Verifone’s Solution To Easing Merchant EMV Friction

EVO Payments International and Verifone announced the launch of a solution aimed at supporting a smoother EMV migration for restaurants and other merchants in the U.S.

The new application will enable merchants to perform post-authorization tip adjustments similar to how they are handled with traditional non-chip cards.

“Merchants that are not already using EMV payment devices are beginning to feel the pain of ‘liability shift’ chargebacks, so Verifone and EVO are providing welcome relief with migration options, which enable EVO to better serve its clients,” Jim Raftice, EVO president of U.S. and Canada, explained in a press release.

The solution, which is certified to integrate with EMV- and NFC-enabled payment devices from Verifone, will provide restaurants and merchants with the ability to open and close bar tabs with EMV cards, accept gift cards and split payments between gift cards and other payment methods, as well as accept EMV chip cards without requiring a signature.

Shan Ethridge, VP and GM of the North America financial services group for Verifone, said:

“Restaurants and other merchants where tipping is an everyday occurrence represent a significant portion of the U.S. market that is experiencing the most difficulty in migrating to EMV. Either because of the inability to do so or the cumbersome processes involved, tip adjustments present a major obstacle that has made EMV remarkably complex for these merchants. Fortunately, integration with Verifone devices will help simplify EMV for EVO’s merchants by giving them the ability to handle tips in virtually the same manner they always have.”

The initial deployment of EVO’s new payment software application will be available on Verifone’s VX 520 countertop payment terminal and, subsequently, the VX 805 CFD. Merchants can expect to see the application updated directly with any new features needed to accommodate changing EMV requirements without requiring payment device recertification, the companies said.