PDQ machines – also known as card machines – are essential for small businesses in 2023.
Why?
They allow your business to accept payment via credit and debit card, which is how most consumers want to pay for things today.
The pdq machine processes information from your customer’s card and, within a matter of seconds, communicates with the customer’s bank in order to determine whether they have sufficient funds to pay for the transaction.
You then receive a simple receipt, and within a few days the customer’s bank transfers the payment directly to you.
The reality is, many consumers simply don’t carry cash anymore, and not having the means to accept card payment drastically limits your clientele and looks unprofessional.
Not only that, but consumers are consistently willing to spend more on cards than with cash, so having a PDQ machine will improve not just the quantity but the quality of the sales you make.
Accepting card payment allows you to process transactions much more quickly; opens your business up to more consumers; and reduces the risk of accounting errors and other cash handling difficulties.
Clearly, the benefits for a small business are immense.
But the market is saturated with many different types and models of card reader.
So what do you need to know in order to make a sensible decision?
Types of PDQ Machines & Card Terminals
Portable Machines
Portable card machines – often known as wireless chip and pin machines – use WiFi or Bluetooth to communicate with the merchant bank. They can be carried around the shop to wherever they are needed, provided they stay within the Wifi or Bluetooth range – generally between 50 and 100 metres.
Pros
- Able to run multiple machines simultaneously
- Highly secure
- Ideal for the hospitality industry
Cons
- Need charging regularly
- Have to be kept within range of the connection point
Countertop Machines
Countertop card machines are the most common type: they are connected to your till and, unlike portable machines, are fixed in that narrow range. Countertop machines generally process transactions faster than portable machines and are less prone to malfunction.
Pros
- Process transactions more efficiently
- No need to charge
- Ideal for businesses with a fixed sales point, like retail outlets
Cons
- Limited to a single location
Mobile Machines
Mobile card machines process transactions through a GPS or mobile signal. This means they can, in theory, be used to take payment in virtually any location you like. However, you will need to be confident that your mobile connection is strong, as any reduction or drop in signal could lead to payments not going through.
Pros
- Total flexibility and freedom
- No need for a till – you can set them up to process directly into an app on your phone
- Ideal for businesses without a fixed location
Cons
- If your mobile signal fails, so does the card machine
- Quite a bit more expensive than portable or countertop machines
Best Chip & Pin Card Reader Machines
Verifone VX 690
Verifone’s VX 690 portable/mobile card reader uses Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G to process payments on the go at exceptional speed. It also features a very long-lasting battery and a full-feature base station for extended use.
This is ideal for restaurants or making sure your curbside transactions are secure. However, you should expect to pay a little more for such a high-end machine.
Verifone VX820
Verifone’s VX820 is a classic: a countertop device with a large, full colour screen and very secure user data protection. It feels familiar to consumers; while it isn’t hugely advanced, it is hugely reliable and does what it needs to well.
This is ideal for traditional retail stores, particularly as a stepping stone if they expect to take a greater volume of payments later down the line. It is also very affordable, because it is an older model.
V4000m
Verifone’s V4000m is a very high-tech model: it can be customised with a number of commerce apps, and offers complete portability. Its battery is also very efficient and comes with a choice of charge bases, depending on your needs.
This is a great choice for any business which needs flexibility in their payment methods, though again, you will be paying more than other models.
Spire SPm3
Spire’s SPm3 is a pocket-sized machine with a nice, lightweight design. It does everything it needs to: processes all types of payment and offers flawless security.
This is a great choice for a business doing a consistent volume of card payments.
Spire SPc50
Spire’s SPc50 is a countertop machine with Ethernet, dial-up and CPRS connections. It is a faster processor and relatively affordable compared to other, more advanced models. It is highly robust and designed specifically to handle high-volume environments.
This is ideal for a busy traditional retail environment, particularly during peak times.
Spire SPw70
Spire’s SPw70 is a portable machine with unusually long battery life. It is highly secure and very affordable.
This is great for hospitality or retail businesses, especially spaces with high footfall.
Ingenico iCT250
Ingenico’s iCT250 is a highly popular countertop machine. It is intuitive to use with a very robust design; it is nice and small, though that may not be to every merchant’s taste.
This is ideal for traditional retailers with a limited budget.
Ingenico iPP350
Ingenico’s iPP350 is another countertop machine. It processes transactions unusually quickly, and is well-known for its durability and toughness; the only downside is its lack of flexibility.
