This Week’s Product Pick
Intermec (Everett, WA) unwrapped its CK3 Mobile Computer, which delivers state-of-the-art data capture capabilities, along with secure wireless communications, all in a highly durable handheld package. Featuring 3.5-inch QVGA display and keyboard, the CK3 delivers image capture, 1D and 2D barcode scanning, optional RFID reader, and voice-recognition—all supported by 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth radio communications. Best-of-class platform components include Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 and Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) certification. To facilitate migration and integration, the CK3 is available with Intermec’s Terminal Emulation 2000 and iBrowse software. For fast and easy device deployment and maintenance, the CK3 also supports Intermec’s SmartSystems technology. In preparing the CK3 for shipping next month, Intermec provided a wide variety of software development partners with early access to the CK3 platform to ensure all of the most popular industrial-class applications are available for immediate deployment. “ScanSource is excited about the introduction of the Intermec CK3 as an industry-leading rugged mobile computer,” commented Mike Baur, CEO of ScanSource. “This latest innovation from Intermec helps extend their leading position in the AIDC industry, and we’re looking forward to witnessing the strong impact it will have on end-users.”
Intermec’s CK3 with Gun Deployment
COMPANY BUSINESS Ingram Micro Building Pan-European DC/POS Busy week for Ingram Micro’s Data Capture/POS Division (Carlsbad, CA), which bought not one, but two, European distributors. First, Ingram Micro strengthened its position in Southern Europe by acquiring Eurequat SA, which has operations in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Algeria. Next, Ingram Micro addressed Central Europe with the acquisition of Intertrade AG, with operations in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Israel, as well as a solid customer base in Eastern Europe. Both companies will be integrated into the Ingram Micro EMEA Data Capture/POS Division, lead overseas by Jay Forbes, Ingram Micro EMEA President, Johan Vandenbussche, EMEA VP, and Jan Gulbrandsen, EMEA Director DC/POS. The agreements are subject to customary closing conditions and terms of the two transactions were not disclosed. In addition, previous management will stay with the company: Alain Lecuivre in the case of Eurequat, and Axel Friedrich for Intertrade. These two recent purchases extend Ingram Micro’s DC/POS reach across Europe, which until recently, has seen dozens of small distributors in each country carrying similar products. In 2006, Ingram Micro purchased Nordic POS distributor SymTech Nordic, and earlier this year, took UK distributor Paradigm. Representatives from leading vendors such as Intermec, Zebra, and Motorola’s Enterprise Mobility Business all praised Ingram Micro DC/POS’s efforts to consolidate the European channel. Datalogic Mobile Gets Rolling with DLoG Datalogic Mobile (Eugene, OR) has added vehicle-mount computers to its product portfolio through an OEM agreement with Germany’s DLoG GmbH. Specifically, DLoG’s X-Series industrial computers will be offered as part of the Datalogic Mobile R Series featuring Microsoft's Windows CE. DLoG X-Series vehicle mount computers are especially suited for demanding applications in extreme environments, according to the two parties. With touchscreens, these VMTs meet IP67 sealing requirements for dust and waterproofing in an aluminum housing, and feature fanless operation. Multiple screen sizes will be available, including 7-inch (X7), 10.4-inch (X10), and 12.1-inch (X12). “DLoG is the ideal partner to expand our offering in the warehouse market and the natural complement to Datalogic Mobile’s wide range of mobile computers,” explained Francesco Montanari, VP and GM at Datalogic Mobile. The R Series VMT product line will be customized for Datalogic Mobile, he noted, with distinctive software tools—including pre-installed and pre-licensed Wavelink Terminal Emulation and Wavelink Avalanche, which Datalogic Mobile recently announced for its entire warehouse product range.
