Mike Berner is a finance expert who spent more than half a decade serving as an economic analyst for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is experienced in conducting quantitative analysis and research to guide clients and companies through changes in the financial markets.
At Business News Daily, Berner covers accounting software, credit card processors and business loans.
With a bachelor’s degree in economics and a bachelor of business administration in finance, Mike is adept at breaking down the complex financial topics that affect business owners, from business loans and accounting to payroll and credit card processing. He also tests and analyzes the latest financial software solutions and enjoys giving tips on matters ranging from tax forms to sales strategies to investing through platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Substack.
Experience
Staff Writer at business.com, a Centerfield company
May 2022 - Present
Economic Analyst at US Army Corps of Engineers
June 2016 - May 2022
Education
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Degree:
B.B.A., B.A.
Field of Study:
Finance and Economics
Mike's Product and Service Reviews
Our team conducts an independent analysis of products and services that can help manage your business.
Chase Merchant Services, formerly known as Chase Paymentech, is one of the largest processors in the industry. It offers a wide range of products to help small businesses accept credit cards in person, online, and on the go. Its processing services comes with advanced fraud protection, data encryption, and other security tools to make sure your business and customers stay safe from cyberattacks.
Merchant One offers processing solutions for small businesses that accept card payments in-store, online, on the go, or by mail and phone order. It approves a high percentage of applicants, can set up your account quickly and provides 24/7 customer support. It also offers check processing, gift cards, loyalty programs and merchant cash advances.
This provider does not charge monthly fees for most small businesses and even offers the option to negotiate fees.
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Chase Payment Solutions processes payments faster than competitors because its parent company is a bank.
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This review is for small business owners who want to learn about Chase’s credit card processing service and why it’s our best pick for e-commerce businesses.
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Choosing the right credit card processor can be a difficult decision for any small business owner. It’s also one of the most important decisions you need to make, because these days, few businesses can survive without accepting credit card payments. We chose Chase Payment Solutions as the best credit card processor for e-commerce businesses because it offers quick payouts, often the same day, with no fees. Chase Payment Solutions is also both a credit card processor and an acquiring bank, so working with Chase allows you to avoid errors that may occur with an intermediary.
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Why We Chose Chase Payment Solutions as Best for E-Commerce Businesses
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Chase Payment Solutions offers top-of-the-line credit card processing to various businesses, with a special focus on e-commerce. It comes with the virtual terminals needed to process online orders. You can also use Chase’s hardware to help with inventory tracking, employee management and recordkeeping. Chase integrates with a variety of e-commerce platforms.
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Chase’s services are appealing in part because it offers a tool to help business owners determine the processing features they’ll use most. All you need to provide is your business type and the main method that you use to process transactions, and the company’s intuitive technology will guide you the rest of the way.
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As a direct processor, Chase eliminates the middleman. Source: Chase
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Another nifty feature is Chase’s Customer Insights, an easy-to-use, value-added payments data-based analytics service. It combines sales reports and strategies with useful information about your customers’ buying habits so you can run your business better.
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Usability
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Chase makes accepting payments simple, whether they’re processed in-store or on the go. For in-store payments, Chase’s smart, stand-alone terminal comes with a built-in printer and a catalog for easier checkout and to manage your customers’ purchases. The terminal also has standard features, including automated tax calculation and onscreen or on-receipt tipping options.
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We particularly like that Chase’s products are interoperable and offer multiple payment options. Chase offers both wired and wireless credit card readers for in-store sales. Both options allow merchants to accept chip and swipe cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. They also feature receipt printers that are built into the hardware, as well as the ability to email receipts to your customers.
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When using Chase as a credit card processor, you get the advantage of same-day fund deposits without additional fees. Chase also makes accepting mobile payments via smartphone app easy; simply enter the amount and payment info manually (though there is a higher fee for keyed-in transactions like this).
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If your business is more on-the-go than a stand-alone terminal would allow for, you can use the dedicated Chase POS app to take card-entered payments. Alternatively, you can use the Chase mobile app for keyed entries or pair a card reader to your mobile device to accept swipe, dip and tap payments.
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Chase also makes accepting online payments through a partnership with Authorize.net an easy process. You can accept online payments via your computer, website or virtual terminal. In addition, Chase enables merchants to set up recurring billing options and payment buttons for your website.
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Chase Payment Solutions Features
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E-commerce integration
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Chase gives you the option to integrate with e-commerce platforms, making accepting online payments easy.
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Bank and processor
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Without a middleman, payments are processed faster than normal.
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POS software
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In addition to credit card processing, the bundled point-of-sale (POS) software can store customer information, manage your inventory, and track your sales.
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Virtual terminal
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Virtual terminals can process online transactions, making them ideal for e-commerce enterprises.
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Stand-alone terminal
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Chase’s stand-alone terminals process chip transactions and swipe transactions and accept mobile payments, meaning it covers all your bases for accepting credit card payments.
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Customer Insights
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Customer Insights is a robust business intelligence platform that gives you access to detailed data about how your customers shop.
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Chase has a number of features that make it the ideal credit card processor for e-commerce businesses. Here’s a closer look at the solutions it offers small business owners, particularly ones focused on selling online.
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E-Commerce Integration
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Chase gives small business owners the option to integrate with e-commerce platforms, making accepting online payments a seamless process. The integration function works with Shopify, WooCommerce and several other platforms, and the setup process takes just a few minutes. Chase uses the Authorize.net payment gateway to facilitate these sales. [Related article: Sales Tax for E-Commerce: What Small Businesses Need to Know]
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Bank and Processor
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Because Chase is an acquiring bank and payment processor, you can expect your payment processing to move at a faster pace than is standard. This also means fewer people need to get paid for the payments to be processed. This is why Chase has the leverage to negotiate pricing and give you a better deal than what you might get from other credit card processors.
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POS Software
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Chase’s iPad-based POS software comes with advanced capabilities, including the ability to store customer information, manage inventory, and track sales. Chase doesn’t offer any POS hardware, unlike some of its competitors (see our review of Clover for an example). However, Chase’s POS software does integrate with Vend POS hardware.
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Virtual Terminals
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These terminals are great for processing online transactions, which makes them ideal for e-commerce enterprises. Virtual terminals can also be used for phone payments and payments by mail, and built-in tools offer help with managing shipments.
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Stand-alone Terminals
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You can use Chase’s stand-alone terminals, Chase Smart Terminal and Chase QuickAccept, to process chip transactions, swipe transactions and mobile payments, as well as to make reports and tip adjustments. Chase also offers a Bluetooth reader with an app that can process card purchases, but the app does not have the ability to process chip transactions.
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Customer Insights
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Chase Customer Insights provides actionable analytics to understand your customers. Source: Chase
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Customer Insights is a business intelligence (BI) platform with analytics to help you reach your customers better and manage your bottom line. As a Chase Payment Solutions merchant, you get free, exclusive access to the platform to help you accomplish the following:
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Save time, money and effort making better business decisions.
