Mobile commerce is changing the face of restaurant operations. It's growing faster than Internet commerce did during its boom. To keep up, mobile payment technology is developing at breakneck speed.
The benefits of mobile-payment advancements are plentiful; it's ideal for tableside checkout, curbside pick-up, catering and delivery. Before investing, consider these four tips from National Restaurant Association partner Heartland Payment Systems:
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Select your mobile-payment partner wisely. Mobile-payment providers are proliferating as the market expands. They range from technology start-ups to banks and other financial institutions. The optimal solution is to partner with a payment-processor that has proprietary mobile technology. That kind of provider can leverage its expertise to provide sound payment solutions while eliminating third parties and gateway fees.
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Evaluate functionality. With mobile applications and plug-in card readers, you can use smartphones and tablets like traditional payment systems. Look for features like store and forward functionality that allow you to accept card payments even if you're out of range of cellular coverage or Wi-Fi access.
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Prioritize security. As with any technology, the benefits of mobile payments must be tempered with the cardholder data security. Using an encrypting card reader, specifically one with advanced encryption standard technology, is essential. By scrambling cardholder data the moment the card is swiped, an encrypting reader ensures sensitive data is never stored on your phone or tablet. It also prevents cyber criminals from intercepting data in transit.
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Do the math. While the simplicity of a flat processing fee might seem enticing, it can result in higher retailer costs. You might be able to realize significant cost savings by working with a provider that follows an interchange-plus pricing model. That means the provider passes through interchange fees without markup and separately lists processor charges. By using a direct processor, rather than a reseller or third-party technology partner, you can help eliminate middleman costs and minimize your out-of-pocket expense.
This content was provided by Heartland Payment Systems, the National Restaurant Association’s only endorsed provider of secure card processing, payroll and loyalty-marketing services. Learn more.