Preparing to Process Card-Present Transactions

This appendix describes how to purchase and install a credit and debit card scanner to process retail transactions.

Your account provider may support retail card-present transactions, which benefit from the same level of security and encryption that CyberSource provides for all Virtual Terminal transactions. For more information, contact your account provider or Customer Support.

Purchasing the Card Scanner

You can purchase your scanner directly from the manufacturer. If you have questions about a specific model, please contact the manufacturer, MagTek, Inc.¹. CyberSource has tested the models mentioned below. Depending on your computer’s configuration, you have two options:

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If your computer has a keyboard port, choose one of these card scanners: Part Number 21080203 (white) or 21080204 (black).

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If your computer does not have a keyboard port but supports only a USB interface (which is not round but has 4–6 sides), choose one of these card scanners: Part Number 21040109 (white) or 21040110 (black). For these scanners, you need a keyboard-to-USB adapter, available at CompUSA.

To connect the card scanner to your computer and to activate it, see the following section.

Installing the Card Scanner

When the scanner is correctly installed, you can use both your keyboard and the card scanner without ever having to disable one or the other. However, you cannot use the keyboard during the few seconds that you need to scan a card.

Gathering the Required Equipment and Tools

You can connect a card scanner to any Windows-compatible computer that has a PS/2 or AT keyboard connection.

To mount the scanner

You can mount the scanner in one of two ways:

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Semi-permanently: You need Velcro™ or Dual Lock™ mounting tape or pads and isopropyl alcohol to clean the mounting surface.

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Permanently: You need a screwdriver and two screws that fit the dimensions of the mounting inserts located under the scanner: 3 mm diameter, 0.5 mm pitch, and 6.4 mm deep. You may also need washers and a drill if you want to pass the scanner’s cable through the desk.

To connect the scanner to the keyboard cable and to the computer

The scanner has a PS/2 connector (6 pins). If your keyboard also has a 6-pin connector, you do not need an adapter. However, if your keyboard has a 5-pin AT connector, you need a 6-pin female/5-pin male adapter, which that you can purchase at any computer equipment supply store. The figure below shows the two types of connectors.

Mounting the Scanner

If you may need to move the scanner, you may prefer to mount it semi-permanently. If you do not plan to move the scanner, you may prefer to mount it permanently. In both cases, you need to ensure that the scanner is placed appropriately as follows:

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The scanner is placed on a flat surface with at least 4 inches clearance at each end for room to pass a card through the scanner.

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The side where the light is located faces the user.

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The cord is long enough to easily reach the computer.

When you have chosen the location, clearly mark where you will attach the scanner, and proceed with the appropriate method.

Semi-Permanent Method

You can use Velcro™ or Dual Lock™ mounting tape or pads to attach the scanner to the desk. The cable sits on top of the desk.

Step 1

Clean the area where the scanner will be mounted with isopropyl alcohol.

Step 2

Use the tape or pads as directed.

Step 3

Attach the scanner securely to the desk.

Permanent Method

You can use two screws to attach the device to the desk. In this case, the cable sits on top of the desk. In addition, you can drill another hole through the top of the desk for the cable. In this case, the cable passes through the hole. The drawing below shows the mounting dimensions and positions.

Connecting the Scanner

Step 1

Before connecting the scanner, make sure that your computer is turned off.

Step 2

Remove the keyboard connector from the computer.

Step 3

Connect one end of the scanner cable to the keyboard cable, and connect the other end of the scanner cable to the keyboard port of your computer. Alternately, use the adapter to connect the keyboard and the scanner to the computer.

Step 4

When done, turn on your computer.

The light on top of the scanner turns green. The scanner is ready.

Activating the Scanner in the Virtual Terminal

To activate the card scanner, you need to log in the Business Center as an administrator and reach the Virtual Terminal settings located under the Virtual Terminal and the Settings tabs (same page in two locations). The figure below shows the box that you need to check in the Retail Transaction Settings section of the settings page.

After you check the box, you can automatically enter the name of the customer and the card information into the order form of the Virtual Terminal by scanning the customer’s card. If you do not check the box, you must enter the card information manually into the order form.

You can configure the rest of the required information (Default Transaction Types and Receipt Information) at this time or later when you are ready to process card-present transactions. To configure the settings, see Configuring the Virtual Terminal and the online help.

Testing the Scanner

To ensure that the scanner works properly, you need to test it before using it to process transactions.

Step 1

Hold the card firmly with the magnetic strip facing down and toward the light.

Step 2

Slide the card through either end of the scanner, making sure that the bottom of the card touches the base of the scanner at all times.

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Successful scan: While the card is being scanned, the green light disappears. The data is transmitted to your computer and appears in the data entry box in the Virtual Terminal. The green light reappears when the scan is complete.

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Unsuccessful scan: If the strip is demagnetized, or the card is not a valid credit or debit card, the scanner cannot decode the data on the magnetic strip. The light on the scanner disappears or changes to red, and an error message appears in the Business Center to explain the problem and suggest a solution. Occasionally, a card that is not a valid credit or debit card can be partially decoded by the scanner. If you process a transaction with such a card, the transaction will fail.