This Week’s Product Pick
Touch Dynamic (Irvington, NJ) has offered its Breeze Touch Monitor, complementing the Breeze All-in-One POS terminal with rackable motherboard unveiled in the summer. The Breeze Monitor, with 15-inch resistive LCD, sells for less than $400, according to Craig Paritz, President at Touch Dynamic. As standard features, the unit delivers serial and USB touch interfaces, an external power supply hidden in its stable, bolt-down base, and excellent cable management, he noted. Options include an integrated magnetic-stripe card reader, rear-facing customer display (2 x 20 VFD), and integrated Digital Persona UareU biometric fingerprint reader. In addition, Paritz touted the fact that the Breeze All-in-One and Breeze Touch Monitor represent consistent-looking products. “The All-in-One has the exact bezel as the Touch Monitor,” he pointed out. “If the two are sitting right next to each other you can’t tell the difference. Customers sometimes need that.” In the next few weeks, look for Touch Dynamic to announce an agreement with one of the leading manufacturers of POS printers whereby Touch will brand their products into complete solutions. In the meantime, for more information on Breeze, click here.
Breeze Touch Monitor from Touch Dynamic
COMPANY BUSINESS POS-X Spells Out EZBuild POS-X, Inc. (Bellingham, WA) has rolled out its EZBuild Program in conjunction with ScanSource (Greenville, SC), its exclusive distributor. The new program seeks to make it easy for resellers to configure and purchase complete POS systems by letting them bundle their preferred POS software packages with POS-X hardware into one easy-to-order part number. ScanSource’s Custom Configuration Center handles integration, testing, and delivery. Using EZBuild, VARs access its online “configurator” to select their preferred software from the list of pre-approved Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and add any combination of hardware offered by POS-X, including POS platforms and peripherals. To date, POS-X has certified 15 ISVs for the program, spanning retail, hospitality, and personal services. According to Dan Moseley, POS-X President, the company is actively recruiting new ISVs and expects to add one per month. “The goal of the POS-X EZBuild Program is to allow both new and experienced resellers to spend less time on configuring their POS systems and more time servicing their customers,” Moseley explained. “We feel this program is revolutionary in its ability to allow a great deal of flexibility while simplifying the ordering process.” All options in the configurator are pre-tested for compatibility, and once the system profile is completed, an “EZID” single part number is generated that can be forwarded to POS-X for free review, or sent to the ScanSource representative for the price quote or to place an order. Overall system price depends on the specific configuration and POS-X supplies post-sales support. In an interview with RRN.Com, Moseley and VP Karl Schoessler emphasized the flexibility of the approach. “You’re not locked into one set of hardware,” indicated Schoessler. “Say you’re running your database off Register #1. You wouldn’t want to run an Atom Processor, but maybe Dual Core Pentium at 2 GHz. Our system allows you to configure that first system beefed up and perhaps Registers #2, #3, #4, and #5 are less spec’d.” Up to seven stations can be accommodated by the EZBuild approach, according to POS-X, and the customer buys the software directly from the ISV. For more information on POS-X’s EZBuild, click here.
Confidex Building at BlueStar BlueStar (Florence, KY) will distribute UHF Gen 2 hard tags and specialty labels for asset tracking from Confidex (Tampere, Finland). Confidex’s core competencies include RFID tag design, HF and UHF engineering expertise, and manufacturing through its production facilities in China. Its specializes in tags for demanding applications such as identification of IT assets, vehicles, rail cars, and reusable transport items, or RTI’s. “The Steelwave Micro, Confidex’s most recent tag addition, provides the superior mount-on-metal performance required by most server, laptop, and PC tracking applications,” declared Dan Miller, BlueStar’s RFID Program Manager. “BlueStar is delighted to add the Confidex product to our industry-leading line of RFID tags and labels.” “We are pleased to provide BlueStar with this vital part of their asset-tracking solutions as well as our durable tags used on RTI’s for retail, postal and courier, food and beverage, and automotive industries,” seconded Bill Compitello, Sales and Business Development Director for the Americas at Confidex. The company opened its U.S. offices last spring in Apex, NC, and quickly enrolled leading RFID integrators such as Xterprise, Queralt, AbeTech, and Stratum Global.
