How to Set Up a Credit Card Scanner

If you want to accept credit cards in your business, you will need a method to get the information from the magnetic stripe on the back of the credit card to your merchant account for billing. Luckily, you can easily add a credit card scanner to your existing point-of-sale (POS) system to accept credit cards. At about $40 to $90, a credit card scanner can be purchased and set up in a matter of minutes. When it comes to credit card scanners, there are three primary types: USB scanners, wedge-type scanners and serial scanners. The one you choose will depend on your pre-existing hardware.

Things You'll Need

• Credit card scanner
• Computer
• POS software
• PS/2 keyboard (for wedge-type scanners)

Instructions

For USB Scanners

1. Locate the USB cable on the credit card scanner. The USB connector looks like a long rectangle. USB card scanners are often the easiest to setup, as they require no software drivers and most computers come with an ample amount of spare USB ports.

2. Find an empty USB port on the computer. USB ports are generally located on the front and the back of most desktop computers, and many modern keyboards also include USB ports. The USB port will be a rectangular jack, about the same size of your USB connector.

3. Plug the USB cable from the credit card scanner into an open USB port on your computer. The USB cable will provide power to the credit card scanner, and also serve as the connection between the credit card scanner and computer. The computer should detect the USB credit card scanner immediately.

4. Launch your POS software. Depending on your software, you may need to configure the credit card scanner to work properly. This often includes adding a special prefix to credit card data. Consult your POS software manual for specific instructions on accepting credit cards.

For Wedge-Type Scanners

1. Place your wedge-type scanner near your PS/2 Keyboard. Wedge-type scanners work by connecting to your keyboard via a PS/2 port. They are often small and designed to be placed either directly on or nearby the keyboard.

2. Connect the wedge-type scanner to the keyboard using the supplied PS/2 connector. Most wedge-type credit card scanners come with two plugs, a 6 pin, and a 5 pin. Plug whichever one fits into your keyboard peripheral port.

3. Install any software drivers supplied with the credit card scanner.

4. Launch your POS software. You may need to configure the wedge-type scanner in the same way you would a USB scanner. Consult your POS software manual for specific instructions.

For Serial Port Scanners

1. Locate the serial port on the back of your computer. The serial port is often a larger rectangular port with many holes for the connector's pins.

2. Plug the serial cable from the credit card scanner into the serial port on the computer. This involves plugging in the cable so that the pins align, and then fastening the cable secure by turning the two screws on the side of the serial cable.

3. Install the software drivers supplied with the credit card scanner.

4. Run your POS software and configure the scanner to work with your system.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need help choosing the appropriate scanner, contact the technical support department for your POS software. They can often give you a list of preferred models.

References

• InternationalPointofSale.com: "POS Software: A Quick Tutorial"
• RetailSoftware.com: "Build Your Own Point of Sale System"
• EcomAssembler.com: "POS Setup -- Scanners Tab"

Resources

• Intuit.com: "Quickbooks Support"
• CheckoutApp.com: "Checkout: Documentation"