IMPORTANT TECH UPDATE: EVO™ 550 / EVO™ 5000 FIRMWARE UPDATE REQUIRED

ACTION REQUIRED!

EVO™ 550 and EVO™ 5000 Automatic Tank Gauges shipped from Franklin Fueling Systems between the period of January 19, 2021 and April 23, 2021 with controller module firmware versions 2.23.2 and 2.23.3 require an immediate firmware update!!

If you purchased a unit manufacturer during this time, you will need to update to firmware version 2.23.4 ASAP!
For a list of affected serial numbers, please contact Franklin Fueling Support Center at 1.800.984.6266 or submit a ticket


You can read the tech update for instructions on the firmware update.

Tech Update

Download the Latest EVO™ 550 & EVO™ 5000 Firmware Upgrade

Be sure to fill out the form to get the firmware upgrade as well as to unlock and receive the latest software updates!

Upgrade Instructions
Upgrade Instructions
Release Notes
Release Notes


Franklin Fueling Systems EVO / INCON Automatic Tank GaugesLooking for EVO / INCON Equipment & Replacement Parts? Check out our online store!
And if you can’t find what you are looking for, please call us at 1.800.238.1225 or
Email Us!

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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Outdoor EMV Liability Shifts to Convenience Store Retailers

Outdoor EMV liability has officially shifted for the convenience store industry.

EMVAs of midnight on April 17th, 2021, convenience store operators are responsible for fraud that happens on their forecourts.

What Does This Mean for Retailers?

Prior to the liability shift, most pay-at-the-pump dispensers used magstripe technology to verify credit card payments. The problem is, data from magstripe cards can be easily stolen and duplicated using devices called “skimmers,” creating an enormous black market for identify theft.

EMV “chip” technology encrypts customers’ financial data, making it much more difficult for criminals to steal credit card information. EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard, and Visa, the founders of the encrypted chip technology.

Until now, those banks have assumed liability for fraud occurring at fuel dispensers.

Now that the liability shift has occurred, the retailers now own the fallout from fraud. In other words, c-store retailers are now on the hook for fees and legal issues related to fraud that occurs at their stores.

On the other hand, retailers with outdoor EMV technology don’t have to worry about liability.

Chip Cards Likely Chipping Away at Fraud in Europe - America is NextEMV regulations have been in place in Canada and much of the world for the last decade with great success. U.S. retailers have been slower to make the move, causing deadline delays. But as we know now, the deadline is sticking and the “chargebacks” are now your problem.

What is a Chargeback?Chargebacks: Skipping on EMV? Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You…

You can learn all about chargebacks here, but we’ll do the cliff notes now.

There are two types:

Lost and Stolen – Like you might expect, a card can be either lost or stolen. The fraud occurs when it’s used by someone to run up charges before the victim notices.

Counterfeit Fraud – This is where the liability shift is happening between the card networks and retailers. In this scenario, a criminal uses low-cost equipment to create brand new magstripe cards with stolen, but valid data.

The data is typically purchased on the dark web from other criminals who skimmed it from other unprotected gas pumps. In some cases, organized crime syndicates both skim the card data and create the fake (but very usable) cards.

What Now?

Now that fraud liability has shifted, it has created two buckets of convenience stores: EMV have’s and EMV have not’s.

Many retailers have already taken the steps to install EMV on their forecourts well ahead of the deadline.

Maplefields, a c-store retailer in Northern New England, has been 100% EMV compliant since January 2021.

“If you’re not EMV-compliant by the deadline, then it all falls back on you. Breaches, chargebacks, those are 100% yours,” says Maplefields’ IT Director, Skip Potter. “You own those. And I’ll tell you, one breach? That could destroy your company.”

Watch more here:

The rush to install has created a backlog, causing late-to-the-game retailers to wait in line for their upgrade appointment. Then, there are retailers who haven’t made plans to upgrade at all. Most believe they won’t become a victims of fraud, but experts believe differently.

