PAYMENT PROCESSING & POS SOLUTIONS
At Brookside Cloud Consulting, we help businesses process payments with ease while minimizing costs.
Our solutions ensure secure, fast, and reliable payment processing for both in-person and online transactions.
How Credit Card Processing Works:
1. Customer Makes a Purchase: The customer presents a credit card for payment.
2. Payment Authorization: Our system securely verifies and authorizes the transaction.
3. Transaction Authentication: Approved transactions are confirmed and recorded.
4. Payment Capture: Transactions are processed in batches for settlement.
5. Settlement and Funding: Funds are deposited into your account, minus standard processing fees.
6. Customer Billing: The issuing bank bills the customer for their purchase.
💳 Why Choose Brookside Cloud Consulting for Payment Processing?
Brookside Cloud Consulting delivers a smarter, more transparent approach to payment processing — tailored for businesses that value security, savings, and local support.
✅ What Sets Us Apart
🔐 Secure, PCI-Compliant Processing.
Protect your business and your customers with enterprise-grade encryption and full PCI compliance.
⚡ Fast, Reliable Transactions — Backed by a Local Austin Team. Enjoy responsive support and uptime you can count on, powered by a Texas-based partner who understands your market.
💵 Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Fees.
Say goodbye to surprise charges. Our pricing is clear, competitive, and built for long-term trust.
🎁 FREE POS Hardware
Choose from leading platforms like Clover, Union, Genius, Shift4, Elavon and Minibilling — all included at no cost with qualifying accounts.
💸 Cash Discounting That Eliminates Processing Costs
Our compliant Cash Discounting Program lets you offset credit card fees by offering a discount to customers who pay with cash, debit, or ACH. Customers get a choice — and your business keeps more of every sale.
Brookside isn’t just a processor — we’re your trusted payments advisor, helping you reduce costs, simplify operations, and future-proof your point-of-sale.
THE BEST MERCHANT PROCESSORS
You can save a lot of money by separating your merchant processing and your POS.
If you separate them, you get the best possible pricing.
THE BEST POINT-OF-SALE (POS) SOLUTIONS
POS & Payment Platform Comparison
Common Forms of Fee Recoupment
1. Surcharging
- Adds a percentage fee only to credit‑card payments.
- Allowed in most states but heavily regulated.
- Must be clearly disclosed and cannot exceed actual processing cost (typically capped at 3–4%).
2. Cash‑Discount Programs
- The posted price already includes the card‑processing cost.
- Customers paying with cash get a discount off that price.
- Common in fuel, utilities, government, and small retail.
- Considered compliant because it’s framed as a discount, not a penalty.
3. Convenience / Service Fees
- A flat fee charged for using a non‑standard payment channel (e.g., paying online instead of in person).
- Widely used in government, utilities, and education.
- Must be fixed, not percentage‑based, and applied equally to all payment types
Take payments anywhere, anytime with your computer, tablet, or smartphone using Virtual Terminal on your Clover Web Dashboard.
Point of Sales (POS) Solutions
Union POS is a high-performance, guest-driven point-of-sale system designed specifically for high-volume bars and restaurants. It enhances efficiency, speeds up service, and maximizes revenue through its innovative guest-led ordering and payment solution.
Key Benefits:
✅ Faster Service & More Sales – Reduces wait times with self-ordering and payment options.
📊 Real-Time Bar & Restaurant Insights – Tracks sales, top-performing items, and peak hours.
🍹 Built for High-Volume Venues – Handles large crowds efficiently with a user-friendly interface.
💳 Seamless Payment Processing – Accepts all payment types, including contactless and mobile.
🔗 Easy Integration – Connects with accounting, inventory, and marketing tools for a complete solution.
Perfect for:
✔️Bars & nightclubs needing quick and efficient order processing.
✔️ High-traffic restaurants looking to improve service speed and guest experience.
✔️ Multi-location venues seeking a scalable, data-driven POS system.
For a smarter, faster, and more profitable POS experience, Union POS is the way to go! 
