Heartland Payment Systems Introduces SmartLink ProDistributor for Fuel Retailers and Distributors

Heartland Payment Systems® (NYSE: HPY), one of the nation's largest payments processors, launches today the next-generation network services and inventory monitoring solution for the petroleum and convenience store market. SmartLink^TM ProDistributor, powered by FuelQuest, combines Heartland’s state-of-the-art network security and connectivity with the automated inventory control and planning of FuelQuest ForeSite^TM, a fuel inventory and decision support technology.

“By adding FuelQuest’s ForeSite inventory technology, the SmartLink ProDistributor solution will become even smarter, giving retailers the ability to comprehensively monitor fuel inventories with on-demand polling, connect their network securely, and is designed to resolve problems easily before they arise,” explained Michael Youngkin, Heartland’s director of client network solutions. “By offering real-time inventory visibility, this solution helps retailers of all sizes become more profitable and efficient.”

SmartLink technology consolidates multiple in-store devices onto a single lower-cost, high-speed broadband circuit with a distributed network allowing for business continuity at all times. SmartLink transmits both transactional data as well as integral back-office information. The solution also offers PCI-DSS network compliance and scales for single-store and multi-store operators.

SmartLink ProDistributor now offers these features and benefits:

• Inventory planning including real-time inventory status and forecasting with automated data capture.
• Inventory control enabling variance detection based on daily close results.
• Exception indicators providing early warning of non-compliant inventory conditions such as projected run-outs.
• Real-time, map-based view of fuel inventories and alert conditions.
• Software as a Service (SaaS) model for rapid deployment requiring minimal effort, infrastructure or maintenance.

”We are proud to partner with Heartland Payment Systems and combine the strengths of both companies in a unique retail offering,” says Casey Zandbergen, FuelQuest’s vice president of strategic initiatives. “By adding ForeSite to SmartLink ProDistiributor, Heartland helps retailers combat rising and volatile fuel prices by reducing fuel costs and ultimately improving margins.”

Heartland is one of the largest payments processors in the convenience store and petroleum industry, offering a comprehensive suite of products and services including card processing, gift marketing, prepaid services, check management, payroll services and more. For more information, please visit SmartLinkPro.com or call 866.976.1359.

About Heartland Payment Systems

Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (NYSE: HPY), the fifth largest payments processor in the United States, delivers credit/debit/prepaid card processing, gift marketing and loyalty programs, payroll, check management and related business solutions to more than 250,000 business locations nationwide. A FORTUNE 1000 company, Heartland is the founding supporter of The Merchant Bill of Rights, a public advocacy initiative that educates merchants about fair credit and debit card processing practices. The company is also a leader in the development of end-to-end encryption technology designed to protect cardholder data, rendering it useless to cybercriminals. For more information, please visit HeartlandPaymentSystems.com, MerchantBillOfRights.org, CostOfABurger.com and E3secure.com.

About FuelQuest

FuelQuest provides on-demand fuel management, tax automation, and compliance solutions for suppliers, distributors, buyers, and traders of petroleum products and other energy commodities. FuelQuest's solutions deliver operational and financial value to over 750 customers. These customers include leading global oil companies, international retailers, shippers and government entities. FuelQuest's fuel management solutions help customers manage the complexity, regulation and market volatility for more than 18 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel annually. Its Zytax solutions ensure compliance and accuracy for tens of billions of dollars of energy-related excise taxes per year. Learn more at www.fuelquest.com.