Top 5 Payment Gateways

Even without COVID-19 and the spread of bacteria, cash has almost become nonexistent in today’s world, let alone with the spread of the virus and the need for more and more contactless payments. This opens up a new world, a new business opportunity you could take advantage of. 

When you’re creating an app for instance, if you’re charging for a product or service you need to take into consideration how that payment will be processed. Obviously, a cash payment would not necessarily be possible in a situation such as this. This is why a payment gateway must be integrated into online payments and transactions.

Whether you are running a delivery service, an ecommerce service, or any online service that requires a payment gateway, consider the following options: 

Best Payment Gateways in Canada

1. Square 

This was the first ‘external’ and portable debit/credit machine that processes payments through one’s smartphone. The greatest advantage being: no extra fee for the equipment. 

The fees for this mobile POS system are: 2.75% for every swipe transaction and 2.9% for online transactions. If you’re a merchant who does not have a processing history, Square is great for you as it does not have any statement or monthly fees. 

Besides the mobile POS solution, Square offers billing features, online orders, stored cards, analytical data processing, third-party integrations and of course: a payment option with API for those looking to develop within. 

2. Stripe 

This is by far the most popular payment gateway in North America. It offers a wide range of developer tools and resources for online merchants. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to what your competitors are using, if it’s working for them it will most likely work well for you and vice versa. 

Who’s using Stripe? 

• Under Armour

• Blue Apron

• TaskRabbit

• Lyft

Stripe allows online businesses to give solutions for split-up payment options, in-app payments, and various tools to integrate great features for customers.

There is no annual or starting fee, the only charge is 2.9% for every transaction. 

3. Moneris 

This is definitely Canada’s largest payment gateway provider. The greatest advantage of Moneris is their high-end security and response-rate for any questions or concerns. If you’re a small business, this is the payment gateway for you! 

Even RBC and BMO use Moneris for their daily tasks. Not only accessible for online payments, Moneris also offers features like inventory management and sales tracking to keep your business thriving. 

The fees for this payment gateway are: 2.75% for credit cards and a monthly fee of $19.95. 

4. PayPal

PayPal has and still to some extent continues to be one of the leading eCommerce payment platforms for a wide range of businesses. Small businesses particularly are the largest users of this platform, as PayPal offers standard and easy solutions. They also provide a great security system so that card numbers are not exposed externally. 

The standard fees are: 2.9% for each transaction. There is also a pro version for credit cards, in which the fee is an additional $35. 

5. Elavon

Started off in the US, it has grown into one of the largest worldwide payment gateways. Many businesses who use Elavon tend to save lots of money and are able to quickly collect upon payments in comparison to other payment solutions. 

Elavon accepts every single card globally and offers a cashback program. The fees are: $270 one-time fee, $10 monthly fee and 2.6-3.5% on each transaction depending on the card type. 

Which is Best for Your Business?

There are many things to take into consideration when integrating a payment gateway into your service: fees, security, size of business, etc. Here at ISU Corp we can offer you expert advice and even recommend ways in which to integrate a payment gateway in a safe and secure way.

Contact us today for more information. 

5 Ways to Ease Your Life with Automation

Do you have lots to organize, but not sure how to do it? SharePoint Workflows is a great solution. They will make your life significantly easier getting jobs done at prime efficiency, as well as making your manual tasks automatic.

Now you must be thinking…what are SharePoint Workflows?

Consider SharePoint workflows as an organizational system that’s integrated into the main SharePoint system. This is where jobs and approvals can be retrieved and kept on track as they are being completed.

The workflows make both these tasks as effortless as possible, while also offering consistent completion to tasks on the various platforms. 

Here are the Top 5 Most Frequently Chosen SharePoint Workflows:

1. Approval Workflows

• Most favoured workflow to work with within SharePoint – this workflow enables the user to begin the chain as soon as just one document is uploaded to the system.

