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Who are Retail Merchant Services and What do they Offer?

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Retail merchant services, what is it? It refers to a reseller offering payment services that are internationally recognized. The offerings of retail merchant services include a virtual terminal to mobile card machines and a payment gateway. They also have arrangements and pieces of equipment to ensure ebt processing.

What does Retail Merchant Services offer?

Retail merchant services are an independent sales organization. It is not some acquiring bank. It connects an organization to merchant account services. The retail merchant services provide hardware and software, including payment gateway, card machines, and virtual terminals.

Card Machines- It is provided by retail merchant services in a wide range and it includes:

  • Portable card machines that connect over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi as a base station and are used in service and hospitality industries.
  • Countertop card machines are in fixed locations and are connected through the Ethernet connection.

Mobile card machines accept transactions from anywhere, even ebt processing. Card machines are available at rental cost. The price depends on the features and model you choose to accept ebt and other debit or credit cards.

Membership Benefits of Retail Merchant Services

Having a membership with retail merchant services, assures you access these:

  • Business legal advice 24/7
  • Discounted business bank accounts
  • Free VAT & Tax investigation insurance
  • Discounted business broadband
  • Discounted business insurance
  • Discounted telephone services

As per the type of Merchant account, the retail merchant services provide technical support round-the-clock. Retail Merchant Services are surely competitive in price. To know their price you have to contact them. Their contracts are for 36 months and they renew them each year. They offer PCI compliance and if you wish to terminate or cancel, there is a charge for it. Canceling without giving proper notice the terminal lease will make you pay in excess.

How to find good merchant services?

Businesses are a riskier proposition and so finding a good merchant services provider is daunting. These providers mostly are connected with various banks and only on receiving approval, they send direct processors. You should maintain a stable account so that the credit, debit card processing is smooth and they accept ebt.

 The merchant services provider suitable for your business comes with low processing rates, a combination of features, favorable contract terms, and reasonable account fees. Providers can offer a good deal to impress merchants, yet it is crucial to look for the best overall value. Concentrate on customer service of high quality, even if it means shelling out some extra amount.

A good merchant services provider is the one offering enough resources and payment services. No one wants to overpay. If not, your statement will come with high figures without warning. They will add high-variable account fees, processing rate plans, and surprise incidental fees. If you do not know much about payment processing, assess the pricing information and pick the provider suitable for your business.

Look for retail merchant services offering

  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Interchange-Plus pricing
  • Membership pricing
  • Pay as you go or monthly billing

Signing up with any traditional provider implies a monthly billing plan, as a monthly arrangement, or a long-term contract. On the other hand, payment service providers offer a pay-as-you-go model that costs low. It is the best for seasonal businesses. Monthly billing is ideal for medium-sized or larger businesses as it ensures cost savings.

Why eCommerce merchant services?

Consumers today prefer paying online bills and shopping online. Businesses must offer convenient and secure eCommerce payment processing to ensure sales revenue. Thus, looking for eCommerce merchant services is a must so that you can have an eCommerce merchant account. It allows you to accept ebt, debit, and credit cards on the website.

A merchant account refers to a contract between a credit card processing company and a retailer. This contract ensures you flexible, fast, and secure payment options. The eCommerce merchant account provider receives:

  • Shopping cart featuring integrated functionality
  • Enhanced security for the payment processing with PCI compliance
  • Advanced monitoring capabilities of fraud with customizable parameters

While setting an eCommerce merchant account, you must look for eCommerce merchant services that offer easy-to-use processing solutions. It should integrate with the online software integrations, shopping cart, and online storefronts and maintain alignment with your business.

In case you are already using a CRM, a specific accounting, or some business management software, you may consider a merchant services provider offering integrations with all the platforms. It helps in manual work; there is no need to make manual entry. Thus, save time and prevent errors with data entry. 

