Leveraging payment gateway relationships to be a core part of business development strategies

admin    Technology     Business, CORE, Development, gateway, Leveraging, Part, Payment, Relationships., Strategies

Leveraging payment gateway relationships to be a core part of business development strategies

Does a provider think outside-of-the-box?

A good payment gateway is able, from the outset, to illustrate how they can seamlessly fit into existing operator systems, structures and business processes, thereby enabling operators to focus on their core business and particularly their valuable players, while the gateway focuses on the business of payments.
If an operator is looking for additional payment processing capacity, or have been tasked for the first-time to find a reliable provider, consider the following points, many of which may seem obvious, but are not always on offer.

Payment Card Industry (PCI) Certified Payment Gateways

Ensure the payment gateway is PCI Certified. The PCI DSS is a multifaceted security standard that includes requirements for security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, software design and other critical protective measures. It requires merchants and service providers that store, process or transmit customer payment card data to adhere to information security controls and processes that ensure data integrity.
In particular, all data should be encrypted, and intrusion detection, responses, and systems monitoring should go hand-in-hand with formalized security policies.

Pricing and Settlement

Most payment providers offer pricing and settlement in all the major currencies, but confirm settlement currencies as some do not offer like-for-like processing; instead they facilitate settlement to say, three main base currencies, normally USD, Euros and GBP. Be sure to confirm the exact currencies available and make sure these coincide with the business objectives for geographic expansion so players are offered with the ability to pay in the currency of their own country. Also, consider long-term goals and adaptability – how easy will it be to add new currencies as these can be needed with this provider?
A big issue for consideration is processing settlement times, which are dependent on the acquirer bank relationships forge via payment providers. Some payment providers only have the ability to settle weekly, which may create cash-flow issues. Again, ensure the services on offer support the business objectives.  If not, look elsewhere.  There are payment providers that can arrange to settle funds daily (usually 3 days in arrears).

Fraud Management Solutions

A payment gateway provider should help protect operators from fraudulent transactions, chargebacks and unauthorized payments via a host of available fraud management solutions.  At minimum, Address Verification Services (AVS) and Card Verification match checks (CVV2/CVC2), Amex CID match checks, 3-D Secure solutions (Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode), and IP Geolocation services should be on offer from payment providers.

Merchants should automatically be able to screen and process transactions through their payment gateway platform in real-time. This allows them to react immediately, if need be, against potential card-not-present fraud.
AVS helps to screen fraudulent transactions by comparing the billing address provided by the purchaser to the billing address on the cardholder’s credit card statement. Card Verification validates the security code found on the back of the credit card, which can be used as a confirmation that the purchaser has the physical plastic in hand.
3-D Secure provides verification to the merchant that the buyer is the authorized owner of a card account, thereby reducing the number of unauthorized payments, resulting in fewer chargebacks. Also, both Visa and MasterCard offer chargeback liability shift for certain fraud related chargebacks, when transactions are authenticated through Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode.
IP Geolocation is another screening layer of fraud control that allows merchants to evaluate the risk of an online transaction based on the geography of the customer (country, state or province, and city), and it can be used to automatically block customers from certain restricted countries, based on a merchant’s risk profile, with screening carried out before a deposit is taken.

Alternative Payment Options

Consistent research has shown that consumers want choice, and particularly in the gaming space, they want a range of options they can use to pay and play. Apart from multi-currency credit and debit card payment processing, operators need to ensure that their provider can offer alternative payment options as part of a single integration.
This might seem obvious in as much as it takes away the time and hassle of having to integrate directly with a variety of payment options. But the fact remains, time-to-market is critical and a single integration is less costly across a range of business considerations. In essence, a single integration, and one reporting interface, can (and should) mean several payment choices for customers.
Alternative payment solutions are not only convenient for consumers but can be far more flexible and inexpensive for operators. PayPal is a popular choice of payment for players and provides online merchants secure access to over 350 million worldwide PayPal consumer accounts – in local currencies.
This is an important consideration when targeting South American markets, for example. Implementing PayPal to be able to receive Reals transactions is far simpler than trying to set up an acquiring solution in Brazil.
Ukash is another alternative payment type that offers a unique combination of benefits to consumers. Players can get Ukash free from over 275,000 physical locations and it is easy to use at any site that accepts Ukash.