Features & Benefits
All-in-One Restaurant Platform. SkyTab combines POS, payment processing, online ordering, loyalty, and analytics into one integrated system, reducing the need for multiple vendors and simplifying operations.
Fast, Seamless Payments. Powered by Shift4’s global payment network, SkyTab delivers fast, secure payment processing with support for EMV, contactless, mobile wallets, and online transactions.
No-Upfront Hardware Options. Many SkyTab programs include $0 upfront hardware, making it easier for restaurants to upgrade technology without large capital investments.
Restaurant-Focused Features. Designed specifically for hospitality environments, SkyTab supports table management, split checks, tip adjustments, kitchen display systems, and real-time reporting.
Integrated Online Ordering & Delivery. Restaurants can manage online orders, curbside pickup, and delivery integrations directly from the POS, increasing revenue and streamlining operations.
Real-Time Reporting & Analytics. Owners and managers gain access to detailed dashboards showing sales trends, labor metrics, and menu performance, helping drive smarter business decisions.
Reliable End-to-End Payment Ecosystem. Shift4 manages the entire payment stack—from gateway and processing to security and settlement—resulting in greater reliability, fewer vendors, and stronger support.
Enterprise-Grade Security. Built with advanced encryption, tokenization, and PCI compliance standards to protect both businesses and customer data.
POS Hardware Designed for Restaurants
With performance and reliability that’s second to none, our modern commercial-grade hardware is designed for demanding restaurant environments — and comes with a lifetime warranty.
& Bar Rescue
Jon Taffer, the hospitality expert from Bar Rescue, has partnered with Shift4 to promote SkyTab, a modern, all-in-one POS (Point of Sale) system.
He heavily endorses the technology for its data-driven analytics, handheld options (SkyTab Air), and efficiency in managing bar/restaurant operations.
Taffer also headlines the "SkyTab Rescue Mission" contest, which awards struggling businesses with technology, grants, and consulting.
Elavon, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, has been a global leader in payment processing for more than 30 years.
The company provides scalable payment solutions for businesses of all sizes across many industries, managing the entire acquiring process—from transaction processing and risk management to settlement, equipment, and customer support.
In sectors like hospitality, Elavon’s integrated payment technologies help improve operational efficiency and enhance the customer experience.
Key Features of Elavon for Hotels & Hospitality
Elavon is a well-established and trusted provider in the credit card processing space, with a particularly strong presence in the hotel and hospitality industry. Its solutions are designed to meet the unique operational, security, and guest-experience demands of hospitality environments.
Key Features and Benefits
1. Hospitality-Focused Solution. Elavon offers payment processing capabilities tailored specifically for hotels and hospitality businesses, supporting reservation management, check-in/check-out workflows, and seamless guest payment experiences.
2. Deep Integration Capabilities. The platform integrates with a wide range of leading Property Management Systems (PMS), enabling smooth, end-to-end operations from booking through checkout while reducing manual processes and errors.
3. Multiple Payment Options. Elavon supports a broad array of payment methods, including credit and debit cards as well as mobile wallets.
Alternative and contactless payment options
This flexibility helps hotels accommodate diverse guest preferences and international travelers.
4. EMV and PCI Compliance Security is a core strength. Elavon supports EMV chip card acceptance and maintains strict PCI compliance, helping protect sensitive guest payment data and reduce fraud risk.
5. Mobile Payment Solutions. Mobile payment capabilities allow hotel staff to process transactions anywhere on the property, improving service speed, convenience, and guest satisfaction.
6. Robust Reporting and Analytics. Elavon provides detailed reporting and analytics tools that enable hotel managers to track revenue, analyze trends, and manage financial performance with greater visibility.
7. Dedicated Customer Support. Reliable customer support is critical in hospitality. Elavon is known for providing responsive, knowledgeable service to help ensure uninterrupted payment operations.
