Merchant Explorer OnLine
National Processing, Inc.

Oh, those pesky exception items - also known as retrieval requests and chargebacks. For many merchants, managing and processing these can be onerous tasks, and they also have to keep track of all the paper. National Processing Co. (NPC), a subsidiary of National Processing, Inc., helps merchants better manage their exception items with its new product, Merchant Explorer OnLine.

Merchant Explorer OnLine is a thin-client application designed for businesses that process their credit and debit card transactions with NPC. The software allows merchants to view retrieval and chargeback information in real time - no more waiting for batch updates. As NPC inputs data on its end, merchants can view it online through their own computers.

NPC supplies software on a CD for a small-to-midsize merchant to install on a desktop with Internet access. Users are provided with secure login IDs and passwords in order to gain access to an SQL database, which stores the exception information. The product has extensive search capabilities so users can find information quickly. One can search by case number, card number, etc.

For larger businesses managing a larger quantity of exception items, NPC will make room on its authorization and settlement bandwidth connection for point-to-point communications between itself and the merchant.

Here's a nice benefit: Since NPC stores digital images, the product eliminates the amassing of hard copies of sales receipts. NPC said its users also love the ad-hoc reporting capabilities that allow them to access the database to customize reports.

Merchant Explorer OnLine's reporting capabilities include the ability to track chargebacks and retrievals; submit chargeback reversal requests; view bank documentation or previously scanned images; view detailed transaction, authorization and credit information for exceptions; and create, view and print reports.

Users can access the standard reports that come with the product or customize their own reports by sorting and viewing data in the database as needed. Data also can be exported into other systems.

Since many retrieval requests can turn into chargebacks over a certain period of time if left unaddressed, Merchant Explorer OnLine uses a color-coding system to help merchants keep track of their retrievals so they don't miss a deadline. Critical items are flagged with red, aging items are marked with yellow and new items are labeled green.

National Processing, Inc.

1231 Durrett Lane

Louisville, KY 40213

800-255-1157

www.npc.net