One Big Happy Fujitsu Fujitsu (Sunnyvale, CA) will consolidate its North American IT operations into one new company, Fujitsu North American Holding Inc. This new company is scheduled to be established on October 1, bringing together the application services of Fujitsu Consulting, the system platforms of Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation, and the retailing solutions of Fujitsu Transaction Solutions under one unified corporate structure. Farhat Ali, President of Fujitsu Computer Systems, will serve as President/CEO of the new company. “With revenues approaching $2 billion annually, the combination of the three companies will rank Fujitsu among the top North American IT services and solutions companies,” Ali said. “The benefits of a business of that scale include improved responsiveness to client needs, faster time-to-market with integrated value-added solutions, greater market presence, improved operational efficiencies, and additional support from our key alliance partners.” Somewhat closer to home, Fujitsu Computer Systems has appointed Matt McManus as VP, Channel Sales, with the goal of changing its current channel mix from 60% direct and 40% indirect sales to 40% direct and 60% indirect over the next two years. Previously, McManus directed channel marketing strategy for Gateway. In addition, D&H Distributing was brought on to distribute the entire mobile product line, including notebooks, tablet PCs, and convertibles. Even closer to home, Tammy Sterling has joined Fujitsu Transaction Solutions as Channel Marketing Manager. “We are in the process of formalizing our new Partner Program, yet to be named,” said Sterling. “Our program focuses on markets and segments of retail where no single POS vendor dominates and there is an opportunity to innovate and be very supportive of the dealer’s business model.” Previously, Sterling addressed POS for Microsoft and IBM Retail.
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Worth Your While
Poll-A-Rama III
Tri-Technical Systems
September 30-October 1
Dubuque, IA
EPC Connection
EPCglobal North America
October 14-16
Chicago
Self-Service Expo
KioskCom
October 15-16
New York
Retail Market Seminar
Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS Division
October 28
Santa Ana, CA
Impact Now
ScanSource
November 10-11
Orlando
NRF Annual Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 11-14, 2009
New York
ProMat 2009
Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA)
January 12-15, 2009
Chicago
Inspire 2009
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
January 18-21, 2009
Aruba Marriott Resort
ALL IN THE FAMILY Zebra Cuts Out the Middleware Zebra Technologies (Vernon Hills, IL) has issued its Enterprise Connector Solution, which lets customers design and print thermal labels directly from their ERP systems without complex middleware. The new solution is comprised of ZebraDesigner for XML, the Enterprise Connector Transformation Engine, and ZebraNet Bridge Enterprise. It eliminates traditional middleware costs, such as per printer licensing fees, while delivering faster throughput by leveraging the native barcode, text, and graphic printing capabilities of Zebra printers, according to the manufacturer. A PC-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) is used to create label designs that can be printed from ERP systems, such as those using Oracle BI Publisher. The completed design is then converted into Zebra Programming Language (ZPL) commands and uploaded to the server-based Enterprise Connector Transformation Engine. As customers process ERP transactions that require label printing, XML data streams are quickly converted into efficient ZPL commands. The ZPL commands are then sent to the desired printer. “Enabling customers to print labels directly from their existing ERP systems provides flexibility and delivers faster overall printing through enterprise-wide, geographically distributed but centrally managed transaction-based systems,” observed Paul Cullinane, Director, Global Alliances, for Zebra. “The launch of the Enterprise Connector Solution is further evidence of Zebra’s commitment to develop innovative solution offerings.”
Janam Debuts XM65 Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY) has introduced its XM65 rugged mobile computer running Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium software and applications. It follows Janam’s XM60, which is based on Windows CE, and its XP Series for the Palm O/S. Weighing less than 10 ounces, the XM65 delivers advanced 1D/2D barcode scanning, full-sized 3.5-inch display for easy viewing, powerful computing performance, and fully rugged construction, according to the vendor. Key features of the XM65 include 802.11b/g WAN, Bluetooth, user-accessible mini-SD card slot, backlit numeric keyboard, and full suite of accessories and cradles designed for enterprise applications. The XM65 meets IP54 sealing requirements and withstands multiple 4-ft. drops to concrete across a wide temperature range. List price starts below $1,000. “Until now, customers for rugged mobile computers have needed to choose between performance and price,” declared Harry Lerner, CEO of Janam. “The XM65 will offer customers both superior performance and remarkable prices, with no sacrifices. Increasing productivity, enhancing operating efficiencies, and improving customer satisfaction with rugged mobile computers has never been more affordable.” Janam also announced its strategic partnership with Pragma Systems (Austin, TX), which develops enterprise-class remote access and security software for Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile. The partnership allows both Janam and Pragma Systems to provide their customers with enhanced mobile computing solutions utilizing high-performance Secure Shell (SSH) and Telnet technologies for secure system administration, application delivery, and encrypted file transfer.