Classification of Numbers

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A mathematical object use for counting, measuring, and labeling is known as a number. They can be defined as strings of digits used to represent a quantity. The size of the quantity is indicated by the magnitude of the number. The first type of numbers that we got introduced to were natural numbers starting from 1, 2, 3, and so on. As research progressed further, numbers were further classified into whole numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, etc.

Number words are used to represent numbers in the form of a language. However, conventionally individual numbers are represented by symbols called numerals. It is not possible to memorize individual symbols for each number as the list extends up to infinity; hence, we most commonly use the Hindu – Arabic numeral system, which uses a combination of ten fundamental numeric symbols called digits to represent any numbers.

Types of Numbers

Natural Numbers

The most basic form of numbers that we learned as toddlers were natural numbers or counting numbers. These numbers start from 1 and go up to infinity, such as 1, 2, 3, 4 …. Natural numbers consist of positive integers. The symbol N is used to represent natural numbers.

Whole Numbers

The set of natural numbers, as well as zero, makes up whole numbers. They start from 0 and go up to infinity. 0, 1, 2, 3, …. are all whole numbers. The symbol W is used to represent whole numbers.

Integers

Whole numbers, along with the set of negative natural numbers, form integers. All numbers that lie between negative infinity to positive infinity comprise the set of integers. These numbers could be negative, zero, or positive; however, decimals and fractions are not included in this set. …. -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,……. are examples of integers. In other words, we can say that all whole and natural numbers are integers but the converse does not hold true. The symbol Z is used to represent integers.

Fractions

These numbers represent a part of a whole. They can be written in the form of m/n, where n cannot be equal to 0. They can be further divided into proper fractions, improper fractions, etc.

Rational Numbers

Rational numbers are used to represent the ratio of two integers. If any number can be expressed in the form of p/q, it is called a rational number. p is the numerator can be any integer, q is the denominator which cannot be equal to 0. If q is 1, then the fraction is an integer. ⅖, 0.9, 30/100 are all rational numbers.

Irrational Numbers

Numbers that cannot be represented in the form of p/q are called irrational numbers. These numbers cannot be written as the ratio of two integers. 3, pi (3.14…), are examples of irrational numbers. In decimal form, the digits are non-terminating and non-repeating.

Real Numbers

The set of all rational and irrational numbers, including decimals, fall under real numbers. Alphabet “R” is used to show the set of real numbers.

Imaginary Numbers

Numbers that are not real numbers fall under the category of imaginary or complex numbers. For example,-3 is an irrational number.

Conclusion

Kids must understand the differentiation between the types of numbers. Children should join a reliable coaching class such as Cuemath to build a robust mathematical foundation. The certified math tutors use several resources to teach a lecture. Thus, kids have an enjoyable learning experience as they have a holistic educational environment.

11 Best Practices for Boosting the IoT Security

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There are different kinds of gadgets seeking the home and life of individuals every day which ultimately help in making sure that the overall life of the individuals becomes smarter as well as very much efficient. Hence, it is very much important on the behalf of people to ensure that proper security of all these kinds of connected devices has been paid attention to so that there is no issue with the later stages and nothing is very much vulnerable to risks and threats.

Hence, it is very much important on the behalf of people to have a proper defensive plan in terms of securing the smart home devices based upon the concept of IoT.

It is very much important to secure all the appliances and devices which are connected with the internet to the home network so that there are no opportunities for cyber-criminals. Following are some of the very basic practices on the behalf of people to ensure that there is no issue in the long run;

