Glossary

General terms

These are general terms that relate to our products.

Tenant

Our clients who have a Managed Service Agreement (MSA) with us are referred to as tenants. This is because we provide them with their own segregated tenancy including their own software instance(s) and database(s). If your company is interested in becoming one of our tenants, please contact us for more information.

API key

This is a unique key that we use to identify your POS. We will provide you with your Device API key and you will need to use it in all testing and production instances of your POS.

Cardholder verification method (CVM)

This is a security step in which the EFTPOS terminal verifies that the customer is the valid cardholder of the card they are presenting. Methods of this verification include signature entry, PIN entry, fingerprint scanning, and facial recognition.

EMV payment method

'EMV' is a technology that allows EFTPOS terminals to process 'smart cards' (also called 'chip-based cards'). These cards contain a microchip that provides security benefits.

Next-gen payment terminal

This refers to an EFTPOS terminal that features a large touchscreen instead of physical buttons and uses the Android operating system.

EFTPOS terminal applications

These terms relate to software that can be installed on EFTPOS terminals.

Payment application (PA)

This refers to software that runs on an EFTPOS terminal to process payments. It enables the terminal to accept the customer's PIN number and communicate with the payment gateway. This software is usually provided by the terminal's manufacturer or the merchant's bank.

Value-added application (VAA)

This refers to any other third-party software that runs on an EFTPOS terminal. This software can enable the terminal to use additional features or integrations.

Merchant Experience App (MXA)

This is our bespoke application that runs on an EFTPOS terminal. It enables it to pair with your integration and also to use additional features such as support screens and alternative payment flows.

Note that the MXA is a value-added application (VAA) and it was previously referred to as 'VAA' before it was given its own name.

VAA Integrated

This is our classic VAA that runs on classic EFTPOS terminals (not on next-gen payment terminals). It enables it to pair with your integration and also to use additional features such as transaction reporting, on-the-fly configuration, and alternative payment flows.

Note that the VAA Integrated software for Verifone is called Verifone SPI VAA (VSV).

VAA Standalone Plus

This is a version of our classic VAA that can be used in two modes: 'standalone mode' which enables the terminal to be used without being paired with a POS, and 'integrated mode' which is for normal usage when paired with a POS.

EFTPOS terminal usage

Integrated vs. standalone mode

Many of the supported terminals can be used in two modes which are useful in different situations.

• Integrated mode — The EFTPOS terminal communicates with the POS to handle transactions. This is the default mode.
• Standalone mode — The EFTPOS terminal doesn’t communicate with the POS and instead, the merchant must manually enter the transaction amount into the terminal. This mode is often used when there is a network outage. In this mode, often some features cannot be accessed.

Load params

'Load params' is a feature that updates the EFTPOS terminal to the latest software version. Some terminals call this 'update software' or similar. It downloads the update from the internet, then installs it. Learn how to do this in the terminal's software guide.

Card transaction types

These terms relate to whether a customer physically presents their card when making a transaction.

Card-present transaction

This is a transaction where the customer physically presents their card to the EFTPOS terminal by swiping, inserting (also called 'dipping'), or tapping. This is often used for in-store transactions.

Card-not-present transaction

This is a transaction where the customer's card is not physically presented to the EFTPOS terminal and instead, the card details must be entered manually by the merchant. It is also called a MOTO transaction.