• It starts when your sales team releases a project plan to their clients. However, before it goes to the clients, it must be approved, and with the approval workflows / process, it makes that effortless.

• Example: sales associate prepares the plan, then it gets transferred to the team for revision, next it is sent to the director for final review and approval

• This system works, because it is automatically able to manage where all the documents are and what status they are in, rather than manually

2. Status Workflows

• This workflow allows you to track the status of each document as they are uploaded to SharePoint

• When looking at the example from the approval workflows, you can use status workflows to track when the document has been sent to the team or the director for approval

• With the status workflows, they will mark the document after each stage of the approval workflows. After it is uploaded to SharePoint it is marked as “Draft” and after the additional stage it is marked respectively

3. Notification Workflows

• When a document has entered the SharePoint network, it will send off a message to specific members on the job of the workplace, which will then instruct them to complete a task

• Example: when the sales manager uploads the sales reports, with notification workflows enabled, it will force a message to the sales director saying that the sales report has been uploaded and is being reviewed

4. Automation Workflows

• This workflow enables you to make certain tasks automatic within the SharePoint network

• This typically works with the other workflows previously mentioned

5. Custom Workflows

• The Custom workflow gives you the ability to utilize features of the other 4, all integrated into one system

• With using SharePoint, it creates infinite options for organization and efficiency, especially when automation is added to the process

If you’re interested in learning more about setting up one of these automation workflows, reach out to us today for more information.

4 Elements to Ensure Your Uber-like App is Accessible for Disability Needs

Advancements in technology do not merely mean crazy new technologies associated with artificial intelligence or augmented reality. Advancements also must coincide with accessibility needs. Being disabled in today’s society, should no longer be deemed a struggle, as the world is developing more and more technologies to assist those in need.

When it comes to commuting and using popular apps like Uber, accessibility for the disabled must be a top priority. This should not extend to just wheelchair accessible options, but also sight and/or hearing-impaired accessibility. When building an app like Uber for instance, you must ensure you have a wide scope of needs that are able to be fulfilled. 

4 Ways to Develop an Accessible App: 

1. Voice Assistant 

This is a feature that is crucial for the blind population. Traveling should not be any more strenuous than it already is, thus Uber-like services must integrate easy access to bring down the stress. 

It is integral to implement an easy way to use such apps and to be able to easily book rides. The best way to do so is a feature like voice assistance to speak into the app where they wish to go and receive voice responses back confirming rides and arrival times. 

This would not solely benefit the blind population, but anyone with difficulty in operating a smartphone. 

2. Special Requests

Special requests must be handled appropriately with those who have a disability, as often there will be certain requirements for the ride. For example, wheelchair needs must be fulfilled; there should be numerous vehicles which are able to accommodate this.

Sometimes things like cushions are also required to make the ride as comfortable as possible. Having a disability should not be an inability for the rest of the world, adjust and evolve towards those who need it. 

3. Discounts 

Unfortunately, having a disability has caused discrimination in the workplace, or some are not able to work at all. Meaning relying on low income or government aid to live, but living also requires moving around from place to place; this is where these uber-like apps come in. 

Offering discounts to those with a disability is not only a convenience, but also a necessity oftentimes. Discounts would allow these riders to travel comfortably and independently, and of course continuously use your service - any form of great customer service is always a positive. 

Affordability should be a must in this industry. 

4. Safe and Supportive Measures 

Safety is always important, whether for disability needs or not, it should be the service’s top priority always. Features like location sharing should be implemented so the rider can feel safe while being driven by a stranger because they’re able to share real-time location with those they trust. 

An emergency feature like direct calling to 911 should also be integrated into your ride-sharing application. Supporting disability needs is crucial in today’s world. Make your app stand out and be the one to make those who need extra, feel safe. 

Ready to take the next step? 

These key aspects will not only benefit those with a disability, but anyone in general considering using your app. If you need assistance developing such an app, ISU Corp is ready to help you take your next step! Contact us today for the best custom software development.