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QI Systems Inc. developed QLink specifically for VISA Cash, to enable cash card
use in Unattended Point of Sale (UPOS) devices. Before QLink, card accepting devices
(CADs) were only viable in areas where direct ("On-Line") phone or radio
communications could be established with the Visa Concentration Point. This
connection usually required an expensive networking solution with either complex
wiring or costly radio equipment. With the QLink, SmartKit for VISA Cash can be
installed in vending, laundry, newspaper and copy machines at any location. One
QLink unit can support more than a hundred machines in multiple locations.
QLink is software running on a hand held computer, otherwise known as a Personal
Digital Assistant or PDA. It collects data from CADs and stores the files for later
VISA processing. After visiting any number of CADs, QLink presents the data to VISA
in a single modem call, with each CAD appearing as a station on a network. During
this call, the VISA Concentration Point returns clearing information for each CAD
so the next time QLink visits each CAD the appropriate Visa Update is presented. This
ensures quick and simple communications with individual machines as well as a
systematic way to collect ecash from a series of machines.
The collection method is simple. Inserting a SmartLink paddle into the card reader
allows QLink to retrieve information directly from the front of the CAD. Summaries
can be viewed on the QLink screen. It's an ideal tool for VISA Cash merchants.
QLink has been used by USA Today for newspaper boxes, by U.S. Veterans Affairs
Hospitals for vending machines, and for collections from POS devices by VISA
International in Manhattan. Scotiabank is using QLink for vending, photocopy and
laundry machines in Barrie, Ontario.
 QLink Brochure
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SmartLink Paddle
Aero Handheld
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SmartVend
