September 14th, 2006 by Jamie Estep
A credit card terminal from First Data (FD-100)
Filed in: Credit Card Equipment, Merchant Accounts | 22 comments
FDMS recently came out with their own credit card terminal called the FD-100.
The FD-100 is a small simple credit card terminal that is poised to become a major competitor on the counter top of companies processing on First Data platforms. First Data is by far the largest processor in the US, making this terminal available for a large number of businesses.
What sets the FD-100 apart from the competitors is the advanced features at a very low price (Most likely around $200). While it is lacking an internal pinpad, it has a touch screen, and comes with the ability to process over the internet (IP capable) right out of the box, with a seperate WiFi module available for WiFi wireless processing. The printer is a quick 15 lines per second thermal printer, using a standard paper size. The terminal itself supports recurring billing, has a built-in function to process corporate cards, automatically prompting for the extra required information. The terminal is compatible with gift card and check service programs, including telecheck. The terminal has tip applications for restaurants, can be setup with automatic gratuity, has a open/close tab option for bars or restaurants, and can be programmed with gratuity recommendation lines for customer receipts. The memory will store up to 450 credit transactions, and the terminal stores the previous 8 batch information for quick reference.
The FD-100 is currently supported on the FDMS Nashville platform, and will be certified on the FDMS Omaha platform in a few weeks (FDMS Platform information).
Looks like the Verifone Omni series of terminals!
It’s a shame that this terminal, like the Linkpoint and Eclipse terminals, will be proprietary to the First Data platforms. Not only does it lock a lot of people out but it locks a lot of people in.
I think that’s probably the major problem with processors making their own equipment.
Take the Linkpoint 9000 wireless terminal as an example. I would put it before any Nurit wireless terminal in reliability and overall function, but it is barely supported, and only works on one or two FDMS platforms.
It’s like making a really nice sports car, for half the price of the competitors, but you can only fill up at ‘Shell’ stations.
Who manufactures the device?
I couldn’t find who the actual manufacturer is. It is most likely either Verifone, the linkpoint manufacturer, or done in-house.
Here is the actual First Data Press Release.
What I didn’t know before is that the terminal has 64Mb of memory. This is pretty huge compared the the 4Mb that other advanced terminals have, Omni 3750, Nurit 8320, etc. The terminal also runs off of Windows CE, and it has USB ports, which I imagine will become a standard for attaching peripherals. It should be extremely easy to use, and as stated it is a shame that it will be a proprietary First Data terminal.
The only thing that concerns me about the terminal, is that it will most likely be prone to getting viruses. Windows is pretty notorious for being a virus target, and what better target than a device that collects credit card information.
In all liklihood the FD-100 is made by the same company that developed and I believe manufactures the LinkPoint/PrintPoint line, LG electronics e.g. Lucky Goldstar, based in Korea.
Has anyone had any hands on experience with these they’d like to share? Are they being deployed now & for around $200.00?
Hey Folks-
I work for FDMS and have been selling this terminal for several months now. It is pretty nice in that you can blow the thing away and do a full download in minutes. Big paper is easy to read and prints fast. The dial-up actually makes a sound like a fax machine does, some people have complained, but at least you know it is working. IP is a breeze to install- just plug it in to your router provided it is configured right and you are good to go. Touch screen is nice and intuitive. Tip adjustment is a bit tedious b/c it does not have a hot button to get there. However, once in to the transactions, it goes pretty quick. Have to say that the Hypercom 4100 is not that great IMHO either. I would perfer a T7P as for ease of use!
Going head-to-head with the 3750- if you can deal with an external pin pad- and don’t mind FDMS- it blows it away. It also supports Vivo pay- NOT that anybody uses the damn thing yet 🙂
I just hate the 3750 b/c troubleshooting is a pain, and between doing a VMAC download, and then the app itself- you waste a lot of time and want to smash the damn thing- just my 2 cents.
I’m not sure I understand the issue of proprietary; wondering if someone would care to enlighten me. I understand proprietary, but if the FDMS protocol is used by 60% of the folks, how is that proprietary? I am considering buying one of these or the Omin 3750, so glad to read some of these thoughts.
It will work with any processor using FDMS, but if you want to move to a processor using Nova, Global, MSI, or another non-FDMS processor it wont work with them. Check out the other post as well, as the price has gone up considerably since First Data’s initial projection.
As a vendor of FDMS I would like to thank you for posting a kind review of the FD-100. Thanks.
After having a bad experience over the phone with a company selling items having to do with products like this I’ve learned to do my research before making a purchase. This is a solid review of the FD-100; thanks for being willing to take the time to post this information.
When they say it’s “IP” enabled, does that mean it has an Ethernet Jack right on it? And WiFi is optional?
Yes, IP enabled means that it will process over an Ethernet connection. The WiFi version may be standard at this point, but I would check before hand if you’re going to purchase one.
Hi – does anyone know if you can mount a FD100 to the wall using an external WiFi module, or is there any other way to wall mount it? Thx!
Its one of the amazing terminals FD-100 and i can says that because i am with FDMS from last 2yrs.And if any other terminal on normal phone line takes 1min to process a card,this terminal takes only 5secs on Ip.
https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/ped/pedapprovallist.html
Are the FD-10 pin pads not PCI compliant?
I can’t find it in on First Data’s brochure or on the website, but I’m pretty sure that it is compliant.
Most likely it just hasn’t been listed on the PCI standards website yet as well.
I called FD today and they confirmed that the FD 10 is NOT pci compliant.
I also went directly to the Visa folks who confirmed this as well.
The fines for non-PCI compliant pin pads is insane.
I had a Suntrust rep walk in and proceed to tell me that my current set-up was in violation of the new PCI regs(which it is not) and then tried to LEASE me a FD 10 pin pad for 39.99 PER MONTH which IS NOT compliant.
BEWARE….the PCI link is there in my last post and it is up to the minute.
Does anyone know someone who can help me troubleshoot an FD100. The tech line has been less than helpful. One of my customers has spend hours with them. I take care if his IT support. He asked me to get it running. I was unable to get the wireless working. It connects to the router (link light on wireless adapter on steady) but cannot get an IP address via DHCP. If I configure for static is still does not work. Any help or a point to someone at FD that has a brain would be great. I tried two different routers and can connect with other devices but not the FD100.
The FD !00 is an absolute nightmare thank you First Data for making it ever so easy (not) to get money into my new business account.
Can anyone tell me where to find info on the FD100 error/terminal messages? I work in a store & no one knows where the manual is & I’d like to know what the msgs mean & how to deal with them. Many thanks for help.
Here is a site with an online tutorial. I’m still trying to figure out where to get a user guide I can print. Hope that helps.
http://www.firstdata.com/demos/terminal_demos/FD100%20Demo_merchant.htm