  1. It is very much important for the people to give the router a proper name and one does not need to stick with the name which the manufacturer has already given. The manufacturer might give a name to the specific kind of model or make to identify it easily. Hence, one must always give a very unusual name to the whole system which is never associated with any kind of Street or overall address. One can give a very different name to the overall concept so that there are no personal identifiers in the whole process.
  2. It is very much important to utilise a stronger method of encryption for the Wi-Fi into the whole set which is connected with the old range of IoT devices. Into the router settings, it is a very great idea to depend upon the stronger encryption methods in one must always go with that particular system which provides proper security to the network and communication areas along with setting up of the Wi-Fi network access.
  3. It is very much important to set up a guest network and one must always keep the Wi-Fi account very much private. The visitors, friends and readers can very easily log on to a separate network that is not connected with the IoT devices.
  4. It is also very much important for the people to change out the default password as well as default username because the cybercriminals normally know all the default password and user names which come with different kinds of IoT-based products. Hence, it is very much important for the people to change all these kinds of things because if not changed properly then it can lead to a path which will provide easy access to the people along with information associated with it. Hence, considering a very different and unique password is very much important in the whole process.
  5. The people concerned in the whole process also need to utilise strong as well as unique password for the Wi-Fi networks and vice accounts so that there is no issue and one must always avoid the common phrases and passwords because they are very easy to guess. Hence, it is very much advisable for people to use unique and complex passwords which are made up of different kinds of letters, numbers and symbols and one must always create that particular password that is based on the management of a security game.
  6. Checking out the settings of devices is also very much important in the whole process and in the cases of IoT devices people should come with that particular setting which comes with default privacy and security settings. Considering the changes of default settings is very much important so that there is no issue in the long run and there are no adverse benefits to the hackers in this particular area.
  7. A very good idea is to disable all the features associated with the IoT devices which people not need. Almost every IoT device comes with a variety of services for example remote access which is normally enabled by default but it is very much important to disable it because enabling that particular feature can lead to different kinds of issues in the long run and some of the features also are based upon utilisation of the location factor.
  8. It is very much important to keep the software up to date because whenever the smartphone manufacturer will send the software update it is very much important to include it. It is very much important on the behalf of people to go with the option of keeping the IOT devices very much up to date in terms of all the things so that there are no issues in the long run and further it is very much advisable to download all the updates and apply them to the devices to stay safe all the time.
  9. Auditing of the IoT devices on the home network is also very much important so that the right kind of upgrades can be easily launched and your models can be taken complete advantage of along with stronger security systems.
  10. Depending upon the two-factor authentication is also a very great idea in the whole system so that every device can be easily secured and this particular type of authentication will always help in keeping the bad guys out of the whole accounting system and will make sure that nothing will be very much vulnerable to threats or risks.
  11. Avoiding the public Wi-Fi networks is also a good idea in the whole system because this will always help in making sure that IoT devices will be very much exclusive and will be implemented perfectly.

No doubt the IoT devices are coming up with a very great angle in the lives of people but further, it is very much important for the people to pay proper attention in terms of IoT security of such devices so that there are no issues in the long run and overall purposes are very easily and efficiently achieved without any kind of hassle and proper monitoring of all the transactions has been carried out. 

Top Promotional Items You Can Choose to Advertise Your Small Business

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Promotional products bring instant brand recognition which can drive customers to your business in an effective way. They also help expand the reach of your services and products to a larger audience. Here are some promotional items that can be used to advertise your small business.

Pens

Despite the arrival of smartphones and computers, you still feel the need for pen and paper to note down things. The pen can be a great promotional product for most businesses. You can offer a good pen to your customers, clients, employees, and almost anyone because it is useful for everyone. To promote your brand, print the logo or company name in large letters for easy recognition. 

Water Bottles

Drinking an adequate amount of water is a necessity to maintain good health. It is common for people to carry their water bottles when they venture out of the home—for example, going to the office, gym, or even market. Most people carry a water bottle so they can stay hydrated throughout the day.

The water bottles can be excellent promotional products for all the right reasons. People are more likely to use them every day. A bottle has ample space to print your company name and logo, which can be visible to others.

Stress balls

Stress balls are in great demand due to increasing stress levels in the general public. These items take away your attention from daily chores and keep your stress levels low. Stress balls can help your customers and employees playfully relieve stress.  You can print your company logo or name on these balls. The branding will be easily visible to the users and people around them.

