An Early Look At The Evolution Of Integrated Payments

Cash registers? Most millennials don’t remember when those were commonplace. Nowadays, checking out consists of payment terminals and mobile payments. As a value added reseller, it’s important to take a look at the history of integrated payments since the first mechanical cash register was released by NCR over one hundred years ago in 1879.

Following its inception into the marketplace, the cash register began to revolutionize the industry and as a result, NCR’s business boomed. By 1893, they had acquired all of the major competitors in the space. Seventy five years later in 1968, NCR announced the release of the first electronic cash register, or ECR, and became the pioneer of point-of-sale products.

With new technology out, it was time to train individuals on just how to use these ECRs. The company launched Sugar Camp, the first of its kind specifically for sales training. NCR founder John Patter was often referred to as the “father of sales education” and believed that teaching helped foster future sales leaders. This led to the first professional sales force and the birth of the value added reseller.