Via Digital Transactions:

Gilbarco EMV-enabled fuel pump dispenserIn an example offered by Mercator, an operator with 12 locations spread evenly among areas deemed be low-, medium-, and high-risk, would face fraud liability totaling $17,315 per store over 12 months, or $207,783 overall. “This could change dramatically depending on the risk position of each station, and it should be noted that Mercator’s calculation takes a decidedly conservative approach,” said Tim Sloane, vice president of payments innovation at Marlborough, Mass.-based Mercator, in a statement.
Bottom Line

Despite the delays and COVID-19, one fact remains: the demand for payment technology is ever-increasing and ever-changing.

No one wants to shop on a website that is vulnerable to hacking, so why expect your fuel customers to shop at a vulnerable dispenser?

If you are a retailer who hasn’t started your EMV plans, you need to begin as soon as possible.

Contact our expert payment team today to begin the outdoor EMV process.

Feel free to call us at 1.800.451.4021 or email us using the link below to
GET A FREE QUOTE

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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New Jersey DEP Compliance Advisory – Phase II VR Systems Decommissioning

UPCOMING DEADLINE TO DECOMMISSION MOST VACUUM ASSIST PHASE II VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEMS

This advisory affects owners and operators of gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) constructed before November 9, 2017 with Phase II (Stage II) vapor recovery system not compatible with Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery are affected and must be decommissioned by December 23, 2020

Please read the full Compliance Advisory by clicking here.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you own or operate a non-compatible Phase II system, you have the option of 1) upgrading the system to be compatible with onboard refueling vapor recovery; or 2) follow the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:27-16.3(h) to properly decommission your Phase II system.

Anyone who will be decommissioning their Phase II system, should be aware of the following general list of items that can help achieve compliance, but please note this is not the complete list of requirements.

  • Decommissioning activities must be performed by a NJDEP licensed UST contractor, certified in the category of Installation – Entire, or Closure.
  • Follow the Petroleum Equipment Institute’s Recommended Practices in PEI RP300.
  • At least fourteen (14) days prior to beginning work, send an email to 14dayUSTnotice@dep.nj.gov listing the responsible parties’ names, a description of the work
    being performed, start date, facility address, and program interest ID (aka UST registration)
    number.
  • Once the decommissioning is complete, within 14 days a follow up email with post-work testing and the completed PEI RP300 checklist is to be sent to the same email address (14dayUSTnotice@dep.nj.gov).
  • The owner and operator will need to apply for a new Air General Permit 004B for Phase I only systems no later than 30 days after completing the decommissioning.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

The following web sites can be accessed for additional information:
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/ust.html UST Compliance & Enforcement
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/air-resources.html Air Compliance & Enforcement
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/aqpp/ Air Quality Stationary Sources webpage

Please read the full Compliance Advisory by clicking here.

Please note this advisory is intended to be a summary explanation of department requirements. It does not include all potentially applicable requirements. If you have any questions related to compliance, please contact an Enforcement number listed above.

You can find all your decommissioning needs in our webstore:
John W. Kennedy Company Service Station EssentialsService Station Essentials

PreAssembled Hanging Hardware
Pre-Assembled Hanging Hardware Kits
Nozzles

Hoses

Swivels

Breakaways

Filters

And if you can’t find what you are looking for contact us at 1.800.238.1225 or email us.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
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EMV DEADLINE DELAYED Until April 2021! But Retailers Advised To Stay On Schedule

EMV Delayed

EMV Deadline Moved To April 2021

Earlier this month, Visa and several other leading credit card issuers announced that they will delay the October 2020 EMV liability shift to April 17, 2021 due to complications caused by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

In a May 4th article that appeared on convenience.org, it states Visa had initially declined NACS request to delay as it was still monitoring the situation. NACS had requested a new deadline be set after the crisis passed and market forces could be reevaluated but Visa moved forward with setting a new deadline of April 17, 2021.

