At pcAmerica, we love talking about mobile payments to each other and everyone else. A lot of times we hear from people that the term “mobile payment” means you pay with your phone at the register. The reality is that’s just one type of mobile payment, so we decided to lay out the facts for you here.

Although most mobile payments involve some form of electronic money, there are actually several different kinds of mobile payments, according to our friends at mobilepaymentstoday.com.

Mobile AT the POS: When you use your phone or another mobile device to pay at the register using NFC or “tap and go” technology.

Mobile AS the POS: One of our favorites, this is an actual Mobile POS system. For example, pcAmerica’s Restaurant Pro Express™ Mobile empowers clients with fast tableside ordering and payments using an Apple® iPod touch®, iPhone® or iPad Mini®.

Using Restaurant Pro Express™ Mobile, servers can take orders tableside and securely process credit card transactions through an attached encrypted credit card reader. Payments are processed in front of patrons and their credit cards never leave the table, virtually eliminating the possibility of theft from card skimming. Wait staff may print receipts with Epson’s Mobilink™ wireless mobile printer or email diners a paperless receipt.

Mobile payment platforms:Under this category falls anything that allows a shopper to send money to a merchant using a mobile device. Mobile wallets can be included here. pcAmerica clients can accept the following mobile payment platforms: LevelUp’s mobile payment and loyalty solution and ISIS Mobile Wallet, an ultra-secure mobile payment functionality that includes several safeguards against theft or fraud.

Restaurant Pro Express and Cash Register Express also accept payment through Paydiant and Google Wallet, a mobile payment system that stores credit cards, loyalty information and gift cards.

Closed loop mobile payments: This is what happens when a company doesn’t want to use another mobile wallet or payment platform and decides to build its own. Starbucks is the best example of a closed loop mobile payment. This format undoubtedly takes the most time and money but in the case of Starbucks, it’s been hugely successful.