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CERTIFICATION
Charging Ahead into Mobile POS
Charge Anywhere (South Plainfield, NJ) continued to charge everywhere into the mobile payments world with two announcements. First, the developer touted its ability to accept PIN debit payments with its card payment plug-in designed for use with Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting packages. This was deemed “extremely beneficial” to the SMB merchant community since it allows them to process PIN debit transactions without changing their compatible QuickBooks software. According to the developer, it reduces cost per transaction while simultaneously increasing fraud protection.
Charge Anywhere also revealed it has been accepted into Sprint’s Professional Developer Program, which gives independent developers the opportunity to certify their software for use on all compatible Sprint phones. As part of the program, Charge Anywhere gets access to restricted APIs, as well as technical data underlying Sprint’s software and network. Included will be the opportunity to work with Sprint experts to test the mobile card payment application.
“The Sprint Professional Developer Program is an excellent opportunity to expand Charge Anywhere’s position on top of the mobile point-of-sale industry,” shared Paul Sabella, CEO/President of Charge Anywhere. “Working with Sprint will allow us to continuously develop new and improved features to our Mobile POS software.”
Maitre’D Welcomes Precidia
Precidia Technologies (Ottawa), the supplier of IP payment processing and networking solutions, announced that its TransNet payment engine application has been certified with the Maitre’D POS hospitality solution from Posera. Restaurants using Maitre’D can now choose TransNet as their integrated payment solution. TransNet operates on a secure payment router, offering industry-leading cardholder data security and features such as direct routing to most transaction processors. In effect, the router acts as a “fortress” securing the payment function. It features several unchangeable default settings to help merchants maintain PCI compliance and also allows the use of existing, familiar payment screens at the POS while performing all of the back-end processing tasks.
“TransNet is designed for maximum manageability, with 24/7 transaction data and diagnostics, as well as simple remote application downloads” stated Deepak Wanner, Precidia’s President. “The multi-port router design means that peripherals such as PIN pads and check readers can be easily integrated at the point-of-sale, and automatic dial back-up enhances the solution’s reliability.”
Precidia also announced an agreement with Omega Processing Solutions (Ft. Thomas, KY), under which the ISO will now offer the TransNet solution with Sharp ECRs. “In TransNet, we have found a flexible, easily managed and cost-effective integrated payment solution for our customers,” said Todd McHugh, President of Omega Processing Solutions, adding, “the ability to work with multiple processors results in better rates for merchants.”
Deepak Wanner, President, Precidia Technologies
Code
Corner
Seagull Scientific (Bellevue, WA) launched Version 9.0 of its BarTender Label Management Suite, described as the company’s biggest software release in 10 years. The new package includes Printer Maestro, which provides not only BarTender users but all Windows users with a single viewing area for the status of all printers and print jobs for all computers on the network. The Enterprise Print Server edition of Printer Maestro adds printer media usage tracking, which provides users with an on-screen “meter” showing the quantity of labels and ribbon remaining for each printer. Version 9.0 of BarTender also introduces detailed logging of print job information and application messages to a database. Users can easily inspect and drill down into the log using Seagull’s new History Explorer application. They can even reprint any lost or damaged labels using either History Explorer or the separate, dedicated Reprint Console. “The media usage and inventory tracking features in Printer Maestro were designed with printer and printer supply VARs in mind,” observed Jeremy Seigel, CEO of Seagull Scientific. “They can easily be copied on the automated e-mail and text message warnings about low media conditions, so they know which users are low on printer supplies and may be ready for new stock.”
PARTNER PROGRAMS
SMB Savings from Visa
Attention, VARs and their SMB customers. Visa Inc. has launched Visa SavingsEdge, its new program designed to help small business owners save money with automatic discounts at top-tier business merchants. Register, then use your Visa Business credit or check card and you’ll automatically receive statement credits for qualifying purchases at places such as UPS, Alamo Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and SYX Services, an affiliate and management services provider to TigerDirect and CompUSA.