This is an exceptional choice for any business that doesn’t require their card machine to move around the building.
Ingenico Move/5000
Ingenico’s Move/5000 is a portable machine which uses 3G, Bluetooth, GPRS and WiFi. It is highly flexible and secure. It also features a solid battery and a very user-friendly touch screen.
This is a great choice for almost any business.
Making PDQ Machines Comparisons
Deciding which model is best for your business can be difficult: while they appear similar, there are huge savings to be made and numerous factors to pay attention to.
The most important factor is functionality: what type of PDQ machine is best suited to your business? Do you need to be flexible with where you take payments, or is the speed of transaction most important? By answering these questions, you immediately narrow down your choices.
Once you are clear about what type of machine you need, you can compare the models we’ve discussed above, as well as looking in more detail at the functionality. Generally speaking, more recently released models are likely to be better; however, these devices have become cheaper over time and vendors are offering more functionality at lower price points.
Finally, you need to consider costs. Renting will allow you to avoid excessive upfront fees and generally comes with more support, but will cost more in the long run; buying outright will save money in the long run but limits your ability to upgrade your model as and when you need to. How much are you willing to invest in card machines? What is the best way for you to spread the cost?
With all these things considered, you should be able to find the ideal machine for your business.
4 Methods of Accepting Card Payments
There are a number of ways of processing card payments for your business, and it’s important to understand the differences in order to make an informed decision. Below, we have listed the four most common cashless methods.
1. Chip & Pin
Chip & Pin was first introduced in 2004; by 2006, it was legally mandated that all cards must use it, as a way of combating card fraud. Instead of simply swiping your card, Chip & Pin requires active authorisation.
The Chip & Pin card stores authorisation data in a tiny semiconductor chip which is embedded in the card. The chip can only be activated by inputting a four-digit PIN into the keypad of the PDQ machine; if the PIN matches the information on the chip, the transaction is authorised.
2. Contactless Payments
Contact payment was first introduced in 2007, but it was about five years before it was integrated into many existing systems like public transport. It was embraced as a way of saving time and reducing queueing.
Contactless cards feature a chip which transmits data to the card reader using radio-frequency identification; within a second or two, the data is transferred and the card reader can verify whether sufficient funds are available as normal.
To safeguard against fraud and theft, contactless payment is limited to £100.
3. NFC Mobile Payments (Android & Apple)
Mobile payments – Android and Apple pay, for example – work in essentially the same way as contactless payment. The card machine communicates with a ‘Near Field Communication’ (NFC) chip in the same way it would with your contactless card’s chip.
The crucial difference is that NFC is locked inside your phone; unlike other forms of contactless payment, Mobile contactless payments allow for uncapped transaction sizes, which can be highly beneficial.
4. Magnetic Strip (Swipe)
Magnetic Strip – commonly known as ‘swiping’ – is an old fashioned way of processing payments. The card is swiped through the machine, so that the machine can read your payment details via a magnetic strip inside the card.
In a stroke of security-minded genius, it was decided that customers would verify that they were the official cardholder by signing the receipt. The idea was for the merchant to compare it with the signature on the card’s back strip; but this is highly unsecure and can lead to more fraud compared to newer payment methods.
PDQ Machine FAQs
What does PDQ machine stand for?
Process Data Quickly machine. The name says what it is: a machine which processes data quickly and communicates with two different banks in a matter of seconds.
How do PDQ machines work?
PDQ machines are connected to a merchant bank via a telephone or broadband line. When a customer enters their PIN or taps their card, the machine sends a request to the merchant bank. The merchant bank then asks the debit or credit card provider to seek authentication from the customer’s bank.
Once the card provider has verified that the details entered are correct (i.e., the PIN number is right), the provider passes the authorisation request onto the customer’s bank.
The bank checks the customer’s details and accepts or rejects the payment based on whether the customer’s account contains enough available funds to cover the transaction.
Once the customer’s bank has confirmed the payment, it sends a signal to the machine. The machine then prints a pair of receipts: one for the customer and one for the merchant. Within 2-3 days, the bank will then send the payment to the merchant’s bank.
Next Steps
Once you are ready to start accepting card payment and require a card machine, you can fill out the form at the top of the page and get quotes from leading business PDQ Machine providers in the UK.