by Ben Dwyer The iProcess mobile payment solution is a free application available for Apple and Android devices, including both smartphones and tablets.
iProcess allows you to accept credit card payments from almost any location using a wifi connection or cell signal and is designed for businesses on the go, like delivery services, landscapers, carpenters and construction teams, tradeshow and fair sellers, artists, and more. If that’s you, read on for more details about iProcess.
Note that the iProcess isn’t the reader itself, just the app. However, the app is compatible with multiple leading credit card readers, depending on which smartphone you use and which version of the app you download. (See the Hardware and Compatibility section below for more details.) The iProcess is not currently compatible with EMV chip card readers. For more information, see How to Take EMV Chip Cards with a Smartphone.
Features
While mobile readers and apps don’t usually offer quite as many features as full point of sale systems, there are still plenty of functions for payment acceptance. You’ll be able to take major credit and debit cards, and potentially qualify for lower card-present rates if you use the encrypted card reader. If you accept gratuities, the iProcess app has a tip feature, allowing customers to add a tip using their credit or debit card at the time of purchase. Need to issue a refund? You can do that easily, too, from the transaction management screen.
You’ll also have the option of “geotagging” transactions. Since it can be easy to forget exactly where a payment was made when it’s processed on the road, iProcess will geotag the location of the sale on the receipt. All receipts can be delivered to customers by email or SMS text message.
Hardware and Compatibility
The iProcess app is compatible with a few different encrypted mobile card readers. Your smartphone or tablet’s operating system and the version of the app you use will determine which card reader you’ll need to purchase.
The iOS app for Apple products supports the MagTek iDynamo and the ID TECH Shuttle, while the Android app supports only the ID Tech Shuttle. Neither the MagTek iDynamo nor the ID TECH Shuttle requires an external power source, so you don’t need to worry about recharging them. Bear in mind that neither of them currently process EMV chip cards or NFC (contactless) payments. If either of those are important to you, you’ll want to look elsewhere for a reader. Remember that as of October 2015, if you take a chip credit card but run it as a magnetic strip card, you’ll be liable for any fraudulent activity.
Security
iProcess is PCI compliant. The compatible card readers feature end-to-end encryption, so no one will be able to see your customer’s credit card data during transmission.
Reporting
The iProcess app lets you run reports through the Transaction History setting. However, it doesn’t specify the types of reports you can run or the data you’ll be able to view.
Costs for iProcess
The app for payment acceptance is free to download, and available in the Google Play and iTunes App stores. The rates and fees to take credit cards will vary depending on your credit card processor. iProcess is not a proprietary system, meaning that many different processors may be able to support it. Be sure to compare pricing and terms before signing up with a processor.