Customer Service

Customer Service is defined by Business Dictionary.com as “All interactions between a customer and a product provider at the time of sale, and thereafter. Customer service adds value to a product and builds enduring relationships.”
However, it is crucial to find a payment provider that truly believes in excellent customer service. Establish core requirements, and create a ‘desirable’ list outlining where a payment provider could make a real difference to the business.
It has been found that a lot of online merchants are not getting the “aftersale” care they require from their current gateway. Once they are signed up, they are often just pushed through an established and rigid system. But this is arguably the most important time in the provider/merchant relationship. This is the moment when those who truly believe in the value of strong business relationships will reach out, anticipate, provide direction, solve processing challenges – in essence, prove they have what it takes to be intrinsically involved in the success of the businesses.
Customization is often a mission critical requirement for operators, and over time, their reporting needs change.  All companies are different, and one size does not fit all.  A payment gateway should be able to easily and quickly customize reconciliation reports, for example, or provide detailed reports and data mining to operators. Timely reports are key as the operator is relying on their payment provider to provide them with the data they need to solve their customer’s problems.

There are lots of payment gateways around the world collectively spending millions of dollars on advertising, marketing and conference attendance to win new businesses. As an operator the challenge is to find a provider (or providers) who can work in tandem with business teams towards a shared vision.  Reliable, scalable, secure multi-currency processing solutions are needed, and what else? The answer, put simply, is a blend of all of the above with a large dose of trust, integrity and innovation.

Intel Core Duo Thinkpad T60 Review

admin    8615     CORE, Intel, Review, ThinkPad

Intel Core Duo Thinkpad T60 Review

Intel Core Duo Thinkpad T60

The biggest feature of the Thinkpad T60 is the fact that it is one of Lenovo’s first Centrino Duo capable notebooks.? The sample we got was in fact a Centrino Duo system as it was equipped with an Intel 945GM chipset, 3945ABG wireless solution and an Intel Core Duo T2600 (2.16GHz) processor.? IBM does offer other versions of the T60 that use the Core Duo processor but don’t meet the requirements to be called a Centrino Duo as well.?

Specs of the ThinkPad T60 Being Reviewed:

Model #: 2623-D3U
Processor: Intel T2500 2.0GHz Core Duo
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Calistoga i945GM/PM
Hard Drive: 100GB 5400RPM SATA (Hitachi Travelstar HTS541010G9SA00)
Memory/RAM: 1GB (1,024MB) (configurable up to 4GB)
Screen: 15.0″ 1400 x 1050 SXGA+ (LG Philips LP150E05 – A2)
Graphics: ATI X1400 128MB
Optical Drive: Multi-Burner DVD recordable
Battery: 9-cell (extended life, protrudes from back of notebook)
Wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11 a/b/g), Bluetooth 2.0, InfraRed
User Input: Touchpad, Pointing Stick, UltraNav buttons, Fingerpring Scanner
Warranty: 3-years parts and labor, 1-year thinkpad t60 battery
Dimensions:
14.1″ screen config: 12.2″ x 10.0″ x 1.0-1.2″ (width x depth x thickness)
15″ screen config: 13″ x 10.6″ x 1.2-1.4″ (width x depth x thickness)
Weight: 6.4lbs (14″ T60 is about 5.2 lbs with a 6-cell battery and optical drive)
Ports:

3 USB 2.0 ports
dock/port replicator
Display-out
AC adapter port
RJ-11 (Modem)
RJ-45 (Ethernet LAN)
Audio line out for headphone/speakers
Microphone

Slots:

1 Type II PC card slot
1 ExpressCard 54 slot

Buttons:

Power on/off
Volume up/down/mute (3 buttons)
Wireless on/off
ThinkVantage shortcut button (shortcut to system support, security and diagnostics suite)
Battery lock and release

