Month: September 2015

Update on EMV Readiness (Sept. 30, 2015)

We continue to wait for the Master Card certification to complete the EMV enablement of the software and hardware. We share your frustration in that we started this project nearly two years ago but are unable to release the enhancements with the liability shift deadline upon us.

Here are a few considerations to remember as we leave September and begin October.

First, the liability shift does not affect your card acceptance capabilities. However, the liability for fraudulent cards will shift to you, the merchant. While Christian retailers are at the lower end of risk for fraud, you should be more alert to odd or unusual transactions that do not fit your normal business model. As a reminder, it is always a good practice to verify a customer’s identity (like with a Driver’s License) when accepting checks or credit cards. Keep in mind, that only EMV cards encounter the liability shift. Non-EMV cards (Mag Stripe) will continue to fall under the liability of the card issuers.

Second, most cardholder information is stolen when entire systems are breached (Target, Home Depot, etc.). Additionally, online transactions are not covered by the liability shift.

Finally, we are not alone. As of July 2015, 20% of all terminals and point of sale systems were EMV ready. Based on the current certification schedules, the industry expects only about 40% of all merchants that accept credit and debit cards to be EMV ready on October 1^st. They anticipate that number to reach 47% by the end of 2015. Further, card issuers have only replaced about 60% of credit cards with EMV enabled cards. Debit cards have an even lower issue percentage.

We are also working with the front end processors (providers of authorizations), NPC, and device manufacturers to offset the EMV certification costs. Our hope is to eliminate the monthly fee that covers the initial and future certification costs.

All in all, we are on the cusp of being ready to deploy the new EMV products. If you have not already pre-ordered your device please do so by following the link below.

Click here to view your EMV readiness options and place your pre-order.

We trust that you will join us in praying that this process will be completed quickly and costs reduced to us all.

Grace and Peace,

Your BSMGR Support Team
support@bsmgr.com | (800) 997-6724 (option 2)

Update on EMV Readiness (Sept. 30, 2015)

We continue to wait for the Master Card certification to complete the EMV enablement of the software and hardware. We share your frustration in that we started this project nearly two years ago but are unable to release the enhancements with the liability shift deadline upon us.

Here are a few considerations to remember as we leave September and begin October.

First, the liability shift does not affect your card acceptance capabilities. However, the liability for fraudulent cards will shift to you, the merchant. While Christian retailers are at the lower end of risk for fraud, you should be more alert to odd or unusual transactions that do not fit your normal business model. As a reminder, it is always a good practice to verify a customer’s identity (like with a Driver’s License) when accepting checks or credit cards. Keep in mind, that only EMV cards encounter the liability shift. Non-EMV cards (Mag Stripe) will continue to fall under the liability of the card issuers.

Second, most cardholder information is stolen when entire systems are breached (Target, Home Depot, etc.). Additionally, online transactions are not covered by the liability shift.

Finally, we are not alone. As of July 2015, 20% of all terminals and point of sale systems were EMV ready. Based on the current certification schedules, the industry expects only about 40% of all merchants that accept credit and debit cards to be EMV ready on October 1^st. They anticipate that number to reach 47% by the end of 2015. Further, card issuers have only replaced about 60% of credit cards with EMV enabled cards. Debit cards have an even lower issue percentage.

We are also working with the front end processors (providers of authorizations), NPC, and device manufacturers to offset the EMV certification costs. Our hope is to eliminate the monthly fee that covers the initial and future certification costs.

All in all, we are on the cusp of being ready to deploy the new EMV products. If you have not already pre-ordered your device please do so by following the link below.

Click here to view your EMV readiness options and place your pre-order.

We trust that you will join us in praying that this process will be completed quickly and costs reduced to us all.

Grace and Peace,

Your BSMGR Support Team
support@bsmgr.com | (800) 997-6724 (option 2)

Update on EMV readiness – Sept. 17, 2015

We previously notified you that we are waiting the certification process to complete for the EMV readiness of the software and hardware. At this time, certifications are complete for all card brands with the exception of MasterCard^®. While we do not have a specific date for the MasterCard certification, we want to begin accepting pre-orders for the EMV-compliant equipment and software.

Click here to view your options and place your pre-order.

You may be interested in knowing the payment industry’s EMV implementation status.

As of July 2015, 29% of all credit cards issued and 10% of all debit cards issued were EMV/Smart Cards. Based on published EMV card rollout schedules released by banks, they are forecasting that 70% of credit cards and only 41% of debit cards will support EMV by the end of 2015.

Also as of July 2015, 20% of all terminals and point of sale systems were EMV ready. Based on the current certification schedules, the industry expects only about 40% of all merchants that accept credit and debit cards to be EMV ready. They anticipate that number to reach 47% by the end of 2015.

These numbers are low and reflect the industry’s struggles to make the software and hardware enhancements and get the validations and certifications completed in a timely fashion. While we have been working on this for the past several months, Bookstore Manager has fallen prey to the delays caused by the industry wide rush to validate and certify hardware and software.

