This Week’s Product Pick
Cherry Corporation (Pleasant Prairie, WI) unveiled its J86-4400 metal keyboard for kiosk and industrial applications. Both the fascia and non-removable keycaps are constructed from stainless steel and are tested to withstand spills, wash down, and impact similar to hammer blows, according to the manufacturer. The 67-key J86-4400 includes an integrated, lip-sealed trackball made of heavy-duty phenolic material, designed specifically to resist attempted abuse by vandals. The trackball survives an impact of 10 joules—the equivalent of a 1.2 lb. weight dropped onto the trackball from a height of 6 feet. The new Cherry keyboard is rated to IP65 and NEMA-4, making it resistant to water and dust, and it has been tested for electrostatic discharge immunity to 10,000 volts. Finally, all keycaps are laser marked, rather than printed, resulting in long-term resistance against wear and weather, and all key switches are designed with over-protection. “Kiosk owners know that the expense of a maintenance call to service a damaged keyboard is unacceptable, so the J86-4400 addresses the weak points of other kiosk keyboards on the market today,” said Mark Bondzinski, CID Product Manager for Cherry. For more information, click here.
Cherry’s New Vandal-Proof Keyboard
COMPANY BUSINESS Ingram Micro Offers Microsoft’s Software + Service Ingram Micro (Santa Ana, CA) will offer Microsoft’s Service Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA), the subscription-based licensing program that was designed specifically for channel partners selling into the SMB market, as well as vertical segments. Tagged “Software + Service,” or “S+S,” Microsoft’s answer to Software-as-a-Service (and, perhaps, its answer to Google) lets channel players such as VARs, ISVs, and MSPs license a wide variety of Microsoft products and platforms on a monthly basis through dedicated or shared hosting environments. The goals: increased service flexibility, greater profitability, and, best of all, recurring monthly revenue streams. Ingram Micro’s participation should help smaller VARs compete with their larger brethren, in particular. “Software-as-a-Service is growing in popularity among today’s IT channel and will continue to win big among SMBs due to the sheer efficiencies, cost savings, and flexibility of utility-based computing,” stated Jodi Honore, VP, Vendor Management, Ingram Micro U.S. “With Microsoft’s SPLA licensing program we’ve simplified the sale and are truly enabling our channel partners to grow their Microsoft business and increase their profit potential without having to outlay any unnecessary infrastructure costs or borrow against their working capital. Our Microsoft SPLA program has done quite well in Canada, and we are pleased to bring it to our partners in the U.S.” Microsoft’s SPLA usage-based licensing program is available to all qualified Ingram Micro partners in the U.S. and Canada. The program boasts zero start-up costs and requires no minimum, upfront purchase, according to the two parties. To become SPLA Authorized, Ingram Micro partners must be Microsoft Certified and join the SPLA program. M-S Cash Drawer Weighs in With Avery Berkel M-S Cash Drawer (Pasadena, CA), which manufactures cash drawers as well as distributing POS systems and peripherals, will distribute retail scales and software from Avery Berkel (Fairmont, MN), including both the label printing and POS scales. Featured products include the Model IM Scale, which offers two USB ports, standard Ethernet, and optional Wi-Fi, as well as the 6700 Series, which interfaces with most ECRs or POS systems. All scales will be made available to VARs throughout the U.S. and Canada. “Avery Berkel is known for designing innovative products that enable users to achieve profitability in the fresh food business,” observed Paul Masson, CEO of M-S Cash Drawer. “Avery Berkel has developed a strong following in the reseller channel and we are excited to offer their quality weighing solutions.” M-S Cash Drawer has been particularly busy recently, adding several new vendors to its line card for resellers and debuting its new Website with better navigation, more resources, and improved graphics. The site features an updated product directory searchable by product category or by vendor. Excess inventory and refurbished products are accessible from the home page. In addition, an online ordering system will go live in January.
Calling All PNO’s Rise Vision (Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada), which provides Web-based content management for digital signage networks, will look for resellers interested in becoming Private Network Operators of its Rise Display Network service. The Rise PNO Program opens the door for resellers to develop their own branded digital signage solution, according to the company. It will offer its reseller partners volume subscription discounts as well as personalized log-in pages to extend branding and sales opportunities. Under the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, the Rise Display Network gives its subscribers access to live content such as news headlines, local weather, sports scores, and stock ticker updates. Users incorporate this live content with their own information, including movies, graphics, and text, and publish it directly to their network of digital signs. Technology partners for Rise include NEC Display Solutions, Samsung, and Daktronics, and the company distributes its solution through Ingram Micro and Synnex in the U.S. and Canada. “Rise Vision is committed to making the Rise Display Network the reseller’s leading choice for digital signage solution sales,” pledged Ron Levac, President. “Our Private Network Operator Program enables resellers to be in the digital signage business overnight, selling their own branded solution, with minimum investment. Coupled with our volume discount program and the ability to push messaging and offers directly to customers, it’s a powerful and cost-effective package for resellers.”
