Southern DataComm (SDC)
Credit Card Interface Overview

RDP customers have relationships with more than a dozen credit card processors for card verification and deposits. The RDP software interfaces with a ‘middleware’ product developed by Southern DataComm (SDC). The SDC software in turn interfaces with a wide variety of card processors. This approach offers RDP customers the following advantages:

Customers can select from a wide variety of credit card processors to negotiate the best possible rates
Customers can change processors to take advantage of new rate structures. This takes a few weeks and there are fees involved. Please see Changing Processor details here.
The RDP interface works with CPS compliant credit card processors resulting in the lowest credit card processing rates and avoiding any non-CPS compliance penalty fees
Only one modem line is required for multiple workstations which can reduce monthly phone costs
High Speed Internet Access is now available instead of a modem line
Inexpensive card swipes can be used
A wide variety of receipt printers are available
Reconciling the RDP system to the daily credit card bank deposit is available
All scanners and workstations can take credit card payments, and authorizations are summarized into a single deposit
Additional authorizations can be made to guests already checked-in. For example, an authorization of $400 at check-in can be increased to $700 during the guest’s stay
The credit card authorization is automatically matched to the sale at check-out. Any unused authorization is released to the guest. This is crucial to guest service and satisfaction
RDP also provides tools for Payment Card Industry (PCI) Credit Card Compliance
There is a fee for current customers changing credit card processors. Please call Rita at (970) 845-1143 to discuss the process.

Overview

The following topics are presented in this document:

CPS Compliance
RDP Requirements
The Credit Card Interface Workstation
Phone Line and Modem
Card Swipes and Receipt Printers
Direct Support with SDC to Quickly Resolve Issues
Credit Card Processing Sequence
High Speed Access Available via the Internet
Additional Information

Southern DataComm Technical Support Number: 866-709-7880.

CPS and PCI Compliance

A significant change in the credit card industry is the advent of "Custom Payment Service (CPS)" compliance. CPS compliance from both RDP software and your credit card processor is required to obtain the lowest possible rates and to avoid significant penalties. The RDP credit card interface is CPS compliant. You must verify that your credit card processor is also CPS compliant to avoid penalties and excessive fees.

CPS compliance has many factors. Assume a hotel pre-authorizes $500 on a guest’s credit card at check-in, but the actual balance was $350 at check-out. A non-CPS compliant system generates a new sale for $350 at check-out and does not release the original $500 authorization. Therefore, $850 of the guest's credit limit is used, instead of only $350. Not only does this negatively affect guest service by needlessly reserving available credit, but the property is charged much higher fees and potentially subject to other penalties for non-CPS compliance.

The RDP system, which is CPS compliant, matches the original $500 authorization with the $350 sale, and releases the remaining $150 back to the guest. Provided your credit card processor is also CPS compliant, this "match and release" feature qualifies for lower rates, and the property avoids penalties.

Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance
and RDPWin

Credit card security for our customers is just one step in Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance. Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance is different for every RDP customer based on the volume of credit card transactions. There are many PCI compliance requirements that must be satisfied which have nothing to do with the RDP system. Every RDP customer must carefully examine the full Visa Compliance Validation requirements.

Resort Data Processing (RDP) offers four levels of credit card security available to RDP customers. Only Levels 3 and 4 are PCI compliant, because they include data encryption and deletion of old credit card information. RDP strongly recommends that all customers use Level 3 or 4 which require that RDPWin (not RDP-DOS) be used for making and changing reservations, taking payments, checking-in and checking-out reservations, etc.

It is the responsibility of each customer to assure full PCI compliance. RDP is NOT LIABLE for damages or fines related to any level of credit card security, including Levels 1-4. RDP offers no assistance, guarantees, or advice regarding PCI compliance, and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from customer failure to comply with full PCI compliance standards.

RDP Suggests...

Read and implement all non-RDP requirements, some of which are outlined on Visa’s website at Visa Compliance Validation.
Upgrade to the current version of all RDP products.
Upgrade to the current version of Southern Datacomm Software or contact SDC's Technical Support at (866) 709-7880.
Review data encryption documentation and select Level 3 or 4 to be PCI compliant.