Conclusion. Elavon stands out as a strong and reliable payment processing partner for hotels and hospitality businesses. Its hospitality-specific features, deep PMS integrations, flexible payment options, and robust security make it an excellent choice for organizations seeking a comprehensive, scalable, and secure payment solution.
COMPANY OVERVIEW & PRODUCT OFFERINGS
Built for Municipalities: Supports all major utility billing types.
Managed Services: Bill printing, lockbox processing, and call-center support to reduce operational burden.
Cloud-Based & Accessible: Real-time reporting, configuration flexibility, and secure access from anywhere.
Online Customer Portal: Residents can view bills, make payments, and manage accounts
Real-Time Reporting: Live tracking of billing, payments, meters, and account activity
Flexible Configuration: Supports diverse utility billing models
Seamless Integrations: Connects easily with ERP, GIS, accounting software, meter systems, & asset management tools.
MuniBilling is more than a software platform — it's a long-term partner focused on improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
With extensive experience and trusted support, MuniBilling helps municipalities eliminate manual processes, modernize their billing operations and usually save money in the process.
Why MuniBilling Stands Out
MuniBilling is a cloud-based utility billing platform purpose-built for municipalities & local government for utilities.
Tailored for municipalities: Supports water, sewer, refuse, and stormwater billing.
Managed services: Includes bill printing, lockbox processing, and call center support.
Cloud-based platform: Accessible from anywhere, with real-time reporting and flexible configuration.
Integration-ready: Works with existing ERP, GIS, and accounting systems.
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Offers a 5% Discount for CASH
Most businesses were once restricted by card network rules from offering cash discounts.
However, rule changes in recent years now allow merchants to legally offer “Cash Discounts” — a pricing strategy where customers who pay with cash receive a discount off the posted price.
Retailers like Spec’s have adopted this model to encourage cash payments and reduce credit card processing costs.
Can Cash Discounts Boost Profit Margins?
Cash Discount programs offer a strategic way for businesses to reduce credit card transaction fees and improve net profits.
By incentivizing customers to pay with cash, companies can avoid percentage-based and fixed fees that typically range from 1.5%–3.5% plus $0.10–$0.30 per transaction.
How It Works
- Businesses set standard prices that include card fees.
- Customers paying with cash receive a discount (e.g., 5%), lowering their cost.
- Clear signage and staff training ensure transparency.
Financial Impact
- A business converting 20% of $50K monthly card sales to cash can save $250/month — $3,000/year.
- Case studies show up to 15% increase in cash payments and $500/month in savings.
Customer Behavior
- Customers respond positively to savings incentives.
- Programs foster cost-conscious habits and increase cash transactions.
Bottom Line: Cash discount programs are a practical, low-friction way to reduce costs and enhance profitability — especially for high-volume businesses.
5 Benefits of Credit Card Processing for
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, ATTORNEYS
1. Faster Payments – Accepting credit cards speeds up cash flow, reducing waiting times for payments by up to 40% in industries like legal services. Online payment options streamline invoicing and improve liquidity.
2. PCI Compliance & Security – Credit card processors follow strict Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards to protect sensitive customer data, reducing fraud risks through tools like AVS (Address Verification Service) and CVV (Card Verification Values).
3. Reduced Fees & Cost Management – While processing fees are a concern, providers like Clover offer surcharging options, passing fees to clients in most states. Some firms also offset fees through tax deductions or small service charges.
4. Flexible Payment Options – Businesses can accept payments without expensive hardware, using web-based systems or mobile devices. Recurring payments also improve convenience for clients and ensure steady revenue.
5. Expanding the Client Base – Younger consumers, especially Gen Z, prefer using credit cards. Offering flexible payment options attracts new clients, enhances customer satisfaction, and modernizes business operations.
Understanding the Durbin Amendment and Its Impact on Payment Networks
The Durbin Amendment, enacted as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, introduced significant changes to the way debit card transactions are processed and regulated in the United States.
Below is an overview of its key provisions and the resulting effects on payment networks, banks, merchants, and consumers:
1. What is the Durbin Amendment?
The Durbin Amendment primarily addresses debit interchange fees, which are fees that banks charge merchants for processing debit card transactions.
