VeriFone to bring out Square-like payment card reader

01601updated 04:32 pm EDT, Mon May 7, 2012 VeriFone to bring out SAIL card reader to defend against Square

VeriFone will release a new card reader that plugs into the iPhone or iPad's 3.5mm headphone input to process payments. A step up from its PayWare solution for hardware, the new device, called SAIL, will be very close to Square's hardware. VeriFone already makes card payment hardware for larger businesses and stores, and is trying to protect this client base from smaller up and comers like Square, BusinessInsider reported.Some key differences will exist between Square's system and VeriFone's however. For one, while both charge a 2.7 percent cut of each transaction, but SAIL will give larger business the option of dropping that to 1.95 percent with a $9.95 monthly fee. The hardware will also be paired with an app that can scan barcodes, giving them the option of cashier-free checkouts.

SAIL will also offer businesses that grow to better suited products and services. Online tools for tracking transactions, managing inventory, and other functions are likewise available in the VeriFone system.

VeriFone will open the platform to third-party developers as well so other stores or apps can use the system for payment processing within their own products.

It has sold more than 20 million point-of-sale devices to stores and claims nearly 65 percent of physical retail transactions in the US.

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Thursby combines hardware and app to create PKard Reader

030updated 02:10 am EDT, Fri April 20, 2012 Secure CAC, PIV, CIV smart card reader

Reading personal smart cards of the type used by government and military personnel as well as large corporations, Thursby Systems has combined a $150 plug-in card reader compatible with the 30-pin dock connector used by iOS devices with a free app that leverages two-factor authentication to create the PKard Reader kit for secure authentication. The solution allows access to secure web portals but requires no changes to back-end servers in order to work.The reader can handle CAC, PIV (and PIV-I) and CIV cards used by over five million US government and Department of Defence staff, and about one-third of multinational corporations worldwide. The cards are also popular in the healthcare and financial sectors. To date, most authentication hardware has been created for desktop and notebook access rather than mobile devices.

The hardware supports most industry and US government standards, including ISO 7816, EMV level 1, NIST IR 6887, FCC class B part 15, CE, RoHS, HSPD-12, FIPS 140-2 and FIPS 201. Early reviews have been very positive.




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