Six steps

Click onto the steps below to help guide you through the process of upgrading your POS to chip and PIN

Step 1

  • Consider your POS environment. Where will your customers stand to enter their PINs? Make sure they can enter their PIN without being overlooked by other people ('shoulder surfing') or CCTV cameras.
  • Consider the impact of the changes on your staff training needs.
  • Decide how you want to roll out - all stores simultaneously, by region etc.
  • Cost the project and decide whether you need to assign a Project Manager.

Step 2

  • Contact your software and hardware suppliers to discuss your upgrading options.
  • Contact suppliers of chip readers and PIN pads - these can be combined in a single unit or two separate appliances.
  • Your suppliers must comply with a number of Card Schemes and security requirements. All equipment will have undergone evaluation against EMV Level 1 & 2, Visa PED security and common criteria security. Ask your suppliers for the results and we'll check if it's suitable for you.
  • Find out whether your suppliers have the necessary test tools; if they were involved in the Northampton town trial; and if they have 'live' customers in an environment like yours.

Step 3

  • Allow plenty of time to integrate your new card reader, PIN pad*, card payments application and any other software or hardware into your existing POS system - as this process could take up to 12 months. You may have several suppliers involved.

* From 1st January 2004 all newly deployed PIN pads must have an appropriate evaluation against the Visa global standard to obtain a Visa certification, and against UK Specific standards. Software and hardware suppliers should design the PIN pads to meet the Visa Pin Enabling Device Derived Testing Requirements and must submit devices for Visa certification. They must also be submitted for evaluation against Association of Payment Clearing Services (APACS) criteria.

Step 4

  • Test your system to ensure it works properly - and hasn't had an adverse effect on your magnetic stripe processing.
  • Individually certified components may need altering. Changes may take several cycles of testing to get right.
  • Your tests should mirror how the POS will operate in a live environment.
  • We'll be on hand to help find solutions to any problems. And we can provide testing packs if you need them.
  • This process could take up to 4 months^.

^ These timings are estimates based on our experience so far.

Step 5

  • Once your system is working, we'll carry out approval checks, covering chip and PIN and magnetic stripe, at your premises.
  • We'll provide test scripts for you to try out before we start formal approval.
  • We'll assess the results and work with you to resolve any issues.
  • When we are happy with the results, we will request approval from the appropriate bodies.
  • Once all appropriate approvals have been confirmed, we will also give our approval.
  • You need to allow 3 weeks^ for this stage but a lot depends on the amount of testing in Stage 4.

^ These timings are estimates based on our experience so far.

Step 6

  • Before rolling out to all outlets, it is wise to carry out a small trial to build staff and customer confidence alike.
  • If you have any queries at any stage, simply contact your Relationship Manager or our Service Centre.
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