Prior to the amendment, these fees could be as high as 2% of the transaction amount. The amendment capped these fees at 21 cents per transaction, plus an additional 0.05% of the transaction value for fraud prevention costs. This cap has significantly reduced the revenue banks generate from debit card transactions, especially for larger transactions.
2. How has the Durbin Amendment impacted payment networks?
The Durbin Amendment has had notable effects on payment networks that rely heavily on debit card processing:
Revenue shifts: Payment networks like Visa and Mastercard, which had relied on debit card fees, have responded by increasing fees on credit card transactions to compensate for the loss in revenue from debit card processing fees.
Increased competition: Smaller payment networks, such as Discover and American Express, have gained ground in the debit space by offering lower interchange fees to attract merchants.
Impact on innovation: With reduced fees from debit transactions, some payment networks have focused on finding new sources of revenue, potentially leading to innovations in the broader payments industry.
3. What are the pros and cons of the Durbin Amendment?
Pros
Lower costs for merchants: By capping interchange fees, the amendment helped reduce the cost burden on merchants, who could pass those savings to consumers in the form of lower prices.
Increased competition: The amendment fostered competition among payment networks, which has led to potential improvements in services and offerings for merchants.
Potential benefits for consumers: With lower merchant fees, there is an argument that consumers may benefit from lower prices and better services.
Cons
Higher fees for consumers: Some critics argue that banks, in response to reduced revenue from debit card processing, may raise other fees, such as monthly account fees or overdraft fees, which ultimately burden consumers.
Challenges for small banks and credit unions: Smaller financial institutions, especially smaller banks and credit unions, are particularly affected by the cap, as they have less ability to offset lost revenue through other channels. This could limit their capacity to offer competitive products or invest in new services.
Potential for reduced cardholder benefits: As banks may adjust their fee structures to recoup lost revenue, customers could face reduced rewards programs or higher fees associated with debit and credit cards.
4. What are the alternatives to the Durbin Amendment?
Market-driven approach: One alternative would be to eliminate government regulation of interchange fees, allowing payment networks to set fees freely. While this could encourage competition among networks, there is concern that it could lead to higher fees for merchants and consumers, particularly if networks engage in anti-competitive behavior.
Comprehensive regulation: Another alternative could involve regulating both debit and credit card interchange fees. Such regulation would ensure that neither debit nor credit card processing results in unfairly high fees for merchants.
However, this would require a more balanced approach and could involve additional complexities for regulators and industry stakeholders.
The Durbin Amendment has had a significant impact on the payments industry by lowering interchange fees for debit card transactions, resulting in cost savings for merchants. However, it has also led to higher fees in other areas for consumers and presented challenges for smaller banks.
While the amendment has increased competition among payment networks, further considerations regarding alternatives for regulating interchange fees may be necessary to balance the interests of merchants, consumers, and financial institutions.
The Benefits of the Durbin Amendment
The Durbin Amendment has several benefits, including lower transaction fees for merchants, which can lead to lower prices for consumers. It has also increased competition among payment networks, which has led to innovation and better services for customers. The Durbin Amendment has also helped to level the playing field for smaller payment networks, allowing them to compete with larger networks.
The Drawbacks of the Durbin Amendment
While the Durbin Amendment has had many benefits, it has also faced criticism from some quarters. Some argue that the regulation has led to higher costs for banks, which have been passed on to customers in the form of higher fees. Others argue that the regulation has stifled innovation in the debit card market, as payment networks have been forced to focus on reducing transaction fees rather than developing new products and services.
Conclusion
Payment networks and the Durbin Amendment are essential components of the financial landscape. Payment networks provide the infrastructure for secure and efficient transactions, while the Durbin Amendment has helped to promote competition and fairness in the debit card market.
While the regulation has faced criticism, its benefits far outweigh its drawbacks. Overall, payment networks and the Durbin Amendment have played a critical role in the growth and development of the global economy.