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Expand Merchant Value
Offer a practical referral pathway when your customers need processing reviews, payment acceptance, or complementary business services.
POS Referral Partnerships
POS Referral Partnerships for Software & Technology Providers
POS referral partnerships with Valued Merchant Services help qualifying software developers, point-of-sale dealers, ecommerce providers, and technology firms connect business customers with payment processing and related solutions.
Explore a referral relationship that adds value for your merchants, expands potential revenue, and gives your team a defined route for discussing payment needs and possible integrations.
Referral and integration opportunities are reviewed individually. Technical compatibility and revenue-sharing terms require approval.
Since 2006
VMS industry experience
50 States
Nationwide reach
B2B Focus
Merchant-centered solutions
Flexible Models
Referral or technical discussion
Understanding the opportunity
What Are POS Referral Partnerships?
POS referral partnerships are business arrangements in which point-of-sale providers, software companies, or other technology firms introduce merchants to a payment services provider. VMS can review each merchant's needs and discuss payment processing, compatible solutions, and related services. Approved agreements define referral eligibility, respective responsibilities, and any permitted compensation. A referral program does not, by itself, establish a software integration.
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Explore Recurring Revenue
Discuss possible upfront referral fees and ongoing revenue-sharing arrangements for eligible merchant accounts under an approved agreement.
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Define a Clear Handoff
Keep responsibility for your software or technology product while establishing who handles processing applications, implementation, and merchant support.
Technology businesses we consider
POS Referral Partnerships for Different Technology Providers.
A POS dealer serving restaurants has different priorities than a vertical SaaS company or ecommerce developer. Therefore, VMS begins with the customers, technology environment, and operating requirements of each organization.
POS Dealers & Resellers
Dealers supporting retail, restaurant, and hospitality systems may meet merchants who need payment processing, new terminals, or assistance evaluating available options.
SaaS & Software Developers
Vertical software businesses can explore referrals when customers need payment acceptance. Separate technical discussions can assess possible integrations and commercial requirements.
Ecommerce & Web Agencies
Online store developers and agencies often hear questions about gateways, virtual terminals, recurring billing, and checkout options.
IT & Managed Service Providers
MSPs and technology consultants may identify payment technology needs during installations, technology upgrades, and ongoing client service engagements.
Systems Integrators
Firms connecting business platforms, software, and hardware may wish to discuss supported gateway capabilities and project-specific payment workflows.
Industry-Specific Platforms
Developers serving field services, healthcare-adjacent businesses, professional practices, or other vertical markets can explore suitable payment arrangements.
Choose the appropriate relationship
Referral-oriented
Technical discovery
Two Ways to Explore a POS or Software Partnership.
Not every software company needs an embedded payment integration. In fact, a referral-only arrangement may be the simplest path when merchants merely need additional payment services. More technical projects require a separate discovery and validation process.
Merchant Referral Partnership
Your company makes approved introductions. VMS discusses relevant payment solutions directly with the referred business. The parties define the handoff, merchant support roles, tracking, and qualifying compensation.
Often relevant for: POS dealers, software resellers, agencies, consultants, and businesses that want a straightforward referral relationship.
Potential Integration or Platform Relationship
For providers with a defined payment workflow, VMS can discuss available gateway, terminal, or processing options and whether further technical evaluation is appropriate.
Important: Integration feasibility, supported APIs, software compatibility, development, testing, security, and commercials must be reviewed before any commitment.
Payment and business solutions
More Than a Merchant Account.
Software companies often encounter merchants who need more than one payment function. For example, one retailer may need new terminals, while an online business is evaluating payment gateway options.
VMS provides or facilitates several types of business and payment services. The recommended options depend on the merchant's needs, the available providers, and any technology compatibility requirements.
Merchant Processing
POS Solutions
Payment Terminals
Contactless Payments
Ecommerce Gateways
Virtual Terminals
Mobile Payments
ACH & Check Options
Recurring Payment Options
Merchant Expense Reviews
Gift & Loyalty Programs
Other Approved Business Tools
Common customer conversations
When Does a Technology Referral Make Sense?
A good introduction begins with a business problem. Below are examples of questions technology providers may encounter in their normal client work.
01
A POS Customer Wants a Processing Review
The merchant is happy with its point-of-sale software but wants to understand card processing expenses. VMS can assess available payment options. Whether existing POS software can be retained depends on compatibility and provider requirements.
02
An Ecommerce Client Needs Checkout Options
An agency builds a new website and the merchant asks about accepting payments. A referral can start the discussion of gateway and processing needs. Specific platforms and integrations require validation before selection.
03
A SaaS Company Is Evaluating Payments
A vertical software provider wants to assess whether payment functionality could fit its product. VMS can discuss the concept and relevant solutions, followed by a separate technical review where appropriate.
Partnership implementation
How Software & POS Referral Partnerships Work.
First, we establish the type of partnership being considered. Then, where the parties agree that the relationship is a fit, we define the operating details before any merchant introductions.
01
Discuss Fit
Review your company, software or services, customer needs, and desired referral or technical model.
02
Review & Agree
Define eligible referrals, responsibilities, compensation, disclosures, and any required technology assessment.
03
Make Approved Introductions
Refer interested merchants through the agreed process, with appropriate consent and information sharing.
04
Support & Evaluate
VMS handles agreed merchant activities. The partners coordinate service, tracking, reporting, and any permitted compensation.
Technical and commercial diligence
Responsible POS Referral Partnerships Consider Integration, Security, and Support.
A referral relationship can be relatively simple. However, a payment integration may introduce additional technical responsibilities. Therefore, technology discussions should distinguish marketing and referral activities from software development or access to payment data.