The six-month cushion will benefit retailers in varying ways, some greater than others, depending on their progress towards EMV compliance. For those that have the ball rolling, the delay may eliminate their lapse in compliance, keeping their businesses safe from fraud chargebacks. Retailers that haven’t started will still experience a gap in fraud liability protection.

“Most Gilbarco distributors suggest placing orders sooner rather than later,” said Chris Whitley – Gilbarco Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Getting on a distributor’s schedule now will help that retailer understand how much the new delay really benefits their business.”

Meanwhile—despite the recent announcement of the EMV deadline delay—many retailers are staying the course, despite the commercial disruption posed by COVID-19. Businesses that already put their EMV plans in motion are now seeing the fruits of their preparations – even during the pandemic.

You can read more from Gilbarco’s blog here or the NACS article here.

And of course, the John W. Kennedy Company is here to help with your migration by offering you the best options from the leader in EMV Forecourt and Point Of Sale technology:
Gilbarco Veeder-RootClick on the images below to get an overview of some of your options
:

Pumps & Dispensers
Passport Point of Sale
Gilbarco Passport Point of Sale
Forecourt Payment Options
Gilbarco Forecourt Payment Options
Forecourt Merchandising
Gilbarco Forecourt Merchandising Options

To learn even more about Gilbarco EMV Product and Upgrade Options, call us at 1.800.451.4021

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

JWK USA Logo

April 30, 2020 UPDATE: Gilbarco Veeder-Root: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for C-stores and Gas Stations

Coronavirus Resource Center

In an effort to keep the industry as informed as possible, Gilbarco Veeder-Root has created the coronavirus resource center to keep all COVID-19 related communications in one easy-to-find location.  This should prove to be a handy and useful resource that is specifically geared towards retailers in the fueling industry as well as consumers concerned about the level of safety they can expect when they refuel.

You can also sign up for the weekly COVID-19 newsletter to stay on top of the latest news and developments as the world fights this pandemic together.

C-Stores on the Forefront of Change in the Post-Coronavirus Retail World6 Passport POS Tips and Tricks for COVID-19

April 30, 2020
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, we asked our product experts to come up with ways use Passport POS to make stores safer for employees and customers.
The team ended up with a series of tips that repurpose features and functions of Passport with the goal of flattening the curve.

READ FULL STORY

 

C-Store COVID-19 Tip: Keep Forecourts Open 24 Hours for Emergency WorkersC-Store COVID-19 Tip: Keep Forecourts Open 24 Hours for Emergency Workers

April 30, 2020
Health care workers, commercial drivers, and other essential workers often need access to fuel during off-hours.
Stores use Unattended Mode to keep the forecourt operating and clear card reader errors when no cashier is on duty.

READ FULL STORY

 

C-Stores on the Forefront of Change in the Post-Coronavirus Retail WorldBeyond the Curve: What Do Gas Stations Look Like After COVID-19 Passes?

April 23, 2020
During the COVID-19 outbreak, convenience stores and gas stations have not only proven essential, but resilient in ways no one knew.

READ FULL STORY

 

C-Stores on the Forefront of Change in the Post-Coronavirus Retail WorldCOVID-19 Tip: Offer Full Service with Attendant Fueling Mode

April 20, 2020
During the COVID-19 outbreak, convenience stores and gas stations have not only proven essential, but resilient in ways no one knew.

READ FULL STORY

 

C-Stores on the Forefront of Change in the Post-Coronavirus Retail WorldC-Stores on the Forefront of Change in the Post-Coronavirus Retail World

April 14, 2020
Times are changing and the numbers are already in.

