Tutorial - Using a Check Reader
Using a reader for checks, is a simple fast approach to error-free sales. This tutorial assumes that you have already set up your check reader and receipt printer in the Options screen. If you have not yet setup the check reader, see Setting up Printers and Readers for details.
1.
Start PC Verifier.
2.
Enter your User password.
3.
Click on Checks.
Checks can be processed with any security level access.
If your check reader is set up correctly, the message Check Reader on Com X will be displayed in the lower left side of program. X indicates the number of the communications port. Make sure your reader is attached to that port and that it is turned on.
4.
Click on the Checking Account label located above the Name field.
This will switch to Savings Account (this tutorial assumes that the check is actually being issued from a savings account). While changing this information is not crucial for performing ACH, this data is available in the transaction database, and may help to distinguish between different types of transactions.
5.
Pass the check through the check reader.
Most readers require that you have the face of the check pointing inward. Upon a successful read, the check information will appear in the correct fields and the Name on Account screen will appear. If the read was unsuccessful (i.e., some readers do not clear the read-buffer when first starting), then a message box will appear. Simply pass the check through the reader again to obtain a valid read.
6.
Enter Jane Doe and press ENTER.
The Amount keypad will appear.
7.
Enter 1000. ($10.00)
The keypad automatically formats the currency in dollars and cents. Thus, entering 100 using the keypad or the keyboard will display $1.00. A minimum of $1.00 is required for a transaction. In the example here, $10.00 is entered as the amount. Press the ENTER key on the keypad or keyboard to accept the amount.
8.
Enter a Tip.
If the Prompt for Tip option is checked in the Options screen, then the next keypad to appear is the Tip screen. Tips are optional and need not be entered. In the example below, a tip of $2.50 is entered (enter 250 using the keypad).
9.
Enter a Reference.
If the Prompt for Reference option is checked on the Options screen, then the Enter Reference dialog box will appear. PC Verifier automatically fills this information in for you, yet you have the option to manually change it using the keyboard. There are two auto-fill settings. The default setting uses a date stamp, followed by the letter C (for Check) and the last three digits of the check number. The second setting uses both a date and time stamp. Pressing the F2 function key on the keyboard will toggle between the two different settings. In the example below, F2 is used to toggle from the Date-Check stamp (3143-C033) to the Date-Time (3143-0820) stamp and accepted by pressing the ENTER key on the keyboard (or clicking the OK button).
After completing the wizards, the Check screen will have all the necessary information to process the sale. Address information is not required for ACH, but can be included for data mining.
10.
Press Process.
If the Process button is highlighted, you can also press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
A connection to the internet is attempted and the transaction processing window appears indicating the processing status of the current transaction.
If a transaction is successfully approved, the Approval screen will appear. If the transaction is declined, then a message box will appear indicating the reason for the decline. Furthermore, if the Print approvals automatically option is checked and your printer is set up correctly, then a receipt will start printing once the Approval screen appears. This tutorial assumes that the Print approvals automatically option is off.
11.
Click Print.
If a receipt printer is set up in options, the Print button will be enabled (the above example shows a disabled Print button, indicating that a receipt printer is not setup up). Use the Print button to print a receipt of the approved transaction.
12.
Click OK.
Once finished with the approved transaction, click on the OK button and PC Verifier will be ready for your next sale. The last approved transaction also appears at the bottom left corner of PC Verifier. This is the last approved transaction on the current workstation.