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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
INTEGRATION
Solidcore Security for NEC’s New TwinPOS
NEC Corporation of America (Shelton, CT) has selected Solidcore’s S3 Control Embedded software as the security foundation for its new TwinPOS terminals. Solidcore (Cupertino, CA) leverages white-listing and host intrusion prevention technologies to provide POS security, malware protection, and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance. The solution also prevents disk tampering and provides advanced memory protection to defend authorized software against buffer overflow vulnerability attacks and zero-day exploits.
“Solidcore provides a revolutionary approach for protecting POS systems without the need to constantly scan for viruses, update signatures or refresh pattern files,” commented Hiroshi Komura, Associate SVP at NEC Infrontia in Japan. “Solidcore is helping us provide our retail customers with the most effective security and compliance without disrupting the performance of our new TwinPOS Series.”
TwinPOS from NEC runs WEPOS, Microsoft’s Windows Embedded for Point of Service. The TwinPOS 3500 features 12-inch touchscreen display and 600-MHz Intel Celeron ULV processor, whereas the TwinPOS 5500 steps up to 15-inch display with XGA resolution and 2-GHz AMD Athlon 64 CPU paired with 2-GB of RAM and an 80-GB SATA hard drive. Significantly, TwinPOS 5500 sports eight USB ports, two serial ports, two cash drawer ports, and 10/100 Ethernet port. Both terminals offer magnetic-stripe card readers, 2x20 customer-facing displays, and resistance to dust and liquids, according to NEC.
New TwinPOS 5500 from NEC
EarthSearch Finds Motorola EMB
EarthSearch Communications International (Atlanta), one of the leading suppliers of location services based on the Global Positioning System (GPS), has joined Motorola’s PartnerSelect Program and the two companies will work together to develop solutions for tracking and managing assets/inventory in transit. EarthSearch earlier this year launched AutoSearchRFID, which integrates RFID and GPS technology at the hardware level. The company said it will start working on integration with Motorola’s RFID technology immediately, with the new EarthSearch/Motorola solution expected to be ready by the end of the year.
“The strength and power of Motorola’s RFID technology, integrated with the EarthSearch GPS platform, will produce further seamless applications that require passive RFID for tracking assets in transit,” predicted Kayode Aladesuyi, CEO/President at EarthSearch Communications. “EarthSearch already offers integration with active RFID. Motorola’s passive RFID will enhance our solutions to meet the exact requirements of our customers.”
EarthSearch’s GPS unit was developed with an internal RF transistor which enables it to communicate seamlessly with RFID readers. Information on packages, materials or inventory in transit can be collected, transmitted, and analyzed in real-time, according to the company. So far, EarthSearch has provided AutoSearchRFID technology and related services to the transportation, fleet management, and airline industries.
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CERTIFICATION
SAM4s Listed as PABP Validated
CRS, Inc. (St. Paul, MN) announced that SAM4s SPS-2000 Version 3.00 has been added to Visa’s list of Validated Payment Applications, following PABP validation by qualified security assessor 403 Labs. PABP stands for Payment Application Best Practices, as our readers should know by now, and is an essential component of the Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Commercial-grade SAM4s ECRs are imported and distributed exclusively in North America by CRS, Inc., and sold through its network of authorized local dealers and distributors.
The SAM4s SPS-2000 is an ECR-based touchscreen POS solution featuring built-in software that can be configured for restaurant, quick-service, or retail merchant environments. Payment integration is accomplished through third-party authorization and settlement devices, such as those provided by Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA). “CRS has been the industry leader in bringing the benefits of integrated electronic payments to lower-cost ECR-based systems,” noted SAM4s Product Manager Troy Lachinski. “We are committed to providing cost-effective and compliant solutions.”
“We know this is a critical step in marketing the SPS-2000,” added Craig Fuss, CRS Dealer Line Sales Manager, “as integrated payment applications are now requested and installed by a growing majority of merchants.” After completion of their SPS-2000 PABP training, CRS will provide its dealers with an RSPA Trial Membership Coupon, which gives them access to the RSPA’s wide range of PCI support materials. This includes samples of letters that resellers can use to notify their customers of the need to update non-validated equipment.
SAM4s SPS-2000 from CRS, Inc
Digital Network Authenticity, by Wavelink
Wavelink Corporation (Midvale, UT) has released Avalanche Certificate Manager, which bolsters mobile device security and network management through user-specific digital certificates. Initially developed for one of Wavelink’s large customers, Certificate Manager works in conjunction with Avalanche Mobility Center and Avalanche CE Secure. By replacing user names and passwords with digital certificates that are unique to individual users, security is significantly improved, according to the developer. Further, encryption gets enhanced due to individual per session keys that are issued dynamically. This prevents hackers from using rogue devices to access the network.
