This Week’s Product Pick
Star Micronics (Edison, NJ) unveiled its HSP7000 hybrid receipt/check printer, billed as the fastest (250-mm/second) multifunction printer available on the market today. The HSP7000 features high-quality graphics capability, drop-in paper loading, high-speed slip station (with built-in forms stopper), and standard printer dimensions to allow for replacement of competitive hybrid printers. The hybrid printer combines key features from Star’s popular TSP700 Series with components from its high-speed SP700 dot-matrix printer and quick check processing with top or bottom MICR reading. When purchasing the HSP7000, customers will receive Star’s CD with all standard industry drivers, including OPOS, JavaPOS, Linux, XP SP2 and SP3, and Mac OS X. Star’s development kit assists customers in quickly implementing any additional functionality. In addition, the HSP7000 supports the ESC/POS emulation and comes standard with Star’s three-year limited warranty. “Star is bringing over 30 years of ‘know-how’ in POS and manufacturing to the HSP7000, resulting in customers receiving the features they need with extraordinary cost efficiency,” noted Michael Hanson, VP, Star Micronics America. “The HSP7000 was designed specifically with the reliability customers demand, high speed and high MICR reading accuracy, minus the overhead of unneeded functions and cost, making it an attractive offering at all levels.” For more information, click here.
Star’s HSP7000 Hybrid
COMPANY BUSINESS “Will RuBee Mine?” Visible Assets Asks CipherLab Visible Assets (Stratham, NH) has partnered with CipherLab (Plano, TX) to offer an alternative to RFID-based asset management and logistics based on the low-frequency RuBee protocol. A new interface with Visible Assets’ RuBee technology (meeting IEEE P1902.1) enables CipherLab’s 9400 and 9500 mobile industrial computers to overcome many of the problems currently experienced with RFID in warehousing and harsh environments, according to the two parties. RuBee is a bidirectional, wireless peer-to-peer protocol based on magnetic energy that provides performance unaffected by metals or liquids. RuBee tags have read range of 1 to 100 feet, and may be embedded directly into items such as tools, medical devices, and products stored on shelves. The technology is already in use by customers such as the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture. The latter uses the technology to track livestock. “CipherLab is a great choice for Visible as a partner to help us transition customers with existing manual data capture or logistics systems to fully automated Visibility Networks based on RuBee and Dot-Tag networked solutions,” commented John Stevens, Chairman and CEO of Visible Assets. “CipherLab’s handheld mobile computers are reliable, affordable, and easily tailored to meet individual customer requirements. Together, we offer a logistics and asset management system that delivers enhanced security, longer range, and that is unaffected by noise and traffic.” Added Leslie Mesh, SVP-Americas for CipherLab: “The CipherLab 9400 and 9500 units already offered customers ‘anywhere mobility’ through a number of choices in connectivity platforms and applications at an economical price point, but by adding support for the RuBee protocol, we’ve opened up many more exciting possibilities.”
ScanSource Revs Up Custom Configuration ScanSource (Greenville, SC) announced it has enhanced its integration and configuration capabilities through its new Custom Configuration Center, located in the company’s 600,000-square-foot ISO 9001:2000-certified Southaven, MS distribution center. Citing “a significant increase in customer demand for the configuration of a larger number of solutions with increasing complexity, in addition to the need for enhanced throughput capability,” ScanSource has nearly doubled its dedicated production area and configuration space. “Our Custom Configuration Center was created to help our resellers manage the peaks and valleys in their business, as well as offload some of the back-end production that they often don’t have the time or manpower to manage,” said Paul Constantine, VP of Solutions and Services. “Our quality processes and our highly trained staff ensure that we can deliver customized solutions in the most efficient manner possible, ensuring our resellers can focus on their core services.” The Custom Configuration Center’s offerings include: hardware integration and diagnostics, BIOS/firmware upgrade and system setting configuration, software integration and configuration, hardware/software burn-in, full functionality testing, custom labeling/asset tagging, custom unit reporting, and custom packaging. Quality control measures encompass stringent documentation, “first article” review process before general production, Electro Static Discharge (ESD) Control, and rigorous quality auditing. Datalogic: Six Lessons to Mobile Computer Success Datalogic Mobile (Eugene, OR) has scheduled its “Six Lessons to Mobile Computer Success” reseller training seminars for August 12 through October 9 at locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The sessions are open to all Auto ID resellers at no charge, and present six “fast-paced” 20-minute lessons focusing on selling mobile computers into retail, warehousing, and field-force applications. They run from 8:00 to 11:30 in the morning, breakfast is provided, and prizes will be awarded. “It’s very fast-paced,” promised Jose Vega, Marketing Manager for Datalogic Mobile. “The idea is to give resellers high-level training on technology and the marketplace. It’s a way for resellers to sharpen their skills, so when they’re talking to their customers, they can properly communicate the value proposition. Resellers can get so busy that they don’t have the chance to get trained on new opportunities.” Datalogic Mobile also announced its strategic alliance with Wavelink (Midvale, UT). Wavelink will be providing support for all Datalogic Mobile devices with its industry-standard Terminal Emulation and Avalanche products. “This alliance brings together industry leaders in hardware and software with the goal of providing customers fully integrated solutions,” said Lamar Van Wagenen, Wavelink’s President. Details of this partnership will be finalized soon. For More on “Six Lessons to Mobile Computer Success,” including Schedule and Registration, Click Here. |