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Know your customers’ shopping habits, including purchase time, spend,and channel.
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See how your customers shop with similar businesses in your location and industry.
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Find new ways to resonate with your customers.
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Gain insights on similar businesses.
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Monitor sales and trends for new and repeat customers.
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Boost your sales and bottom line.
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Chase Payment Solutions Cost
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Chase’s credit card processing rates vary by transaction type.
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Tapped or swiped transactions:6% + $0.10 per transaction
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Keyed-in transactions:5% + $0.10 per transaction
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E-commerce transactions:9% + $0.10 per transaction
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Monthly Fees
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Chase Payment Solutions charges no monthly fees unless your business accepts multiple currencies, earns more than $5 million in debit and credit sales annually, or requires specific software or connectivity. Because most small businesses don’t fit one of these categories, this policy should save you money.
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Early Termination Fee
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Some Chase Payment Solutions accounts require a long-term contract. This requirement applies to your business if you meet these criteria (but companies that do usually aren’t considered small businesses):
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You process transactions in multiple currencies.
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You process more than $5 million in card sales per year.
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You have specific connectivity requirements.
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If none of the above options apply to your company, you would not be bound to a long-term contract or obligated to pay an early termination fee. We found that Chase doesn’t have any contractual obligations and does not charge ongoing fees if you’re not processing transactions. Its payment solutions are pay-as-you-use, which is beneficial if you go on holiday or your business is closed.
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If one or more of the criteria do describe your business, it’s best to contact Chase directly to inquire about potential termination fees.
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PCI Compliance Fee
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Chase Payment Solutions does not require business owners to pay a PCI compliance fee. This is a great benefit, as some processors charge companies an annual fee.
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Equipment Costs
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Chase Payment Solutions lets business owners choose between the Chase Smart Terminal and Chase QuickAccept. The countertop terminal costs $299, while the wireless mobile terminal costs $399. The credit card processor also allows business owners to rent equipment rather than purchase it. While renting could save you money in the short term, in the long run it’s usually more expensive than buying outright. Chase does have free equipment options as well, but those require a long-term contract. On the plus side, Chase also offers a number of convenient mobile solutions and virtual terminals.
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Chase Payment Solutions Setup
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Chase supplies you with a merchant account and offers both in-store and mobile processing. If you want to accept payments both in person and online, you’ll need a payment gateway account with Authorize.net. Many other credit card processing companies also require this.
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We like that Chase doesn’t restrict access to its broader suite of products in-store or on the go. If you want to sign up for a payment or merchant account, for instance, other providers offer only a direct merchant relationship. With Chase, you won’t need to go to a separate provider if you want additional support. Instead, you can opt for a direct one-on-one relationship or integrate it with your broader banking relationship. You can sign up for the payment suite through your bank account in-person or digitally and manage your deposit and merchant/payment accounts all together.
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Chase Payment Solutions requires an application for credit card processing. Once approved, you will need a few days to set up your account and schedule the required hardware and software training. As soon as you begin processing transactions through Chase, you can receive same-day payments for transactions that clear by 5 p.m. PST.
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Chase Customer Service
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Chase provides support through a 24/7 help desk. We like that it also offers a Merchant Support Center on its website that answers a number of frequently asked questions and provides extensive resources for new customers.
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While 24/7 customer support is offered, it’s worth noting that, because Chase is such a large company, it may not provide the same level of hands-on support as some of the other top credit card processors. The company also does not give many details related to pricing, which means you must speak with a representative for more information.
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Chase Payment Solutions Drawbacks
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Although Chase does not charge a monthly fee, its hardware falls on the more expensive end of the spectrum compared with the hardware offered by other credit card processors that we reviewed. (The Square mobile terminal is $299, for example, versus $399 for the Chase terminal.) Chase requires a long-term contract if you’d like free equipment.
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Chase Payment Solutions is not as transparent about POS pricing as its competitors. While the company is willing to negotiate rates, it doesn’t spell out those rates on its site. Chase’s POS offerings are limited to software; the company currently does not offer POS hardware. You will also need a Chase business checking account if you want same-day funding via QuickAccept.
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Methodology
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To conduct our review of Chase’s credit card processing service, we arranged a live demo with the Chase team, which gave us a walk-through of the product and conducted a thorough question-and-answer session. In addition, we looked at Chase’s website, marketing materials and customer reviews. To make our decision, we zeroed in on criteria such as affordability, ease of use and features relevant to small businesses. In the end, we chose Chase’s credit card processing service as the best for e-commerce business owners because of easy access to payments and e-commerce integration.
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Overall Value
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We recommend Chase Payment Solutions for …
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E-commerce businesses that want their processor to integrate with Shopify, WooCommerce or another e-commerce platform.
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Business owners who want fast processing, quick payouts and no monthly fees.
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We don’t recommend Chase Payments Solutions for …
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Businesses that accept multiple currencies or have more than $5 million in annual debit and credit card sales.
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Business owners who want a fully functional POS system (both software and hardware) bundled with their credit card processor.
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Elsier Otachi also contributed to this article.
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Merchant One and Square are popular payment processors that offer their services on a subscription basis.
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Merchant One is a great choice for budget-conscious small businesses or organizations that prioritize white-glove customer service.
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Square works well for professionals, freelancers, e-commerce businesses and small startups.
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This comparison is for business owners deciding between Merchant One and Square for their payment processing needs.
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As an increasing number of consumers embrace cashless transactions in the form of card, mobile and digital payments, more small businesses than ever are accepting credit cards, mobile wallets and additional payment methods.
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Merchant One and Square are among the best credit card processors that cater to small businesses. One or the other may be an ideal payment processing solution for your company. We looked at our detailed Merchant One review and review of Square and gathered information about each platform’s costs, integrations, e-commerce features and more. Our goal is to help businesses make an informed decision when choosing between these industry leaders.
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Merchant One vs. Square Compared
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Criteria
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Merchant One
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Square
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Costs
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$6.95 monthly charge plus $99 annually
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.29% to 1.99% per transaction
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Monthly subscriptions range from free to $79
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2.6% to 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction
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Third-party integrations
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Over 300, including QuickBooks, Salesforce, Zoho and HubSpot
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Over 350, including QuickBooks, Wix and DoorDash
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Hardware
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Pax S80
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Pax S500
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FD130
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Verifone VX-520
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Clover devices
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Square mobile reader
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Square Terminal
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Square POS Register
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E-commerce
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175 online shopping carts
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Hosted checkout page
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Virtual terminal
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API
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Online store
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Payment links
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Checkout page
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Order fulfillment
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Pickup and delivery
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Subscriptions
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Customer service
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24/7 phone support, email and text support, online resources and a dedicated account manager
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24/7 support by phone, chat and email
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Who Do We Recommend Merchant One For?
