partnered with our existing distributors to offer ROOM starter terminal offers for the E500 and A920. Transitioning to a true omnichannel business solution positioned for commerce of the future is now as simple as calling your sales representative.

ROOM makes the setup process quick and stress-free with its out-of-the-box online ordering website. Without the need for expensive third-party agreements, business owners can now offer consumers both in-person payment transactions as well as safe and seamless online ordering.

ROOM also provides the ability to:

  • offer clean, contactless curbside and pickup options
  • increase consumer convenience with contactless transactions and delivery
  • and keep the consumer’s experience, from online ordering to delivery or pick up, under your brand’s complete control

Future-Friendly Commerce Today with PAX ROOM

While it has been easy to shrug off the rapidly changing landscape of commerce in the past, this option is no longer a possibility with today’s challenges. PAX ROOM can help your business stay ahead on the fast lane to online ordering—and all without the price gouging common to third-party delivery services.

To get started with ROOM today, simply call your Sales Representative or Merchant Service Provider. You can also find more information on pax.us/pax-room or contact [email protected].

[1] https://adtechdaily.com/2020/02/18/a-majority-of-mobile-consumers-prefer-to-shop-through-direct-to-consumer-brands-rather-than-third-party-retailers-according-to-new-tapjoy-study/

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A Cleaner Way to Pay

April 9, 2020

Most people know that money isn’t clean, but they also forget that their credit cards pass through just as many hands as the bills and coins in their wallet. Likewise, the many touchpoints on a terminal—such as inserting a card, entering a PIN, and signing—heighten the need for a cleaner payment experience. Luckily with contactless payments, proper sanitization, and other helpful tips, a cleaner way to pay is possible.

Contactless Reduces Physical Contact with Payment Terminals

For consumers, handling credit cards is no more dangerous than touching doorknobs or countertops; if people practice effective handwashing and sanitizing their cards, the risk is minimal. People handle their credit cards multiple times a day. From grocery shopping to stopping at the gas station, credit cards are frequently in hand. However, soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers aren’t always available after making a purchase.

So, what is a health-conscious consumer to do? Paying for products or food in advance reduces the amount of physical contact.  Many stores and restaurants have delivery service and curbside pickup, so paying in advance over the phone, website, or app is more convenient than ever.

Sometimes it’s necessary to shop in store. Contactless pay doesn’t just limit the credit card’s exposure to payment terminals in the checkout line, it also reduces consumer contact with payment terminals. Shoppers simply hover their Contactless-enabled card or mobile wallet over the payment terminal when prompted and they’re done! With Contactless, no signature or PIN entry is required, so consumers avoid touching PIN pads and touch screens. Contactless is fast and convenient, typically taking only one to two seconds!

Enabling Contactless and Disabling Signature only Takes Seconds

Unsure if your card is Contactless-enabled? All Contactless-enabled cards have the EMVco Contactless indicator clearly printed on their surface. If your credit cards are not Contactless-enabled, contact your credit card provider to inquire about issuing a new card with Contactless capabilities. Most smartphones and smartwatches are also enabled for Contactless pay and can act as “mobile wallets,” storing your credit card information and allowing for fast Contactless transactions.

Merchants can contact their acquirer or terminal service provider to enable Contactless or disable signature for EMV chip transactions to reduce the number of touchpoints the consumer has with the terminal. For PAX Customers, it only takes seconds to push an update on PAXSTORE, BroadPOS, or PxRetailer. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time!

Cleaner and Safer Retail Environments

Recent tests suggest that the new coronavirus can survive on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces for two to three days, which means that the virus can linger on credit cards and payment terminals. Merchants should continue to regularly disinfect their payment terminals to reduce the spread of germs. PAX Technology payment terminals are safe to clean with disinfecting wipes or alcohol wipes as well as a recommended card cleaner with Waffletechnology. For a full step-by-step guide to cleaning PAX terminals and list of vendors for cleaning supplies, view the Sanitization Guide for PAX Terminals.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Stop Giving Your Credit Card to Strangers

March 11, 2020

How many times have you handed your credit card to a stranger in the past year? How about the last month? Or even the past week? Many consumers would be quick to answer, “never,” without realizing that they’ve probably given dozens of people access to their credit card within the past week alone.