A Bundle of Mobility O’Neil Product Development (Irvine, CA) and Motorola’s Enterprise Mobility Business (Holtsville, NY) will expand the scope of their strategic alliance through joint pursuit of key marketing, product, and business initiatives. In particular, O’Neil will work more closely with Motorola EMB’s Industry Solutions Group and key solution partners to develop and deliver solutions for targeted vertical markets. Initial focus, not surprisingly, will include mobile field-service/workforce, route accounting/Direct Store Delivery, and government/public safety applications. “The O’Neil alliance with Motorola’s Enterprise Mobility Business is a significant step for us in meeting our commitment to deliver powerful, industry-leading solutions to our customers that provide maximum return on their investment,” reported Mike Alloco, VP of Sales for O’Neil. “This important alliance with Motorola, whose outstanding reputation, global presence, and exciting new products, like the recently introduced MC75, further strengthens our position as a world leader in mobile printing within the enterprise mobility marketplace.” O’Neil and Motorola will collaborative on complementary, best-in-class bundled solution sets that will be comprised of portable printers and handheld mobile computers, with interoperability and seamless deployment ensured for reseller partners and end-users of the two companies. The strengthened alliance also calls for the companies to work together to identify opportunities to expand the joint product offerings across geographic regions and channels. |
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Worth Your While
NRF Annual Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 11-14
New York
ProMat 2009
Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA)
January 12-15
Chicago
Inspire 2009
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
January 18-21
Aruba Marriott Resort
AIM Technology Leadership Summit
Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility
April 20-22
Chicago
NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 16-19
Chicago
NACStech
National Association of Convenience Stores
May 18-20
Grapevine, TX
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Economy-Sized Receipt Printing from Zebra
Zebra Technologies (Vernon Hills, IL) presented its Economy Mobile 220 (EM 220) for quick, on-demand, cost-effective receipt printing in applications such as retail line busting. The EM 220’s pocket-size and lightweight design makes it ideal for customer-facing environments or when the end-user must wear the printer for extended periods of time. Offering industry standard software and drivers such as Windows and Win Mobile, along with OPOS drivers and software development kit (SDK), the EM 220 integrates into the customer’s existing system. Magnetic-stripe card reader and Bluetooth 2.0 are optional.
“As mobile technology continues to evolve, companies are integrating more mobile applications into their daily operations,” observed Luis Rosales, Product Manager for Zebra Technologies. “This integration drives the need for small, reliable mobile printers that easily communicate with their Windows Mobile smart phones and handheld computers. The EM 220 meets that need, and is ideal for quick, easy, and transportable on-site printing.”
Zebra also announced 2008 Q3 financial results showing net sales of $244 million, up more than 12% from 2007. “We are taking advantage of our strong financial condition to develop new solutions to meet more customer needs with quick ROI,” noted Anders Gustafsson, Zebra’s CEO. “We will also continue to place more Zebra sales representatives in underserved geographic territories to extend global reach. In this way, Zebra remains well-positioned to accelerate growth and build greater stockholder value as business conditions improve.”
Economy Mobile 220 from Zebra Technologies
Aloha Welcomes Guest Manager
Radiant Systems (Atlanta) launched Aloha Guest Manager, an integrated software module for its Aloha Point of Sale solution that enables restaurants to optimize table management operations, enhance the guest experience, and maximize seat utilization, according to the company. Aloha Guest Manager coordinates handling of reservations, wait lists, tables, and guests. Features include managing walk-in and call-ahead guests, providing accurate wait-time quotes, indicating key guest attributes such as VIP status, recognizing special occasions, and maintaining the capability to page guests through third-party paging systems.
“Aloha Guest Manager is a great example of the success we’ve experienced with our partner-driven approach to software development,” indicated Jeff Hughes, VP of Hospitality Products at Radiant Systems. “By working closely with our customers to best understand their needs, Aloha Guest Manager allows unprecedented table management capabilities with a high degree of integration to the store system while maintaining simple systems management.”