Price: ,799 (as of 2/13/2006 at )

Basically the same as its predecessor T-series notebooks did. The T60 body is a rugged plastic that does not flex. The magnesium reinforced lid won’t flex and provides amazing protection for the screen. The keyboard does not flex — at all. The thick metal hinges that attach the screen are very rigid and ensure the screen does not wobble. The keyboard is spill proof and has two drain holes to make sure if you do happen to spill your morning Starbucks coffee, the liquid is carried away from sensitive components and out through the bottom of the notebook. The hard drive is shock mounted and the entire chassis is a newly designed magnesium “roll cage” (it offers 30% more protection that past T-series chassis), and even if your T60 is dropped and broken the Active Protection System (APS) will stop hard drive activity to prevent data loss. The double screen latch system locks securely to make sure the screen stays down when being carried around. In other words, there’s no shortcuts being used in build quality from past ThinkPad notebooks since the Lenovo takeover of IBM — only enhancements.

The inside meant that this computer had an Intel chip inside meaning better performance than those other people, way back in 1993, not that Intel focused on the insides of the computer. Watch it and this will actually be bad for them. All those people won’t even recognize the intel they knew with the new logo.

I admit it, I have no use for the Weener (Windows) keys. Its a pointless feature to have if you use other OSs or migrating AWAY from Windows. Its like Nvidia’s chipset firewall solution…Another pointless feature for “Windows Only” users. (Which causes more trouble than its really worth).

With Lenovo adopting all these “everyone else has it” features, its not the same ThinkPad anymore. They don’t stand out technologically, like they used to.

Granted, the fingerprint scanner and keyboard light is interesting, but that’s all there is. My oldR50 ThinkPad has a keyboard light as well. So I guess the only thing is the fingerprint scanner.

Like the ThinkPad Z61m, the ThinkPad T60 features a 15.4-inch wide-screen display with a 1,680×1,050 native resolution that affords a large amount of screen real estate (nearly 26 columns and 51 rows on the default Excel spreadsheet) but can make text appear small. Users who fall behind on their Vitamin A supplements can configure the T60 with a 1,280×800 resolution display. As with all ThinkPads, a reading light tucked into the bezel above the screen lets you illuminate the keyboard when working in dark environments. The T60 lacks the built-in Webcam found on the Z61m’s display bezel.

As for ThinkVantage, that is useful…To some extent.

I tried to “clean restore” WinXP from the hidden partition (as Windows requires a clean installation after 2 or more years of use), and I get a crapload of errors. The Trackpoint or Touchpad seem to be no longer detected, and so on. And other error messages. I couldn’t get past finishing the install. So I unhid that WinXP Partition, and formatted the sucker clean, gained 8GB back of HDD space. Which is enough for a quadriple boot…Win2k, Slackware, FreeBSD and Solaris. (And they all work fine with the Trackpoint/Touchpad).

In all Starting price is higher than comparable systems’; lacks a number of nonessential but fairly standard ports and connections. Sturdy, well-designed case; strong security features; full range of networking connections, including WWAN and Bluetooth; swappable internal bay; solid warranty terms and well-reputed support.

More Touchpad Articles

Web-design Software is a Core Device That Allows Users to Establish a Website

admin    Web Design     Allows, CORE, Device, Establish, Software, Users, Webdesign, website

Web-design Software is a Core Device That Allows Users to Establish a Website

Web-design software is a core device that allows users to establish a website. Any web-page design software application comprises of:

• Image editors.

• Web animation applications.

• Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML).

Image editors:

Image editors or image editing software devices assist a web designer to generate quality website graphics. Well-known image editing software devices embrace Macromedia Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop. The important factor to consider here is that these software appliances require thorough understanding and efficient training before they can be actually implemented for web-design purpose.

Web animation applications:

With web animation applications, the user can effectively create website animations for internet hosting. Macromedia Flash is immensely popular in this software category, and produces animations that are simple and quick to load. However, they require exclusive use of an installed browser plug-in, before the animations can be viewed.

Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML):

HTML editing software applications are useful for designing web page codes, even without knowing the functions of HTML. Few of these software devices employ wizards, which also support the beginners to create websites on their own. Macromedia DreamWeaver and Microsoft FrontPage are amongst the most recognized HTML editors that execute efficiently on a consistent basis. However, you can also make use of free HTML editors to design your website.

When you opt for any web-design software application, it is essential to keep the following key points in mind:

• The software should be compatible with your operating system.

• Test the quality of other web-pages that have already employed these software applications.

• Ensure using those software devices which check spellings and fix broken web-page links automatically.

• There are also a few software appliances, which assist internet publishing of the finished web-design.

Web-design software is a blessing in disguise for those who desire to design the website on their own. With user-friendly features and excellent functioning, they are preferred by several users throughout the world.

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Apple’s New Mac Book Pro With Core 2 Duo 2.33 Ghz

admin    Misc     2.33, Apple’s, Book, CORE

Apple says that its latest Mac Book Pro laptops, equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo processors in place of the Core Duo chips that powered the first generation of the family, its deliver performance that is up to 39 percent faster. Based on past experience with the company’s benchmark boasts,

The Apple Mac Book Pro Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz (T7600), with two independent processor cores, a 4 MB shared on chip level 2 cache, a 667 MHz front side bus, 2.0 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, a 160 GB hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor technology, and an 8X dual-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive. It also includes an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics processor with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory and dual-link DVI functionality, and a 17 widescreen 1680×1050 TFT active-matrix display (glossy display option available).

Some special features of MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo/2.33 GHz

Bigger caches and faster graphics

The new MacBook Pros look virtually identical to their predecessors, and the overall structure of the family hasn’t changed: there’s still a single standard 17-inch model priced at $2,799.The new chip’s SSE3 Vector Engine, used in some audio, video, and scientific applications, now processes 128 bits of data at a time, compared to 64 bits in the Core Duo chip. Finally, although Apple won’t disclose the details, its engineers have also squeezed out a little extra performance by tweaking the workings of the ATI Radeon X1600 chip that handles graphics processing in the Mac Book Pros.

Battery life unchanged

Some early speculation about the Core 2 Duo predicted that, in addition to boosting performance, it would cut power consumption. Those reports turned out to be untrue—battery life in the new Mac Book Pros is about the same as in the previous generation. In my tests with the 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo version of the 17-inch Mac Book Pro, I actually did a little better (2 hours and 35 minutes) at DVD playback. I managed only 3 hours and 9 minutes of wireless productivity.

More memory, bigger drives

Beyond the processor, Apple has doubled the RAM in each standard Mac Book Pro configuration: the 17-inch model and the 2.33GHz 15-inch one model come with 2GB of RAM—a pair of 1GB SO-DIMMs—while the base 17-inch model has a single 1GB SO-DIMM. As our benchmark results suggest, going from 1GB to 2GB of RAM has only a modest effect on speed, but it enables you to keep more big applications—or more operating systems, if you use Desktop virtualization software—open simultaneously without running into delays when you switch among them.

The 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo systems have much of the same connectivity as the replaced models — AirPort Extreme (802.11g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400 port, optical digital audio in/out, DVI out, and ExpressCard/34. However, much to the delight of video graspers, the 17-Inch models now include a single Firewire 800 port as well. The 17-Inch model shares the same ports as its predecessor — which include all the ports of the 17-Inch Core 2 Duo model — as well as a third USB 2.0 port (both 17-Inch models have a Firewire 800 port). Each system also includes an integrated iSight video camera and, by default, a 5400 RPM hard drive.

http://www.idigitals.com

http://www.sellamac.com/

Go to http://www.idigitals.com/ they offer offers an array of quality used Macs at a substantial discount. They offer first generation G5 Computers, second generation G4 Computers, as well as G3 Models and Power Macintosh Legacy Models. No matter if you are looking for the latest and greatest model or just a quality used Mac, we’ve got what you are looking for and sellamac.com, they offer Asset management services, buy backs, Trade-ins, or Liquidation of large inventories of used Macs.