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Merchant One is an ideal choice for businesses with high-volume sales. It’s also a great option for companies on a budget that prioritize excellent customer service. Merchant One’s subscription-based pricing model enables a reduced markup on its payment processing services. In other words, Merchant One charges you a smaller percentage of your sales, ultimately leading to more substantial profit margins.
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Additionally, Merchant One’s white-glove customer service sets it apart from many other payment processors we reviewed. We like that the company provides 24/7 technical support and assigns a personal account manager to assist you. Merchant One accommodates all transaction types, whether your business conducts e-commerce or in-person sales via contactless payments, mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay, or EMV chips. You can also take advantage of a hosted checkout page so you can start selling online.
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Here are some pertinent Merchant One facts you should note:
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Merchant One’s cost structure includes a $6.95 monthly fee and a $99 yearly fee. Processing rates vary between 0.29% and 1.99% per transaction.
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Merchant One’s approval process is fast and easy, which is helpful if you’re just starting a business.
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Merchant One requires a three-year contract commitment. In return, you get free equipment and enjoy its highly rated customer service.
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Who Do We Recommend Square For?
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Square is an ideal payment processing solution for startups, newer small businesses and e-commerce businesses. Its vast ecosystem of user-friendly hardware and software sets the vendor apart from competitors. For example, Square is considered one of the best POS systems for small companies. Square also integrates seamlessly with top e-commerce sites and over 350 third-party business apps.
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We like that Square is willing to provide credit card processing for high-risk businesses, which isn’t the case with every credit card processor. We also appreciate its application process, which is straightforward with no hidden fees. The free mobile app can turn your smartphone into a mobile POS system, and Square provides free card readers for new customers.
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Square stands out from competitors for the following reasons:
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Square’s free tier is impressively functional and provides excellent value for small businesses.
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Square’s POS hardware is durable and attractive, which makes it a great option for restaurants and in-person retailers.
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Square supports recurring billing and subscription payments.
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Merchant One vs. Square Comparison
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Cost
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Merchant One
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Merchant One charges a monthly subscription fee plus a small percentage of the transaction. Here’s a breakdown:
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Subscription costs: $6.95 per month with an additional $99 annual fee
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In-person purchases: 0.29% to 1.55% for swiped, tapped or dipped card payments
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Keyed-in purchases: 0.29% to 1.99% for POS terminal or virtual terminal payments
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To become a Merchant One subscriber, you must commit to a three-year contract. You may incur an early cancellation fee (a flat fee or a monthly fee) if you decide the service isn’t for you.
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Square
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Like Merchant One, Square charges on a subscription basis. It also uses interchange-plus pricing, where the company takes a small cut of your revenue plus a small fixed fee. We were impressed by Square’s robust free tier — a rarity in the industry (though you’ll still have to pay for credit card processing).
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Here’s a breakdown of Square’s costs. Note that plan prices reflect a discount for annual billing.
Integrations are important for businesses that want to connect crucial business software. Merchant One facilitates 300-plus third-party software integrations. Additionally, Merchant One offers an open API to help organizations develop customized integrations.
Merchant One is an authorized POS device reseller; it does not manufacture proprietary hardware. When you work with Merchant One, the company will provide credit card processing machines for free. You may get one of these handheld POS devices:
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Verifone VX-520
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Pax S80
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FD130
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Clover devices (Clover Station, Clover Mini and Clover Flex)
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Merchant One offers the Pax S80 handheld terminal for free. Source: Merchant One
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Square
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Unlike Merchant One, Square manufactures its hardware in-house. These devices are easy to use and budget-friendly, making them an excellent choice for merchants that must upgrade their credit card terminals.
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Top hardware options include the following:
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Square Reader for magstripe: This simple device plugs into a smartphone. You can use it to swipe credit cards. Square provides a free reader for all new customers.
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Square Reader: You can pair this device with a smartphone or tablet to accept NFC contactless payments and chip cards.
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Square Terminal: This handheld device can accept payment and print receipts.
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Square Register: Square’s most advanced hardware offering features a customer-facing screen, built-in software and more.
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These devices range in cost from $49 for the Square Reader to $699 for the Square Register; in some cases, monthly payment plans are available. Square also offers various hardware add-ons, such as tablet stands, cash drawers and receipt printers.
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Square’s hardware lineup is sleek, affordable and user-friendly. Source: Square
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E-Commerce
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Merchant One
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Merchant One’s valuable e-commerce features are notably more extensive than other processors’ offerings. These tools include the following:
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Integrations with over 175 shopping cart platforms
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Personalized hosted checkout pages with “buy now” buttons
Merchant One’s virtual terminal lets merchants enter credit card information manually. Source: Merchant One
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Square
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We like that Square offers various e-commerce solutions for small businesses, even on its free plan. With Square, you can keep in-person and online transactions on a central dashboard.
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Some of the company’s best features include the following:
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Website: Square’s free tier includes a website builder. Paid plans include plug-and-play templates and customization tools. We like that Square makes it easy to set up an online store without technical skills.
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Online ordering: Square offers several tools for businesses to sell products, take orders and set up appointments. These include logistics tools for order fulfillment, various payment options and tools for exchanges and returns. For restaurants, Square’s pickup and delivery system makes it easy for customers to place online orders.
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Social media integration: Square integrates with Google, Facebook and Instagram, making it easy for customers to find your business and place orders.
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Virtual terminal: With Square’s virtual terminal, you can manually enter credit card data.
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Checkout: The Square Checkout feature allows you to redirect customers to a Square-hosted payment page.
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Square’s software lets you view in-person and e-commerce transactions on one dashboard. Source: Square
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Customer Service
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Merchant One
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We were impressed by Merchant One’s high-level customer service. You’ll have access to 24/7 phone, email and text support, as well as a dedicated account manager.
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Merchant One scored a noteworthy score of 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot for customer support, which puts it far ahead of its small business credit card processing peers.
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Square
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In an era where automated support systems are increasingly the norm, it’s noteworthy that business owners using Square can connect with a human for assistance. You can access phone support from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday. The vendor also offers online resources like an FAQ page and a community forum.
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Square scored 4.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot for its customer support, which is higher than many competitors in the credit card processing space.
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Merchant One vs. Square Recap
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Choose Merchant One if:
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You’re seeking a payment processor with a budget-friendly monthly fee.
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You want the lowest payment processing rates possible.
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You prioritize excellent, personalized customer service.
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Choose Square if:
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You want an integrated system of hardware and software.
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You need budget-friendly POS devices that are easy to use.
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You’re looking for a plug-and-play e-commerce solution.
