VAR Connection Definitions



BIN — Bank Identification Number; similar to IIN
Certification — A Processor’s unique POS application requirements for successfully transmitting a transaction for processing purposes
CLASS A — Merchants who utilize POS applications that are technically supported by the Processing Partners’ help desk
CLASS B — Merchants who utilize POS applications that are technically supported by anyone other than the Processing Partners’ help desk
IIN (pronounced I-I-N) — Issuer Identification Number; similar to BIN
IIN enablement compliance — POS applications that meet the current Discover Network IIN Ranges
IIN enablement testing — IIN Range validation, performed “live” at a Merchant location, or simulated, in an internal test environment
ISO — An Independent Sales Organization who may work with a VAR to repackage its POS application to customize a complete payment solution for a Merchant’s business
Processing Partner — Includes Acquirers, Acquirer Processors and Merchant Processors
VAR — Not just value-added resellers, but any service provider who acquires Merchants and services its POS applications, or is involved in handling, transporting or routing a transaction to an Acquirer/Processor
VAR Community — Includes, but is not limited to:

  • Integrated POS OEMs
  • Gateway operators
  • Payment switches
  • Middleware
  • POS integrators
  • Hardware and terminal providers
  • Software developers
  • POS software/business processor tool developers