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Apple New Imac Line With Intel Core 2 Duo

admin    Misc     Apple, CORE, Imac, Intel, Line

Apple announced that its entire iMac line now features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor in every model, delivering up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous iMac.
With its new Intel processors, Apple has taken on the low-cost PCs head-on. One of the criticisms that have long plagued the company is that its products are more expensive than comparable Windows-based systems, but those arguments have largely been disproved.
Core Duo is the world’s first low-power (less than 25 watts) Dual Core microprocessor, with the previous low being the Opteron 260 and 860 HE at 55 watts. Core Duo was released on 5 January 2006, with the other components of the Napa platform. It is the first Intel processor to be used in Apple Macintosh products (although the Apple Developer Transition Kit machines, non-production units distributed to some developers, used Pentium 4 processors).
Intel Core Duo consists of two cores on one die, a 2 MiB L2 cache shared by both cores, and an arbiter bus that controls both L2 cache and FSB access. Upcoming steppings of Core Duo processors will also include the ability to disable one core to conserve power.
The new iMac lineup includes four models: a 1.83 GHz and a 2.0 GHz 17-inch, a 2.16 GHz 20-inch and the all-new 2.16 GHz 24-inch iMac, and features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor which delivers up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous 20-inch iMac running industry standard benchmarks.
Like the 17-inch and 20-inch versions, the 24-inch iMac features the new 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor with speeds ranging from 1.83GHz to 2.33GHz. It also doubles the amount of L2 cache, the twin cores sharing 4MB between them. The result Turbocharged performance, making it easier? and more fun ? than ever to work with digital photos, movies, music, and the web.
There is growing demand in the industry for a powerful machine like the 24-inch iMac. With additional features like FireWire 800, the high-end iMac seems an ideal computer for what has been referred to as the prosumer customer.
Go to these websites to get the latest updates about your apple and mac parts.

http://www.dvwarehouse.com/

http://www.idigitals.com/

http://www.applepart.com/

Buying direct from these sites means you will be assisted and supported at every step of the purchase process, from product selection, to delivery and after sales assistance. Buying online with is convenient and secure. They offer flexible payments, order tracking, and the helpline, all you need to buy safely online.

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“AFFORDABLE, AFFORDABLE, WEB DESIGNS TRY HARD CORE GRAPHIX!”

admin    Custom Web Design     Affordable, CORE, Designs, GRAPHIX”, Hard, “AFFORDABLE

Why pay more?  Hard Core Graphix has the answer.  I was in search of the elusive website design that was affordable, but could deliver on the promise of a great website design.  In my search I stumbled across a local website designer from Jacksonville Florida.  William O. Jones, 904-683-6979.

His vision was to compete in the marketplace with all the big wig web design companies.  Hard core graphix  is affordable and can build affordable custom design websites that are affordable.  Affordability is important; however, Hard core graphix can deliver on custom web design too.

Affordable, Affordable web designs is what I wanted and they delivered. How much is affordable you ask? $199.  If that’s not affordable, check out the competition, the cheapest price I found was $480.  That’s a savings of$281, now, that’s affordable. 

Hard core graphix web design services

Affordable web design
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Affordable custom web design
Affordable graphic design
Affordable  web sites
Affordable creative design

Web designer William O. Jones stated.  “Affordable, local, & reliable,

That’s our motto and we live by it. If you have looked at any potential designers, you know as well as we do that the going website design rates are outrageous. The benefit you have with us, is you will receive not only Professional Website design, but also affordable. So contact us today for a free quote.”

That’s just peachy William.  Today I talk about your affordable web designs and tomorrow, I will review not only the affordability, but how appealing your web designs are.

I almost forgot, Hard Core Graphix has affordable flyers, and affordable brilliant art work through photo shop suite.  Are you serious about web designs or just a simple web design?  Hard Core Graphix is your one stop shop in affordability.

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Remember folks, Affordable, Affordable Web Designs.  Try Hard Core Graphix.

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