Whether you want to process credit cards across the room or across the globe, wireless credit card processing opens up a whole world of mobility for you and your business.

Wireless credit card processing is indispensable if you make sales at tradeshows, seminars, or other events. It's also an invaluable tool if you ever need to process payments from your vehicle, or while visiting a client on site.

Here's a brief overview of the way wireless processing works, along with some ideas to help you decide whether wireless credit card processing is right for you.

The procedure begins when you slide your customer's card through the wireless credit card machine and enter the sale amount. The wireless processing technology is similar to a cell phone. Your wireless credit card machine will connect to a radio tower.

The tower then routes the transaction information to our processor at Ensight Merchant Services.

Our processor will pass the information to the bank that issued your customer's credit card. If the amount of the transaction is available on the card, and if the card is valid, the bank will earmark the necessary funds for the transaction and send an approval number back to Ensight Merchant Services.

If there is any reason not to let the credit card transaction go through, the bank will send out processor a "decline" message.

Our processor then passes the information back to your wireless credit card terminal. If the card and the sale have been approved, your credit card terminal can print a receipt for the customer to sign.

The whole process takes about 8-12 seconds, so you can process many credit card payments in a short time.

Some merchants may use credit card processing software on a laptop with a wireless connection to process this type of transaction.

We don't recommend this for many reasons. First of all, if you want a truly mobile solution, the system becomes unwieldy because you have to attach a printer to your PC.

Not to mention that the printer will need a separate power source. And then there are issues of speed and reliability.

Instead, we strongly suggest you take a look at our Wireless Credit Card Equipment pages to see how many reliable, affordable solutions exist.

Depositing the funds in your merchant account

After a long busy day of processing credit cards with your wireless credit card terminal, you can choose to manually "settle" your account. This formally begins the final process of the day's credit card transactions.

In most cases you can save time by having Ensight Merchant Services settle your transactions automatically at a specified time each day.

Once you begin the settlement process, the bank that issued the credit card will transfer the funds. If you have made many sales with cards issued by multiple banks, several of these transactions could take place simultaneously.

Ensight Merchant Services will then deposit the funds into your merchant account. Usually the funds will reach your account after two business days from the time of the original transaction. Your bank has its own policies for how soon these funds are available for you to spend or withdraw.

Ensight Merchant Services is committed to making things run smoothly whenever you process credit cards. If you have any questions, feel free to call us toll-free at 866-377-2292.

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Tips on setting up your online Merchant account
Choosing an online payment gateway
Website requirements for an internet merchant account
Merchant Account Checklist
Tips on setting up a wireless Merchant
Tips for setting up a retail merchant account
Tips for setting up a phone or mail order merchant account

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Assessing Charge Back Risk
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Credit card terminals or software?
Merchant Account phone tips
Process Debit cards
Credit Card Processing at Ensight Merchant Services
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How Retail Processing Works
How Wireless Processing Works
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