“As one of the first restaurants to implement Aloha Guest Manager, we were excited to see many operational benefits, such as the ability to provide guests with more accurate wait-time quotes while increasing staff productivity,” confirmed Bill Kent, VP of IT for Texas Roadhouse, Inc. “We have been able to effectively raise the level of service from the moment our customers walk into our restaurants, ultimately enhancing their overall guest experience.”
Turning the Tables on Table Management Problems
[Editor’s Note: In the republic of pizza, SpeedLine Solutions (Lynden, WA) has topped things off with its SpeedLink File API developer’s toolkit for integrating third-party systems with SpeedLine POS. Multi-unit restaurant companies can use the new API to develop custom interfaces to the systems they use at head office for accounting, purchasing, marketing, human resources, and payroll.]
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ALLIANCES
Digital Signage Gets in Your Face
Tatung Company of America (Long Beach, CA) has joined the “Enabl3D” Partner Program at Magnetic Media Holdings (New York) and will launch its own line of Triview products with Enabl3D displays for the casino and digital signage markets. Magnetic’s technology modifies standard LCD displays and content management software to allow viewers to experience 3D video content without the aid of any special eyewear. Its convex, “lenticular” lens creates multiple images that appear to float in front of the screen, which certainly attracts the audience’s attention.
“We are thrilled that Tatung has joined the Enabl3D Partner Program and will be integrating our technology into their display products,” said Magnetic CEO Tom Zerega. “Following the excitement this summer of our Enabl3D installation at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, we anticipate even greater success through our partnership with Tatung.” Magnetic also has brought NEC, Toshiba, and Samsung into the fold as official integration partners for its technology, which must be designed and fitted to each manufacturer’s display, and can’t be retrofitted.
“Magnetic’s Enabl3D technology is truly the next-generation digital signage solution and it seems the casino industry has really hit the jackpot this time with a solution that promises to be a double threat, by both enhancing the customer experience and still raising awareness of featured promotions,” added John Sherry, Tatung’s National Accounts and Marketing Manager, USA and Canada.
Magnetic’s Enabl3D Digital Signage Solution
Rebit Runs to Resellers
Rebit Inc. (Longmont, CO), which provides an innovative USB hard drive backup device, has launched its reseller partner program and enlisted ASI Computer Technologies (Fremont, CA) to fulfill channel demand in the U.S. and Canada. As part of the push, Rebit plans to offer the full menu of reseller benefits, including dedicated sales, marketing, and support teams, an online portal, demonstration and evaluation opportunities, and product specials.
“The current demand and enormous potential of the Rebit products in the channel has driven the implementation of our new reseller program,” commented Charlene Murphy, EVP of Sales and Marketing for Rebit. “I encourage potential reseller partners to access our marketing programs, incentives, and other specialized offerings. I am confident that the Rebit product and programs will enable our resellers to provide more competitive and customized solutions to their customers.”
Providing simple and fully automated backup and complete system recovery for Microsoft Windows XP and Vista, Rebit plugs into the computer’s USB port and requires no setup or configuration. Recovering any file or folder is achieved through Windows Explorer “drag and drop.” In addition, the device’s “NeverFull” feature automatically manages capacity by deleting old files. The family of devices spans 80 GB to 500 GB with pricing in the $100 to $250 range.
Charlene Murphy, EVP of Sales and Marketing, Rebit
Code
Corner
ClearOrbit (Austin, TX) has achieved “Powered by SAP NetWeaver” status for its Compliance Label Manager (CLM) barcode and RFID printing management software by demonstrating that CLM can be successfully deployed on the SAP NetWeaver Application Server-based J2EE Engine 7.1. SAP NetWeaver unifies integration technologies into a single platform and is pre-integrated with business applications, reducing the need for custom integration. CLM can be used throughout the supply chain, according to ClearOrbit, including inbound items from suppliers, internal warehousing/manufacturing operations, and outbound for shipping, distribution, and logistics. It offers scalability and performance with an n-tier, Java-based load balancing barcode print server. A Web-based management console provides real-time control over all printers and network hardware, including queue management and dynamic label reprint capabilities. “CLM’s NetWeaver Certification is another important step in our ongoing commitment to delivering solutions that enable companies to achieve higher levels of success throughout their global logistics operations,” said Warren Sumner, ClearOrbit’s VP of Marketing and Products.