“Ruggedized mobile devices based on Windows CE or Windows Mobile have typically only been able to authenticate to a network using a single identity,” explained Lamar Van Wagenen, Wavelink’s President. “Advanced authentication for these devices is often overlooked, which inherently increases the security risks to the data on the device and network. Now, with Certificate Manager, only users who are authorized to use a specific device may access the device or the network using digital certificates.”
Wavelink Avalanche Certificate Manager is now available through Wavelink’s partner network. The base package also includes 250 licenses of CE Secure. It supports both TKIP (WPA) and AES-CCMP (WPA2) security-enabled networks and integrates with authentication services such as Active Directory.
Code
Corner
Agilysys (Cleveland) released Version 8.0 of the Stratton Warren System (SWS) inventory and procurement solution for hospitality. SWS 8.0 carries several key enhancements, according to the company. Electronic Invoicing enables users to receive supplier invoices in an EDI format. Budget Tracking now covers expenditures of all types, including committed, accrued and actual, against budget, with the capability to issue warnings or stop the creation of documents that would exceed budgeted amounts. Recipe ingredient information, including trans fat content, is provided by the USDA Nutritional Database Upgrade. Purchase Summary Analytical Inquiry looks at total spend by supplier, items purchased, and company. This includes trend analysis and change percentages, allowing users to track spend history quickly and easily. SWS Analytics lets users create custom reports and dashboards and overall security controls have been tightened. There’s also store and forward improvements, external document attachment functionality, and new GUI. Finally, the SWS solution integrates with all leading financial and POS software products. “The Stratton Warren System has always been an industry leader, and now it enables hospitality venues to take inventory and procurement to an entirely new level,” emphasized Tina Stehle, SVP and GM of the Agilysys Hospitality Solutions Group. “In the current economy, it’s more important than ever for purchasing staff to focus on the strategic elements of the procurement process.”
HELLO GOODBYE
BlueStar Names Dorsey VP of U.S. Sales
BlueStar (Florence, KY) has promoted Rob Dorsey to the position of VP of U.S. Sales, where he will continue to lead the BlueStar sales team in nationwide growth and represent BlueStar as a company officer. Dorsey joined BlueStar in 2001 as Inside Sales Manager. His title changed to National Director of Sales in 2003 in recognition of his accomplishments. Under Dorsey’s leadership, the BlueStar sales team has grown sales 200%. In addition, he led the team in its cooperative effort for implementation of BlueStar’s new online ordering tool, BlueStore.
“BlueStar has grown significantly over the past eight years,” said Dorsey. “Its customer-focused mentality as well as legendary customer service has vastly contributed to BlueStar’s growth and prestige. I am honored to step into a new role, providing the leadership to take the sales team to the next level in its continued path of growing BlueStar’s business.”
“Rob has demonstrated his sales management leadership skills and is an important contributor to BlueStar’s success,” stated Steve Cuntz, BlueStar President/CEO. “I look forward to Rob’s oversight as the lead executive for our U.S. sales team—he certainly has earned this opportunity.”
Rob Dorsey, VP of U.S. Sales, BlueStar
Bruno Rejoins Nuti at NCR
NCR (Dayton, OH) has hired John Bruno as EVP, Industry Solutions Group, reporting to Bill Nuti, Chairman/CEO. In this new position, Bruno will lead NCR’s industry-focused business strategy, with responsibility for solutions development, engineering, product management, and marketing in each of NCR’s targeted industries: financial services, retail and hospitality, travel and lodging, entertainment, healthcare and public sector, and telecommunications and technology.
Most recently, Bruno worked in the investment side of things at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, but RRN.Com readers will remember him best from his tenure at Symbol Technologies, where he served as SVP of Corporate Strategy, Marketing, and Business Development as well as GM of the RFID Division. Previously, he was employed as VP of Technology Marketing and VP of Information Technology at Cisco.
“I have known and worked with John for many years and know he will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” Nuti said. “John will bring greater collaboration and focus to how we create growth opportunities, design and engineer high-quality, cost-effective products, and differentiate these solutions for our customers across industries and geographic regions. As a result, we will make it faster and easier than ever for customers to transform their businesses.”
John Bruno, EVP, Industry Solutions Group, NCR
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
Cash Drawers
MMF Cash Drawer
Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic
Mobile
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility/Metrologic
Janam Technologies
Keyboards
Cherry Corp.
