PCATS to Evaluate Usage of Industry Payment System Product Codes

STAFFORD, Va. -- The Petroleum Convenience Alliance for Technology Standards (PCATS) created a survey to identify the use of PCATS payment product codes within the convenience store industry, and request retailers participate in the survey located at www.pcats.org/codesurvey by Friday, Dec. 18.

In addition to measuring the number of merchant fueling locations using PCATS standard payment product codes at their point-of-sale (POS), the survey may also help identify additional items that need to be added to the current industry code list, the association reported.

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.
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, according to the association.

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 deadline will be entered in a random drawing for an Apple iPod nano 16 GB held Dec. 21.

Contact PCATS Executive Director Scott Wood at [email protected] or call (703) 740-9017 with any questions regarding PCATS payment product codes or the industry survey.

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