irect Technology Innovations lives by that truth every day. The principals have worked to create a company focused on relationships with those who matter most: clients, partners, and ISOs and merchant level salespeople (MLSs). DTI's success as a merchant bankcard acquirer has proven that this concentrated focus pays off, both in terms of profits and longevity.

Offering services galore

DTI is a member service provider for JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Fleet Bank; Wells Fargo & Co.; and Best Payment Solutions, a subsidiary of National Processing Co. in association with Bank of America Corp. DTI is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and has offices in Buffalo, N.Y., Boston and Minneapolis.

DTI's 50 corporate employees and affiliate partner agents worldwide provide payment processing to a variety of merchant types across the United States and worldwide. Its services include credit and debit card processing; electronic benefits transfer; electronic check services; check verification and conversion; prepaid products; gift and loyalty card services; mobile ticketing technology; and Internet merchant services. It also provides ATM services and cash advances for small business.

Founded in 2003, DTI is headed by Chief Executive Officer Edward Slominski and President Robert DiMattina. They direct a team of seasoned business leaders who have collectively owned, operated or managed more than a dozen companies with revenues and profits ranging up to $250 million annually.

Building relationships one by one

Aaron Slominski is DTI's National Director of Agent Services. Acting as company spokesman, he emphasized DTI's broad customer and agent base.

"DTI sees beyond a limited frame of reference in any one business segment and the inherent tendency therein to focus too narrowly on any one particular opportunity within that business sector," he said.

DTI has relationships with First Data Corp., Northern Leasing Systems Inc., Subway, GroundNet Shuttle Association, Verizon Communications and Sprint Nextel, and places great value on those relationships. "'Partners for life' expresses how we approach our relationships and our responsibilities within those relationships," Slominski said. The company also invests heavily in customer service and provides customer and technical support 24/7, 365 days per year.

"Our customer service is second to none," Slominski said. "Our products are innovative, and we constantly give our customers the technical support they need when they need it. We have live support, not just automated responses. When our products change so does our customer support. We never leave our customers hanging. Quick and vital response is our motto."

Serving merchants of all swipes

DTI serves all merchant types and is especially strong in the quick service restaurant (QSR) arena. Its merchant portfolio contains some of the largest franchised restaurants and QSR chains in the country. The company also has numerous partners and affiliates in the retail, transportation and health care industries.

DTI is home to the Jared Fogle (of Subway fame) credit card program, and DTI's exclusive brand Swipe 'N Go. With Swipe 'N Go, merchants can process all credit card transactions of less than $25 without a customer signature. Additionally, there is no chargeback liability to the merchant for any transaction under $25.

Due in part to the success of Swipe 'N Go, DTI upgraded its headquarters in October 2005. Its phone system and information technology facilities are now geared to support future expansion.

Valuing ISOs and MLSs

DTI has ISO offices throughout the country and invests heavily in their support. "We have consistently been dedicated to ISO/MLS training, education and sales support," Slominski said. "DTI is on a global expansion and recruits only the best in the industry."

The company is developing new avenues for its ISO and MLS partners to improve their revenue opportunities. One such program is its HWeb Mobile Ticketing. This enables merchant employees to enter reservations or print tickets from their vehicles or in the field. "No other acquirer offers this ticketing solution," Slominski said.

Reflective of this effort, DTI has entered into a five-year agreement with the GroundNet Shuttle Association as the exclusive provider of ticketing and merchant services.

DTI has a one-page application, which requires no personal guarantee. "Our valued ISO and MLS partners benefit from working with DTI because of our excellent service, competitive buy rates, comprehensive training programs and all the necessary tools that help our agents close more deals more quickly," Slominski said.

"We allow the MLS to sell an actual brand and not just a buy rate. We provide a true interchange buy rate." Balancing profit and partnership

A guiding DTI philosophy is that profit is not always measured in dollars; lasting relationships have more value. Thus, the company maintains an ideal balance between profit and partnership through a wealth of mutually beneficial, long-term relationships. Its focus on people provides a healthy dose of fun, too.