Our team is at the forefront of servicing the needs of the DACH region with our thorough backend system that streamlines and keeps tour operators in compliance with the German government and taxation regulations. As of 31 March 2021, after a few delays during the Pandemic, German cash registers are required now to have a certified technical safety device (Zertifizierte Technische Sicherheitseinrichtung—TSE) to record all VAT-relevant sales onsite.
Empowering smart tour operators with reliable transactions
Here’s a little background, the Technical Security Device, abbreviated as TSE, refers to a security component integrated into electronic cash registers. Its purpose is to ensure the unmodifiable and tamper-proof documentation of all transactions handled through the cash register. Businesses that use cash registers need to make sure they update their machines and cover the expected costs of getting a certified safety device themselves.
Think of the TSE as a secure container, and all data that enters this container becomes unalterable.
Because the TSE device can only protect what’s been put into the cash registers, it was also important to make it mandatory to provide receipts. This helps prevent dishonesty on taxes. In the past, there were ways to cheat the system, but now the combination of the TSE and the “receipt obligation” eliminates many of these scenarios. The data is cryptographically signed; with these signatures, it is possible to determine at any time whether the existing data has been manipulated.
Travel tech to ensure technical safety device (TSE) compliance
Palisis rolled out this feature ahead of the 31 March 2021 deadline, ensuring our German operators were in compliance. Palisis is compliant in other countries like Sweden, Norway, Austria and Italy.
We have chosen the Austrian/German company fiskaly GmbH as our technical partner in the implementation of this cash register security regulation. The TSE is required for all sales not processed via electronic commerce, i.e. all sales made on devices or via box office require a digital signature. When the seller logs out, the Palisis system sends information about the transaction to a TSE, creating a signature printed on the ticket.
Palisis has been working with operators for over 2.5 years on this issue and offering reporting functionality from our platform. For all the back office specifics, reach out to our support team to walk you through things such as device and back office registration, device compatibility, account creation, client id, fees, managing cancellations, configurations, etc.
With these German government financial reporting requirements, our sales team started seeing more customers adopt new tech that provides this automated reporting connection as the kick-start to their long-over-due digital transformation programme.
When HCT Hamburg Citytours started to review travel tech options for their business, their focus was to find ways to streamline their processes and move away from time-intensive paper procedures, incorporate options for partnering with other local operators for cross-selling, plus adhere to the German regulations for proper ‘cash register’ tracking. They chose Palisis/ TourCMS to accomplish all of this.
We’re actively monitoring other European countries with the possibility of North America to follow suit for implementing fiscalisation requirements. At the moment, our teams are developing the necessary features for Spain to fulfil these needs. As a global travel tech provider, we are actively servicing and safeguarding customers worldwide.
Automation and streamlining
We take functionality one step further for our customers. Our multi-dimensional reconciliation methods are deeply embedded; for example, we enable you to backstep changes to identify where mistakes may have occurred. Data consistency is something we take seriously, and we recognise the changes and effects that go into reporting functionalities. Going far beyond one dimension, we take a whole system—sustainable approach. In our software, linking is a feature that is well-thought-through.
A customer shared with us that they were able to profoundly streamline their business, resulting in moving from a team of three, taking one week to complete the task and to a single person completing the task in three hours. This obviously resulted in massive resource and payroll savings—cha-ching!
Tour operators benefit from Adyen Payments
Our customer’s response to our partnership, functionality, and technology with Adyen for Platforms has been nothing but highly positive. We offer a single payment gateway for all channels, and the systems are deeply integrated like no one else in the industry.
Meaning, no matter if payments come from kiosks, mobile sales, sales offices, e-commerce, Google Things to do, or direct websites—we automatically settle all partnership splits and commissions. Imagine reconciling with your 100+ hotel connections at the time of payment, and gone are the days of invoicing and delayed fees.
An all-in-one system to aid in fiscalisation compliance
Having ticketing, reservations, distribution, and e-commerce in one place causes fewer headaches and offers many operational perks. Adding reliable devices and a single platform makes reviewing reports and analytics more simple and streamlined.
Ultimately, how our team enables, empowers, and comes alongside customers helps them realise and reach their business potential in highly effective ways.