4th Quarter 2019 Newsletter

Digital Government News You Can Use

Access Idaho Celebrates 20 Years!


 
In addition to the beginning of a new decade, 2020 marks Access Idaho’s 20th anniversary of supporting Idaho citizens and government—from state agencies to counties to municipalities.
As a result, we have kicked off a year-long 20th Anniversary celebration. And even though we’ve been serving the Gem State for the past two decades, you may not be aware of everything we are, including:
  • Leader in government payments. OK, you may already know that, but the innovative solutions we’ve built in Idaho are leveraged by government entities nationwide.
  • More than payment processing. We cover all aspects digital services, like user-friendly web/application design, technical development, the highest security standards, and real-time payment management.
  • Idahoans serving Idahoans. Our trusted team of 14 full-time employees based in Boise lives, works, plays and pays taxes in Idaho.
  • Customer Service Experts. Speaking to a live person is important, and our in-state customer service team delivers exceptional, friendly personalized support.
We have much to be thankful for, and you’re one of the big reasons. We look forward to bringing you more high-tech solutions with the same down-home spirit we started with so many years ago. Here’s to the 2020s and beyond!
 

Check Out Our New PCI Compliance Video

Access Idaho has created new 3-minute video to help remove confusion about Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance rules.
PCI compliance pertains to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a set of requirements intended to ensure all companies (like Access Idaho) that process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. Launched in September 2006, PCI DSS manages PCI security standards and improves account security throughout the credit/debit card transaction process., The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), an independent body created by Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, administers and manages PCI DSS. Interestingly, the payment brands and acquirers are responsible for enforcing compliance, rather than the PCI SSC.

Moreover, PCI SSC sets guidelines for merchant account holders like Access Idaho to follow so that we are not compromising you or anyone that uses our merchant account with credit card fraud.  Since Access Idaho holds the merchant account that all state entities use to process PayPort payments, these guidelines apply to us and anyone who takes credit card payments over the counter using PayPort (online transactions do not apply). 

Because of this, Access Idaho has made a short video explaining what you and those in your department can do to help keep yourself and us PCI compliant. Please watch the video and make sure you understand what PCI is and that you are complying with all the guidelines mentioned. Don’t hesitate to contact Access Idaho if you have any questions.
 

Customized Reports

 
 
Why post your financials manually, when you can take care of the process automatically? Access Idaho can email you an Excel file of your deposit information each morning (or on a schedule that fits your needs) in the format that’s compatible with your accounting software.  Files can be sent to one person or a group email so multiple people receive the information.  A growing number of government entities are taking advantage of customized reports. The report files are easy to set up, convenient to use and a big timesaver, especially if you process a large number of transactions. Interested? Just contact us, and we can get you set up in no time.

 

Helpful Tips & Tricks

What to do if Your Swipe Card Reader Stops Working
 
If you use PayPort to take over the phone and/or in-person credit/debit card payments, then you probably use one of our swipe card readers. While the readers are designed to last for many years, a very small number have been known to die prematurely.
How do you know if your reader has been unconfigured from your computer or if it’s lost its life? Follow these simple steps:
  • Check if your reader is still configured to your PayPort instance by logging into PayPort and clicking the ‘Home’ button on the left side of the page. If the Configuration box looks like the image below, your reader is configured.
  • If there’s a ‘Configure’ link, click it and select the DynaMag/DynaPad (KBE) option; then select ‘Choose.’You should be able to use your swipe card reader.
  • If that doesn’t work, try unplugging the reader and using it on a different computer (that’s a good way of testing if it’s the reader having an issue or a setting on your computer causing the problem).
  • If that still doesn’t work, please give us a call. We do not charge for swipe card readers; and if you need a new one, we are happy to send you a replacement.

About Access Idaho

Access Idaho is the administrator of Idaho's official Web portal (idaho.gov) and provider of electronic government solutions for the state. The network manager for the portal is Idaho Information Consortium, a subsidiary of digital government firm NIC.



Jeff Walker, General Manager  |  jeff@accessidaho.org  |  (208) 332-0102