--- title: "Take a payment with the Helcim Smart Terminal | Using the Helcim Smart" slug: "take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal" description: "Learn how to process various types of transactions on your Helcim Smart Terminal efficiently and accurately, ensuring a smooth checkout experience." updated: 2025-12-10T19:43:14Z published: 2025-12-10T19:43:14Z canonical: "learn.helcim.com/take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.helcim.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Take a payment with your Helcim Smart Terminal The Helcim Smart Terminal is designed to fit your specific workflow. You can use it as a complete, all-in-one point-of-sale device, or you can connect it to your computer to act as a dedicated customer-facing card reader. This article will guide you through initiating and completing payments in both modes so you can confidently serve your customers. --- **In this article** - [Initiating a payment (Standalone vs. Connected)](/v1/docs/take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal#initiating-a-payment-standalone-vs-connected) - [Processing an in-person card payment](/v1/docs/take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal#processing-an-inperson-card-payment) - [Processing a manual card entry](/v1/docs/take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal#processing-a-manual-card-entry-payment) - [Managing transactions on the Smart Terminal](/v1/docs/take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal#managing-transactions-on-the-helcim-smart-terminal) - [Next steps](/v1/docs/take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal#next-steps) - [FAQ](/v1/docs/take-a-payment-with-your-helcim-smart-terminal#faq) --- ## Initiating a payment (Standalone vs. Connected) --- How you start a transaction depends on how you have set up your Smart Terminal. --- ### Option 1: Standalone mode If you are using the Smart Terminal as an all-in-one device (on the go or at a counter without a computer), you will initiate the sale directly on the terminal's touchscreen. 1. In the POS view on the terminal, enter the total amount of the transaction or select the items being purchased from your inventory. 2. Tap **Review** to see the cart. 3. Tap **Charge**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/ST-standalone-mode (1).png) --- ### Option 2: Connected mode (Workstation) If you have [paired your Smart Terminal](/v1/docs/connect-smart-terminal-to-desktop) with the Helcim Workstation App on your desktop or laptop, your computer acts as the "controller." 1. Build your cart or enter the transaction amount inside the Helcim Workstation App on your computer. 2. Click **Charge** on your computer screen. 3. The payment amount will instantly appear on the Smart Terminal screen, ready for the customer to pay. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/ST-paired-with-computer.png) ## Processing an in-person card payment --- Once the charge has been initiated (either from the device itself or pushed from your computer), the Smart Terminal is ready to accept the payment. 1. Present the terminal to the customer. 2. If you’ve enabled tipping, the customer can select a tip option or skip. 3. The customer can then: - **Tap** their card or mobile wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) near the top of the terminal. - **Insert their chip** into the reader at the bottom of the device. 4. If required, the customer will enter their PIN on the touchscreen. 5. The Smart Terminal will process the payment and display an “Approved" confirmation. - **Note:** If you are in Connected Mode, your computer screen will also update to show the transaction was successful. 6. Select an option to print, text, or email a receipt to your customer. [YouTube video player](https://www.youtube.com/embed/QHbmjGc38s8?si=bdn8DxMVZxajyEau) ## Processing a manual card entry payment --- Sometimes, a customer might not be able to use their card. In these situations, you can manually enter the card details: 1. After entering the transaction amount, select the card icon in the bottom-left corner. 2. Select **Card Manual Entry**, then **Charge**. 3. Carefully enter the customer's card number, expiry date, and CVV. 4. Enter the customer’s name, billing address, and postal or zip code. 5. Select **Charge** again. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/pencil-white.png) | **Tip:** only use manual entry when necessary, as it has higher processing fees and security risks. | | --- | --- | ## Managing transactions on the Helcim Smart Terminal --- The Helcim Smart Terminal also provides tools to help you manage your transactions effectively. --- **Viewing transactions** To keep track of your sales, you can easily view your transaction history on the Smart Terminal. - Tap **Transactions** from the bottom menu - You'll see a list of your recent transactions, with details like date, time, amount, and payment method. You can often filter or search for specific transactions. --- **Processing refunds or reversals** If you need to refund a customer or reverse a transaction, the Smart Terminal can help you do that. - Tap **Transactions** from the bottom menu - Select a transaction and tap the three dots in the corner - Select **Refund** or **Void** --- **Linking a customer to a payment** For better record-keeping, you can link a customer to a transaction. - Tap **Review** in the POS window to open your cart - Select **Link customer or invoice** - Search a customer by their name, or create a new customer This will associate the transaction with the customer's profile in your system. --- **Closing a batch** Closing a batch is an important step in reconciling your daily transactions. - Tap **More** from the bottom menu - Tap **Credit card batches** or **ACH batches** - Select an open batch to close - Tap the three dots in the corner, then select **Settle** For detailed information on batch closing best practices, please refer to our article on [manually closing a batch.](/v1/docs/manually-settle-a-batch) --- ## Next steps --- Now that you know how to process payments, you can customize your setup to fit your business needs. - **Want to connect to a computer?** Learn how to set up the desktop connection in our guide: [Connecting the Smart Terminal to a desktop computer](/v1/docs/connect-smart-terminal-to-desktop). - **Need to configure tips or taxes?** Specific settings can be found in the Helcim App settings menu. --- ### FAQ **I'm new to payment terminals. Is it hard to learn how to use the Helcim Smart Terminal?** Not at all! The Helcim Smart Terminal is designed to be user-friendly. The interface is very similar to a smartphone, and the workflow for taking payments is intuitive. In most cases, you just need to enter the amount and tap or insert the customer's card. **Can I switch between Standalone and Connected modes?** Yes. You can use the terminal as a standalone device for mobile sales and then return to your desk and connect it to your Workstation App for counter sales.