Magnetic Stripe Readers
Everything You Use to Swipe Credit Cards
Magnetic strip readers and card readers are POS hardware using an electric sensor which reads the magnetic strip on the back of a credit or debit card.
What's the benefit of an integrated MSR?
If you are going to take credit cards, then you want a magnetic strip reader however, not everyone chooses to have an integrated MSR. The image to the right demonstrates how an integrated MSR matches with a normal touch PC. The best benefit of this setup is the POS software will automatically read every time a card is swiped and understand the right amount to charge.
The alternate setup is a PC connected to an outside credit card system, which necessitates the cashier to manually input the transaction amount. Does this create an additional step in the checkout procedure, but manual entry is prone to human error as the incorrect transaction total could be entered. For speed and accuracy, we always recommend an integrated MSR.
When I have a pinpad that accepts credit cards, do I still need an MSR?
Maybe. An excess MSR can always act as a backup if your pinpad goes down. On an everyday basis, if your employees use ID cards to clock in, then they will still have to swipe their card with the MSR.
What else could MSRs read?
In addition to credit and debit cards, MSRs may read gift cards, customer cards, loyalty cards, and worker cards.
Are MSRs the same?
No, MSR technology can change. The most elementary MSR simply transmits data (e.g., the credit card number) via a USB cable. Newer versions use Bluetooth to transmit information. Encrypted MSRs have become more and more popular as well, encrypting the data on the card prior to transmitting it. If your POS software supports an encrypted MSR, then the credit card data never enters the software and it can't be stolen.
Sources
https://www.connectpos.com/magento-pos/
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