PDQ machines for small businesses
Whether fitting tyres on the roadside, turning tables during service or powering through queues in a busy store, we have a PDQ machine to meet your needs.
What is a PDQ machine and what does it stand for?
PDQ stands for 'Process Data Quickly' and is a basically a legacy name for the card machines, card readers or chip and PIN machines that we recognise today. However, some businesses still refer to them as 'PDQ machines', and they're not wrong as such, it's just like saying 'wireless' instead of 'radio'.
Since their inception and introduction into the UK, the technology used in PDQ machines has improved and developed, but they still have the same main function today; taking card payments.
We have a range of PDQ machines for all business types, including countertop, portable and mobile options. The one you choose will depend on the connection points available in your business (Broadband, WiFi, phoneline, mobile network signal) and where your customers normally expect to pay you.
Countertop PDQ machines
PDQ machines that use a wired connection to either broadband internet or a phoneline are known as 'countertop PDQ machine'. By their nature they can't be moved very far, so they're perfect for sitting on top of a counter or next to a till, ready to serve customers that expect to pay in the same place everytime.
The businesses that use them normally get through a constant stream of card payments throughout the day and need a machine that's fast and consistent. For example, newsagents, salons and fast food outlets.
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- Sits on top of a counter or desk
- Connects to internet (wired) or phoneline
- Great for retail stores
Portable PDQ machines
In businesses where payments can be taken at various points across the premesis, like a waitress going from table to table or a barman taking payments in the beer garden, a portable PDQ machine is a great solution.
That's because they can be carried by your staff without losing connection to either Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or mobile network, and because they automatically connect to the strongest signal, they can be used both inside and outdoors.
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- Use inside or outside (wireless)
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or 3G/GPRS
- Great for pubs and restaurants
Mobile PDQ machines
For businesses that need to take payments virtually anywhere, like in a field at a festival, a market square in a remote town or even by the roadside, a mobile PDQ machine can be your pefect business partner.
With an integrated SIM card, these machines use neither 3G or GPRS technology to connect anywhere with UK or Ireland mobile network coverage and are completely wireless.
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- Use on location with a mobile network
- SIM card with GPRS or 3G
- Mobile food trucks, market traders and roadside assistance
Why do small businesses choose our PDQ machines?
| Reliability
Backed by a team of payment experts and UK-based customer service agents, our PDQ machines are designed to leverage only the most secure and fast connections to keep you taking payments when it matters most.
| Speed
We understand that lightning fast transactions and settlement times that keep your cash flow healthy are are not only good to have, they're expected by small businesses. That's why speed is at the core of our product performance.
| Simple pricing
When we give you a quote, we will clearly itemise and disclose all costs to you. Being transparent on your commitments as an RMS member is of the utmost importance to us.
From PDQ machine to bank account in hours
From the point of taking a card payment, it normally take 3 to 5 days for the funds to be settled and end up in your bank account. However, with our Same Day Settlement bolt-on, you can get funds 'from PDQ to account' not only the same day, but often in hours.
Cash flow is paramount to any successful small business, so we strive to get your earnings to your as quick as possible.
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- Get your money in hours
- No more waiting 3-5 days to settle
- Cash flow stays healthy
If you're looking to switch provider or take your first ever card payment, you can talk to us
We're experts at switching payment services and typically save small businesses up to 30% on processing fees, with the same flexible agreement lengths and transaction rates available for businesses just starting out.
PDQ machines frequently asked questions
The 'PDQ' in 'PDQ machine' stands for 'Process Data Quickly', and was the original name for a card machine. Although the name is still used today by some businesses, the original devices aren't - as technology has progressed to become faster and more secure for the customer.
An original PDQ machine would accept payment by swiping the customer's card down the side of the machine and then being authorised by the customer physically signing a printed reciept, then handing it back to the merchant who would check the signatures matched.
This technology was replaced by the use of chip and PIN, because if a card was stolen or lost, a fraudster could use it to make purchases by simply practicing the owner's signature. The end-to-end payment process was insecure and arduous.
All our PDQ machines now have chip and PIN and contactless payments as standard, as well as accepting payments from digital wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay, letting your customers pay with their smartphone.
If you're looking for your first PDQ machine or are considering switching from your current supplier, we aim to make all our customers a saving of 30% on their current processing fees.
Get a quote for more information.
If you hear someone mention a 'PDQ payment', they will normally be referring to the same payments taken by card machines or card readers; Where a customer pays for goods or services using a credit or debit card and either inserts their card and enters their PIN number into the device, or presents their card or smartphone for a contactless payment.
'PDQ machine' is an old name for a card machine. In some rare cases, the term 'PDQ payment' may be referring to old card payment technology and transaction processes, whereby a customer's card would be swiped down the side of the terminal and in order to approve the payment from their card, the customer would sign the printed receipt and hand it back to the merchant.
This technology is no longer used, as the risk of fraudulent card payments were much higher than the use of chip and PIN.
Flexible payment solutions for small businesses