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Worth Your While
RFID World 2008
CMP Technology
September 8-10
Las Vegas
VARTECH 2008
BlueStar
September 15-17
Orlando
EPC Connection
EPCglobal North America
October 14-16
Chicago
Self-Service Expo
KioskCom
October 15-16
New York
Impact Now
ScanSource
November 10-11
Orlando
GOVERNMENT & REGULATION Congress Mandates Merchant Tax Reporting Want sizzling summer reading? See the fine print of the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221), which in July flew through the U.S. Senate and was signed into law by President Bush. This is the legislation that bails out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and extends financial assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure . . . it also requires those participating in payment processing to turn over merchant credit and debit card transactions to the Internal Revenue Service. This provision was added despite heavy protest and lobbying from entities such as the Electronic Transactions Association, the American Bankers Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Financial Service Roundtable, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Beginning in 2011, the acquiring industry must annually report the total amount of credit and debit card transactions of individual merchants to the Internal Revenue Service and to the merchants,” the ETA explained to its members. “The same requirement applies to third-party network transactions, such as those via ACH (Automated Clearing House), PayPal or Google Checkout, which do not involve payment cards.” So, in effect, anyone—or anything—accepting electronic payment falls under the provision. “The major outlines of the requirement are clear,” the ETA continued. “Acquirers must report to the IRS the aggregate dollar amounts of credit and debit card transactions for each merchant that has more than $20,000 in transactions and more than 200 transactions per year. Reporting will have to be done by Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). In certain cases, the reporting entity will have to impose back-up withholding on settlements with merchants, in addition to the reporting requirement.” Banks, processors, and resellers all fall under the banner of such merchant “acquirers.” Although the banks are expected to take the first financial hit, resellers will be faced with the daunting challenge of getting, matching, and filing returns by the merchant’s name, address, and TIN. This should be particularly interesting in the case of the SMB market. The next step has the Treasury Department drafting more detailed rules for compliance and implementation, including: when and how reporting must take place, how to avoid “double counting” certain transactions, how the law/regulations will be enforced and by whom, and what penalties will apply in cases of non-compliance. According to the ETA, which is continuing its lobbying efforts, this movement on the law in unlikely to happen before the next President and Treasury Secretary take office in 2009. |
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ALL IN THE FAMILY
Zebra Sets Table with G-Series
Zebra Technologies (Vernon Hills, IL) launched its new G-Series line of thermal desktop printers for low to mid-volume specialty applications. G-Series products handle print widths of up to four inches and are available in both direct thermal and a combination of direct thermal/thermal transfer versions. They are compatible with Zebra’s multiple ribbon and label combinations, including those that work in harsh conditions.
The GK Model offers standard print speeds of up to 5 inches per second with fast first label out, according to the vendor. Co-existent EPL and ZPL programming languages are provided as standard, along with USB and serial connectivity. The GX Model offers enhanced performance with standard print speed of up to 6 inches per second and faster first label out. With both EPL and ZPL installed, the GX also supports USB/serial/parallel, 10/100 Ethernet, and wireless. An LCD panel, included with wireless options, displays prompts and wireless status. Resolution of 300 dpi is offered for the GX, up from resolution of 203 dpi for the basic GK.
“The Zebra G-Series represents a sophisticated new generation of desktop printers,” declared Glenn Williams, Zebra’s Desktop Senior Product Manager. “Zebra’s intensive research, development, and testing have produced an easy-to-use, compact design with exceptional functionality. In addition to available wireless connectivity, this new flagship desktop line demonstrates Zebra’s long-held practice of listening to the needs and concerns of our customers and developing comprehensive solutions that meet their current and emerging application requirements.”
Casio Chases Entry-Level POS
At its national dealer meeting at RSPA in Las Vegas, Casio America (Dover, NJ) unveiled its new QT-6100 Flash ROM touch terminal, designed as an affordable, entry-level system below the company’s QT-6000. The QT-6100 offers many of the same hardware features found on the QT-6000, including high-resolution 12-inch touch display, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet network port, compact Flash Card port, and multiple serial ports for peripherals.