As a reminder, the EMV liability shift deadline does not mean merchants will not be able to accept payments cards. No matter your status on October 1^st your card acceptance capabilities will remain the same. The liability shift is simply a shift in who is responsible for fraudulent transactions. On September 30^th, the card brands are the liable parties. On October 1^st, that liability shifts to merchants that are not EMV-compliant for transactions using an EMV-capable card. (If a card doesn’t have an embedded “chip”, fraud liability still remains with the card brands, even after October 1^st.)

The positive news for the Christian industry is that Christian retailers and churches are at the lowest end of risk to suffer a fraudulent transaction. This does not mean that you should not be vigilant for fraud, but simply that your business is least likely to suffer this type of transaction.

We again thank you for your understanding and patience in implementing this change.

Grace and Peace,

Your BSMGR Support Team
support@bsmgr.com | (800) 997-6724 (option 2)

Today is the Pre-Registation deadline for the Christian Product Expo (CPE) being held later this month (9/20 – 9/22) in Murfreesboro, TN. If you haven’t signed up yet, we encourage you to take a few minutes to do it today at www.cpeshow.com, and we look forward to seeing you at the show! (Remember, we’ll be in booth #83.)

What will I get from CPE? Experience workshops, training, author signings, devotions, peer networking, worship, fellowship, and two special movies (click the movie titles below to see the trailers). Special guests this year include All Sons & Daughters, David Ring, Brian Hardin, Hayden Shaw, Taranda Greene, Big Daddy Weave, Believe with Randy Frazee and Bart Millard of MercyMe. Check out the full schedule below.

Who should attend CPE? This show is specifically geared towards the Independent Christian Retailer.

Does BSMGR have show specials for CPE?Yes!

• $500 off RMS Platinum
• qScan Mobile Inventory – Sign up at the show and get a second qScan user for FREE
• Switch to Bookstore Manager CC Processing – Get integrated software for free (Save $495)

Do I have to be a member of the Munce group to attend? No. ALL independent Christian retailers are invited and encouraged to attend.

What does it cost to attend? There is no registration fee to attend the show, and this is the only show that provides a generous reimbursement plan for your expenses.

Pre-Register by 9/3/2015, order from 30 exhibitors AND experience a product presentation from 15 others to receive:

• All meals FREE for two people from your store.*
• Up to 2 nights at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center.*
• Up to $250 travel allowance (airfare or mileage).*
• Entered into the cash prize drawings!

* See the 2015 Reimbursement Instructions form for limitations.
Did you know that on average more than half of the CPE attendees have qualified for full reimbursement?

The Pre-Registration deadline (to qualify for the cash prize drawing) is TODAY (September 3^rd)!
Visit www.cpeshow.com to register now!

Sunday, September 20^th

7:15am-7:00pm Registration open

9:00am-Noon Retail Refresh Boot Camp – Robbie Halstead (Kingdom Retail Solutions)

1:00pm-4:30pm Bookstore Manager Training (in Mirabella A)

1:00pm-2:00pm Blogging to Get People Into Your Store – Lori Roeleveld

2:15pm-2:45pm Leveraging Author Relationships with CAN (Chris an Authors Network)

2:45pm-3:15pm 2015 Product Trends and Beyond

3:30pm-4:30pm TBD

4:00pm-4:30pm Social Media Matters – Kirk Blank

4:30pm-5:30pm Author/Artist Personality Party – Meet & Greet & Signings

5:30pm-7:00pm Dinner – Samaritan’s Purse

7:00pm-8:00pm Night of Worship – All Sons & Daughters (Integrity Music) – David Ring (Baker Publishing Group)

8:30pm-10:00pm Movie – Risen (Different Drummer) – click to see trailer

Monday, September 21^st

7:00am-6:00pm Registration Open

7:30am-8:15am Devotions/Presentation – Brian Hardin (Tyndale)

8:30am-9:45am Multi-Generational Selling – Hayden Shaw (Tyndale) – Q & A and Wrap up with Kirk Blank

10:00am-6:00pm Exhibit Hall Open

Noon-1:00pm Complimentary Buffet Lunch Served in the Exhibit Hall

6:30pm-8:30pm Banquet & Showcase – Taranda Greene (Provident) – Big Daddy Weave (Word)

8:30pm-10:00pm Movie – Woodlawn (Provident) – click to see trailer

Tuesday, September 22^nd

7:15am-1:00pm Registration Open

7:30am-8:15am Devotions/Presentations – Believe with Randy Frazee (HCCP)

8:30am-Noon Exhibit Hall Open

Noon Cash Prize Drawings! – Special Guest Appearance by Bart Millard (Mercy Me)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Your BSMGR Sales Team
sales@bsmgr.com | (800) 997-6724 (option 1)

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7^th for Labor Day.

Our weekend emergency support number will be monitored on Monday from 9am until 6pm (Central) for critical issues, such as an inability to perform sales, accept credit cards or burn discs. That number is (325) 669-2381. Leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Non-emergency calls will be returned during normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8^th.

We hope you have a blessed Labor Day weekend!

Your BSMGR Support Team
support@bsmgr.com | (800) 997-6724 (option 2)
Remember you can use  SPT  at “Enter Program Name” to put your support request directly on our support docket.