The Official Merchant Services Blog has two news items related to Host Merchant Services and the transaction processing industry to announce today.
PCI Compliance Initiative
First, Host Merchant Services would like to announce its PCI Compliance Initiative is kicking into high gear with a new special offer from its partner HostMySite.com. Host Merchant Services is offering a Free Compliance Package for online merchants. It’s a $100 value in terms of services being offered. With this initiative you get:
- A Free PCI Compliance Analysis of your business by HMS.
- A Free PCI Compliance Scan.
- A report compiled for your business regarding its PCI Compliance issues and what it needs to do to become PCI Compliant.
All HostMySite.com customers can access the plan through the special offers tab in the partnership website here. And any other merchants interested in this offer can contact Host Merchant Services directly through this page on the HMS site.
TransFirst’s New Software
Our next news item is Host Merchant Services acquirer TransFirst® has formed a strategic alliance with Planet Group, Inc. The two Companies will collaborate on a new, proprietary back-end processing system.
TransFirst®, a leading provider of secure transaction processing services and payment enabling technologies, has entered into a strategic alliance with Planet Group, Inc., an information technology company dedicated to the financial payment space, to build a proprietary back-end processing system.
Under the partnership, TransFirst will combine the best components of its OnTrak merchant management system with the processing power of Planet Group’s Acquire360 software, creating an industry-leading solution for TransFirst’s merchant customers and sales partners. The ability to control the processing environment will give TransFirst the opportunity for more flexibility in terms of pricing, reporting, customization and statement production, as well as speed-to-market and additional ability to penetrate new business verticals.
In conjunction with the Planet Group alliance, TransFirst has made the strategic decision to continue its long-standing business relationship with TSYS as its preferred front-end system provider. TSYS’ best-inclass position for dial and IP authorization and capture technology, combined with Transaction ExpressTM, TransFirst’s innovative proprietary payment gateway, will create a solid foundation for future success.
“This venture will allow TransFirst to leverage its rapidly increasing scale and maximize efficiencies to help us better serve our clients and partners,” says John Shlonsky, president and CEO of TransFirst.
“Having our own back-end system will simplify our back office and create an ease of operations that will contribute to our already significant growth. We are confident that Planet Group will be an outstanding partner as we move forward with new solutions that will enhance our company’s market value. We are equally pleased to extend our relationship with TSYS and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
“This deal with TransFirst lands right in our sweet spot as a company,” says Tom Nichting, president and CEO of Planet Group, Inc. “Because Planet Group is dedicated to providing software and consulting services to the financial payment space, there’s nothing better than working with a company like TransFirst, which fits solidly into our target for partnership. We look forward to providing the technology and support that will produce a mutually successful venture.”