“We are thrilled to add this new model to our Flash ROM touch terminal product line,” stated Frank Romeo, VP of Casio’s Business Products Division. “The QT-6100 offers many of the same functions that are found on higher priced PC-based systems, but with the stability and reliability of a cash register product—that means no hassles of an operating system or hard drive.”
The QT-6100 carries enhancements such as FTP communications for multi-site owners, credit card pre-authorization, and an interface to the NCI 6712 scale for operations such as yogurt, ice cream, and candy that charge for their products by price per ounce. Its software will emulate many of the applications found on the QT-6000 such as graphical icons on keys, graphical split-check screen, floating guest checks, add and transfer check functionality, time and attendance, and mix and match discounting. Casio expects to ship the QT-6100 to its dealers by the end of August.
Casio’s QT-6100 POS/ECR
Code
Corner
LogMeIn (Woburn, MA) has offered its remote support tools for POS and kiosk providers. By installing LogMeIn on the POS terminals and kiosks they ship, solution providers can connect to and manage these remote systems via any Internet-connected computer, according to the company. Technicians can monitor the device and provide any necessary service and support functions, including repairs, software updates, and training. This, of course, reduces the time and cost associated with making onsite support calls, as well as providing support for PCI DSS guidelines. The LogMeIn remote support program for POS and kiosk providers includes a discount volume purchasing agreement and the LogMeIn Embedded Device Starter Kit, which combines the company’s “IT Reach” with a suite of other tools such as LogMeIn Rescue, Backup, Ignition, and Network Console. The Starter Kit also includes two hours of training. Pricing starts at $1,999 and includes 25 seats for LogMeIn IT Reach. Program participants can then purchase LogMeIn software licenses on the volume discount schedule. “We already have customers using LogMeIn IT Reach to effectively support distributed POS systems,” reported Andrew Burton, VP, Products for LogMeIn. “Now system designers can include this capability at the outset and factor it in to how they deliver ongoing support and maintenance services to their customers."
CERTIFICATION
Datacap’s Tran Series Validated by Visa
Datacap’s DialTran, IPTran, and TwinTran products are now approved and validated by PCI DSS and Visa as fully PABP Compliant middleware payment solutions. These Tran products, designed for use with embedded POS and other business systems and terminals, join Datacap’s ePay solutions on PCI’s and Visa’s validated software solutions list.
“Though Datacap’s Tran Series payment interfaces have always met the requirements of the PABP guidelines, actual certification and listing on the Visa compliance list minimizes the effort for our many embedded systems partners to achieve end-to-end PABP Compliance on their complete integrated retail systems,” explained Terry Zeigler, President and CEO of Datacap (Chalfont, PA).
Beware, dear readers. As of October 1, 2008, credit card processors will not be permitted to board new Level 3 and Level 4 merchants who are not using fully PABP Compliant solutions. As of October 1, 2009, these processors will begin to “decertify” all known vulnerable payment applications, including those published on Visa’s quarterly list of such vulnerable payment applications. “Although onerous, this Visa mandate is likely the single greatest sales opportunity for dealers since the Year 2000 conversion,” Zeigler maintained.
Teklynx Ready for Microsoft Server 2008
Teklynx International (Milwaukee) has received the Microsoft “Works with Server 2008” designation for several of its Auto ID software products, including CodeSoft label design software, IDEAM application development software, Label Archive label traceability software, Label Matrix label design software, LabelView label design software, and Sentinel S/5 host connectivity software. The products were tested by an independent third-party laboratory to ensure that they work with core Windows Server 2008 and that they are compatible with the latest generation of Windows Server technologies. They now are listed in the Windows Server catalog.
“Teklynx is proud to be the first and only company in the AIDC industry to achieve the ‘Works with Server 2008’ designation,” said David Pettiford, Director of Marketing for Teklynx. “Many of our customers use and rely on our products to perform as key elements to their 24/7 daily operations. Verifying our software with the latest Microsoft server operating system helps customers feel confident in Teklynx’s ability to meet their needs today and in the future.”
Earlier this summer, Teklynx released BackTrack 6.0, the latest version of its asset and inventory tracking software, which adds support for Microsoft Vista and improved database conversions. Additional enhancements include check-out pre-authorization, automatic notification of overdue items, and the ability to store label files in user-defined directories.
Key
Advertiser
Links
Be sure to visit these vendors for the latest in channel products and offers for resellers.
POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
Ingram Micro
POS & Peripherals
Bematech
Logic Controls
pcCashdrawer
PC-PoS Inc./DigiPoS
POS-X
Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic
Mobile
Honeywell
Imaging and Mobility
Janam
Technologies
ECRs / Touchscreens / Printers/
Parts and Supplies
CRS, Inc.
