The use of payment system product codes eliminates confusion between systems by having a common set of values for reporting accurate and consistent data. These codes define petroleum and merchandise products and services by assigning them a specific three-digit number. PCATS payment product codes are essential to the c-store industry. Federal and state government agencies use the payment product codes to properly report the usage of alternative fuels. They are recognized by both the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and Department of Energy (DOE) and support today's government alternative fuel mandates.
PCATS maintains the only uniform set of standards that provide unambiguous product code transaction data to fleet customers. The code list was initially generated by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Payment Systems Committee part of the NACS Technology Standards Project. Fleet management, cost control as well as the ability to understand buying and spending patterns is improved through the use of standard payment product codes. Other benefits include reducing fraud and enhancing incentives to increase the number of locations selling and reporting alternative fuels.
"We deliver critical payment processing and information management services to our fleet account customers," said Wright Express manager of emerging technologies and PCATS member Russ Lamer. "Our company relies on the accuracy of PCATS payment product codes within a changing environment. It is imperative that the code list is properly maintained and updated to reflect the industry's current situation."
Results from the payment system product codes survey will provide PCATS with valuable information that will advance the entire petroleum convenience store industry. Once the results have been compiled and analyzed, PCATS will issue a report on the findings. Participants completing the survey by the survey deadline will be entered in a random drawing for an Apple iPod nano 16 GB held on December 21. Contact PCATS executive director Scott Wood atswood@pcats.org or call (703) 740-9017.
Separately, PCATS and NACS said they will partner with Coalfire Systems Inc., an information technology (IT) audit and compliance firm, to deliver 1-1/2-day boot camp to streamline payment card industry (PCI) compliance for retailers that are managing multiple stores. The chief information officer (CIO) data security boot camp is part of the data security track, held on January 19-20, during the PCATS 2010 Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Attendees will learn about PCI compliance requirements, including deadlines, merchant levels and reporting, as well as completing a self assessment questionnaire (SAQ). The training will also cover details about cardholder data and where it resides. The PCI compliance report and audit scope will be reviewed, as well as a complete overview of the 12-step process to validate compliance. This session is intended to empower CIOs within the c-store industry by reviewing the processes and practices currently in place to support the flow of information and providing them with the steps necessary to protect customer data and better support their enterprise goals.
Coalfire Systems is a leading IT audit and compliance firm that provides IT audit, security and compliance solutions throughout North America for the financial services, government, healthcare, education, legal, public electric utility and retail industries. Coalfire's solutions are adapted to requirements under emerging data privacy legislation including PCI, GLBA, HIPAA, NERC CIP, SOX and FISMA.
Alexandria, Va.-based PCATS was founded in September 2003 to continue the development and maintenance of standards work initiated under the NACS Technology Standards Project. PCATS' mission is to develop, maintain and assist members in the implementation of a variety of technology standards. With more than 150 members, the group's membership represents more than 22,000 c-stores. Membership is open to any petroleum marketer, c-store owner/operator, other retail channels or any of their suppliers or vendors.
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