Think about the last time you dined at a fancy restaurant or made a fast trip through the drive-through for a burger and fries or bought a new outfit at your favorite boutique. Do you remember how you paid? At the restaurant you most likely put your card in a black check holder then waited for your waiter to collect it. At the drive-through you pulled up to the first window and handed your card to the employee asking for $5.99. At the boutique you slid your card across a glass display to the sales associate behind the register. In all these instances, your credit card left your possession, putting your financial security at risk.

The U.S. is adapting to new global payment standards — slowly

Major parts of the world, such as China, Europe, and Canada have moved towards more secure payment methods and have adopted pay-at-the-table as a standard payment option. Though some restaurants across the U.S. offer pay-at-the-table functionality, some still maintain the unsafe practice of collecting the card to complete the transaction as a separate point-of-sale terminal, far from view of the cardholder. U.S. merchants’ hesitance to adopt pay-at-the-table functionality is partly due to the high investment in technology required, as well as a lack of options for working with existing POS Software services. PAX has these options now with third-party POS Software developers – many of which are available on the PAXSTORE, PAX’s global marketplace that connects you with hundreds of service providers.

Thankfully secure payment methods are becoming more mainstream in the United States. Mobile payment stations are used in retail settings where line busting is a must. Unattended self-service kiosks make ordering at fast food restaurants quick and easy. Many shops and gas stations have recently implemented unattended customer-facing terminals that allow shoppers to Tap, Insert, or Swipe their card or mobile wallet to complete transactions. Secure payment options now play a major role in keeping financial information strictly in the customer’s hands.

Developing powerful and secure payment solutions for an evolving world

Most merchants and retailers aren’t maliciously mishandling your financial information; they simply lack the knowledge and technology to allow customer-controlled payment options. As secure payment options become the standard throughout the U.S., retailers will have more options for providing secure payment methods to their customers. PAX believes in putting the customer experience first and ensuring that merchants have the tools to best serve their customers, such as a secure mobile solution. The PAX A920 is a sleek and elegant mobile payment terminal. This Android-powered device is a premier solution that empowers consumers to take control of their shopping experience. Weighing only 11.3 oz, the A920 can be carried to a table, passed through a drive-through window, or walked across a sales-floor. With 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0 this mobile terminal can connect from anywhere in the establishment.

Mobile payment solutions like the A920 don’t just benefit customers; merchants and business owners can be held liable for endangering customer financial information through unsafe practices. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) says that “if a cardholder data breach has occurred or is suspected, the payment brands may require an independent forensic investigation to be completed by a PFI listed on the PCI SSC website”.1 A merchant may also have to inform any customers potentially affected by a data breach. Unsafe payment practices might seem harmless but processing non-secure payment transactions and mishandling customer credit card information can negatively impact a business financially and ruin its reputation. Thankfully, the A920, like all PAX devices, are certified to securely send financial information. As the terminal does its job, merchants and customers must practice due diligence to keep credit cards safe in retail and restaurant environments.

“Every time your card is passed to a server, bartender, concierge, or sales associate is another opportunity for a card to be lost, stolen, or skimmed”

Keeping your financial information safe in retail and restaurant environments might seem like a daunting task, but the simplest solution is to maintain possession of your credit card at all times. Every time your card is passed to a server, bartender, concierge, or sales associate is another opportunity for your card to be lost, stolen, or skimmed. Take full advantage of pay-at-the-table options, self-checkout registers, and ordering kiosks. In situations when your card must be handed to another person, pay attention to ensure that your credit card is only being used to complete your purchase.
As the global market moves towards more secure transaction methods, take notice of potentially unsafe credit card transactions, and make safe choices to protect you, your family, and your money.

For questions regarding PAX solutions on pay-at-the-table, mobile payments, and unattended/self-service, please reach out to [email protected] so we can get you the right products for your needs.

Notes:
1. https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/documents/Responding_to_a_Cardholder_Data_Breach.pdf