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\n\n\n\n \n"}},{"_index":"wp-index-bnd-prod-content","_type":"content","_id":"10800","_score":2,"_source":{"canonical":"https://vaylees.com/16082-merchant-one.html","displayModified":"2023-10-19T18:58:50Z","docType":"review","editorsPick":null,"href":"16082-merchant-one.html","id":"10800","ID":10800,"isSponsored":false,"published":"2021-04-08T14:15:00Z","site":"bnd","stream":null,"subtitle":null,"title":"Merchant One Review","author":{"displayName":"Mike Berner","email":"mberner@centerfield.com","thumbnail":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/06/24112856/miker-berner.png","type":"Senior Analyst"},"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Find A Solution","slug":"find-a-solution"},"sub":{"name":"Financial Solutions","slug":"financial-solutions"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Merchant One offers processing solutions for small businesses that accept card payments in-store, online, on the go, or by mail and phone order. It approves a high percentage of applicants, can set up your account quickly and provides 24/7 customer support. It also offers check processing, gift cards, loyalty programs and merchant cash advances."},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/08/01033528/merchantone1_logo.png","caption":"","alt":"Merchant One company logo"},"content":"\n \n\n\n\n
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Merchant One is the best credit card processor with easy and fast approval due to its 98% approval rate.
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Merchant One offers a strong slate of features that enable businesses to make better decisions regarding cash flow.
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Merchant One has 24/7 customer support for business owners interested in one-on-one assistance.
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This review is for small business owners who want to learn about Merchant One’s credit card processing service and why it’s our best pick for easy approval.
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Although new businesses need to build good credit, sometimes that isn’t possible right off the bat. We recommend Merchant One for its fast and easy approval process, full slate of features and seamless integration with a wide range of third-party software. This means you can pull data on debit and credit card transactions automatically into your other business software to track sales, customers’ preferred payment methods and your hottest-selling items more effectively.
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Why We Chose Merchant One as the Best for Easy Approval
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Merchant One offers top-notch credit card processing services to businesses of all sizes, but it is known for providing merchant services that cater to the specific credit card processing needs of small businesses. We particularly appreciate how easy the company makes it for merchants to be approved.
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Merchant One also offers various hardware, from point-of-sale (POS) systems to debit and credit card readers. The company also has an iPhone app that we love for wireless processing. It accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. Its software also uses digital technologies to confirm IDs and process documents.
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Merchant One offers multiple credit card readers. Source: Merchant One
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Usability
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We found the user interface on Merchant One’s virtual terminal clean and easy to navigate. Of particular note is the ability to sort and search past transactions easily by location or customer name. If, for example, a customer wishes to view data on past payments, you can recall the information easily. For less tech-savvy customers inputting their payment information, you can follow the transaction in real time to ensure successful payment.
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Merchant One doesn’t offer its own proprietary hardware, but its processing software is compatible with several third-party payment terminals. Although additional equipment is required, you have some flexibility in the hardware you use.
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You can accept credit and debit card payments from your Merchant One web dashboard while end-to-end encryption ensures secure and PCI-compliant transactions. Through the dashboard, you can also send invoices and receipts as well as store customers’ card information to speed up checkout in the future.
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Merchant One Features
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Merchant accounts
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Merchant One offers a merchant account, which is necessary to process card transactions, through Fiserv.
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Credit card terminals
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New customers can get a free terminal (see details below) from one of several hardware vendors.
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POS system
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Merchant One is a Fiserv dealer, meaning that it sells and services Clover products. This saves you the hassle of dealing with a third party.
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Payment gateway
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The payment gateway comes with fraud detection, e-commerce integration and other features for secure processing.
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Mobile payments
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Merchant One resells several mobile readers, including Clover Go, which allow you to receive payments on the go.
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Invoicing and billing
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The invoicing and billing features allow businesses with recurring revenue models to collect payments from customers easily.
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Categorization
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Businesses with multiple storefronts can categorize transactions by location, displaying useful data on what is happening and where.
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Merchant One’s comprehensive features help it stand out from other credit card processors. Many of its features overlap with Clover, although the latter is more of a hardware and POS system. Merchant One also offers a variety of processing hardware and services for small businesses. Here’s an overview of the solutions and features it offers.
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Merchant Accounts
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Merchant One uses Fiserv as its main back-end processor. A merchant account is required to process debit and credit card transactions. The company offers various Fiserv products and services, including Clover terminals and POS systems.
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Credit Card Terminals
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Merchant One offers four standard credit card terminals, a good variety of choice compared to some of the other credit card processors we reviewed. You can choose between the Pax S80, Pax S500, Verifone VX520 and Fiserv FD130. We like that all models support near-field communication payments, which include contactless transactions made using mobile wallet methods like Google Pay and Apple Pay. Merchant One terminals also support EMV technology — chip payments made with a debit card.
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Like other payment processing services, Merchant One provides reliable and secure credit card terminal placement software. The company offers one free terminal when you set up a new account. This is a significant benefit to choosing this provider, but it does come at an eventual cost. Essentially, the terminal is on loan from Merchant One, so you will have to give it back if you decide to close your account.
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POS System
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Since Merchant One is a Fiserv reseller, it offers the entire Clover lineup of its highly rated POS systems. You can get a Clover Station and a Clover Mini. However, these POS systems are not accessible through Merchant One’s primary terminal placement software as you must purchase them upfront.
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Business owners who are unfamiliar with how Clover works can take advantage of the free training Merchant One offers all customers. In case you need additional help with a technical issue, Merchant One is capable of servicing all Clover products. Check out our Clover review for more information.
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Payment Gateway
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Merchant One advertises the quality of its payment gateway, which is a mechanism that securely delivers transaction data to a payment processor. (Check out our explanation of how a payment gateway works.)
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Merchant One offers a virtual terminal for dedicated manual transactions as well as built-in fraud detection and data security features. You will receive a proprietary gateway and a third-party, white-label gateway.
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The best thing about the Merchant One payment gateway is that it offers all the basic features businesses need, such as the following:
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Recurring billing support
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Automated clearing house (ACH) payment support
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Customer database
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Customizable application programming interface
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QuickBooks integration
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Invoice generator
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Merchant One offers different equipment and setups for payments, but one of the main ones we found beneficial is the online portal. Here, you can run one-time card payments, ACH payments or recurring payments and store your customers’ information securely to rerun the cards.
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The payment gateway can also integrate with up to 175 shopping carts online. Merchant One further offers advanced authentication and fraud prevention tools for e-commerce businesses, along with extras like a “buy now” button.
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Mobile Payments
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Merchant One offers portable processing for businesses that want to accept credit card payments on mobile devices. For this feature, Merchant One has several different card reader options, including the Clover Go. Other available credit card readers include the Swift B250, SwipeSimple, BBPOS Chipper and MagTek aDynamo. Merchant One does not disclose pricing on these models as it evaluates each business’ needs and then prices them accordingly.
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For business owners who offer services online only, Merchant One has made the process of accepting payments simple. As customers make website purchases, transaction details transfer to the Merchant One dashboard in real time. This gives you the ability to walk customers through transactions if they have questions.
