Initial situation
With a modern range of quality tools TOP-TOY A/S has established itself as market leader among the toy retailers in Scandinavia. Its subsidiary BR Toys is already represented in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland with 200 outlets and is now importing its successful concept to Germany.

By taking over the branches of the toy outlets Salzmann, TOP-TOY has been represented in the German markets under the name BR-Spielwaren with 10 outlets in central city locations of Hamburg and with one outlet in the centre of Flensburg since September 2007

To ensure the launch of the business was successful, BR-Spielwaren GmbH looked for a competent partner to provide a one-stop solution to process all non cash card payments in the newly established outlets.

The target drawn up jointly was to have the cumbersome data transmission via numerous ISDN connections replaced by a one-stop solution on the basis of Ethernet networks and TCP/IP protocol. Current telephone costs were to be minimised by using the existing LAN cabling.

Implementation

REA Card supplied BR-Spielwaren a one-stop solution to process their EC cash and credit cards. After customised consultation and co-ordinating the package to the requirements of the retailer, a solution was developed based on the EC terminal of the Type REA ECS-Retail. Furthermore, network operation, terminal depot maintenance and hotline services are included.

The Terminals were integrated in the already existing local Ethernet networks at all the locations. Transaction data is transmitted via a VPN tunnel set up by REA for each outlet to the authorisation computer. As the existing DSL connection in the outlets are used, no additional telephone charges are incurred, either for the authorisation via ISDN or for telephone connections.

Due to the encryption of the data transmitted via TCP/IP, the VPN tunnel guaranties for safe transmission of the transaction to the authorisation computer. In addition it ensures a safe connection of the Terminal to the remote maintenance system of REA Card that carries out the download and installation of updates absolutely autonomously.