Solution Overview
RTC's STOREMS gift card solution enables on-line card activation and validation over a Wide Area Network (WAN) either through the corporate office or a 3rd party processor. The solution also supports this functionality in dial-up mode although the response times may be an issue. As a backup, the solution supports the ability to manually activate/validate with a phone call.

For both activation and redemption, the gift card is swiped or scanned at the Point-of-Sale (POS) register and the transaction request is sent from the store to the retailer headquarters or 3rd party processor for activation, redemption, or to add additional value to the card. The solution provides real-time access, through the network, to the central gift card database. Once the gift card number is located and the card is activated, redeemed, or had value added to it, the database sends a reply back to the POS register so that the cashier can complete the transaction.

Typical gift cards include a barcode or a magnetic strip on the card that can be used for activation and redemption. The gift card solution is supported by the STOREMS Application Suite including Point-of-Sale, in-store gateway server, corporate database gateway, and an SQL-based host database.

Gift Card Description
Gift cards are typically small plastic cards, similar to credit cards. These cards are purchased like any other item. The cards may then be used as a tender to pay for subsequent purchases. Gift cards can exist in several different denominations. Denominations such as $10, $15, $25, and $50 are common, as well as a variable amount, which will produce a cashier prompt for the value amount to be placed on the card. Gift cards are typically sold in blister packs. Each different card value has a unique item number, which is used when the gift card is purchased. In addition to the item number (SKU or UPC) on the blister pack, each gift card will have a unique ID number. This number is typically embossed on the front of the card and is represented with a barcode and/or magnetic strip. The gift card ID number will be used when the card is presented for use as a tender and in order to activate the gift card at the time of the purchase of the gift card itself. Variable amount gift cards enable retailers to issue gift cards for returns and merchandise credits, rather than giving the customer cash.

RTC also offers hosting services for your gift card database. Contact RTC sales for more detail.