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Invoicing and Billing
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Business owners who offer subscriptions or payment plans can use the Merchant One dashboard to create invoices or schedule automatic billing. Invoices can also be customized to include a payment link or a quick response (QR) code, allowing customers to make payments from a mobile device. Merchant One further provides the ability to use QR codes on flyers. We appreciate that the company’s offerings are keeping up with new technology and popular services like QR codes.
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Categorization
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For business owners who operate one or more physical stores, Merchant One offers the option to categorize transactions by location easily. In the event you’d prefer cashiers to have limitations on which transactions they can process, the Merchant One dashboard allows you to update permissions with the check of a box. Another great benefit, although it’s not necessarily recommended, is that each sale requires just basic information: credit card number, expiration date and transaction amount. While this guarantees a quick transaction, Merchant One recommends capturing additional information to verify customers’ identities.
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Merchant One Costs
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Rates
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Merchant One customizes pricing based on each company’s needs, but these are the estimated rates you should expect to pay for Merchant One’s processing services:
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Debit card transactions:29%
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Keyed-in transactions: 29% to 1.99%
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Swiped transactions: 29% to 1.55%
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As shown by the varying rates, Merchant One uses a tiered pricing system. For example, a low-volume or high-risk business may end up paying a larger transaction fee as a percentage of its sales than a high-volume or low-risk business. Be sure to obtain an estimate when you speak to a Merchant One sales representative.
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Monthly Fees
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One benefit of Merchant One is its low monthly fees. Merchant One charges $6.95 per month for its base plan. This is much lower than most providers, although several alternative payment processors do not charge any monthly fees.
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Early Termination Fee
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All Merchant One accounts include a minimum three-year agreement. If you choose to cancel your contract early, you’ll have to pay an early termination fee of $295 for each year remaining on your contract. While Merchant One has waived early termination fees for businesses in the past, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions of your contract before signing an agreement. [Related article: What to Look for in Your Credit Card Processing Service Agreement]
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PCI Compliance Fee
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Merchant One stopped requiring business owners to pay a PCI compliance fee in 2015. Business owners who were Merchant One customers before 2015, however, may still be required to pay the $129 fee annually.
Setting up your Merchant One account requires you to get in touch with a sales agent for a customized quote. Contact information for Merchant One is available on its website.
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One particularly positive feature of Merchant One is its leniency when it comes to signing on new customers. The company approves 98% of new applicants and is willing to work with customers who have a less-than-ideal credit score. Its processing solutions are designed to work for different kinds of businesses and this provider is known for its quick turnaround — it often has new customers up and running in just 24 hours.
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Merchant One Customer Service
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With Merchant One, you’ll receive dedicated 24/7 customer support from specialized agents. While some payment processors offer support via live chat or forums, Merchant One has dedicated account managers and relays merchants who use its hardware directly in the standard support queue to get the help they need.
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The company offers personalized recommendations to help you find the best plan for your business. It will then provide continual support to ensure you are satisfied with its services. However, Merchant One doesn’t offer customer support options, such as live chat or a knowledge base, which have become standard features for many competitors.
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Merchant One has maintained an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau since 2010 as well as high scores on user review platforms, such as Google and Trustpilot. Many customer complaints revolve around hidden fees, contracts and slow deposit times.
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Like some other credit card processing companies, Merchant One uses third-party sales agents. Carefully review the terms and conditions of your contract before signing.
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Merchant One Drawbacks
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You should expect most of Merchant One’s products and services to be pricey, potentially shutting out budget-conscious businesses. Merchant One also requires a three-year contract with an early termination fee. In addition to the expense, a long-term contract is less convenient than a month-to-month arrangement that you can cancel anytime.
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Like many other processors, Merchant One offers “next-day” deposits, where customer payments clear and are deposited into your account within one day. In reality, customer complaints in user reviews indicate that funds often arrive two or three days later than advertised. Moreover, Merchant One assesses a fee for next-day deposits. Merchant One earns a lower score for deposit time based on the superior track records of other payment processors.
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Another potential downside, depending on which accounting system your business uses, is that Merchant One integrates most easily with QuickBooks. If your business uses a different software package, you’ll have to contact customer support for a custom plugin. (If you haven’t chosen your accounting software yet, learn more about this option in our QuickBooks Online review.)
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Methodology
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To conduct our review of Merchant One’s credit card processing service, we arranged a live demo with the Merchant One team, which gave us a walkthrough of the product and conducted a thorough Q&A session. We also analyzed Merchant One’s website, marketing materials and customer reviews. To make our decision, we zeroed in on criteria, such as affordability, ease of use and features relevant to small businesses. In the end, we chose Merchant One’s credit card processing service as the best for fast and easy approval because of its high approval rate and fast onboarding of new customers.
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Overall Value
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We recommend Clover credit card processing for …
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Businesses that require fast approval and onboarding.
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Business owners who have less-than-stellar credit.
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Businesses that often need to pull up data on customer transactions.
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We don’t recommend Clover credit card processing for …
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Low-volume or high-risk businesses that may incur larger processing fees as a percentage of their sales.
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Business owners who don’t want to be locked into a multiyear contract are subject to an early termination fee.
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Elsier Otachi and Jamie Johnson also contributed to this article.
\n"}},{"_index":"wp-index-bnd-prod-content","_type":"content","_id":"11189","_score":2,"_source":{"canonical":"https://vaylees.com/16593-stax-by-fattmerchant.html","displayModified":"2023-11-01T15:18:23Z","docType":"review","editorsPick":null,"href":"16593-stax-by-fattmerchant.html","id":"11189","ID":11189,"isSponsored":false,"published":"2022-06-17T13:41:00Z","site":"bnd","stream":null,"subtitle":null,"title":"Stax Review","author":{"displayName":"Mike Berner","email":"mberner@centerfield.com","thumbnail":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/06/24112856/miker-berner.png","type":"Senior Analyst"},"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Find A Solution","slug":"find-a-solution"},"sub":{"name":"Financial Solutions","slug":"financial-solutions"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Stax is a merchant services company with membership-based wholesale pricing that can help your small business accept credit and debit cards."},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/06/16094130/stax_logo.png","caption":"","alt":"Stax logo"},"content":"\n \n\n\n\n
Stax offers a dedicated account manager for high-volume businesses.
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The company offers in-house IT support, which makes life easier for business owners when technical issues arise, as they often do when businesses are scaling.
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This review is for business owners who want to learn about Stax’s credit card processing service and why it’s our best pick for high-revenue businesses.
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For most small businesses, growth is a top goal. If your business is expanding rapidly with high revenues, you’ll need a credit card processor that can grow with you. We selected Stax (formerly Fattmerchant) as the best credit card processor for high-revenue businesses with a lot of transactions. Stax keeps customer service and tech support in-house, so you won’t experience the inconvenience of dealing with outsourced, third-party representatives. Stax also offers a dedicated account manager to businesses that earn over $500,000 annually, as well as numerous integration options.
