118 - Credit/Debit Authorization - Tender Option
The Credit/Debit Authorization Tender Option requires that the BreakPoint operator has subscribed to some specific credit authorization service, such that the BreakPoint workstation is physically connected to credit authorization equipment capable of sending and receiving credit authorization information from that service center. Credit authorization services may be obtained from a variety of financial institutions currently supported by BreakPoint. Please refer to other Technical Newsletters for information specific to the various credit authorization service agents.
Once effected, the Credit/Debit Authorization Tender Option will enforce a credit or debit authorization procedure each time the tender is used. This procedure will involve making contact with the credit authorization service center electronically and receiving an Approval or Decline response based on the tender amount and credit particulars.
The procedure for credit authorization processing is as follows:
1. Process is initiated by pressing of a Tender Key which has been programmed for Credit Authorization
2. A credit authorization request is sent from the BreakPoint workstation to the Host service center for processing.
3. If the request is returned as Approved, the sale is finalized and receipts are printed.
4. If the request is returned as Decline, the operator is provided with the Phone Authorization option.
- If Phone Authorization is entered, the sale is finalized and receipts are printed.
- If Phone Authorization is rejected, the operator is returned to subtotal position for entry of another tender.
- If tender amount is less than Floor Minimum Limit, the sale is finalized and receipts are printed.
- If tender amount is more than Floor Minimum Limit, you are provided with the Phone Authorization option.
- If Phone Authorization is entered, the sale is finalized and receipts are printed.
- If Phone Authorization is rejected, the operator is returned to subtotal position for entry of another tender.
1. Process is initiated by pressing of a Tender Key which has been programmed for Debit Authorization.
2. A debit authorization request is sent from the BreakPoint workstation to the Host service center for processing.
3. If the request is returned as Approved, the sale is finalized and receipts are printed.
4. If the request is returned as Decline, the operator is advised and returned to subtotal position for entry of another tender.
5. If the request is returned as No Response from Host, the operator is returned to subtotal position for entry of another tender.
Once approval has been achieved, the system will complete the sale and print all receipts. Receipt printing and operator displays will provide all appropriate documentation regarding the credit authorization process and approval/decline. In the situation of a Decline or No Response from Host, the system will advise the operator of any Host display messages but will not print or display documentation on receipts or customer display. All non-approval messages are provided for operator viewing only.
There are a number of Global and System Flag options relating to the Credit/Debit Authorization Tender Option. These flags permit the operator to activate credit or debit authorization for any specific tender(s) and to invoke certain operational preferences regarding the authorization process.
The Credit/Debit Authorization Tender Option must first be established through the following Global System Flags:
- Global System Flag # 195 - TDSI Credit Authorization active.
- Global System Flag # 196 - SCOTIA Credit/Debit Authorization active.
- Tender System Flag # 20 - TDSI Credit Authorization included with tender.
- Tender System Flag # 21 - SCOTIA Credit Authorization included with tender.
- Tender System Flag # 22 - SCOTIA Debit Authorization included with tender.
To implement the SCOTIABANK Credit Authorization Option, Global System Flag #196 must be set to YES and Tender Flag #21 for each specific tender which is to include TDSI Credit Authorization. To implement the SCOTIABANK Debit Authorization Option, Global System Flag #196 must be set to YES and Tender Flag #22 for each specific tender which is to include TDSI Debit Authorization.
Once effected by System Flag, the Credit/Debit Authorization Tender Option will be activated each time the tender is used. Other system flag options related to credit/debit authorization processing include:
- Global System Flag # 202 - Print Posted CR/DB Listing with Cashout 1.
- Global System Flag # 203 - Print Unposted CR/DB Listing with Cashout 1.
- Global System Flag # 204 - Perform CR/DB Force Posting with Cashout 1.
- Global System Flag # 205 - Print CR/DB Summary Report with Cashout 1.
- Global System Flag # 206 - Print CR/DB Detail Report with Cashout 1.
- Global System Flag # 207 - Print CR/DB Detail Report on Misbalance Only w/Cashout 1.
- Global System Flag # 212 - Print Posted CR/DB Listing with Cashout 2.
- Global System Flag # 213 - Print Unposted CR/DB Listing with Cashout 2.
- Global System Flag # 214 - Perform CR/DB Force Posting with Cashout 2.
- Global System Flag # 215 - Print CR/DB Summary Report with Cashout 2.
- Global System Flag # 216 - Print CR/DB Detail Report with Cashout 2.
- Global System Flag # 217 - Print CR/DB Detail Report on Misbalance Only w/Cashout 2.
- Global System Flag # 235 - Print Duplicate Receipt with Credit Authorization.
Global System Flag #235 controls whether a duplicate customer receipt will be printed with credit or debit authorization. The standard purpose of a second receipt is to provide a signed copy for the merchant to retain as proof of credit authorization. To invoke a duplicate receipt with credit or debit processing, the operator must set Global System Flag #235 to YES.
Once all Global and Tender System Flags have been set properly, the operator must establish the hardware/communication links to the actual credit authorization processing equipment. In the case of many credit authorization systems, there is only a serial port modem required to perform credit authorizations. With some systems, however, there may be more sophisticated equipment provided by the financial institution to which the merchant has subscribed.
To establish the proper hardware links, the operator must access the ALT Systems Menu, then press "S" for the System Configuration screen. At the bottom of this screen, the operator will be presented with the selection "Credit Auth:". The operator must now press the Down Arrow until positioned to the line marked "Credit Auth:" and press enter to access the Credit Authorization programming.
The Configure Credit Auth Link screen permits the operator to establish Location, Model, IRQ, Baud Rate, Data Bits, Stop Bits, Parity, Init String, Phone, Terminal ID, Connect Type, Floor Minimum, and Auth Code fields required to utilize the Credit/Debit Authorization Tender Option.
The Location, Model, IRQ, Baud Rate, Data Bits, Stop Bits, Parity, Init String, Phone, Terminal ID, and Connect Type fields refer to serial communcation parameters which must be set to match the specific credit authorization equipment being used by the merchant. These parameters are hardware specific and may vary from time to time according to changes occurring at the Host service center. Please contact BreakPoint Technical Support at (204) 982-5800 for current information pertaining to the setting of these parameters.
The Floor Minimum is a dollar amount that has been agreed upon by both the merchant and the credit institution so that, in the event that the Host system is unavailable to properly process the credit request, the merchant will be permitted to accept credit sales under that Floor Minimum Limit dollar amount. In most situations, the credit institution will dictate the Floor Minimum Limit, advising the merchant that any sales which occur during a Host "downtime" that are below that limit will be accepted and honored by the institution. Any sales above the Floor Minimum Limit will then require a Phone Authorization or the merchant could be held responsible for the amount if it became uncollectible. The Floor Minimum field permits the operator to enter this dollar amount into the BreakPoint System.
The Auth Code is the literal authorization code which will be assigned and printed on all receipt documentation in the case that a Below Floor Limit authorization is effected during a Host "downtime" situation. Normally, the Auth Code is provided by the Host service center during a successful credit request or during a Phone Authorization request. However, in the situation of a Host "downtime" where the sale amount is less than the Floor Minimum Limit amount, such that a Phone Authorization is not required by the institution, the Auth Code field entry will be used in the place of a Host-provided authorization code on all receipts and display messages.
Once the Configure Credit Auth Link screen fields have been established, the credit/debit authorization system is ready for operation. For more specific information or technical assistance, please contact BreakPoint Technical Support at (204) 982-5800.