|
COMING SOON!!!
micros mTablet + mStation = POS Redefined
|
|
Restaurants: "There's an App for That"
 More restaurants large and small are working to offer customized smartphone apps to meet both the growing consumer use of mobile apps and the demand for more convenience. Recent studies show that consumers are showing an increased interest in smartphone software - or "mobile apps" - that makes it easier for them to find, access and to spend money in restaurants.
The goal is to build sales and consumer loyalty, and these iPhone and smart-phone apps are now becoming more mainstream for restaurants. These smart-phone apps are focused on mobile ordering, nutrition information, mobile payments, daily specials and offers, and brand loyalty programs. Often they are available in iPhone, Android and tablet versions.
The cost to develop a branded app for independent restaurants has also become more affordable and there are many app developers like Chownow creating interactive solutions for restaurants large and small. You can also find easy do-it-yourself app making websites on the Internet.
With so many options out there for creating restaurant apps, and with more and more of your competitors offering their own mobile apps, you probably need a smartphone app for yours.
|
|
Contact NCBP to learn more about inMotion and other MICROS products.
|
|
ATTENTION WINDOWS XP USERS:
YOUR PCI COMPLIANCE WILL END APRIL 8, 2014
Microsoft has announced they will no longer support the
Windows XP Operating Systems effective April 8. 2014.
Maintaining PCI Compliance requires using a supported Operating System on your Payment Application Server and any POS/PC Clients.
Microsoft Windows XP has been the most widely installed operating system in the past 12 years. In the hospitality industry specifically, Windows XP is still the most widely installed operating system in use today.
How will this affect your restaurant? If you are using Windows XP with any element of your payment system, including your Operating System, then you will NO LONGER RECEIVE SECURITY UPDATES FROM MICROSOFT. This will effectively make your POS Payment System NON-COMPLIANT with the Payment Card Industry Payment Application Data Security Standard PCI PA-DSS Requirement 6 notes that all components of the Payment Application have the latest security patches installed within one month of release.
Upgrade now to Windows 7 if you are running Windows XP on any device used in your POS Payment Application System. Just upgrading your server's operating system may or will have an effect on your entire POS system and you should always contact your POS provider before doing any upgrades!
Is it mandatory to upgrade? Although your Processor may not force you to upgrade unless you change to a new Processor, Bank or Credit Driver, if you are compromised and found not in compliance with the PCI PA-DSS, you will be subject to significant fines and penalties, etc. For this reason, if you request a Change Of Service and you are using XP after April 8, 2014, an upgrade will be necessary to perform that change.
If you use Windows XP, schedule an upgrade now, before this deadline, as current upgrades are running several weeks out.
|
|
PCI and Microsoft XP: Preparing to Upgrade
With the approaching deadline for the end of support of Windows XP, now is the time to start planning (and budgeting) for the system upgrades that will be needed to replace Windows XP. The first thing to do is to determine if you are even affected by this situation!
Start with the PC in your office that is driving your POS system. It is a rather simple process to check the version of your operating system. Step-by-step instructions can be found from Microsoft by clicking here.
You may have received a letter of notification, but if you did not, consider this:
If you have Windows 7 (or Windows 2003 Server) on your server, you do not need to upgrade your server at this time!
If you have Windows XP (or Windows 2003 Server), then you must also check the version of Operating System installed on each of your POS workstations. The process is similar to the server, however good POS software has the Start icon hidden for security reasons. If you do not remember how to, or are unsure, just call us and our support center will be happy to help!
If you are using a POS system that was not installed by NCBP, contact your local POS vendor for assistance.
Once you have determined if an upgrade is needed, it's time to call us.
North Country Business Products
888-505-0540
info@ncbpinc.com
|
MasterCard has instituted a new mandate, for cardholder data environments with multiple POS terminals, requiring a unique POS terminal identifier be included with the message traffic transmitted with credit card transactions. The due date for this mandate was April 19, 2013. 