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Why Stax Is Best for High-Revenue Businesses
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With its interchange-plus pricing model, Stax is our top credit card processor for businesses that generate an annual revenue of $500,000 or more. We tested Stax’s variety of point-of-sale (POS) system choices, as well as numerous free integrations. The company also offers add-ons, like the ability to store card information, sales tracking, and brand customization for invoices, receipts and websites. Stax also provides funding for merchants, particularly those with inherently higher risk businesses. Through partnerships with lenders like Bank of America, Chase Bank and Wells Fargo, merchants can leverage Stax’s technology layer to get direct access to these banks and more funds.
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Usability
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Stax offers a centralized dashboard that provides an overview of the metrics that are most important to your business. Source: Stax
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We found Stax’s user interface to be straightforward, feature-rich and fairly intuitive. The software goes well beyond the technology offered by most payment processors, and Stax boasts better functionality than many POS packages that provide similar capabilities.
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A panel on the left side lists Stax’s main features, including report generation, payments, invoices and disputes. The main dashboard displays information such as settlements and deposits, sales and refunds, and a reconciliation report to help you reconcile your bank account deposits. We particularly liked that you can filter your transaction reports by day, week, month or year, or select from a preset time period to review your transactions. Plus, you can see who processed a transaction, the volume of sales they made, the number of overdue invoices and more.
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Stax’s advanced customization allows users to edit their display settings for things such as color coding.
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One popular feature is the recurring payments system, which allows business owners to securely store payment information and schedule payments to the exact day. If customers change payment methods, you can simply edit their information rather than set up a new payment profile. Its same-day deposits set the company aside from competitors, such as Merchant One and ProMerchant, both of which offer deposits within two days.
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We found the Stax Pay mobile app to be similarly well developed, with a sleek, easy-to-use interface, although some customer reviews complain about technical issues with the mobile card reader.
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All of Stax’s systems are PCI-compliant with no liability for the business owner, which takes care of a technical challenge that frustrates many small businesses.
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Stax Features
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Credit card terminals
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Stax offers a range of card readers and payment gateway integrations.
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Security
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All systems are fully PCI-compliant; Stax ensures encryption on all devices.
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POS integration
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Stax integrates with various POS systems, including ShopKeep, Revel and Vend.
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Customer support
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There is 24/7 customer support by phone, email or live chat, as well as an FAQ knowledge base on Stax’s website.
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Mobile payments
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The Stax Pay mobile app allows you to process transactions, review sales metrics and more.
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Customization and integration
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You can customize the branding on invoices, receipts and payments, as well as integrate with popular business software packages, such as QuickBooks.
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Invoicing
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You can send invoices and accept partial or recurring payments from subscriptions. Branding options are available so you can add your logo on invoices before sending them to your customers and send payment reminders for overdue invoices.
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Credit Card Terminals
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We liked that Stax offers a number of card readers for purchase, as well as a variety of payment gateway integrations. Card readers and protection plans range from $9 to $29 per month for each device. Protection plans cover device upgrades and replacements. Stax covers free gateway integration, whereas gateway providers themselves often charge a fee. This is a great benefit of working with Stax, especially if you’ve already set up a POS system for your business.
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Security
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As a Level 1 PCI Service Provider, Stax offers the highest level of PCI compliance. The company tokenizes and encrypts payment data on all devices to protect cardholder data. The information is removed after the completion of the transaction. This secure payment process helps prevent third parties from accessing data or intercepting transaction information.
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We also liked that Stax is also HIPAA compliant, making it ideal for merchants, particularly those in the healthcare industry, to accept payments securely.
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POS Integration
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We tested Stax’s integrations with some of the best POS systems, including ShopKeep, Revel and Vend. These integrations are free of charge with Stax, but the POS system may charge its own fees for integration. According to Stax, the company supports approximately 90% of third-party POS systems. Customers are encouraged to reach out directly to Stax to inquire about integration with specific POS systems.
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Customer Support
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We like that Stax offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email or live chat, and the company covers a broad range of frequently asked questions on its website.
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Mobile Payments
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The Stax Pay mobile app allows small businesses to process transactions, review sales metrics, manage inventory and send receipts. App users can connect a mobile swiper to their tablet or phone via Bluetooth to accept payments. We like that Stax Pay is compatible with iOS and Android devices. Another useful feature is the text-to-pay option, which allows businesses to text customers a mobile-friendly link. Few credit card processors provide this feature.
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Customization and Integration
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Stax offers small businesses the option to customize invoices, receipts and payments to match their individual brand, as well as set permissions for other employees. Customers can also seamlessly integrate software such as QuickBooks, Wave, Xero, Mailchimp, HubSpot and Zoho.
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We also like that Stax is platform agnostic, particularly with POS systems. If you prefer a particular POS system, Stax can resell it to you, as it can connect to POS systems like Clover, Lightspeed and others, but not Square and Toast, which don’t connect to other POS providers.
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Stax offers top-notch customization options for every business type. Source: Stax
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Invoicing
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One advantage Stax has over bare-bones credit card processors is that you can send invoices by email or text, making it easier for customers to pay you. And you can accept recurring payments. This feature is useful for subscription-based businesses. We found that by using Stax’s invoice reminders or partial payments and automating recurring payments, you can increase your business’s cash flow and reduce subscriber churn. We especially liked that Stax also offers payment links, which you can embed on customer invoices so they can pay easily and quickly.
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Stax Pricing
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Stax is popular for its interchange-plus pricing model. If your business brings in a consistently large number of sales, Stax’s pricing model may come with major savings. Unlike Square credit card processing and other processors, which price per user or offer SaaS licenses, Stax allows you to have as many team members as you want within the parent platform and save money.
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The following pricing tiers are available from Stax:
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Growth: At $99 per month, this plan includes a free terminal or mobile reader, ACH processing, free surcharging capabilities, a dashboard and analytics (Lite version), and quick payments and backup processing.
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Pro: At $159 per month, this plan includes all of the features in the Growth plan, plus digital invoicing, text-to-pay, website payment links, secure credit card information storage, open API integration capabilities, enhanced dashboards and reporting, and accounting reconciliation sync with QuickBooks Online. [Learn more about this software in our QuickBooks Online review.]
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Ultimate: At $199 per month, this plan includes all of the features in the Pro plan, plus recurring invoices and scheduled payments, automatic updates for saved credit cards, one-click shopping cart setup with catalog management, advanced dashboards and reporting, data exports, and access to premier support.
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Enterprise: The pricing for this plan varies because it is customized to each business’s needs. This option is best for businesses that bring in over $1 million per year.
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Early-Termination Fee
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Stax does not require a contract or charge an early-termination fee. However, it does require a 30-day written notice prior to service cancellation.
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Monthly Fees
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Rather than imposing fluctuating fees, Stax charges a flat monthly subscription fee. With a starting rate of $99, the fee is hefty compared with those of other credit card processors on our list. That said, businesses with a large sales volume can actually save with Stax as their credit card processor because that fixed fee is spread out over many transactions. Additionally, Stax charges fixed interchange rates.