PARTNER PROGRAMS
ScanSource Adds Citizen’s Barcode Printers
ScanSource (Greenville, SC) has taken on Citizen Systems America’s full line of barcode printers, in addition to the POS printers the distributor has long handled. This includes Citizen’s CLP-521, CLP-621, and CLP-631 Desktop Series, as well as its industrial-grade CLP-7200 and CL-S700 with “Cross-Emulation” control board. The action was taken partly in response to requests from ScanSource’s customers, according to Seth Avergon, Senior Director of Marketing for Citizen Systems America (Torrance, CA).
“We are very pleased to have ScanSource offering the full line of Citizen POS mobile and barcode printers,” Avergon said. “We have worked with ScanSource for many years and the addition of the barcode line is just one step further in continuing that relationship.”
Avergon shared that ScanSource and Citizen hold high hopes for the Desktop Series in particular, which “have some advanced features, both in terms of the ability to adjust them, and in the ability to handle different types of media—including both standard and pediatric medical wristbands.” Citizen’s CLP-521 represents the company’s most basic direct-thermal printer. The CLP-621 utilizes the same mechanism but provides both direct-thermal and thermal-transfer capabilities. The CLP-631 prints both direct-thermal and thermal-transfer at 300 dpi.
Need Help Finding Help?
Here’s an interesting idea. Avnet Technology Solutions (Tempe, AZ) has offered its Talent Acquisition Referral Services to help Avnet’s HP VARs in finding good help. Each participating partner works with a dedicated program manager who provides guidance in all aspects of the recruiting and hiring process, according to the distributor. This includes creating and posting job descriptions, developing interview strategies, pre-screening and short-listing candidates, and completing background checks. In addition, partners can leverage Avnet’s economies of scale on pricing related to some facets of hiring.
“Most experts recommend that managers interview three or four people a month regardless of available openings to build a strong pipeline of candidates ahead of demand,” explained Rick Alvarez, SVP and GM, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, HP Solutions Group. “However, it can be difficult for growing businesses to dedicate the time and resources needed to maintain such a strong pipeline of qualified candidates. Avnet created Talent Acquisition Referral Services to ease this burden for our partners and allow them to focus on their core areas of expertise.”
“We participated in the pilot of Avnet’s Talent Acquisition Referral Services program and were very impressed with the results,” reported Mitch Brown, CTO of Works Computing, Inc. (Minneapolis). “Avnet’s team understands what we are looking for in potential employees and found us several candidates that were solid matches for our available positions.”
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
Logic Controls
pcKeyboard
POS-X
Barcode Printers
Wasp Barcode Technologies
Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic
Mobile
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility/Metrologic
Janam Technologies
Keyboards
Cherry Corp.
Payment Processing
Precidia Technologies
Receipt
Printers
Citizen Systems America
Star Micronics
Retail Software
InfoTouch
Logivision
Screen Protection
3M
Optical Products
Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA
CERTIFICATION
PCI Council to Vet the Vetters
The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), which manages the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), PIN Entry Device (PED) Security Requirements, and the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS), has turned its sights on Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) and Approved Scanning Vendors (ASVs) with the introduction of its quality assurance program for the assessment community. The new program was designed to provide registered QSAs and ASVs with a set of requirements that helps ensure they provide consistent, quality validation and assessment services to merchants and service providers. It will be rolled out in a four-stage process throughout 2009 and participation is mandatory.
“Feedback from the Council’s participating organizations and others made it clear that the assessment process for the PCI standards would benefit greatly from more rigorous guidelines,” emphasized Bob Russo, GM, PCI Security Standards Council (Wakefield, MA). “As a result, we created a clear-cut program that will help ensure all those involved in this process are consistent, credible, competent, and ethical.”