READ FULL STORY

Gilbarco Veeder-Root forecourt solutions expert Danny Seals to answer the top questions on COVID-19 and fuel dispensers

Currently on the resource center page you will find:

ARTICLES
Gas Pump SafetyGAS PUMP
SAFETY
POS SafetyPOS
SAFETY
Gilbarco Veeder-Root Commitment To SafetyGVR COMMITMENT
TO SAFETY
VIDEOS
PRINTABLES
Dispenser Cleaning Guide For Retailers POS Cleaning Guide Dispenser Cleaning Guide For Consumers

We WILL get through this together!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at 1.800.451.4021 or visit us online at johnwkennedyco.com for all your petroleum equipment needs.
The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

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Tips for Keeping Your Site Sanitized During COVID-19

Convenience Stores Stay Vigilant on Gas Pump Sanitation

Gilbarco Veeder-Root

I am sure by now you have all been hammered with emails and posts in regards to COVID-19.  It doesn’t matter where you are on the planet, there is something posted or being said about it and for good reason!

Gilbarco has shared this blog post in regards to sanitizing your site against COVID-19 with information from the CDC and Consumer Reports. CDC - Centers For Disease Control and Prevention I would say the CDC is the best source of general information seeing that is where it all flows from.  The Gilbarco blog past also contains more specific and relevant cleaning information for specific equipment and components found in fuel retailing locations.  It also includes other links to posts and articles as to how we can all help one another deal with this global crisis.

And here are the highlights from the Gilbarco blog post:

Advice for Retailers:

There are many recommendations on solutions for cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces, but some chemicals are too harsh and can damage fuel dispensers. Ammonia-based cleaners weaken and damage bezel doors, screens, and other vital dispenser components.

Consumer Reports also advises against using ammonia-based solutions.

We suggest using a diluted household bleach solution, as recommended by the CDC.

  • Clean the dispenser with soap and water, then disinfect with the bleach solution
    • Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
      • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
      • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Other cleaning considerations for retailers:

  • Do not use fuels or acetone
  • Do not use any cleaner or polish with a citrus element
  • Do not use cleaners containing ammonia, sodium hydroxide or acids. Things like glass cleaner contain ammonia and will cause damage to dispensers
  • Do not use strong solvents
  • Do not spray any cleaner or water into the card reader, receipt printer, cash acceptor or displays

Advice for Consumer:

Using a gas pump is no different than opening a freezer door at the grocery store. Businesses are taking unprecedented steps to make their businesses safe for consumers. Still, people operating gas pumps should exercise caution, giving them similar treatment to a grocery store shopping cart.

  • If possible, wipe the nozzle handle, buttons and keypads with a sanitizing cloth.
  • During the pandemic, wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If this isn’t possible, use hand sanitizer after operating a gas pump.

I highly recommend you check out the full Gilbarco blog post as well as the information from the CDC and Consumer Reports websites.

We WILL get through this together!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at 1.800.451.4021 or visit us online at johnwkennedyco.com for all your petroleum equipment needs.
The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

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COVID-19 Updates From Around the Industry Along With Helpful POS Cleaning Tips

UPDATE – MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020: CURBSIDE PICKUP

Due to the ongoing risks from the corona-virus, in an effort to keep both our employees and customers as safe as possible, we are asking that all orders be phoned in or those with online accounts can place orders at jwkri.com.  We will put your order together and bring it out to your vehicle.  

Call in Your Pickup Orders to:
RI: 1.800.451.4021          FL: 1.877.835.8885          ME: 1.888.667.0667
NJ: 1.888.786.7077          VT: 1.800.754.2413

 

Previously Posted:

This will be a synopsis of what we’ve heard from around our industry in regards to how the virus is impacting day-to-day business.

First and foremost, we wish everyone the best as they deal with getting through this crisis and we WILL get through it because the human spirit is strong in the worst of situations!  And while many of us may feel we fall outside the high risk category, we all have someone near and dear to us who is at risk and we just need to keep that in perspective.

CDC - Center For Disease Control and PreventionWhile this doesn’t have anything to do with petroleum, it sure does on a human level and it is helpful information regardless. This link for the CDC – Center for Disease Control and Prevention will provide the best information with what is going on with the virus and how to protect yourself on a personal and business level.  You should also check with local and state authorities as well.