“Small business owners are looking for simple ways to cut costs and extend their purchasing power,” noted Raghav Lal, Head of Global Small Business, Visa Inc., in an understatement. “Visa SavingsEdge is the latest addition to Visa’s assortment of discount programs that can give businesses easy access to savings on products and services that are important to the daily function of their business.” Under the new program, merchants can streamline their discount programs, access new customers, and enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction, according to Visa.
Visa SavingsEdge is currently available to Visa Business cardholders with cards issued by Chase, Bank of America, PNC Bank, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo. Visa plans to add merchant and financial institution partners throughout 2008 and 2009. Other Visa Business programs include Direct Marketing, Global Merchant Offers, and most intriguingly, Visa Business Network, one of the first mainstream commercial efforts to connect small businesses on Facebook.
Out of the (Big) Box at POSDATA
POSDATA (Gig Harbor, WA) will market Hypercom’s SmartPayments EasyRetail product bundle to its VAR and ISO partners, thereby bringing higher level payment functionality to Tier 3 and 4 merchants. SmartPayments EasyRetail features Hypercom’s Optimum L4150 and L4250 multi-lane terminals, IP-enabled with or without integrated contactless payment, and PC-based SmartPayments electronic payment processing software. As such, the product combines in one easy-to-install, “plug-and-play” package all of the components required for smaller retailers to conduct electronic payments.
The product also provides the ability to support integrated plug-ins for Microsoft’s Retail Management System (RMS) and Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting packages, while providing Class B certification with many processors. It also comes with free help-desk support for the first month, and “competitive” annual help-desk costs thereafter, according to POSDATA.
“This bundled solution is designed to be the perfect fit for the Tier 4 retail market that our channel partners specialize in,” commented Dick Bloom, Senior Director, Payment Terminal Sales and Service for POSDATA, part of Control Solutions. “Our VARs and ISOs will easily grasp the value of a kitted, customer-facing, contactless solution for their merchants and will for the first time be able to sell and support a solution that historically was meant only for big box stores.”
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
ScanSource
POS & Peripherals
Bematech
Logic Controls
pcCashdrawer
POS-X
Barcode Printers
Wasp Barcode Technologies
Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic
Mobile
Honeywell
Imaging and Mobility
Janam
Technologies
ECRs / Touchscreens / Printers/
Parts and Supplies
CRS, Inc.
Keyboards
Cherry Corp.
Receipt
Printers
Citizen Systems America
Star Micronics
Retail Software
InfoTouch
Logivision
Screen Protection
3M
Optical Products
Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA
Touchscreens
FireBox Displays
BELLS & WHISTLES
Motorola Bolts Biometrics on EDAs
“Get your hands up!” has been replaced with “Get your finger up!” for Motorola’s MC70 and MC75 Enterprise Digital Assistants now equipped with biometric readers. Intended for real-time, mobile identity management for government, public safety, and enterprise security agencies, the solution was announced at the recent Biometrics Consortium Conference in Tampa. Its fingerprint sensor, certified to GSA (General Services Administration) FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) 201, allows such agents to capture one to 10 fingerprints in the variety of lighting and environmental conditions they’re likely to encounter.
Part of Motorola’s MOTOA4TM portfolio, the MC70/75 EDAs with biometric attachment feature a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform with an ecosystem of peripherals and accessories. The biometric attachment supports Motorola’s Mobile AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System), as well as applications developed by third parties. Optional contact and contactless smart card readers can be used to verify the identity of individuals against secure documents such as ePassports, ID cards, and employee badges.
“Today, government, public safety, and security agencies are looking for innovative ways to continue to drive operational efficiency and improve organizational knowledge,” proposed Girish Rishi, VP and GM, Motorola Applications and Data Solutions (Schaumburg, IL). “Motorola’s MC70/75 EDAs with the new biometric attachment are uniquely suited for their mobility needs. This solution helps agencies increase productivity and enhance response time at the point of activity.”
