Say you are a small retail chain that accepts credit card payments at the cash register, and you want to make things more efficient (Apple-store style) by also

Say you are a small retail chain that accepts credit card payments at the cash register, and you want to make things more efficient (Apple-store style) by also accepting payments via portable devices that your employees carry around. You have a couple of options: a. Invest in proprietary portable payment devices (what Apple does) b. Sign up for a service like Square and invest in iPods or iPhones Primary problems with (a) are cost and possibly an outdated interface. Problem with (b) is the payments are not tied into your existing infrastructure, and you have to live with Square's 2.75% fee, which may be higher than what you've already negotiated with your card providers. With CardFlight, you get a card reader like Square's, but you can use their SDKs to collect and send payments into your existing card infrastructure. Square is ideal for independent coffee shops and the like, but if you're a small business with a few locations, something like this is probably the better solution.