 

Gilbarco Veeder-RootGilbarco has released a video with instructions on how to clean your Passport screen of COVID-19, the coronavirus:

 

All  Kennedy locations are still operating under normal business hours and as we get word in from around the industry, many of the manufacturers are as well.  We have not heard from anyone who has shut down at this point.  The biggest impact is on the various representatives who travel, with many businesses adhering to the restrictions on travel.  There may also be some lead times impacted for large orders and special order items. 

As we all know, this is an extremely fluid situation with changes occurring throughout the day, every day.  If situations change, we will do our best to get word to you as quickly as we can.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 1.800.451.4021.

We wish you all the best at getting through this global crisis.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

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Technical Support Notification: Release Of EMR4 Software Version C06

Veeder-Root has released version C06 software for the EMR4. The resources contained below include a link to the software, as well as, technical support and marketing information for the release.

 

 

 

 

Resources:

 

Please contact Veeder-Root Technical Support with any questions regarding this notification – 1-800-323-1799, technicalsupport@veeder.com.

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

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EMV October 2020 Deadline: Running Out Of Time!!

NACS Hourglass

Ignoring the October 2020 deadline for EMV at the pump could cost you more than upgrading

The October 2020 deadline to upgrade your equipment to the EMV standard is just around the corner and will be here before you know it!  If you haven’t addressed your EMV needs as of yet, you should start right now!  Not only will there be a crunch on equipment as the deadline approaches, there will be an even bigger crunch on the available service companies and technicians qualified to perform your required upgrades before you hit the deadline wall of October 2020!

Missing this deadline will be very costly to those who don’t act at all.  Don’t expect the deadline to be pushed out again as there is extreme concern by consumers when it comes to the security of their personal information and the credit card companies are listening!  But more importantly to retailers is the HUGE liability shift of chargebacks from the credit card companies to YOU, the retailers who don’t upgrade; that’s a financial hit that will certainly be felt immediately. Currently, gas stations and c-stores are some of the weakest links in the chain at this time for being non-EMV compliant and with the plethora of information available on all matters related to EMV, there is no reason to hesitate any longer.Jerry Soverinsky

Jerry Soverinsky, a contributor to NACS Magazine has a great article in the December 2019 issue (click here to see the PDF of Jerry’s article).  Jerry points out the associated costs for those who wait and those who ignore the deadline, which could very likely cost you more than the upgrade itself!  Jerry’s article is quite the read and very worth a look if you are weighing the options of upgrading now or waiting. The article has facts, figures and some great graphs to lay out what’s at stake.

EMV Preparedness

 

Another great resource is Gilbarco’s EMV Migration Guide containing:

  • EMV Migration Checklist
  • EMV Overview
  • Forecourt Payment Products
  • EMV Upgrade Process
  • Reimage Kit Options
  • High-Speed Site Connectivity
  • And more…

 

 

And of course, the John W. Kennedy Company is here to help with your migration by offering you the best options from the leader in EMV Forecourt and Point Of Sale technology:
Gilbarco Veeder-RootClick on the images below to get an overview of some of your options
:

Pumps & Dispensers
Passport Point of Sale
Gilbarco Passport Point of Sale
Forecourt Payment Options
Gilbarco Forecourt Payment Options
Forecourt Merchandising
Gilbarco Forecourt Merchandising Options

To learn even more about Gilbarco EMV Product and Upgrade Options, call us at

1.800.451.4021

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

JWK USA Logo

Technical Support Notification: EMR4 PC Setup Tool

Veeder-Root EMR4This Technical Service Notification (TSN) will inform the technician of various setup fields they should check after using the EMR4 PC Setup Tool. When the setup file is downloaded to the EMR these fields are improperly written by the PC setup Tool.

 

Click here to download the TSN

 

Please contact Veeder-Root Technical Support with any questions regarding this notification: 1-800-323-1799, technicalsupport@veeder.com.

 

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

 

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