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PCI Compliance Fee
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Stax includes the PCI compliance fee in its subscription price rather than making it an additional fee. This built-in cost is another way Stax beats the competition when it comes to serving large-volume businesses.
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In addition to subscription plans, Stax offers add-on features for every plan. These optional features include custom branding, digital gift cards, same-day funding and a one-click shopping cart.
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Equipment Costs
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Stax does not require you to buy or lease equipment, and you can use the terminal of your choice. Your hardware requirements depend on the types of payments you wish to accept (in-store, mobile, e-commerce, etc.).
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These are some of the hardware options:
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Dejavoo terminals
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PAX A920 terminals
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Mobile card readers
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Chipper BT
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Chipper 2X BT
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Other mobile readers are available for $75. If you already have equipment, it will likely integrate with Stax. The company says it offers integration with 99% of hardware and software.
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Stax Pay, the company’s free integrated payments platform, features a dashboard to view customer data, review inventory, manage invoices, process transactions and handle reporting.
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Add-ons are also available (with custom pricing), including these extras:
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Advanced dashboard customizations
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Dispute manager for chargeback monitoring
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QuickBooks Online integration that syncs data between Omni and QuickBooks Online
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Terminal protection
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While interchange fees don’t fluctuate with Stax, you can expect to pay additional transaction fees. Each in-person transaction is an additional $.08, while manually entered transactions are an extra $.15 each.
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Setup
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To apply for Stax’s services, you must get in touch with a sales representative by calling or submitting an online form. A questionnaire will help you determine which package is right for your business, using several criteria, including your business’s industry, your personal background and your hardware needs. After that, you will receive a quote for the pricing tier that matches your needs. (Businesses that process more than $500,000 annually can contact the company for a custom quote.)
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Once your application is approved, a Stax representative will introduce you to a dedicated account manager, who will begin the onboarding process specific to your business’s needs and walk you through any payment methods you require.
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Customer Service
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Stax offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, fax or live chat. The company also covers a broad range of frequently asked questions on its online knowledge base. We also found that customers gain access to a dedicated account manager and in-house technical support.
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The range of Stax’s customer service options decisively beats out many alternatives on our list of the best credit card processors. Moreover, we found Stax’s customer service representatives to be responsive and knowledgeable about the service’s features.
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Drawbacks
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Although Stax stands apart as one of the most feature-rich offerings, you must be willing to pay up for that functionality. The minimum $99 monthly subscription fee may put the service out of reach for many small businesses on a budget, and customers must purchase their own payment hardware. On user review sites such as Trustpilot, some customers complained about add-on fees and price increases. Although Stax offers 24/7 customer service by phone, it may sometimes be understaffed; some reviewers wrote of long hold times and wait periods between messages.
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Methodology
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To conduct our review of Stax’s credit card processing service, we arranged a live demo with the Stax team, which gave us a walk-through of the product and conducted a thorough question-and-answer session. In addition, we analyzed Stax’s website, marketing materials and customer reviews on the web. To make our decision, we zeroed in on criteria such as affordability, ease of use and features that are relevant to small businesses. In the end, we chose Stax’s credit card processing services as the best for high-revenue businesses because of its tiered, flat-rate pricing model, which allows high-volume businesses to scale without switching providers.
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Overall Value
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We recommend Stax for …
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Fast-growing businesses that process a high volume of transactions.
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Subscription-based businesses.
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Businesses that want data visualization and other features that credit card processors don’t normally offer.
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Business owners who want access to a wide variety of customer service and technical support options.
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We don’t recommend Stax for …
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Businesses that process less than $5,000 per month.
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Businesses on a tight budget.
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Businesses that want an integrated POS and credit card processing system or proprietary hardware from the same company that does the processing.
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Elsier Otachi also contributed to this article.
\n"}},{"_index":"wp-index-bnd-prod-content","_type":"content","_id":"2186","_score":2,"_source":{"canonical":"https://vaylees.com/10953-best-it-certifications.html","displayModified":"2024-01-03T16:41:43Z","docType":"article","editorsPick":false,"href":"10953-best-it-certifications.html","id":"2186","ID":2186,"isSponsored":false,"published":"2019-04-29T12:27:00Z","site":"bnd","stream":"No matter where you are in your IT career, these certifications can help you get ahead.","subtitle":"No matter where you are in your IT career, these certifications can help you get ahead.","title":"Best IT Certifications for 2024","author":{"displayName":"Mike Berner","email":"mberner@centerfield.com","thumbnail":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/06/24112856/miker-berner.png","type":"Senior Analyst"},"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Build Your Career","slug":"build-your-career"},"sub":{"name":"Get Ahead","slug":"get-ahead"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Learn the best IT certifications to validate your skills and knowledge."},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/04/04075905/1554238329.png","caption":"Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff","alt":""},"content":"
Earning specialized certifications is a surefire way to advance your career in the IT field, regardless of industry or current career level. The right certification validates your skills and knowledge, which makes you more desirable to future employers who want to attract and retain the best employees. Below, we’ll explore the top IT certifications and share how to examine your goals to choose the right path forward.
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Best IT certifications
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We’ve narrowed IT certifications into specific categories to help IT professionals assess what’s available and pursue the best certifications to show their willingness to learn and develop the in-demand career skills employers want.
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Best database certifications
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Database platforms have changed greatly over the years, but database technology remains important for various applications and computing tasks. Available certifications for IT professionals include those for database administrators (DBAs), database developers, data analysts and architects, business intelligence, and data warehousing specialists, and other data professionals.
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Obtaining database certifications demonstrates an understanding of database concepts, design, implementation, administration and security. This can boost your credibility in the job market and show potential employers that you have the skills needed to work with databases. The best database certifications include the following:
SAS is one of the world’s leading firms for business analytics, data warehousing and data mining. Today, the SAS Global Certification Program offers 23 credentials across categories including foundation tools, advanced analytics, business intelligence, data management and administration.
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SAS programmers remain in high demand, with a quick search of job boards showing thousands of open positions. Obtaining SAS certification shows employers that you are proficient in the company’s popular suite of tools. Some of SAS’s certification programs include the following:
Cisco Systems is a market leader not only in networking and communications products, but also storage networking and solutions for data centers. Cisco offers a variety of certifications for IT professionals, ranging from entry level credentials to expert-level exams.
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These certifications prepare professionals for Cisco-related careers. A search of job boards reveals thousands of open positions for Cisco experts, underscoring the continued relevance of these skills. Some of Cisco’s certifications include the following:
Dell Technologies remains one of the world’s leading computing companies. In addition to its well-known hardware lineup, Dell also offers solutions for networks, storage, servers, gateways and embedded computing, as well as a broad range of IT and business services.
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Becoming certified in Dell products can help make IT professionals competitive in engineering roles for server, virtualization, networking, systems, integration and data security. Additional roles include consultants, account executives, system administrators, IT managers and deployment managers.
