Credit Card Processing Setup

Previous  Top  Next

These settings are found through Maintenance / Credit Card Processing Setup.

This section only applies if you plan to process credit cards directly through the software when making payments, instead of using a separate credit card terminal.

Processing credit cards through the software can be convenient and helps keeps a record of credit card information, and assures that credit card payments can't be recorded without the credit card charge being approved. However the convenience of a separate credit card terminal which can be used separately is also a consideration. It might even speed things up to have it separate, allowing you to do two things at once, like printing the receipt while waiting for the credit card to be processed (through the software, the processing must be completed before a receipt is printed).

Note: There is one option on this dialog that applies to a credit card mag-stripe reader, which may be used even if you're not doing the processing in Campground Master. This should be set to the appropriate number of tracks if you're using a mag-stripe reader.


Processing Software

Credit card processing is supported through 3rd-party authorization processing software. The processing software is required to handle the actual communication with the merchant bank, which is only possible with certain licensed providers.

Note: If you're outside the U.S., this may not be available depending on the software and your merchant account. This is only guaranteed to work in the U.S. at this time, although Canada merchants may be supported in some cases.

Campground Master is currently compatible with two different products:

X-charge -- This is our provider of choice, and integrates seamlessly with Campground Master. There is no charge for this integration no matter how many workstations you have, and it works in conjunction with their own merchant services (so support for both the software and the merchant services are provided by the same company). Their discount rates are very competitive (they can provide you with a detailed comparison to your existing merchant statement), and it's simple to get set up. Contact us to find out more. (U.S. and Canada only at this time.)

ICVerify -- This software is sold separately from merchant services, must be purchased by another supplier, and has expensive annual support fees. While it can be used with most existing U.S. merchant processors, support for the software is separate and can result in conflicts of opinions between the software vendor and the merchant provider. While we do support its format, we can only recommend this option if you don't have the ability to change your merchant provider. Important -- if you're using more than one workstation (networking), then you must use the Multi-user version of IC Verify. If you have more workstations than the multi-user version supports, you may have to buy multiple copies of the software (and have multiple phone lines) to support all of your workstations.

Whichever processing software you use must be installed and running at the same time as Campground Master. This must be on the same computer or a computer that is accessible through a mapped network drive. In a networked environment, this only needs to be running on one computer, which should either be the Master workstation or one that the master can see through a mapped drive.

Campground Master communicates with the processing software using a "request/answer file". This is the most robust method, and allows the most flexibility. Essentially this means that an authorization request is written to a file, the processing software picks it up, processes it, and puts the response back in another file that Campground Master reads. All you need to do is tell Campground Master where this directory is located (which is determined by the processing software).


Hardware

The computer with the processing software will also need to have a dial-up modem. We recommend an external serial-port modem for ease of support and safety (lightning strikes to telephone lines can destroy a computer if the modem is internal, because the wire goes straight into the computer with no isolation).

You will also probably want a mag-stripe reader for swiping credit cards -- not only does this save a lot of time and eliminates mistakes, most merchant services also offer a much lower discount rate for swiped cards. Keyboard-wedge interfaced readers work best (these connect in-line with your keyboard and don't occupy other ports), although any reader that simulates keystrokes can be used. The reader must support either Track 1 or Track 1&2 reading. We recommend the ID Tech mini-mag reader, model number IDT3331-12. Magtek makes a similar "mini-wedge" reader. Note that the reader should be set to either include a CR/LF after each track or the "sentinel" characters, or both. (Do not use the Tab character as a delimiter.) These settings are usually set with dip switches on the bottom of the reader.

It's also a good idea to use a 3" receipt printer, especially for printing the credit card signature slips. These can be set up to print automatically on the receipt printer when the credit card payment is processed, separately from the customer's receipt. A normal full-size printer can also be used for the credit card slips, but it's not as convenient.

Any receipt printer with a Windows driver can be used. We recommend either a serial or parallel interface, depending on what ports your computer has available. Examples of receipt printers that work well are:

·

SP212FC   STAR SP200 series, parallel interface, an inexpensive impact printer

·

SP212FD   same as above with serial interface

·

TMU220PD-103   Epson U200 series, parallel interface, a basic impact printer

·

TMU220PD-103   same as above with serial interface

·

SP512MC42-120   STAR SP500, parallel interface, a fast impact printer

·

SP512MD42-120   same as above with serial interface

·

TMT-88III    Epson TM-88III, fast thermal printer

Setup Options

These options are primarily related to the actual processing software and mag-stripe reader. See Maintenance / Printing Options / Credit Cards for options related to what information is printed on receipts.

