7 Popular Clover Apps

The best thing about Clover is that there is an App Market that you can customize your point-of-sale terminal to do exactly what you want and need.  Almost any feature you could think of is available for download to your Clover terminal. We wanted to share with you some of our favorite Apps that we think are the most helpful and beneficial to business owners.

Online Store

This app allows you to create a professional quality e-commerce site and serves as your direct gateway.  You can start adding profit to your business by adding your good and services online.

Gift Cards

Adding gift cards to your business can help increase your offerings and overall profit.  Statistically, gift cards improve customer loyalty rate along with spending rates. 

Print Customer Info

This app allows a business to print all the information needed on one receipt.  Your business customizes and and all information that you want printed for your customer (and for your own records)!

Social Branding

This app allows you to promote your social media presence on your customers’ receipts. You can add up to four logos or icons that you can print on receipts with a custom message for each one.  With the rise in social media this can be crucial for any business.

Appointments Pro

This pivotal app can schedule customer appointments for multiple employees and view appointments by day, week, month and/or agenda. You can also send customers appointment reminders through Google Calendar and manage customer contact information and appointment history – you can also view appointments from anywhere using Google Calendar.

Analytics Connector

The application submits sales data directly to the Google Analytics service where you can track sales data by product, time and location. You can combine it with your online and multi-channel sales data for the ultimate in visibility.

Ping Me If

A business owner wants to feel like they can leave and feel that they will be notified of any big happenings and with Ping Me If, it is possible.  The app allows you to receive alerts when specific events (set by you) happen in real time.  This makes leaving a little bit easier for owners and managers.

It is important to note that there are over 100 apps in the Clover App Market and some will serve your business better than others.  It is important for you to have a merchant service partner that can help you find the apps that are crucial for your business.  Apex Payment Solutions is dedicated to helping you maximize your business through the Clover POS and the Clover App Market.  Contact us today to see how Clover can help your bottom line!

Limiting Chip Card Delays at the Point-of-Sale

Although many people like the increased security that chip cards bring to both retailers and consumers, many are concerned that the processing at the POS is longer than the typical swipe and go cards. As shoppers, we have become accustom to credit and debit card transactions at the POS only lasting 2-3 seconds.  With the new chip (EMV) cards, transactions can take up to 2 or 3 times longer – the delay is mostly caused by the chip card remains in the terminal until the transaction has been authorized and the customer has provided a signature or PIN. 

EMV cards come with an embedded smart chip that is programmed by the card issuer to create a unique cryptogram (secret code) for every transaction.  The code represents a randomly generates number provide by the POS terminal at the time that the purchase amount is keyed in by the cashier.  Use of an EMV chip triggers cardholder verification required for authentication.

Luckily there are steps that a business can take in order to streamline the entire checkout process for customers.  One solution is the implementation of line-busting programs, such as a mobile payment option - this can help retailers reduce wait times and long lines.  Another possible solution is for a business to make sure that all staff is well-trained in how to facilitate an EMV transactions at the POS. This too can help keep the transaction time low and wait time more manageable.

With EMV cards becoming the new norm, it is important for businesses to understand their importance and head off any “problems” that it may cause for customers.  The overall safety that EMV cards bring for both retailers and consumers outweighs the few extra seconds that it takes at the POS.

Want more information? Apex Payment Solutions can answer your questions and assist you in your transition to EMV. If your business has not transitioned to accepting EMV cards, it’s time to consider making the switch.  Contact an Apex Payment Solutions representative to find out which options are best suited for your business.