COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 

Level I: Introduction

 

• Introduction to Electronic Processing:
  
  introduction to Electronic Processing is the first and most basic course within the College of General Studies. This course provides an industry history and statistical outline and focuses on the industry-specific definitions as well as the roles and responsibilities of the various industry players. Finally, the course follows a “day in the life of a transaction” and examines in detail the seven stages of processing. This course provides a strong foundation and understanding of the business, the players, and the process.

 

• Introduction to Sales and Marketing:
  
  Introduction to Sales and Marketing focuses on the rules and regulations for setting up a sales organization. It covers the guidelines for sponsorship of Independent Sales Organizations (ISO) and examines the requirements of an acquirer as well as an ISO, with an emphasis on risk and liability mitigation. The course also covers the guidelines for setting up merchants, including suggested contractual language and risk management practices. This course provides a complement to the Introduction to Electronic Processing course with an emphasis on sales and marketing practices.

 

• Introduction to Operations|:
  
  Introduction to Operations focuses on the back office's operations associated with payment processing. The course provides a more in-depth look at Interchange from categories including chargeback and retrieval procedures, as well as regulations. The final topic includes the general and best practices of customer service and support, including tools and technology available. This course provides a complement to the Introduction to Electronic Processing course with an emphasis on operations.
   

• Introduction to Technology                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Introduction to Technology focuses on the technology available to the merchant. The course divides the merchant landscape into segments, such as single proprietors (“mom and pops”), multi-lane, regional and large national merchants. In each segment, the course will examine the types of POS technology used and the various telecommunications options utilized. The various types of POS applications will be covered, looking at nuances by industry, such as restaurants, hotels, mail order/phone order and the Internet. The course will look at the impact of value-added programs, such as gift cards and loyalty on these systems as well as other card and payment instruments, such as electronic check, debit cards, and commercial cards. Finally, the course will examine authentication methods such as PIN and biometrics and discuss the types of encryption and security associated with each. This course covers an extensive amount of technology on a surface level but is meant to aid in understanding the role and use of technology.

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• Level II: Sales Channel Development                                                                               In this highly competitive business environment, successful payment organizations are always looking for new sales channels. In this course, you will learn how to utilize a variety of distribution channels to maximize portability and growth. You will gain a better understanding of what would work best for your company by learning about the benefits and risks of five primary distribution channels: direct sales, telesales, agent banks, referral entities, and the Internet. You will learn the framework for success, including several key components such as advantages, disadvantages, programs, marketing, and compensation.

 

• Level III: Acquiring Payments Risk / Fraud Management
   

Tactics & Trends Examine the complete life cycle as described in the ETA’s Guidelines on Merchant and ISO Underwriting and Risk Monitoring of acquiring payments risk and fraud management from underwriting, re-underwriting, transaction monitoring, account closure to portfolio oversight. The course will also explore recent trends and developments in the oversight of our industry. This course is intended for payments professionals with a basic

understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the four-party payment system.

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• Level VI: PCI Fundamentals for the Small Merchant
   

Data breaches are on the rise and small merchants are frequently targeted, representing more than 80% of all compromise events. This course will provide business executives with an overview of PCI DSS, outlining the standard as well as card compromise trends affecting small merchants. Compliance requirements from each of the credit card brands will be discussed as will tools/technologies to help small merchants achieve compliance and increase their overall security posture. The course will present practical suggestions to mitigate risk and to protect you and your merchants from potential news, including ideas on developing a plan to drive high compliance rates for your Level 4 portfolios. The course will conclude with a panel discussion and roundtable, to provide first-hand insight from relevant parties into the challenges and approaches.

 

 

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