RDP PCI Compliant Credit Card Information

RDP software is fully PCI credit card compliant - see the PCI Security Standards Council list of Validated Payment Applications.   RDP customers have relationships with more than a dozen credit card processors, each with unique interface specifications.  To seamlessly integrate with a variety of credit card processors, RDP uses a "middleware"™ product, Protobase, developed by Evalon (formerly Southern DataComm - SDC).  As individual credit card processors change rules or procedures, Evalon makes the required changes and the RDP interface remains the same.  This approach offers RDP customers the following advantages:

• RDP and Evalon software are both fully PCI and CPS certified. 
• 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.  See changing processors for details.
• Credit card deposits can be calculated and processed by guests using RDP's commission free Internet Reservation Module, IRM.Net
• For customers using RDP's Vacation Rental System, Condo-Hotel System, or Timeshare/Fractional system, owners can pay annual fees and settle statements using a credit card over the Internet. 
• Only one modem line is required for multiple workstations which can reduce monthly phone costs
• High Speed Internet Access is 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
• 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
• PCI Compliance
• RDP Requirements
• The Credit Card Interface Workstation
• Phone Line and Modem
• Card Swipes and Receipt Printers
• Direct Support with Protobase to Quickly Resolve Issues
• Credit Card Processing Sequence
• High Speed Access Available via the Internet
• Additional Links

Protobase Technical Support Number: 866-709-7880.

CPS Compliance

RDP software is "Custom Payment Service (CPS)" compliant. 

PCI Compliance

RDP Requirements

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

• The RDP 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 Evalon, in addition to RDP's normal support contract
• For site activation, Evalon charges activation and license fees.  RDP is a reseller of the Protobase products.  Once RDP receives your payment, we forward it to Protobase with your completed site-activation form to create your merchant file.  Site activation is a minimum 30-day process.  The cost for the Protobase software and site activation is $1,950 which includes a certified Protobase modem.

The Credit Card Interface Workstation

The Credit Card Interface requires at least one dedicated workstation that meets the minimum hardware requirements.  This machine is termed the "credit card gateway PC," and it must be connected to the network and have the Protobase software and modem installed.

For single-user customers, the workstation running the RDP and Protobase 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:

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.

Direct Support with Protobase to Quickly Resolve Issues

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

Protobase Technical Support Number:  866-709-7880.

Credit Card Processing Sequence

The credit card processing chain of events follows:

1. 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.
2. The card swipe passes the account information to RDP from the card's magnetic strip.
3. 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.
4. RDP sends the $500 requested authorization amount and selected portions of the credit card information to Protobase via the "gateway PC" over TCP/IP.
5. 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.
6. Once authorization is received, the "gateway PC" sends the authorization information back to the RDP workstation.  The authorization (or sale) information is stored in Protobase.
7. Assume the guest balance due at checkout is $350. The RDP system communicates this information to Protobase, 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 Protobase.  The remaining amount of $150 is released to the guest, which is a requirement to avoid penalties.
8. As part of the audit process, the credit card totals are balanced within the RDP system.
9. The following morning, during normal RDP support hours, the Protobase "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.  

Protobase Information
RDP- Protobase Credit Card Interface Overview Protobase Support Phone: 877-732-1799 RDP and Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance List of Approved Processors Protobase Merchant Activation Form (Requires Adobe to view or print) High Speed Authorization Available via the Internet Protobase Other RDP Interfaces

 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 Overview.  Our Campground 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.

Please contact RDP Sales for pricing information or to schedule an onsite demonstration.