New Technology Reads Labels That Aren’t There
An interesting Israeli company, ImageID (Tel Aviv), is touting technology capable of detecting and reporting untagged or illegible assets on pallets. The technology, prosaically dubbed DUAL (for Detection of Unlabeled Asset’s Location), employs advanced image-processing software algorithms to detect missing or unreadable barcodes. It indicates their exact location and even goes so far as to provide details about the assets in question, according to the company.
“Shipping depots and distribution centers are often characterized by adverse environmental conditions,” acknowledged Ronen Dahari, ImageID’s CTO. “Asset tags are often corrupted, hidden from view, badly printed or simply missing. Existing scanners or RFID-based AIDC solutions will typically not detect these assets.”
DUAL works in conjunction with “Visidot,” ImageID’s supply chain traceability (SCT) solution, which employs video imaging to simultaneously capture and decode multiple barcodes. According to ImageID, Visidot can read a full pallet’s worth of case-level barcodes—linear, 2D, or its own color-coded symbology—in seconds from as far away as 150 meters with 100% accuracy. Privately-held, the company has forged partnerships with leading Auto ID VARs in Europe and has assigned Moshe Dalman as VP of Sales for North America, based out of Los Angeles.
Visidot Image-Based Technology
Channel Factoid
Cargo volume at major retail container ports in the U.S. is expected to decline 6% in 2008 compared to 2007, as the nation’s sluggish economy continues to force merchants to carefully manage their inventories. Volume is projected to total 15.5 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units (20-foot containers or equivalent) for the year, compared to 16.5 million TEUs in 2007. Cargo volume for each month this year has been below the same month last year, and that trend is expected to continue as the year closes, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Global Insight.
MILESTONES
SaaS Center Opened by IBM
IBM (Armonk, NY) has inaugurated its Center of Excellence (CoE) for Software-as-a-Service to assist customers and partners in evaluating, implementing, and driving value from SaaS for Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Developed by IBM’s CRM practice, part of IBM Global Business Services, the CoE is intended to help organizations understand how SaaS differs from traditional software delivery models, and how to manage those differences .
IBM’s CoE for SaaS has developed evaluation models to assist with decision making and planning, as well as demonstration environments to preview SaaS capabilities. The CoE has also established an internal network of SaaS subject matter experts, so that IBM consultants on project teams can easily identify best practices and bring proven approaches to the implementation of SaaS solutions for their CRM clients. IBM’s cloud computing infrastructure will be used to link CRM experts worldwide.
“The IBM CRM CoE will help organizations determine whether SaaS will be a suitable platform for driving CRM value, and then help them capture that value through implementation projects,” predicted Daniel Hirschbuehler, Global Leader, Customer Relationship Management, IBM Global Business Services. “Our goal is to be sure clients understand all of the ramifications of these new delivery models and to help them choose the right one for their business.”
[Editor’s Note: And if you don’t think about SaaS, you’ve got your head in the sand.]
MasterCard Fetes Fifth Third Processing
Fifth Third Processing Solutions (Cincinnati) has been awarded the MasterCard Worldwide Global Quality Gold Award for its achievements in payment processing. Fifth Third was one of only 18 customers from the Americas, Europe, and Asia/Pacific to be recognized as Worldwide Gold Award winners.
“Fifth Third Processing Solutions should be proud of its tremendous operational performance and the positive experiences it has helped drive for millions of cardholders who use MasterCard as their preferred way to pay,” stated Bill Mathis, Group Executive, U.S. Relationship Management, MasterCard Worldwide. “As a recipient of this award, Fifth Third Processing Solutions clearly stands out among the strongest processors and acquirers in the business.”
MasterCard Worldwide established its Global Quality Awards program in 2006 to acknowledge customers who have achieved exceptional operational performance in MasterCard Quality Standards, which include: cardholder satisfaction at the point of sale through authorization of transactions, call referral rates, and chargeback performance. Winners must have annual authorization transaction counts of greater than one million—no problem for Fifth Third, the fourth largest bankcard acquirer, which processes over 26.7 billion ATM and POS transactions per year worth $180 billion in credit card sales.
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