Retail, Grocery, And Hospitality IT News For VARs — September 15, 2014
In the news, The EMV Migration Forum launches a new online resource and plans a one-day workshop for VARs and other solutions providers. Also, card issuers are signing on to work with Apple Pay. In other news, OTAs will begin listing Wi-Fi speeds along with other information travelers can consider before they book, and the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has issued updated guidance on card-skimming prevention.
EMV Migration Forum Launches New Resource, Plans Training Workshop
The Smart Card Alliance’s EMV Connection has launched the EMV Migration Forum Knowledge Center. This online resource library includes papers, links, industry best practices and other resources related to U.S. EMV migration. Materials on topics including implementation and technology are organized in an interactive spreadsheet.
Also, the EMV Migration Forum is holding a one-day training workshop for VARs, ISVs, and independent service organizations (ISOs). The workshop will provide a comprehensive review of EMV chip payments and include focused sessions on the development process and implementation best practices for testing and certification of EMV payment applications. The event is scheduled at the Hyatt Lodge on the McDonald’s Campus at Hamburger University, Oak Brook, IL .
Card Issuers Are Partnering With Apple Pay
The Wall Street Journal explores the relationships card issuers will have with Apple Pay. Among U.S. card issuers that signed on with Apple Pay are J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, American Express, Citigroup, Capital One Financial, Wells Fargo, Barclaycard, Navy Federal Credit Union, PNC Financial Services Group, USAA, and U.S. Bancorp. Costs and technology upgrades are among considerations for the new mobile payment platform that could “spur more electronic payments for small purchases.”
OTAs Displaying Wi-Fi Speed On Websites
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are beginning to display Hotel WiFi Test on their websites, which measures Internet speed and quality. Guests can factor this information into booking decisions. According to a Travel Daily Media article, this content was only available via the HotelWiFiTest.com website, but it will now appear on booking sites with other hotel information.
PCI SSC Updates Card-Skimming Prevention Guidance
The PCI SSC updated guidance for card-skimming prevention. Security best practices include identifying physical and logical risks to skimming, preventing or deterring attacks against terminals and infrastructure, and identifying compromised terminals and making notifications as soon as possible.
IT Talking Points
PracticalEcommerce makes four predictions for the 2014 holiday shopping season: mobile commerce will account for 33 percent of U.S. online holiday sales; 70 percent of U.S. ecommerce shipments during this time period will be free of charge; brick-and-click stores will encourage in-store pickup; and more retailers will use video to communicate online.
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