The service now electronically converts just about all checks presented in person or through the mail into electronic items for processing. With the enhancement of business check support, NOVA is the only electronic check service provider to utilize three processing methods for checks: direct DDA access, ACH processing, and Image Replacement Documents (IRD's), which utilize Check 21 processing rules.

The employees of Bill Ussery Motors, Inc., a leading Mercedes-Benz dealership in Miami, Florida, find ECS easy to use. "With ECS, we can run every check through the same system we use for credit card processing," said Ronit Canet, director of accounting & finance, Bill Ussery Motors. "Plus, we have peace of mind in knowing that funds are guaranteed for every consumer and business check approved by the system, and that we only have one company to deal with for all of our payment processing needs."

"The ability to support all checks presented any way means that merchants no longer need to support parallel processing methods for different types of checks," said Amy Gutierrez, vice president, business development, NOVA. "Check deposit slips are eliminated and cash flow is improved, since merchants receive funding within 24-48 hours."

NOVA's ECS service is supported on the same terminals, software, and VAR interfaces used for its credit card processing services. The service utilizes imaging technology, and NOVA's transaction network seamlessly chooses the appropriate processing method based on the type of check presented. All consumer and business checks can be electronically imaged, routed, converted and deposited. Merchants can choose a variety of risk management services: guarantee, verification, collections, or conversion only. The service was initially introduced in 2003 to support consumer checks, and NOVA now has over 6,500 merchant locations up and running.