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. Retailers are requested to participate in the survey located at http://www.pcats.org/codesurvey by Friday, December 18. In addition to measuring the number of merchant fueling locations that have implemented 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 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. PCATS payment product codes are essential to the c-store industry. 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.

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 survey deadline will be entered in a random drawing for an Apple iPod nano 16 GB held on December 21. Contact PCATS Executive Director Scott Wood at [email protected] or call 703-740-9017 regarding any questions you may have regarding PCATS payment product codes or the industry survey.

# # #

About PCATS

The Petroleum Convenience Alliance for Technology Standards (PCATS) was founded in September 2003 to continue the development and maintenance of standards work initiated under the NACS Technology Standards Project. PCATS’ mission is to develop, maintain and assist members in the implementation of a variety of technology standards. With over 150 members, the group’s membership represents more than 22,000 convenience stores. Membership is open to any petroleum marketer, convenience store owner/operator, other retail channels, or any of their suppliers or vendors. For additional information regarding PCATS, please visit www.pcats.org/discover.