Compatibility & Supported Workflows
Confirm the merchant's existing POS, software, hardware, gateway, and payment requirements. Do not assume that all platforms support the same processors, devices, or integrations.
API & Development Review
Where relevant, identify appropriate technical documentation, development resources, testing requirements, implementation ownership, and acceptance criteria.
Payment Data Security
Identify which parties store, process, transmit, or could affect the security of cardholder data. Applicable PCI DSS obligations depend on the actual environment and scope.
Merchant Support & Escalation
Clarify whether an issue concerns software, payment hardware, gateway communication, processing, or settlement. Define contacts and support boundaries in advance.
Independent technical reference:
The
PCI Security Standards Council's PCI DSS overview
describes the baseline security standard and
its relevance to payment ecosystem participants.
Mentioning this resource does not imply
PCI certification or endorsement of VMS
or a proposed technology partnership.
An established potential partner
Technology Relationships Need Clear Expectations and Reliable Communication.
Founded in Idaho in 2006, Valued Merchant Services serves businesses across the United States with merchant processing, payment technology, and related business solutions.
The company is led by co-founders Sean Ruppel, CEO, and Chris Del Grande, President. VMS emphasizes consultative service, merchant support, and long-term business relationships.
When a software or POS provider introduces a merchant, both the technology experience and the customer relationship matter. We believe defining responsibilities early is essential to a productive business partnership.
Learn more about Valued Merchant Services and our broader Business Referral Partnerships .
Illustrative image, not a photograph of an actual software partner.
Questions technology partners ask
POS Referral Partnerships: Frequently Asked Questions.
These answers cover software referrals, payment integrations, merchant support, revenue sharing, and technical obligations.
What are POS referral partnerships?
POS referral partnerships allow qualifying point-of-sale or technology businesses to introduce merchants to a payment services provider. VMS can review payment needs and available services, while an approved agreement establishes responsibilities and any eligible compensation.
Can a POS reseller earn merchant processing referral revenue?
Potentially. An approved partnership may include a one-time referral fee, ongoing revenue sharing, or another agreed arrangement for qualifying merchants. Terms depend on the agreement, eligibility, applicable requirements, and actual activity. Earnings are not guaranteed.
Can a SaaS company refer customers to VMS?
Yes, VMS considers introductions from qualifying SaaS and software businesses. A referral relationship can be discussed separately from any technical integration or software development project.
Does a software provider need to integrate with VMS to become a referral partner?
Not necessarily. A referral-only arrangement may allow an approved software provider to introduce interested merchants without building a new payment integration. Actual service compatibility still matters.
Does VMS support every POS software platform?
No universal compatibility is promised. Supported options depend on the specific software, payment gateway, processor, merchant account, hardware, and available integrations. Each proposed workflow requires evaluation.
Can VMS discuss payment gateway or API integration options?
VMS can discuss a proposed technical use case and determine whether further evaluation is appropriate. API availability, development requirements, integration support, testing, and commercial terms must be confirmed before commitments are made.
Can ecommerce agencies refer merchants?
Yes. Ecommerce agencies, website developers, and consultants may encounter businesses that need payment acceptance or gateway options. VMS can review eligible needs through an approved referral relationship.
Must a merchant replace its existing POS system?
Not always. Whether an existing POS can remain in place depends on compatibility with the proposed processor, gateway, and payment workflow. Some solutions require equipment or software changes.
Who provides support after a merchant is referred?
VMS handles support for agreed services it provides, while the technology company typically remains responsible for its own product. Integration and issue-escalation boundaries should be documented in the agreement.
What should technology providers consider regarding PCI DSS?
Organizations involved in payment workflows should evaluate whether they store, process, transmit, or can affect the security of cardholder data. Relevant PCI DSS obligations depend on their roles, systems, and actual technical scope.
Can small POS dealers and independent development firms participate?
VMS considers businesses of various sizes. A small team is not automatically excluded, although program fit, merchant needs, and available operating models are assessed individually.
Is a technical integration partnership the same as a referral agreement?
No. A referral agreement governs eligible merchant introductions and associated terms. A technical integration may also require separate specifications, testing, security review, implementation duties, and additional commercial documentation.
Can a technology partner refer merchants in multiple states?
VMS serves businesses nationwide, and an approved referral arrangement may address merchants in different states, subject to program eligibility and applicable service requirements.
Is there a cost to discuss a partnership?
No. An initial discussion about a potential referral or technology relationship is exploratory and does not itself create an obligation to participate.
How can a software or POS company contact VMS?
Complete the inquiry form below or call 208-243-0818. Describe your company, technology environment, merchant customers, and whether you want a referral-only discussion or to explore technical possibilities.
Explore a technology referral partnership
Let's Discuss a Software or POS Referral Partnership.
Whether you're a POS dealer, SaaS company, ecommerce agency, developer, or IT provider, we'd welcome a conversation about your business customers and potential fit. Tell us whether you're seeking a straightforward referral relationship or have a defined technology use case to discuss.
Form not displaying? Open the partnership inquiry form directly.
Submitting an inquiry does not establish a partnership, guarantee integration compatibility, or guarantee referral income. Commercial and technical arrangements require separate review and approval.
Valued Merchant Services provides or facilitates services subject to eligibility, approval, provider availability, technical compatibility, and contractual terms. Integration capabilities must be evaluated for each proposed system. No universal API, terminal, gateway, or POS compatibility is represented. Processing savings and referral revenue are not guaranteed. Payment data security requirements, including applicable PCI DSS responsibilities, depend on the parties' actual systems and roles. This page does not constitute technical, security, or legal advice. Referral compensation is subject to an approved written agreement. Images are illustrative.