merchant / credit card services on Aloha 5.3

[westsidechef]

Hello

I have taken over a restaurant with Aloha 5.3, but used a independent terminal for all credit card processing. I would like to integrate the credit card processing into Aloha..
any instructions, tutorials, or documentation on how to do this would be appreciated. I am new to Aloha tech, but have a tech BG.

TIA

Randall

 

[coorsman]

Version 5.3 is no longer CISP compliant. With Aloha you must purchase new software it is not transferrable "unless you purchased it with the business" even then you must upgrade to at least version 6.4.


6.4 is the lowest compliant version, but versions 6.5+ are the latest versions of the Aloha Software.

Once you purchase the software, as each new version is released you must pay for an upgrade.

With all the problems with CISP and CC breaching lately, I would stay with independant terminals.


Cheers,
Coorsman

 

[alohaakamai3]

I second Coorsman's suggestion. I've had a client who purchased a system from the dealer I was working for, way back in like 2000. He opted not to get the integrated cards, and I remember thinking that seemed kind of short-sighted and cheap- why would you pay all that money for a system and not have the credit cards integrated?

Over the long haul, he's definitely had the last laugh. He's still running Aloha version 5.0, as he's happy with what he's got (that alone probably save him 10,000 in upgrades). He's doesn't have to worry about dealers bullying him with upgrades or service contracts since he doesn't need them for CISP, never been sued for numbers showing in the receipt, he's never had a support call for credit card issues (Aloha's most common recurring problem these days, I'd say). Any time he's needed to put the system into redundant mode due to file server issues, it's never a huge deal, because the credit cards are still getting to the bank.

The cost of EDC, upgrades, drama you'll be dealing with- I absolutely would not bother.

 

[westsidechef]

IS there any other reason to upgrade to a newer Aloha system? even w/o using the credit card integration, and if so, what is the cheapest way (Im in So. California)...thx

 

[posknowitall]

5.3 is pretty solid. The newer versions have all the new labor law stuff...enforcing breaks and things like that. The So. Cal dealer will charge you a fortune to upgrade. They will want to change out all your hardware and sell you stuff you don't need. You will also need to pay the higher price to get EDC added to the system. Unless you are willing to shell out the big bucks---stay with what you have...

 

[westsidechef]

My major reason I wanted to upgrade is I found out the >old< FOH manager wasnt requiring the servers to declare any tips, including CC tips. It was an easy loophole as the CC receipts were tallied by hand at end of shift, and servers were paid out cash. Unless you watched every server clock out and enter tips, there was a lot of fraud. If everything is entered directly into Aloha and swiped in Aloha, its a lot harder to get around claiming tips.

any thoughts on how to protect myself? tighten the loop?


TIA