RDP Requirements

In order to use the Credit Card Interface, the following items are required from RDP:

RDP Version 12.02. The version is displayed in the middle of the third line on every RDP screen
The Credit Card Module (RQ) must be purchased and installed
A "gateway PC" must be installed running Windows XP Professional (see below);
A support fee is paid to Southern DataComm, in addition to RDP's normal support contract
For site activation, Southern DataComm charges activation and license fees. RDP is a reseller of the SDC products. Once RDP receives your payment, we forward it to SDC with your completed site-activation form to create your merchant file. Site activation is a minimum 30-day process. The cost for the SDC software and site activation is $1,950 which includes a certified SDC modem

The Credit Card Interface Workstation

The Credit Card Interface requires at least one dedicated Windows XP workstation with a minimum of 256 Megabytes (MB) of RAM and 500 MB of disk storage. This machine is termed the "credit card gateway PC," and it must be connected to the network and have the SDC software and modem installed.

For single-user customers, the workstation running the RDP and SDC software must also be running Windows XP Professional with 512 MB of RAM and Pervasive.SQL Version 9.52 or higher.

Phone Line and Modem
or
High Speed Credit Card Processing via the Internet

The credit card interface can either share one phone line or use a high speed internet connection as follows:

Dedicated Phone Line and One Modem	A dedicated phone line is required for the "gateway PC" modem. This phone line cannot go through the switchboard and cannot be shared by any other device such as a fax machine. All workstations can share the same modem. SDC "queues" phone calls. For example, if eight workstations simultaneously request a credit card authorization, one phone call is placed automatically. All eight requests are processed while connected for that one call.
High Speed Internet Connection	Southern DataComm (SDC) also offers high speed credit card authorizations and settlements via the Internet. This SDC service, called ProtoBase Express, uses SDC's own private IP network for sending and receiving credit card authorizations. This service works in the following manner. A property employee swipes the guest's credit card for either an authorization or sale The credit card information is encrypted by the ProtoBase Express software The encrypted information is sent to SDC via a constant Internet connection SDC's private IP network sends the encrypted credit card transaction to the processor for authorization The processor evaluates the transaction and sends back an approval or denial over SDC's private network The evaluated transaction is sent back to the property via the Internet The six steps above are completed in approximately six seconds - compared to 30 seconds on a dialup modem. The reduction in processing time can be attributed to the elimination of modem dialing and "handshaking." With the Internet, the packet of information is sent immediately, and the response is returned immediately. Learn more about high speed credit card processing via the Internet.

Dedicated Phone Line and One Modem

A dedicated phone line is required for the "gateway PC" modem. This phone line cannot go through the switchboard and cannot be shared by any other device such as a fax machine. All workstations can share the same modem.

SDC "queues" phone calls. For example, if eight workstations simultaneously request a credit card authorization, one phone call is placed automatically. All eight requests are processed while connected for that one call.

High Speed Internet Connection

Southern DataComm (SDC) also offers high speed credit card authorizations and settlements via the Internet. This SDC service, called ProtoBase Express, uses SDC's own private IP network for sending and receiving credit card authorizations. This service works in the following manner.

A property employee swipes the guest's credit card for either an authorization or sale
The credit card information is encrypted by the ProtoBase Express software
The encrypted information is sent to SDC via a constant Internet connection
SDC's private IP network sends the encrypted credit card transaction to the processor for authorization
The processor evaluates the transaction and sends back an approval or denial over SDC's private network
The evaluated transaction is sent back to the property via the Internet

The six steps above are completed in approximately six seconds - compared to 30 seconds on a dialup modem. The reduction in processing time can be attributed to the elimination of modem dialing and "handshaking." With the Internet, the packet of information is sent immediately, and the response is returned immediately.

Learn more about high speed credit card processing via the Internet.

