MICR Reader

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astradtn
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MICR Reader

Post by astradtn » Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:20 pm

I just purchased a receipt printer on ebay, and unbeknownst to me until I received it, but it has a MICR reader and slip/check printer built in. What are the chances of DHPOS including support for MICR readers in the future? How about check printing?

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Andrew
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Post by Andrew » Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:34 pm

I also have one of these types of printers also, mine's an Epson and has the journal, receipt and check printer along with the MICR reader.

I can print to the check printer from a program I cobbled together and the codes I got off the net. I'm more than happy to make this code available if I can find it - however I cannot guarantee it will work with anyone's printer...and it isn't designed to integrate with DHPOS, it was just muckaround code.

However although check printing would be a nice feature, we have to remember Dale would have to code the feature, code a way for DHPOS to convert the currency value into text (e.g. FOURTY FOUR DOLLARS AND 0/100", then there would be settings for each kind of printer everyone may have...

As for the MICR, we'd need to find out how the printers relay this info back to the computer, and again - may require more settings for different printers. I've tried to find manuals and guides online for this kind of hardware and it's incredibly difficult with most manufacturers.
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MICR readers

Post by Guest » Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:44 pm

MICR readers are typically used to capture the customers account number from the bottom of a check and this information along with the amount of sale (provided by the POS program when it is configured to authorize credit cards or checks using the request/answer file mode of communiction) is passed to a third party program (typically PC Charge or IC Verify). Once passed to the authorization program, a check verification service that is configured in the authorization program is contacted and authorizes or declines the check. The response from the authorization program writes an answer file which the POS program is looking for to complete the sale.

Since DHPOS doesn't integrate with PC Charge or IC Verify, the MICR reader can only be used by the authorization program in it's freestanding mode.

-- recycle_ben

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Andrew
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Post by Andrew » Sun Jun 12, 2005 10:01 pm

Well, Dale is working on X-Charge which may support a check (cheque) verification service, I'm not sure and don't have time to check right now.

The only small benefit at the moment would be to print the check number on the receipt - apart from that the MICR function is not a super benefit, but check printing maybe.
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astradtn
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Post by astradtn » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:31 am

What is this X-Charge I keep reading about? I've seen it in a few threads, but have not seen where it is explained. I tried looking at their website, and now I'm really confused. Is it a software program, or a hardware system? Do they keep a portion of every sale? Why isn't their site more straight forward, it seems rather shifty.

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Andrew
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Post by Andrew » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:51 am

It's quite simple - its a credit card authentication service, which approached Dale last year and offered him the chance to integrate DHPOS with their service. This will mean if successful, DHPOS will be able to authenticate credit card payments electronically in the future.

Their website seems straight forward to me, the main info is on the frontpage:
X-Charge credit card processing software is the fast and easy way to process credit cards on your PC.

X-Charge credit card processing software can be operated independently or integrated with many existing applications. X-Charge credit card processing software replaces dedicated payment processing terminals (e.g. credit card machines) and supports all major credit card, check approval, and gift card processing types.

X-Charge credit card processing software also supports payment processing over existing dial-up phone lines or for faster credit card processing, any type of Internet connection.

X-Charge credit card processing software - the future of payment processing, today!
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Check/slip printer use

Post by Guest » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:41 am

Primary use for the slip/check printer is to print the endorsement on the back of the check (Pay to the order of....) and a reference number (invoice number) at the time payment is tendered.

-- recycle_ben

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Credit card processors

Post by Guest » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:48 am

I also understand that Mercury Payment Systems (http://www.mercurypay.com) is actively seeking POS authors to incorporate their authorization program into POS programs. Their program uses TCP/IP -- no modem required. They guarantee to match your current processors rates. Another possibility if X-Pay doesn't work out.

-- recycle_ben

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