Backpacks

People are required to carry a few essential items when they venture out of home for any reason; a backpack is one of them. It is an ideal form of bag that can hold most of your items like your laptop, charger, notepad, pen, water bottle, and a few other things. The backpacks can be branded with the name of the company or logo. The branding is visible to you and others every time you use it.

Lip balm

Lip balm is a personal care item loved by both men and women. The skin of the lips does not have any sebaceous glands, and the skin often dries.  Your lips also need love and care. Lip balm contains moisturizing oils that your body does not produce. It keeps your lips moist and hydrated.

A lip balm can be an excellent promotional product as it is a useful item for both sexes. Every time a person uses the lip balm with your branding, he/she will remember the company name.

Chocolates

Most people like receiving chocolates as gifts. Chocolate can create memories of a tradition within family and friendships when given as a gift. Many business organizations give chocolates to their employees on the days of celebration. You can use this opportunity to gift chocolates branded with your company name.  

Chocolates can be effective promotional items as people of all ages love them. Ensure the chocolate’s quality is good and the taste lingers on the person’s mind for days.

Hand Sanitizers

Water is not always available to clean your hands. Hand sanitizers are great personal hygiene products that can keep common illnesses at bay. Most people have a habit of carrying hand sanitizers with them. Hand sanitizers are small in size and easy to carry. Also, people often share them with others. That way, hand sanitizers have the potential to be seen by many. Brand the hand sanitizers with your company logo or name. People tend to be more thankful for the things that care for their health.

To sum up, people love promotional items as most of them are given as gifts. A useful promotional product of any form or size creates a positive and lasting impression of the company in the minds of people who receive it.

How to Prepare General Knowledge (GK) for Competitive Exams?

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Preparing the General Knowledge (GK) portion has been a challenging task for most students preparing for competitive exams. Today, when most of the competitive exams expect you to stay updated with the current affairs going around in the world, a lot of students struggle to find reliable sources to follow the same.

If you are also preparing for competitive exams, here is a detailed guide with reliable sources to help you study current affairs and GK for your preparation.

  1. International Newspapers –

Newspapers are the first and the most important source of information for preparing daily current affairs and staying updated with relevant GK for competitive exams. However, a lot of students don’t know which newspapers they should rely upon for their daily dose of information. Most students are not aware and keep reading news from regional newspapers instead of referring to the international ones.

The most reliable newspapers to study current affairs for competitive exams are The Hindu, Times of India, Indian Express, and LiveMint which provide authentic international information relevant for exams that have current affairs portions as a compulsion.

  1. Year Books –

It is a known fact that the information studied from newspapers is not enough for knowing current affairs. Hence, we all need to supplement our knowledge with relevant books that give us general knowledge and information about current affairs in a more digestible and compact form.

These are mostly yearbooks such as Manorama Yearbook, The Mega YearBook, etc. which comes with compact study notes of current affairs covering the entire year in news structured in the form of interesting charts, diagrams, tables, etc.

  1. Current Affairs Magazines –

Students who like to study current affairs regularly and revise it multiple times to memorize it better often supplement their study with the help of various current affairs magazines which vary from weekly to monthly subscriptions. Some of the most trusted magazines for this purpose are PIB, Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review, etc.

  1. News and GK Websites and Apps –

The best way to stay updated with current affairs and GK topics is to surround yourself with the information and engage with it during your day-to-day activities. This doesn’t mean that you have to roam around with bulky books or newspapers, it just means that whatever you do throughout the day, you keep updating yourself with information related to current affairs.

You can do this by incorporating some interesting websites and apps into your daily activities, just like you use social media on a daily basis. GK Exams is a website that can help you to achieve this. The website provides you your daily dose of current affairs in a summarised digestible form, along with interesting daily quizzes updated daily on various topics.

You can also find GK quizzes, GK Mock Tests, GK quizzes in Hindi, and many more on this website. Another significant app of this type is the InShorts app.