Receipt
Printers
Citizen Systems America
Star Micronics
Retail Software
InfoTouch
Toshiba TEC
Screen Protection
3M
Optical Products
Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA
Touchscreens
FireBox Displays
PARTNER PROGRAMS
New Gang of Four at Radiant Retail
Radiant Systems (Atlanta) has added four new resellers to its retail distribution channel based on the CounterPoint POS software solution. Perhaps most significantly, One Step Retail Solutions (Phoenix), one of the largest retail service providers in the U.S., has completed sales and technical training and become fully certified. “The strength, quality, and versatility of the CounterPoint software, coupled with the Radiant team’s knowledge of industry operations and demands, led us to partnering with Radiant,” shared Scott Kreisberg, CEO of One Step Retail Solutions.
The three additional dealers include Canadian Retail Solutions (Edmonton, Alberta), RVP Business Systems (Boise, ID and Salt Lake City, UT), and Cognitive IT Solutions (Manila, Philippines and Agana, Guam). The new partners began selling CounterPoint software and Radiant hardware product lines to their retail customers in July.
“As we continue to aggressively expand into new markets with the Radiant retail solution, it is important to partner with the industry’s largest and most successful retail technology resellers to ensure that retailers have increased accessibility to our products and customer support,” reported Chris Lybeer, President of the Retail Division at Radiant Systems. “The addition of these four high-quality partners in such a short period of time exemplifies the strength of our product line and validates our strategic approach as a leader in this market.”
HP Calling All Geeks
Geeks on Call (Norfolk, VA), the national provider of IT services to small businesses and residential customers, has become an authorized reseller of Hewlett-Packard products and services through HP’s PartnerONE Program, allowing its 250 franchises to offer the HP line of desktops, workstations, laptops, printers, storage media, servers, and networking products. Earlier this month, Geeks on Call selected Ingram Micro as its primary distributor for computer and peripheral products.
As our readers know, the SMB network branded through HP’s PartnerONE Program provides member benefits beyond HP product access, including co-branded materials, targeted marketing to pre-defined customer leads, special promotions, and sales and technical training through the partner portal. These benefits will help Geeks on Call franchise partners generate new business and relationships in their communities through both increased and national market presence, according to the two new partners.
“Hewlett-Packard’s partner program came to our attention at the perfect time in Geeks on Call’s company expansion,” noted Rich Artese, EVP and COO of Geeks on Call. “A substantial and growing portion of our IT services are geared toward small business.”
[Editor’s Note: Geeks on Call drives the PT Cruisers. Its competitor, the Geek Squad, owned by Best Buy, drives the Volkswagon Beetles.]
Channel Factoid
How long will shoppers cool their heels in line before bolting for the door empty-handed? Try four minutes. After that, one in ten becomes frustrated enough to do without. Further, 43% of consumers say long lines will affect their decision to shop at that particular retailer in the future, and 3% of those consumers state they will indeed stop visiting the store altogether. The four-minute rule applies across all store categories except club stores, where members demonstrate more patience. So found M/A/R/C Research when it surveyed 13,000 shoppers.
HELLO GOODBYE
Soumbasakis Promoted at Ingram Micro
Ingram Micro (Santa Ana, CA) has appointed John Soumbasakis to SVP and GM of Strategic Divisions, North America. In this new role, Soumbasakis will continue to serve as GM of Ingram Micro’s Data Capture/POS Division, as well as lead the distributor’s emerging consumer electronics divisions, which include AVAD and DBL Distributing. The executive leadership within all three Ingram Micro divisions will work directly with Soumbasakis, who ultimately reports to Ingram Micro’s President of North America, Keith Bradley.
“John’s leadership and track record for success is proven and we are pleased to have him at the helm of our strategic growth initiatives,” commented Bradley. “The Data Capture/POS Division continues to grow profitably under John’s watch and brings tremendous value and opportunity to our channel partners. We are eager to replicate this success within AVAD and DBL Distributing and build stronger synergies between these high-growth divisions.”
Soumbasakis has served as VP and GM of Ingram Micro’s Data Capture/POS Division since September 2005. Earlier in his career at Ingram Micro, which started in 2003, Soumbasakis served as VP, Corporate Business Development where he was instrumental in Ingram Micro’s purchase of Nimax (now the Data Capture/POS Division) in 2004 and AVAD in 2005. AVAD serves the home technology market. Ingram Micro purchased DBL Distributing last year. It supplies wholesale consumer electronics as well as custom audio and video installation products.
John Soumbasakis, SVP and GM of Strategic Divisions, Ingram Micro North America
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