Smoky Mountain Technologies
There are other companies out there besides ICVERIFY finding new ways to eliminate the "Dumb Gray Box," really!!!!
For instance, the North Carolina based Smoky Mountain Technologies. Smoky Mountain's UPS software provides a solution for small PC-based merchants. Smoky Mountain's UPA systems target stores with three or more lanes who are finding that they need to move from stand-alone payment terminals to integrated systems.
Smoky Mountain's Universal Payment Adapter (UPA) systems provide a program for merchants who accept credit, debit, and check transactions. UPA systems can be configured as a standalone or integrated to cash register controllers or PC-based cash register systems. Smoky Mountain stresses that the UPA systems have lower costs and higher capabilities than comparable systems based on PCs.
For small stores, the UPA can handle all transactions using its internal modem. For large/high volume stores that use different payment processing services from various providers, (e.g. credit from one processor, debit from another, and check verification/guarantee from a third) the UPA can operate three modems simultaneously. The links can be any mix of dial-up telephone, leased lines, ISDN, or satellite links.
Credit/Debit Card Capabilities:
The UPA System communicates with any major processor to authorize transactions. All approved transactions are logged at the UPA for end-of-day reporting and settlement. Standalone systems using LAN terminals such as Tranz 340s, can print reports and initiate batch settlement at any terminal. Integrated systems can print reports and settle using a key pad and printer attached to the UPA. End-of-day settlement can be manual, or the system can automatically settle itself at predetermined time(s) daily.
All transaction types (sale, return, void) are supported as are all major peripherals (PIN pads, signature pads, printers) by LAN terminal software from Smoky Mountain.
Check Capabilities:
The UPA communicates with all major check processors for check verification and/or guarantee. MICR readers are supported by Smoky Mountain's LAN terminal software and check truncation is just being added.
Check Authorization with Optional Hard Drive:
With the UPA's optional hard drive, many checks can be authorized in-store, giving approvals in under one second. The hard drive can hold a negative file, and can also track in-store velocity to decline checks from customers that have exceeded limits, cumulative check amounts, or cumulative cash back amounts. All check activity (approved and declined) can be uploaded at the end of the day to a central location, and updated negative files can be downloaded to the stores. The system can hold over 10 million records.
PC Attachment Option:
While a PC is not required for any UPA system, a PC can be attached to a UPA. This makes it possible to use the PC's hard drive to store transactions as they are approved, and to use the PC's display, keyboard, and printer to make it easy to print reports, balance, and settle.
Smoky Mountain provides a special version of its Universal Payment Software (UPS) to run on the UPA. As the name indicates, this software is certified with all major processors for credit, debit, and check transactions.
For more information about Smoky Mountain Technologies, call 770-471-4944 (West of the Mississippi) or 201-447-9091 (East of the Mississippi) or visit them on the web at http://www.smokymtn.com.