As part of the new effort, an expanded range of communications channels will allow the PCI SSC to engage assessors, merchants, and service providers on an ongoing basis through certification reviews, credit checks, training, and educational vehicles. A dedicated team of staff will validate assessor application and renewals, ensure that training is relevant and accessible to organizations, and maintain the integrity of the testing process, according to PCI SSC. This team also will be responsible for assessor performance monitoring and overseeing any necessary disciplinary action, which could include probation or revocation.
RP Hitches Its Star to Orion
RP Solutions (Ithaca, NY), which supplies electronic and image-based payment processing solutions, has certified the Orion payment terminal from 4Access Communications (Chicago). Orion permits merchants to accept and electronically process credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, EBT, and gift cards, as well as scan checks for Check 21 image processing, all with one device. As such, it simplifies payment processing for merchants and offers resellers an opportunity for incremental check services revenue, according to its developer.
“The Orion is a one-of-a-kind device,” observed David Johnson, President of RP Solutions. “It performs the functions of a POS receipt printer, credit card payment terminal, and check scanner. This reduces the number of devices required at the POS, saving space, equipment costs, and maintenance. And unlike other devices that can only process personal checks through the ACH network, the Orion can process personal, business or government checks because it uses check images to clear them through Check 21 image exchange networks.”
The Orion terminal features high-resolution display, 16-key keypad, three-track magnetic-stripe card reader, and IP or dial mode for authorization and verification transactions. The integrated receipt printer has drop-in paper loading and fast thermal printing. In addition, the unit is configured with an inkjet cancellation printer. 4Access was awarded the Technology Innovation Award for 2008 by the Electronic Transactions Association for Orion.
Orion Payment Terminal Does It All
Channel Factoid
Consumers say one factor will play the biggest role in their holiday buying decisions this year: price. 40% of shoppers rate sales or promotions as most important factors when determining where to shop, while another 13% cite everyday low prices. Other consumers rated selection (22%) and merchandise quality (13%) as the primary factors. Only a handful of consumers say they are making buying decisions based on convenient location (6%) or helpful customer service (5%) this year. “No one is canceling Christmas because money is tight, but consumers will be sticking to their budgets and looking for good deals when deciding where to spend this holiday season,” said Tracy Mullin, President/CEO of the National Retail Federation.
INSTALLATIONS
If Only They Had Pitching
The new Yankee Stadium, set to open in April in the Bronx, will feature the latest and greatest in high-definition video and advanced communications, courtesy of Cisco (San Jose, CA). Under the umbrella term “Cisco StadiumVision,” Yankees fans (and haters) will be treated to integrated video, voice, data, and wireless services virtually everywhere they go to eat, shop, or wander. This next-generation network will be central to the fan experience at the ballpark, according to the two parties.
“Yankee Stadium will come to define the American sporting experience, and we are thrilled it will implement technologies from Cisco to bring fans closer to the action and help the team transform the way it operates the venue,” declared John Chambers, Cisco Chairman/CEO. “This is an opportunity for Cisco to demonstrate the power of the network while establishing a lasting legacy at baseball’s new grand cathedral.”
Cisco’s network will provide live game broadcasting on HD video monitors displayed throughout the stadium, along with sports scores, Yankees trivia, news, and weather. At the conclusion of games, these monitors will direct patrons to the nearest exits and provide up-to-the-minute traffic information. In the event of an emergency, all stadium monitors can be uniformly mobilized to display evacuation instructions. In addition, luxury suites will be outfitted with IP-based touchscreens to allow fans to order concessions and merchandise. The future will bring fan use of mobile devices for ordering concessions from their seat, viewing instant replays or chatting with friends. In addition, the stadium has the capability to allow fans to communicate with players before or after the game using interactive video-based technology. Love to hear some of those messages if they don’t start winning.
Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees Presents Cisco CEO John Chambers with Yankees Jacket
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