Solution offers retailers a powerful combination of tokenization and encryption technologies to strengthen payment security

TORONTO and ATLANTA – March 26, 2012 -- AJB Software Design, Inc., a leader in integrated payment solutions, and First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, today announced that the First Data® TransArmor® data security solution, is now integrated within AJB’s payment processing application suite. Close to 230,000 U.S. merchants, combining for nearly a half billion transactions to date, are processing transactions more securely using the TransArmor solution.

AJB’s integration of the TransArmor solution provides retailers with an easy way to achieve a stronger level of security within their payment card acceptance environment. It enables complete, end-to-end encryption with the option of tokenization – from point of card swipe to formatting and routing of data to the financial institution.  Merchants can now take advantage of a multi-layered security solution that eliminates clear-text cardholder data and other sensitive data elements from the retail environment, accommodating closely-related actions including reconciliation, chargebacks and loyalty awards. 

AJB’s payment processing suite includes Flexible Integrated Payment System (FIPay) and Retail Transaction Switch (RTS). The FIPay application is responsible for integrating the PIN pad device into First Data’s TransArmor solution.  RTS is a robust, multi-purpose transaction switch that scales to meet the performance demanded by North America’s largest and most well-known retailers.  It provides real-time authorization for TransArmor transactions.  

“Our products have proven to be flexible, stable and scalable solutions for Tier 1 retailers,” said Pat Polillo, vice president of Sales at AJB.  “We make it easy for retailers to adapt to new technologies. Whether it’s integrating with the leading POS companies, supporting the most current hardware devices, or helping retailers migrate to new security demands by market forces, such as Chip and PIN, and end-to-end encryption and tokenization using TransArmor; AJB and First Data have proven to be the reliable choice for retailers.”

The TransArmor solution fundamentally changes the way merchants protect and manage cardholder data. The TransArmor solution is designed to secure payment card data from the moment it enters the merchant environment throughout the entire transaction. After the payment is authorized, sensitive payment card data is replaced with a non-sensitive, random token number that preserves the value of card data for merchant business operations but removes cardholder or transaction information that criminals might find useful. 

“With our TransArmor solution, we have set a new industry standard in data security - replacing payment card data with a randomly assigned number, called a 'token',” said Tim Horton, vice president of Merchant Product Management, First Data. “In doing so, it minimizes risk by providing better security to the merchant’s environment and reducing the scope of PCI compliance; it also shifts the burden of storing cardholder data from the retailer to the acquirer; and it allows AJB users to seamlessly and securely use the token for other business and sales functions such as returns, sales reports and analysis. We believe this is a necessity in enabling a more integrated and secure consumer experience in the age of Universal Commerce.”

Data Security Service Reduce $1 Billion PCI Compliance Cost

The cost to attain, maintain and verify Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) compliance is skyrocketing. According to the National Retail Federation, its members have collectively spent more than $1 billion so far on PCI DSS compliance as part of their business operations.  TransArmor allows merchants to significantly reduce the scope, risk and costs associated with PCI compliance without requiring new hardware or extensive changes to existing business processes.

About AJB Software Design, Inc.
AJB is a leading provider of payment integration software solutions.  Twenty percent of North America’s Top 100 retailers and 10 percent of the top global retailers by sales volume, rely on AJB products and services.  Founded in 1994, AJB has over 140 global clients, and its software is installed at more than 250,000 POS terminals.

AJB makes it easy to connect the components required for real-time payment processing. It enables retailers to quickly comply with new standards and payment types.  In addition, AJB allows banks and POS vendors to easily integrate their products with retailers, petroleum and convenience stores.  AJB simplifies integration with existing systems; solutions are scalable, multi-channel and platform independent.   For more information, visit www.ajbsoftware.com.

About First Data
Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.

Media and Analyst Contact:
David Finkelstein
The DFI Group (for AJB software)
Tel: (416) 300-4150
david@thedfigroup.net
www.thedfigroup.net

AJB Contact:
Vivian Shen
Manager Marketing & Media
Tel: (905) 282-1877
vivian.shen@ajbsoftware.com

First Data Contact:
Elizabeth Grice
Director of Communications
Tel: (303) 967-8526
Elizabeth.grice@firstdata.com