Campground Master's Credit Card Processing

Integrating credit card processing with the software adds convenience and can help speed the checkout process. While this is especially useful with the Point of Sale option, it can also be used with the standard software.

Other benefits of integration:

• Eliminates mistakes and fraud due to double-entry of amounts
• Provides a one-to-one audit trail
• Saves money -- no terminal machine rental/purchase necessary
• Saves counter space -- no separate terminal/printer to clutter the workspace
• Easy for clerks -- simple interface, no moving back and forth to a separate machine
• One combined receipt for your customers
• One phone line, no matter how many workstations (even if remotely networked!)
• Meaningful management reports, much more information than standalone terminals

Credit card processing is supported through 3rd-party authorization processing software. The processing software is required to handle the actual communication with the merchant bank, which is only possible through certain approved providers.

Note: If you're outside the U.S., this feature may not be available depending on the software and your merchant account. This is only guaranteed to work in the U.S. at this time, but Canada is also supported in most cases.


X-Charge

Cottonwood Software has teamed up with industry-leader Accelerated Payment Systems ( formerly CAM Commerce Solutions) to bring you competitive rate credit card processing right from Camp round Master. And best of all, we can offer the X-Charge software at no cost, no matter how many workstations you have.

Using the X-Charge terminal software, you can quickly and easily process credit card transactions directly through the Enter Payment screen of Campground Master. The X-Charge terminal software is guaranteed to integrate seamlessly with Campground Master, saving you time and money.

With this setup, you will no longer need your credit card terminal or credit card receipt printer. Instead, you will swipe the customer credit card using a special swipe reader (optional) attached to your computer and credit card receipts will print on your existing receipt printer.

CAM's discount rates are very competitive (they can provide you with a detailed comparison to your existing merchant statement), and it's simple to get set up. In fact, we recommend that you use them as your merchant provider even if you still prefer to use a separate credit card terminal.

Contact us to find out more, and we'll have them set up a free comparative analysis for you. You may also call them directly at 1-888-385-2002. Be sure to mention that you'll be using it with Campground Master so they know exactly what you need.


Other Processing Software

IC Verify's software can also be used as the processing software. While we do support the IC Verify format, we only recommend this option if you don't have the ability to change merchant providers.

IC Verify must be purchased separately ($575 + s&h) and is supported separately from merchant services and separately from Campground Master. While it has the advantage of being usable with most existing U.S. merchant processors, separate support could result in conflicts of opinions between the software supplier and the merchant provider if you have a problem.

Important -- if you're using more than one workstation (networking), then you must use the Multi-user version of IC Verify. If you have more workstations than their multi-user version supports, you may have to buy multiple copies of the software (and have multiple phone lines) to support all of your workstations.


Price Comparison

Here is a comparison of costs between the two programs -- our pricing is shown along with the retail price. For a free discount rates comparison please contact Accelerated Payment Solutions. They will usually beat the rates of other merchant services, but even if they can't quite beat your current service, keep in mind how much difference there would have to be to make up for the software and support costs. Also remember that no matter which software you choose, you won't need to buy, rent or maintain an expensive data terminal.

The computer with the processing software will need to have a dial-up modem and phone line connection, or a high-speed internet connection like DSL (only one computer on the network needs this). If using a high-speed internet connection, it's highly recommended to also have a dial-up modem as a backup. We recommend an external serial modem for ease of support and safety -- lightning strikes to telephone lines can easily destroy a computer if the modem is internal, because the phone line goes straight into the computer. Here are the specific modems we recommend and guarantee to work:

US Robotics Serial External Model Number 5686E   (Preferred)
US Robotics 56K USB Interface, Model Number 5633

You will also probably want a mag-stripe reader for swiping credit cards -- not only does this save a lot of time and eliminates mistakes, most merchant services also offer a much lower discount rate for swiped cards. The reader must be either USB or keyboard-wedge interface (keyboard-wedge connects in-line with your keyboard and doesn't occupy other ports. The reader must support either Track 1 or Track 1 & 2 reading (track 3 is not supported).

It's also a good idea to use a 3" receipt printer, especially for printing the credit card signature slips. These can be set up to print automatically on the receipt printer when the credit card payment is processed, separately from the customer's receipt. A normal full-size printer can also be used for the credit card slips, but it's not as convenient or as fast.

For more information and suggested equipment, refer to the Hardware Selection page.


Please contact us if you have any questions.