Enable credit card processing -- This option must be enabled to set any other options, and to enable the "Process" function on the payment entry dialogs.

This workstation's "User" number -- This determines the file name used for the request/answer file. This is normally 1, but if you have multiple workstations then each one will have to have a different number. Note that the lowest user number for the processing software is 1, not 0 -- so don't use 0 like you do for the networking ID.

Send processing requests to the Master workstation -- If you're using multiple workstations, and if this is not the master workstation, you can choose this option if only the Master workstation has access to the processing software's request/answer file directory. This allows you to use multiple workstations even if you're going through the internet, and eliminated the need to have mapped network drives between all computers. It does add a slight delay, however, so if you are able to access the master's drive directly then it may be better to use the direct path instead. Note that the credit card information is scrambled when sent between workstations for security (as well as in database and log files).

Process using path on this workstation (or a network path visible to it) -- This is the only option for single workstations or the master workstation. If it's a networked workstation, then you could still use this option for slightly faster processing if the required path is visible to this computer.

Path to request/answer files -- If this field is enabled, you must designate the path where the processing software expects to find the request/answer files. You can use the Browse to select the appropriate folder, or type it in manually.

Processing software used -- Select the brand of processing software being used, so Campground Master knows the proper format needed to communicate with it.

Time-out for processing -- Enter how many seconds to wait for a response. This should allow enough tie for the processing software to dial, process, and return a response. This only applies if using the path option to directly communicate with the processing software. If it's sending requests to the master workstation, the master's time-out value is used. Note that in a multiple-workstation environment, you need to allow extra time in case it's busy with another workstation's request.

Expiration date format for processor -- This setting depends on the settings in the processing software. This is usually YYMM, but some processing software allows it to be changed.

AVS enabled -- You can set this if you want to use (and your processor supports) Address Verification. The Zip code and Address information will be included in the authorization request if it's available, and the response will show the AVS response. Due to differences in processing software responses, you also need to indicate whether the AVS response is included when the authorization is not approved, and if the response is included when there was no address information sent. These are pre-set according to the processing software selected above, but if you see responses with extra or missing letters in them, then these setting can be adjusted as needed.

CVV2/CVC enabled -- You can set this if you want to enter (and your processor supports) a CVV2/CVC code (the extra 3-digit code on the back of some credit cards). If enabled, the response will be shown for this also. As with AVS, the responses expected may be adjusted as needed.

Void transactions must be done directly with the processing software -- Normally you can do Voids directly in Campground Master by deleting the payment (or refund) transaction, and it will be processed accordingly. However, in some cases the processing software may not allow voids to be handled through Campground Master, so this option would be checked to allow voids to be deleted without processing. Do not check this option unless you always get an error message when trying to Void a transaction!

Forced Sales enabled -- If your processor enables forced sales (entering an approval code obtained by voice authorization), and you want your clerks to be able to do this, then check this option. An extra "Forced" button will appear on the payment entry dialog allowing you to do a forced sale.

Process swiped cards automatically -- This option saves a step when swiping cards -- as soon as the card is read (successfully), it will submit the payment for processing so you don't have to click the Process button. Note that if you select this option, you must enter CVV2/CVC code and/or address information before swiping the card!

Automatically close payment dialog if the transaction is approved -- This option can save yet another step. As long as the transaction is approved, the dialog will immediately close without requiring you to "OK" the approval message. The only drawback is that you won't be able to see the AVS or CVV2/CVC response codes.

Include billing address entry fields if AVS is enabled -- If you use AVS, Campground Master will automatically get the address information from a customer's record whenever possible. However if the customer record is not filled out yet, or if you're entering unbound/POS transactions with no customer information, you may want to enter this information manually. This option adds Zip/address entry fields that can be filled in when needed. You can also verify/change the information before processing as needed.

Card reader supports 2 tracks of data -- if you're using a magnetic strip reader and it's a Track 1&2 reader, this option should be selected so that the program knows to expect 2 tracks of data before processing it. If you want to include both tracks of data to the processing software, you can select that option also (but it's not required).