Card Swipes and Receipt Printers

A card swipe is required for every workstation that reads credit cards. Receipt printers should be purchased for any workstation where printed receipts are necessary. For example, a workstation at the front desk requires both a card swipe to read guest credit cards and a receipt printer. However, a workstation in the reservations department may not require either, if all credit card transactions from that workstation are completed over the phone.

A given workstation can have a folio/report printer connected to LPT1 and the credit card receipt printer connected to LPT2. Since most computers are initially configured with only one LPT port, an additional parallel port (LPT2) may be required when a credit card processing workstation also has another printer attached.

RDP does not sell credit card swipers or receipt printers. These devices may be purchased from Ann Rosko at Instruments and Equipment Company, (800) 432-1255.

Part # and Description	Estimated Price
IDMB-33412B Card swipe with connector for PS2 type keyboard or USB (small).	$69
Unitech K2724 integrated card swipe keyboard.	$160
Cherry G81-7000LPDUS-2 integrated card swipe keyboard.	$196
SP-212-FC-120 - Printer, 2.5 lines per second.	$172
SP-312-FC-120 - Printer, 3.1 lines per second.	$286
CR-14M - Parallel printer cable. When two local printers are needed on the same workstation, it may be necessary to buy a LPT2 port from your hardware vendor.	$7
TSP-743II Parallel thermal receipt printer. Includes power supply	$296
TSP-143U USB Thermal Printer. Includes auto cutter	$204
TSP-643 USB Thermal Printer with auto cutter.	$239
TS Star Kit. Required power supply for thermal printer.	$26

Direct Support with SDC to Quickly Resolve Issues

To provide the best support possible, the customer should purchase a direct-support contract from SDC with an estimated price of $750/year. This provides updates and product support. SDC has relationships with all credit card processors and many deposit banks and can quickly resolve issues.

Southern DataComm Technical Support Number: 866-709-7880.

Credit Card Processing Sequence

The credit card processing chain of events follows:

The guest arrives to check in. The front desk clerk swipes the guest's card using the card swipe attached to the workstation. Alternatively, an advance deposit can be processed for a reservation without the card being present.
The card swipe passes the account information to RDP from the card's magnetic strip.
RDP calculates the authorization amount based on property settings. For example, configure the system to authorize the estimated total charge plus 15% or the estimated total charge plus $100. For this example, assume an authorization of $500.
RDP writes the $500 requested authorization amount and selected portions of the credit card information to a computer file on the fileserver.
The "gateway PC" runs the Southern DataComm program in a minimized window. This PC must run Windows XP Professional. The program checks the fileserver constantly, looking for an RDP Credit Card file. The SDC program monitoring the RDP Credit Card file uses either the modem (which is on this PC) or, if available, the high speed Internet connection to dial the credit card processor for authorization.
The "gateway PC" is capable of multiple transactions on one phone call. For example, if eight RDP workstations request authorizations at the same time, the "gateway PC" makes one phone call for eight authorizations. This results in a much faster throughput, and only one phone line and modem is required.
Once authorization is received, the "gateway PC" creates another credit card file on the fileserver containing authorization information. The RDP workstation reads this file and stores the authorization information on the guest database in the RDP System. The authorization (or sale) information is also stored in SDC's database.
Assume the guest's balance due at checkout is $350. The RDP system communicates this information again using the RDP credit card file, matching up the authorized amount of $500 with the sale amount of $350. The sale amount of $350 is recorded on the guest folio in both the RDP and SDC databases. The remaining amount of $150 is released to the guest, which is a requirement to avoid penalties.
As part of the audit process, the credit card totals are balanced within the RDP system.
The following morning, during normal RDP support hours, the SDC "PbAdmin" program is used for reconciliation with RDP and settlement with your bank.

Additional Links

For additional information on the credit card interface module, please contact RDP sales at (970) 845-1140.