In the mobile era, it has become increasingly important for network engineers to support local, remote and mobile users, as well as provide proper infrastructure. The focus on application and app development now leans more toward mobile environments, requiring security professionals to thoroughly address mobility from all perspectives.
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Due to the fast-changing nature of mobile technology, not many mobility certifications have become widely adopted. However, a few of the top mobility certifications can help IT professionals stand out in this rapidly evolving field.
As remote and computer-based work has become more common, it’s more important than ever that businesses and individuals be able to maintain their hardware. While discussions about potential computer-related jobs often revolve around software work and coding, jumping into the IT field by becoming a computer technician is an excellent starting point.
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Today, thousands of hardware technician jobs are available across the country. Entering this industry becomes more accessible for those who acquire computer hardware certifications. These certifications can showcase your expertise and proficiency in the upkeep of computers, mobile devices, printers and other hardware components.
IT pros with solid cloud computing skills continue to be in high demand as more companies adopt cloud technologies. Today, Google Cloud is one of the market leaders in the cloud computing space.
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Regardless of where you are in your IT career, engaging with certification programs can demonstrate your willingness to keep on top of rapidly evolving cloud technologies. To that end, Google has introduced a host of certifications for its cloud platform, including the following:
In the fast-changing world of technology, it can help to focus on certifications that have stood the test of time. “Evergreen” refers to certifications that remain popular year after year.
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The top evergreen certifications are based on recent pay surveys in IT, reports from IT professionals about certifications they want or pursue the most, and those that appear most frequently in online job postings. Obtaining these credentials is one step toward ensuring that your skills remain relevant for a long time:
IT governance provides structure for aligning a company’s IT with its business strategies. Organizations faced with compliance rigors always need experienced IT pros who can see the big picture and understand technology risks. This means certified IT governance professionals are likely to remain in high demand.
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Earning one of the following certifications proves a commitment to understanding the role of IT governance and its position in a company’s current and future success. Getting certified can validate your expert knowledge and lead to advanced career opportunities.
An IT system administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining the information technology infrastructure within an organization. The position demands sought-after career skills, ranging from configuring and maintaining servers and clients to managing access controls, network services, and addressing application resource requirements.
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If you’re in charge of managing modern servers, there’s a long list of tools and technologies that system administrators must master. Obtaining some of the most prominent system administrator certifications can demonstrate your mastery to potential employers.
ITIL, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library, was developed to establish standardized best practices for IT services within government agencies. Over the ensuing four decades, businesses of all types embraced, modified, and extended ITIL, shaping it into a comprehensive framework for managing IT service delivery.
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The ITIL framework remains the benchmark for best practices in IT service and delivery management, offering certification programs that cater to IT professionals at all levels. These training and certification courses ensure that IT professionals stay well-prepared for the ongoing evolution in IT service delivery management. There are four certifications in the ITIL certification program:
An IT enterprise architect is responsible for designing and managing the overall structure and framework of an organization’s information technology system. Enterprise architect certifications are among the highest that an IT professional can achieve; fewer than 1 percent ultimately reach this level.
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Enterprise architects are among the highest-paid employees and consultants in the tech industry. These certifications can put IT professionals on a path to many lucrative positions. The average worker earns over six figures annually. Some top enterprise architect certifications are listed below:
CompTIA is a nonprofit trade association made up of more than 2,000 member organizations and 3,000 business partners. The organization’s vendor-neutral certification program is one of the best recognized in the IT industry. Since CompTIA developed its A+ credential in 1993, it has issued more than two million certifications.
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CompTIA certifications are grouped by skill set and focus on the real-world skills IT professionals need. Armed with these credentials, you can demonstrate that you know how to manage and support IT infrastructure.
A longtime leader in database software, Oracle also offers cloud solutions, servers, engineered systems, storage, and more. The company has more than 430,000 customers in 175 countries.
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Today, Oracle’s training program offers six certification levels that span 16 product categories with more than 200 individual credentials. Considering the depth and breadth of this program — and the number of Oracle customers — it’s no surprise that Oracle certifications are highly sought after.
Best business continuity and disaster recovery certifications
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Business continuity and disaster recovery keep systems running and data available in the event of interruptions or faults. These programs bring systems back to normal operation after a disaster has occurred.
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Business continuity and disaster recovery certifications are seeing a healthy uptrend as new cloud-based tools grow in popularity. While business continuity planning and disaster recovery planning have always been essential, they’re becoming more critical than ever — and IT certifications are following suit.
These are some of the benefits of IT certifications:
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IT certification validates your knowledge and skills.
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IT certification can expand your career options and make you more attractive to hiring managers.
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IT certifications show your employers that you’re willing to learn and invest in your education.
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IT certifications help a hiring company assess a candidate’s skills and knowledge.
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IT certifications save a hiring company time and resources when evaluating candidates.
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IT certifications support professional development.
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On the other hand, the downsides of IT certifications include the following:
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IT certifications can be pricey with expenses like study materials, training, classes and exam fees.
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IT certifications require an enormous time investment.
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IT certifications may be retired, so you’ll have to get a more relevant one later on.
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Choosing to pursue an IT certification is a personal decision. However, investing in your career and future can be incredibly rewarding to you and the organizations you work with.
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How to choose the best IT certification for you
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With the massive number of IT certifications available across a wide swath of disciplines, choosing the best IT certification for you can be challenging. When deciding, consider the following questions:
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What is your end goal? Decide what you want to accomplish. You may be looking for job security or a higher salary. You may have career aspirations, such as becoming a wireless engineer or an InfoSec specialist. You may want to change your career path, enter a new specialty, or refresh your current skills. Your employer may want you to fill a skills gap or knowledge gap to retain your position. Know what you want to achieve before evaluating your options.
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What are you passionate about? Pursuing IT certifications involves significant time and money, so you should care about what you’re studying to stay invested over the long term. Pursuing certifications in areas of interest is never a bad idea, even if you don’t need those skills immediately.
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What is your current level? If you’re an entry-level IT professional, pursue certifications that teach industry basics. As you advance in your career, pursue specific certs that fulfill career requirements or personal interests.
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What certifications are in demand in your field? If the companies that interest you specify certain certifications in their hiring criteria, it makes sense to pursue those certifications.
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How much time do you have? With limited time, you may opt for a certification program you can complete quickly. If your time is less limited, you can invest in a long-term certification process.
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When you have the answers to these questions, it’s time to do your homework and research the IT certifications that can best enhance your career.
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Rapid IT advancements require new knowledge and skills
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Technology continues to advance rapidly, and employers know that to stay on top they must hire individuals committed to gaining new knowledge and skills. Take the time to review your desired career path and explore the best IT certifications for your goals. Doing so proves to future employers that you’re willing and able to expand your capabilities in the field, and can help lead you to new opportunities and a higher salary.
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Ed Tittel also contributed to this article.
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