Receipt
Printers
Citizen Systems America
Star Micronics
Retail Software
InfoTouch
Toshiba TEC
Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA
INSTALLATIONS
Sherwin-Williams Doctors POS With SUSE
It’s official. Sherwin-Williams, the largest specialty retailer of paint, stains, coatings, and wall coverings, will standardize on SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Service from Novell (Waltham, MA) as the operating system for its retail store multi-function desktop/registers and in-store servers. Mainline Information Systems (Tallahassee, FL), one of Novell’s channel partners and an IBM hardware reseller, will handle the rollout. Sherwin-Williams operates approximately 3,000 retail stores in 50 states, Canada, and Latin America, and in making the announcement cited the solution’s flexible pricing model, support capabilities, and code compatibility across all relevant applications and platforms.
“As a platinum partner in the Novell PartnerNet Program, Mainline provides infrastructure technology solutions, as well as implementation and consulting services for companies nationwide,” declared Greg Schneider, Regional VP at Mainline Information Systems. “We believe SUSE Linux Enterprise POS is one of the best-engineered and reliable platforms optimized for the retail environment. It delivers a robust operating system for point-of-sale devices and in-store servers that can help reduce total cost of ownership through centralized administration and deployment tools, small footprint images, and support for heterogeneous IT environments.”
Added Roger Levy, SVP and GM of Open Platform Solutions at Novell: “By selecting SUSE Linux Enterprise for its in-store computing platform, Sherwin-Williams has chosen the solution that can work across its entire infrastructure from point of sale terminals to mainframe servers. As a result, Sherwin-Williams can reduce the complexity of its environment and improve its efficiencies of scale. We’re pleased to have them as a customer.”
[Editor’s Note: According to Novell, more than 2,500 software applications are now certified on the latest versions of SUSE Linux Enterprise, with an average of 140 new applications being added each month.]
UNLV Hotel Students Sing OPERA
File this one under enlightened self-interest. Micros Systems (Columbia, MD) has donated its OPERA Enterprise Solution to the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It includes OPERA Property Management, Sales & Catering, and Vacation Ownership, and will be deployed before the end of the year to serve as the hotel software used to educate UNLV students in “practical applications.” Up to 200 students at a time will be taught on OPERA in various classes.
“Students at our college are fully exposed to the world of hospitality and leisure services, and this includes educating them on our industry’s leading software applications,” stated Stuart Mann, Dean of UNLV’s College of Hotel Administration. “Micros understands the importance of preparing our students for immediate success as they enter the workforce, and has been very generous in its support of our programs.”
UNLV offers one of the leading hospitality programs in the world, not surprisingly, since Las Vegas serves as its laboratory. Micros has forged deep ties with UNLV, starting with the deployment of the Micros 9700 Hospitality Management System for its food and beverage operations and classroom demonstration software. “We are pleased that our software and services will help educate the future leaders of the global hospitality industry,” remarked Tom Giannopoulis, President/CEO of Micros. In addition, of course, they’re being trained on Micros software.
Channel Factoid
In 2007, the global market for handheld POS scanners reached $245 million, with unit shipments approaching 1.3 million. By 2012, that market should approach $320 million, following compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. Historically confined to tethered/wired deployments, handheld scanners are increasingly configured with integrated wireless connectivity options that allow enterprises to empower all “stakeholder” groups (i.e., employees, customers, and partners) that they interact with throughout their retail location. As stakeholders become more comfortable and confident using these technologies, scanner suppliers and retailers will increase investment in their “new” mobile solutions, especially so-called personal shopping systems. From recent research by Venture Development Corporation, now know officially as VDC Research.
STARTS & STOPS
RGCA: Setting Guidelines for Gift Cards
With unflagging consumer interest in gift cards, U.S. retailers led by founding members Applebee’s, Best Buy, Home Depot, Marriott, and Subway have joined forces to create the Retail Gift Card Association. RGCA will develop and promote “consumer-centered” policies and procedures for members in an attempt to boost consumer confidence in buying and using gift cards. This has become increasingly important in the wake of massive store closings over the past six months, with more looming on the horizon, and consumers possibly worried about their Christmas present suddenly being worthless.
As gift cards have increased in popularity, many new product offerings have fallen under the gift card label, including some lacking adequate guidelines, RGCA noted in its launch announcement. Some gift cards have policies with respect to fees and expirations that are clearly not in the best interests of the consumer. Therefore, membership in the RGCA will be limited to premier retailers with strong brands and longevity in the market. Further, the RGCA will call on all retailers to follow strict standards that will protect consumers and keep them buying.
Significantly, it will also investigate new initiatives that will provide increased security against fraud and greater protection in the event of business reorganization or bankruptcy. “The RGCA is committed to working with consumers, interest groups, and the media to make sure that customers receive products that are effective, safe, and still exciting to use,” asserted Leigh Anne Ambrose, Senior Director, Global Incentives and Gift Cards for Marriott International, one of the founding members of the fledgling organization. For more information on the RGCA, contact Carman Wenkoff at 786-270-1276.
This Sharper Image Gift Card Became Worthless in Bankruptcy
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