  1. YouTube Channels for competitive exams –

If you further wish to indulge more in daily current affairs and supplement your daily dose of knowledge, you can subscribe to some reliable YouTube channels that post daily news analysis and important current affairs regularly. You can watch one or two videos daily before going to sleep, or during your lunchtime, or any time of the day when you find spare time.

Such YouTube channels are especially helpful for those who cannot find international newspapers where they live or those who do not find the time and space to carry a newspaper with them and read it on a daily basis.

Watching videos on the phone can be more comfortable and feasible for some people. But while doing this, make sure that you stick to only one reliable YouTube Channel that you find the most suitable for yourself, rather than watching a different one every day. It is a waste of time to watch multiple newspaper analysis covering the same topics on a single day.

  1. Coaching resources –

Last but not the least, if you are seriously preparing for any competitive exams, and have enrolled for the preparation of the same with any online or offline coaching institute, you should always refer to the resources and course material that your coaching institute provides you, whether it is in form of e-notes, e-books, newsletters or in form of physical books.

A lot of coaching institutes ask their tutors to create study material from a mix of various newspapers, magazines, etc. Hence, this material is the most concise and reliable for you to follow, while it is often ignored by students.

If you haven’t enrolled with any coaching institute you can take advantage of some free resources available on the websites of popular Indian institutes such as visionIAS, IASbaba, Law Prep Tutorial, etc.

Most importantly, always remember that the most effective way for preparing current affairs and GK Mock Tests, Question Answers for your competitive exam is to take an actual interest in the subjects and in all the events and issues that are going around in the world. If you don’t have a genuine interest in any of this, you will keep forgetting the facts, no matter how many times you mug them up aimlessly.

How to Apply Car Loan in Qatar – QIB Car Financing

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“QIB” Qatar Islamic Bank is the first bank operating in Qatar with Islamic banking principles. QIB is the largest bank having 12% of domestic & 42% of Islamic banking market share. Like others, Qatar Islamic bank also offers car financing service to the consumer under Islamic Laws.

qib loan

What Makes it Different?

  • QIB best auto financing comes with market capturing differences to provide the best car at best possible rates along with exclusive offers from selected dealers.
  • QIB offers attractive Car Takaful Rates & comparable prices
  • Bank also offers 06 month grace period to Qatari & Expats
  • No annual charges on QIB Credit card for the first year

QIB don’t only offers new car financing but also used car financing. You can also discuss them to refinance car.

The best part is, you can exchange your old car with a new one and pay the difference

  • Zero Bank charges
  • Finding a guarantor is no issue now
  • Instant approval, possibly at first visit
  • Monthly installments are also same
  • Devoted sales team to serve 24/7

How to apply for QIB Car financing

  • If you are Qatari National
  • You must be aged between 18-65
  • You must be employed
  • Zero Down payments
  • Financing up to 2 Million Qatari Riyals

If you are Resident in Qatar

  • You must be aged between 21-65
  • You need to pay a 20% down payment
  • You are allowed maximum 400,000 Qatari Riyal financing
  • You must be employed

Required Documents

  • You only need the following documents
  • Offer letter from car seller (showroom) to Qatar Islamic Bank
  • Valid Card
  • ID for nationals
  • Residency approval letter & passport for non-nationals

How to apply for Car Financing by Qatar Islamic Bank

You need to fill the online bank form at the website to apply online.  You can also apply on phone 44448444 or by visiting branch.

How to fill the form

The application form contains the following required information to be filled by the applicant for further proceeding.

  • Enter your name (First and Last)
  • Select Gender
  • You 11 digits QID No. (Qatari Identity Card)
  • Valid & working email address
  • Mobile Number
  • The time you want the bank to reach you
  • Monthly Salary
  • Employer Name
  • Fill the captcha and submit.

Reviews about Qatar Islamic Bank Car Financing

  • QIB prefers government & public sector employees more than private sectors
  • This bank has a predefined list of companies to allow car financing to the employees. They may demand local Qatari guarantee if your company isn’t on the list.