Details	back to top

CounterPoint then connects to CPGateway through the Internet using TCP/IP protocol and requests the authorization. CPGateway maintains a high-speed connection to your card processor and quickly obtains the authorization and passes it back to CounterPoint. Your CounterPoint system is continuously connected to CPGateway via the Internet, and CPGateway stays connected with your processor, so you avoid the delays associated with dial-up service and modems--and typically obtain authorizations in 2 seconds¹.

Use CounterPoint's existing settlement functions to settle a batch via CPGateway. This will settle transactions authorized via CPGateway as well as any transactions authorized using dial-up. Settling via CPGateway is faster than settling via dial-up.

Merchant Relationship	back to top

Reduced CPGateway fees are available for CMP merchants. No additional software purchase is necessary for CMP merchants.

Non-CMP merchants require the Credit Cards Option. If you do not wish to process under CMP, you may establish a merchant relationship with any processor who can work through First Data North, First Data South, TSYS, or Paymentech.

CounterPoint Merchant Program-Radiant Payment Services
An integrated, end-to-end solution that is easier to implement and manage.

Backed by Radiant Systems, Radiant Payment Services helps retailers safely and efficiently process customer transaction and leverage the the information related to those transactions. For more information, visit us online, call us at 866-599-4220 or send an email to inquiry@radiantpayments.com.

CounterPoint Merchant Program - PNC
Contact Joe Ferris at PNC Merchant Services for a quote.

Configuration	back to top

You will also need an ISP (Internet Service Provider) to provide connectivity to the Internet.

In a Windows or NetWare network, each CounterPoint workstation uses TCP/IP to communicate through the Internet to CPGateway. In a Unix/Linux network, the server handles the communications.

Reliability	back to top

Maximum reliability is built into CPGateway--redundant (duplicate) servers, redundant Internet connections from your CounterPoint system to CPGateway, redundant communication lines to the card processors, redundant power systems, etc.

If your local Internet service fails (your ISP or communication lines go down), CounterPoint will automatically switch to dial-up mode and call your card processor directly. And CounterPoint V7 will automatically use the Modem Server Option, if it is active.

All authorizations obtained from your processor, whether through CPGateway or via direct dial-up, are identical and can be settled in the same batch.

CounterPoint and CPGateway are designed to ensure that you will keep authorizing and settling credit cards--no matter what.

PCI DSS and CISP Compliance	back to top

CPGateway has passed rigorous safety tests and endures periodic vulnerability scans to ensure the security of all payment card information. All payment card information is securely protected from fraud and identity theft. CPGateway is fully compliant with PCI DSS and CISP.

PCI DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, is a strict set of standards designed to protect a cardholder's data from credit card fraud and misuse. PCI Data Security Standards are developed and implemented by a collaborative effort from American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB, MasterCard Worldwide, and Visa.

If a merchant's retail software isn't compliant with PCI, they may be subject to hefty fines. It's critical that merchants choose PCI-compliant retail solutions that protect their customers' payment card information as well as their business.

As a PCI-compliant service, CPGateway also adheres to Visa's Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP)

Pricing	back to top

Standard CMP* Activation Fee2 $150 $100 Transaction Fee Up to 4,000 per month Up to 7,000 per month More than 7,000 per month More than 15,000 per month More than 2,000 per month, average ticket under $40   $0.075 $0.07 $0.06 Request Quote Request Quote   $0.05 $0.04 $0.04 Request Quote Request Quote Minimum Monthly Fee $20 $15 Minimum Inactive Fee $5 $5

* CounterPoint Merchant Program (PNC Merchant Services and RBSLynk)

Activation Fee²
An Activation Fee is charged for each new store.

Transaction Fee²
A transaction fee is charged for each authorization request. Your per-transaction fees will be reduced if you exceed 4,000 transactions in a month (across all stores).

Minimum Monthly Fee²
If a store has very few transactions in a month, you will be charged the Minimum Monthly Fee for that store.

Partial Year Use / Minimum Inactive Fee
If a store has no transactions, you will be charged the Minimum Inactive Fee ($5). This fee allows you to use CPGateway during busy months, then use dialup during slower months while keeping your CPGateway account open. This reduces costs in slower months while avoiding the additional Activations from re-starting CPGateway service. (It is your responsibility to turn CPGateway on and off using CounterPoint's setup functions.)

Note that CPGateway fees do not include costs associated with Internet connectivity (typically provided by your ISP), fees from your card processor, or any services provided by your Partner.

	1 2-second response times are typical. Response times are subject to the capabilities of the card processor and can also be subject to Internet bandwidth and traffic patterns. 2 Notes for multi-store merchants: Transaction fees are calculated separately for each store. Each store is evaluated individually to determine whether the Minimum Monthly Fee or the Minimum Inactive Fee applies. To make sure you get the best per-transaction rate, the total volume across all stores is considered to determine which rate applies. Visa/MasterCard regulations require a unique merchant ID for each physical store. Each unique merchant ID is considered a CPGateway store. For example, a CounterPoint WAN with a New York store and a Miami store is 2 stores even though you only have one CounterPoint serial number.