Wireless Merchant Accounts - Quick Overview
Posted by Jeff Shavitz on Thu, Jan 14, 2010 @ 10:45 AM
Wireless payment devices have become THE critical component in the emerging mobile commerce system. The ability to expand locations and services without the expense of a wired infrastructure can turn a businesses' point-of-sale into their point-of-profit.
A wireless merchant account is an account that enables a merchant to transact credit cards using a mobile system and acquire a real-time authorization. Typically, a wireless credit card machine is used to obtain such authorizations.
Different Types of "Wireless" Merchant Accounts
A wireless merchant account is often thought of as a merchant account that utilizes a portable terminal to transact credit cards on the go. Although this is the most common wireless merchant account, there are actually different types of wireless merchant accounts that allow a merchant to charge cards while on the go.
Wireless Merchant Account (terminal)
The most popular way of acquiring a credit card authorization while on the move is by using a wireless credit card machine. By using a wireless credit card terminal, a merchant is able to swipe a credit card, acquire an authorization or decline in real-time, and print a receipt for their customer while mobile.
Touchtone Telephone Merchant Accounts
Touchtone telephone merchant accounts also allow a merchant to acquire a real-time authorization while on the go. Touchtone telephone merchant accounts allow a merchant to use a cell phone to dial into an automated network to transact credit cards.
Aircharge Wireless Processing
The Aircharge wireless processing system allows a merchant to attach a card reader to their cell phone allowing merchants to swipe credit cards and transmit data to a processor over a cellular network. This technology seems very promising, and we are currently investigating its practicality, reliability, and functionality.
Content Courtesy of: MerchantCouncil (www.merchantcouncil.org)
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