Hotel / Resort Software Overview

Resort Data Processing (RDP) software has been installed since 1981 at over 1000 locations worldwide (see customer list). Please use the links below to learn more about RDP software for Hotels and Resorts. If you are renting homes or condominiums on a short term basis, please start with Vacation Rental Overview. Timeshare properties should begin with our Timeshare Resort Overview. Our Campground management system is also available. Our systems are fully integrated, so all features in our hotel system are available for vacation rentals and timeshare resorts and vice versa.

For a printed brochure and pricing, download the brochure in Microsoft Word or Adobe format or contact us directly.

Core RDP Modules	Core RDP Modules	Interfaces
Technology Overview - RDPWIN Sample Screens Sample Reports Reservations Rates & Yield Management Packages Front Desk & Night Audit Groups & Conferences Travel Agents/Wholesalers Guest History & Marketing Housekeeping Scheduling General Ledger - Hotels Trust Accounting - Owners E-Mail Marketing Crystal Reports Training Hardware Requirements	Internet Reservation Module (IRM) Vacation Rentals (Condo Accounting) Timeshare & Interval Ownership Campground Management Guest Itinerary & Concierge Activity Scheduling (bike rentals, etc) Wait List / Denial Tracking / Res Quotes Frequent Guest/Rewards Work Orders & Asset Management Booking Pace & Forecasting Virtual Store On Internet Messaging/To-Do List Change Tracking 24-Hour Support Customer List RDP Headquarters in Vail Customer List and Comments	Overview Of All Interfaces Global Distribution System (GDS) Central Reservations SDC Credit Card Interface High Speed Credit Card Authorization In-Room Video Checkout Call Accounting Phone Actuator (On/Off) Point Of Sale Voicemail Maid-Phone (Housekeeping) Environmental Back-Office Accounting Vacation Rental Trust Accounting Nomadix Wireless Internet Billing Room Key (Ving Card, etc.) RDP Partners and Alliances

Vacation Rental and Condo-Hotel Features & Links
Maximizing owner satisfaction and increasing management revenue since 1981
Data Flows from Reservations to Owner Statement Full Trust Accounting Capabilities Equalize Owner Rental Revenue Pay Bills for Owners and Guests Powerful Reservation Board (Tape Chart) Work Orders & Asset Management Housekeeping Forecast, Schedule, & History Mix of Rental Types - Condos, Houses, Hotels, Timeshare Internet Reservations with Pictures and Virtual Tours Live Demonstration of Internet Reservations E-mail Integration for Guests, Owners, etc. Short Term and/or Long Term Rental Lock-Off Units Allowed Manage Units Not in the Rental Pool Extensive Custom Reporting with Crystal Reports Reservation Quotes, Wait List, and Denial Tracking Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Travel Agent Commissions Deducted Unlimited Charges Per Owner	Various Billing Cycles - Monthly, Quarterly, etc. Split Revenue Across Billing Period Fast Production of Owner Statements Month-to-Date & Year-to-Date Totals Per Owner Statements Can Always Be Reprinted Print Checks to Owners Integration to GDS, POS, Phones, Credit Cards, etc. Accounts Receivable with Aging Automatically Print or E-mail Overdue Notices IRS 1099 Year-End Reports Room Moves Pay Correct Owner Yield Management Integrated Sharewith Folios or One Guest With Multiple Folios Taxes Adjusted for Length of Stay and Location Timeshare and Interval Ownership Allowed All RDP Hotel Features Available for Owner Systems Customer List and Quotes Home Page - Vacation Rentals & Condominium Hotels Why Buy From RDP?
Hotel and Resort Overview Vacation Rentals and Condo-Hotel Overview Timeshare / Interval Ownership Overview Discount Available When Converting to Resort Data Processing (RDP) from First Resort Software

Internet Reservation Info & Demos:
Condo-Hotel IRM.Net Demo Vacation Rental IRM.Net Demo Timeshare IRM.Net Demo Hotel/Resort IRM.Net Demo Campground IRM.Net Demo	Unit-Owner Account Access via the Internet Sample IRM.Net Screens Internet Reservation Overview IRM.net Knowledge Base Articles

Southern DataComm (SDC) Credit Card Interface Overview