ACH/EFT Processing in Gym Assistant
The degree to which you can integrate ACH processing into Gym Assistant depends on your bank and what changes you are willing to make. The most seamless methods let you submit ACH/EFT transactions directly in the software. Different from credit cards, however, the money from ACH transactions does not get transferred to your account immediately. ACH transactions usually take from 2-5 days for the money to transfer or for the transaction to be rejected (usually for non-sufficient funds, or NSF).
For monthly billing Gym Assistant will generate a list of all members that should be charged for a given billing date. The program will then submit the ACH batch (the list of specific bank transactions)n one step, recording the payments and updating records for all members whose charges were approved.
All banks handle the back-end logistics of ACH transactions, after all this is how all money is moved between banks and between accounts. Many banks, however, do NOT handle the front-end logistics of receiving ACH batches from customers.
Here are your options:
Option #1 – Fully-Integrated Processing: The Direct Method*
This is by far the most efficient way to handle ACH in Gym Assistant is to sign up with a 3rd party ACH processor that offers full compatibility with Gym Assistant. The ACH processor’s primary function is to submit ACH transactions into the banking system on your behalf. (*Gym Assistant Software v2.0.4 or higher required)
Gym Assistant submits ACH transactions directly to the processor through the internet. The processor will check the information that is sent for invalid data and give you confirmation that the information was received.
You can then record all of the payments and update the members’ information in one step.
You will receive an email from the processor within 2-4 days notifying you of any rejected transactions. You can then easily reverse the payments for those members in Gym Assistant … they will be denied entry until their membership is paid either in person or by another ACH transaction.
The following third party providers offer competitive rates and are fully integrated with Gym Assistant software:
Worldline – Please contact Siby Fall at Worldline (formerly Bambora) 1-250-483-1232 & [email protected] OR simply click here for credit card processing and for ACH click here
Profituity – For ACH/EFT processing ONLY we recommend you contact Profituity. Their system is integrated with Gym Assistant software. For rate information and how to set up an account, please visit here https://profituity.com/gym-assistant-sign-up/ OR contact Sales at 888-436-5101, ext 4.
Option #2 – NACHA File Export
Your bank may provide a website that allows you to upload ACH batches. The standard format for ACH batch files is called “NACHA”. Gym Assistant will generate an industry-standard NACHA file that you can send to your bank. The program will also record all of the payments and update all of the member records in one step.
Option #3 – Manual Submission: The low-tech method
For those clubs who already have a standard countertop retail credit card machine and don’t want to change, Gym Assistant provides some tools to make your life easier as well.
When a member hands you his card at the time of purchase just indicate in Gym Assistant that he will be be paying by credit card. The software will then ask if the charge was approved. Swipe the card through your desktop terminal and run the charge as you normally would. Once the charge is approved (or declined) return to Gym Assistant and click “Approved” or “Declined”.
For monthly billing Gym Assistant will generate a list of all members that should be charged for a given billing date. The program will then display a list of credit card numbers, expiration dates and amounts to charge. You can use this list to manually run each charge through your credit card terminal. Once you have finished with the list Gym Assistant can record all of the approved charges and update those member records in one step.
Option #4 – External Processing
Some banks provide tools for you to setup recurring ACH transactions. With a recurring transaction you tell the bank how much to deduct from the member’s account on a given day each month, when to start and when to stop. With Gym Assistant you can easily record all of the payments that will occur on a given billing date.
One significant disadvantage of utilizing a recurring bank debit is that you need to maintain a duplicate system — you must make sure to keep the bank list of transactions synchronized with the membership list in Gym Assistant. If you have a lot of members this process can easily get out of control, so recommend the Direct or NACHA methods whenever possible.
For more information about Payment Processing in Gym Assistant:
Credit Card Processing in Gym Assistant
Please don’t hesitate to call or email us if you have any questions about payment processing. We want to help you find the solution that is right for your business.