SNA: A communications protocol describing a terminal-to-mainframe type connection.

Sales Draft: Paper documentation of a transaction. Also called a sales slip, charge slip, or hard copy.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL): A Web-based technology that lets one computer verify another's identity and allows secure connections.

Serial Port: The place on the back of your computer where you plug in your modem. Also called a communications port or comm port.

Server: A computer that provides a service to other computers (known as clients) on a network.

Service Entitlement Number (SE NUMBER): Assigned by and required for processing American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB.

Settlement: As the sales transaction value moves from the merchant to the acquiring bank to the issuer, each party buys and sells the sales ticket. Settlement is what occurs when the acquiring bank and the issuer exchange data or funds during that function.

Settlement Statement: A document issued to the merchant, indicating the sales and credit activity, billing information, discount fee and chargebacks (if any) occurring during a particular time frame (one week, one month).

Shopping Cart Software: Shopping cart software allows the cardholder to select items from an online store and place them in a 'virtual shopping basket' or 'shopping cart.' The shopping cart remembers which items are selected while the cardholder views other items within the 'virtual storefront,' keeps a running total, and may calculate taxes and shipping. The items in the shopping cart are eventually ordered if the cardholder chooses.

Slug: See Merchant Station Plate.

Smart Card: A plastic card resembling traditional credit or debit cards that contains a computer chip; the chip is capable of storing significantly more information than a magnetic stripe.

Soft Decline: A declined response in which authorization is not granted on a valid card, not because it has been stolen or lost, but because the credit card already exceeds the credit line.

Split Dial / Capture: Process which allows the authorization terminal to dial directly to different card processors (e.g. Amex) for authorization and 'Electronic Draft Capture.'

Split Dial Authorization: A process allowing the authorization terminal to dial directly to different card processors (e.g. American Express) for 'authorization.' In this instance, the merchant cannot be both EDC and Split Dial. Split Dial is also utilized for Check Guarantee companies.

Start Up Kit: Supplies shipped to new merchants including sales slips, credit slips, batch header tickets, return envelopes, VISA/MasterCard decals, merchant plastics, imprinter slugs and instructional materials.

Status Change: A non-monetary change such as an account change or update, i.e., new merchant address.

Stored-Value Card: A pre-paid payment card that stores a monetary value from which the purchase amount is deducted from the card each time the card is used.

Submission: The process of sending batch deposits to Merchant Services for processing. This may be done electronically or by mail.

Support Documentation: The forms necessary to effect a chargeback processing cycle, and any additional material to uphold a dispute.

Suspect Transaction: A transaction that occurs one day prior to or following the account number being listed in the combined Warning Bulletin or listed as pickup card.

Switch: An electronic mechanism that routes transaction data from a point-of-sale terminal to the authorizing data processor for approval of the card-issuing institution.