RDP Software for Hotels, Resorts, Condos, Vacation Rentals, Timeshare & Fractional Properties
Home | Hotels/Resorts | Vacation Rentals/Condos | Timeshare | Campgrounds | Internet Reservations |  Interfaces | Support | New Features | Search

RDP PCI Compliant Credit Card Information

RDP software is fully PCI credit card compliant and appears on 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 Elavon (formerly Protobase - SDC).  As individual credit card processors change rules or procedures, Elavon makes the required changes and the RDP interface remains the same.  This approach offers RDP customers the following advantages:

  • RDP and Elavon software are both fully PCI and CPS certified. 
  • Existing RDP customers should see upgrade path to PCI complaint RDPWin Version 3.  New customers all receive the PCI compliant RDPWin Version 3 during initial installation.   
  • 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:


Protobase Technical Support Number: 866-709-7880.

CPS Compliance

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

PCI Compliance

RDP software is fully PCI credit card compliant - see the PCI Security Standards Council list of Validates Payment Applications.

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 Elavon, in addition to RDP's normal support contract
  • For site activation, Elavon 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:

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.

Protobase "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

Protobase also offers high speed credit card authorizations and settlements via the Internet.  This service, called ProtoBase Express, uses their own private IP network for sending and receiving credit card authorizations.  This service works in the following manner. 

  1. A property employee swipes the guest's credit card for either an authorization or sale
  2. The credit card information is encrypted by the ProtoBase Express software
  3. The encrypted information is sent to Protobase via a constant Internet connection
  4. Protobase's private IP network sends the encrypted credit card transaction to the processor for authorization
  5. The processor evaluates the transaction and sends back an approval or denial over Protobase's private network
  6. 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 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.  

 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.

Core RDP Modules Interfaces

Search   |   Product Overview  |   Support   |   Contact Us   |   PCI Compliance   |   RDPWin   |   Why buy RDP?  |   Site Map
Condo-Hotels  |  Fractional/Timeshare  |  Vacation Rentals  Hotels & Resorts  |  Internet Reservations |   Technology Partners