Hands on with the VeriFone VX610
The VeriFone VX610 is one of the newer generation of wireless credit card terminals on the market. It seems every vendor has been wireless terminals lately, as the mobile merchant benefits from being able to clear transactions on the fly. Of course, with any cell based unit, the network costs can be steeper then a landline terminal. The overall terminal cost is also higher then a normal terminal, but this is an expected drawback.
The review unit we have in the lab came with the usual suspects –the terminal, a power adapter, and some starter paper. Also included with our unit were a few optional accessories – a shoulder bag (more on this later), a second battery, and a ‘privacy shield’.
The terminal seems solidly built. We actually dropped the terminal –on purpose- from a height of 3 feet, and it took the hit well. There was no damage, and we continued to process transactions without issue -unlike some other units we have played with in the past. The terminal is approximately 8 inches by 4 inches and weighs about a pound and a half. VeriFone has created a nice, “apple-esque” user friendly design- the terminal fits snugly into the hand. Mac aficionados know the form and fit of which I speak.
Transaction time is no issue. Assuming you have a good cell signal, time to clear a transaction is not far off from a regular wired terminal. There is also an optional dial up modem available for those that work in low-coverage cell network dead zones. The unit features a 32 bit processor and 6 MB total onboard memory. For an embedded device such as the VX610, VeriFone has clearly stocked the terminal with more resources then needed in order to cover future expansion possibilities.
The terminal can work on Wi-Fi, CDMA or GPRS. There is a removable bay in the back that is installed per the network choice. This should make changes later down the road easier then physically opening the terminal. The bay is held in place with a screw, unlike the battery. One would assume that the end user is far more likely to change batteries then transmission protocols on this terminal. The VX610 can also be powered by AC, and the battery can be charged in place. There is also an optional battery charger available for those interested in long running times away from a power source.
The VeriFone VX610 is PCI PED compliant, so upgraders will not have to worry about being made obsolete by the major networks anytime soon. Encryption is supported, and the terminal –when programmed correctly- can cut the PAN display to the last four digits. 3DES encryption is available and Master/Session and DUKPT key management are supported for injection.
Like most modern terminals, the VX610 uses a thermal printer, eliminating the need for ink cartridges. The paper used by the terminal is 2 ¼ inches wide, with a roll length of 85 feet. This produces around 160 transaction receipts, but of course this is based on the merchant’s header size, the trailer and amount of information printed per transaction. Loading the VX610 is a snap. By simply dropping in the paper correctly and closing a cover, the terminal is ready for more.
A few words about the optional equipment included with the terminal- The privacy shield is a cheap option, but is recommended. This is used to allow a debit card holder to enter their PIN safely without observation from shoulder surfers. The carrying case is an excellent add-on to the product, one we wish more terminal manufacturers would do as well as VeriFone has. The case protects the terminal when not in use, but can be flipped open easily. Once open, the flap can be secured well out of the way of operation without having to remove the terminal itself from the case. This scores big points for convenience. Additionally the case has a shoulder strap which allows mobile merchant staff to initiate a transaction with one handed. Playing with this in the lab, we were reminded of spaghetti westerns, complete with high-noon transaction showdowns. If you are considering this terminal, do yourself a favor and pick up the form fitted carry case.
Overall, the VeriFone VX610 is a winner. The terminal looks, feels and performs like a champion. For a mobile merchant that wants to clear transactions with an anywhere, anytime business model, the VX610 is a solid choice in transaction processing equipment.