Product meaning
Each term is tied back to the Kotao app suite, not just a generic software definition.
Terms tagged
POS
POS, PMS, PCI, SCA — the acronyms behind running a business.
Topic context
POS terms in one place.
Browse related definitions together when you are scoping a workflow, comparing vendors, or preparing a rollout plan.
Team alignment
Use this topic page to align operators, finance, support, marketing, and product teams before rollout.
Implementation scope
Definitions help decide what needs data import, permissions, reporting, and integrations.
25 terms
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Acquirer
Bank or payment institution that signs merchants and routes their card transactions into the card networks.
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Apple Pay
Mobile wallet by Apple that tokenizes cards for contactless and in-app payments.
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Card Fraud
Unauthorized card use or theft of credentials to initiate transactions.
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Card Network
Payment network (e.g., Visa/Mastercard) that sets rules and routes card transactions between issuers and acquirers.
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Card Present
Transactions where the physical card is read at POS (chip, contactless, or magnetic strip).
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Chargeback
A forced payment reversal initiated by the cardholder’s bank after disputing a transaction.
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Credit Card
Card that lets cardholders borrow up to a limit and repay later; funds settle via the issuing bank.
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Debit Card
Card that pulls funds directly from a bank account at purchase time.
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Digital Wallet
Application that stores payment instruments and enables checkout with tokens or credentials.
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Disagio
A fee withheld by a payment provider from each transaction, effectively reducing the payout.
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Electronic cash register
A digital register or POS system that records sales and must meet German GoBD and KassenSichV requirements.
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Fraud Detection / Risk Assessment
Tools and models that score transactions or accounts to block or step-up risky activity.
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Giro Card
Domestic debit card system (e.g., Germany) that clears directly against bank accounts via local rails.
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GoBD (German bookkeeping and retention rules)
German rules for proper digital bookkeeping, retention, traceability, and exportable accounting records.
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Google Pay
Google’s wallet that tokenizes cards for contactless, in-app, and web payments.
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Hold on Funds
Temporary reservation of money before capture or payout, often for risk or authorization checks.
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Interchange Fee
Fee paid by the acquirer to the issuer on each card transaction; funds scheme incentives and risk.
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Issuer
Bank or fintech that issues payment cards to cardholders and authorizes their transactions.
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KassenSichV (German Cash Register Security Ordinance)
German cash register security rules requiring protected transaction records and usually a certified TSE.
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KYC / KYB (Know Your Customer / Business)
Identity and business verification required to onboard customers or merchants and prevent financial crime.
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Merchant
A business that accepts payments for goods or services via card or alternative rails.
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Payment Processor
A service provider that routes payment data between merchants, acquirers, and schemes.
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PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
Security framework that sets technical and procedural requirements for handling cardholder data.
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Point of Sale (POS)
The place and system where in-person sales are captured, payments are taken, and receipts are issued.
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TSE (Technical Security Device)
A certified technical security device that signs German cash register transactions against tampering.