This Week’s Product Pick
POS-X, Inc. (Bellingham, WA) unveiled its MiniPOS Point of Sale Computer powered by Intel’s Dual Core Atom 330 chipset. Designed for energy efficiency and value, the Atom 330 can run POS solutions while drawing significantly less power than typical desktop computers. The MiniPOS incorporates common features found on full-sized computers into its compact 11 in. x 13 in. x 3.75 in. footprint, according to POS-X. Further, low-heat emissions ensure that the MiniPOS can be stored safely under the counter without overheating. Standard features also include DVD CD/RW, 160-GB HDD, and up to 2 GB of RAM. All current POS-X Touch PCs and Bookcase Computers come with full three-year warranty, and can be purchased with Microsoft Windows XP Pro, XP Home Edition, Windows POS Ready 2009 (the next edition of WEPOS), or Linux. “Green products are often associated with being either underpowered or overpriced,” noted Shaun Kiely, Senior Business Development for POS-X, Inc. “POS-X’s new MiniPOS Computer breaks the mold by offering both great value and performance while lowering your electrical bill.”
MiniPOS Computer from POS-X, Inc.
COMPANY BUSINESS Motorola Puts RFID Under the Front Counter Motorola’s Enterprise Mobility Solutions (Holtsville, NY) introduced its new business line of fixed RFID readers for retail environments. Motorola’s FX7400 Series supports UHF Gen 2 for “dense reader mode” operations, features an unobtrusive, compact, lightweight form factor, and has the capability to host third-party, customer-driven embedded applications. The readers can be installed under POS counters, behind walls, or on ceilings, thereby providing an ideal solution for item-level tracking, retail inventory management, file tracking, and enterprise asset management, according to the company. With the FX7400, Motorola claims to have delivered the industry’s first “plenum-rated” RFID reader (allowing installation in tight ceiling airspaces), and with Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity, which helps users reduce the cost of electrical drops and the need for external power supplies. A unique key hole bracketing design allows easy mounting onto counters, walls, and ceilings. Customers can choose between models with two and four antenna port configurations to meet application needs and reduce deployment complexity and cost. The FX7400 Series comes certified to run on both Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2 and IBM Premises WebSphere 6.0 and 6.1. It also supports Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 2.0 for hosting customer applications directly on the reader and leverages standardized security, auto discovery, firmware upgrade, and monitoring protocols. In conjunction with the introduction of the FX7400, Motorola introduced its new reader interface and set of APIs in .NET, C, and Java. It also released its Showcase II software tools, which facilitate benchmarking, field testing, and reader configuration. “The introduction of the FX Series of business-class readers draws on Motorola’s decades of design excellence, typifying its innovative prowess and commitment to collaborate with customers to create new and differentiated technologies that meet the specific needs of RFID customers across varying markets,” declared Mike Poldino, VP of RFID, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions. “With the FX7400 Series, Motorola is making it even easier to deploy, use, and manage RFID. For our retail customers in particular, we designed the FX7400 to support the increased employee and operational efficiencies necessary for an enhanced in-store customer experience.”
Ingram Micro Takes in South Pacific Ingram Micro (Santa Ana, CA) has entered into an agreement with Provenco-Cadmus to acquire the business of Vantex Technology Distribution Ltd., one of Asia-Pacific’s leading distributors of Data Capture and POS. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed at the end of May. It represents the seventh acquisition by Ingram Micro in the DC/POS distribution industry since 2004 and adds five more countries to the company’s geographic reach. Vantex generated revenues of approximately $83 million in its last fiscal year. The company has offices in all the main Australian cities, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, with 120 employees who are expected to move to Ingram Micro. Its line card features more than 40 vendors in Data Capture and POS, including most of the best-known names. “We’re delighted to be joining the Ingram Micro group,” said Matt Maley, Vantex’s CEO, who will head the newly formed division focusing on the distribution of DC/POS and related products across the region. “We are in a growing market, and with the ability to draw on Ingram Micro’s expertise, strength, and global reach, we’re looking forward to continuing to expand our business. We’re also keen to leverage the experience Ingram Micro has in the DC/POS market in other parts of the world.”
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Worth Your While
KioskCom
(Self-Service Expo & Digital Signage Show)
JD Events
May 6-7
Las Vegas
5th Annual Partner Invitational
Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS Division
May 12-14
Phoenix
NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 16-19
Chicago
NACStech
National Association of Convenience Stores
May 18-20
Grapevine, TX
U Connect Supply Chain Conference
GS1 US
June 2-5
Orlando
RetailNow 2009
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
July 11-16
Las Vegas
VARTECH 2009
BlueStar
August 13-15
Nashville, TN
ALLIANCES
An Ikon Bearing Apriva’s POS
Psion Teklogix (Hebron, KY) and Apriva (Scottsdale, AZ) announced certification and integration of the Apriva Secure Point of Sale for Windows Mobile and Apriva Payment Engine with the Ikon rugged PDA. Psion Teklogix’s Ikon becomes the first device to be certified by Apriva using its Secure POS Version 3.0 and Apriva Payment Engine Version 1.5, according to the wireless solution provider. Introduced in 2007, Ikon delivers leading-edge data capture, voice, and communications capabilities for mobile workers in one compact package with full VGA display.
“Psion Teklogix customers are looking for payment functionality without the hassle and expense of utilizing multiple devices,” stated Ron Caines, President of Worldwide Sales, Psion Teklogix. “With the addition of the Apriva Secure POS and Apriva Payment Engine to the Ikon PDA, our customers can confidently deploy a comprehensive mobile solution that immediately increases business efficiency and enhances customer service. We’re excited to team with Apriva to provide this important capability to our customer base.”
Apriva completed Class A certification of the Ikon, and will provide the choice of Level 1, direct merchant support, or Level 2, acquirer support, for the product. The Class A certification verifies that Apriva has fully reviewed and tested the solution and its usability on multiple processing partner platforms. As part of the partnership between the companies, Psion Teklogix will offer the Apriva Payment Engine Software Development Kit (SDK) and Apriva Secure POS to its reseller base. Future development efforts will focus on certification of more Psion Teklogix devices and Bluetooth-enabled Pin Pad/MSR/chip card reader.
Payment Solutions for the Mobile Enterprise
[Editor’s Note: Psion Teklogix also announced it has integrated CAEN’s A528 Gen 2 RFID Reader into its WORKABOUT PRO handheld computer. This marks the first multi-regional ruggedized device—capable of operation in the regulatory environments of the U.S., Canada, and Europe—based on the Impinj Indy R1000 Reader Chip, according to the company.]
Welcome to the SPVA
A trio of payment processing players—Hypercom, Ingenico, and VeriFone—have formed the Secure POS Vendor Alliance to tackle the problem of electronic payment security. The non-profit group intends to work to raise awareness of security issues, encourage adoption of best practices, and develop effective standards for industry-wide cooperation. Membership has been opened to the payment processing community of vendors, processors, retailers, and banks, following an announcement at the ETA’s Annual Meeting and Expo in Las Vegas last week.
VeriFone, Ingenico, and Hypercom, as founding members of the alliance, will serve on the SPVA Managing Committee, along with two other directors to be elected by the membership in the coming months. The founding members have appointed the following executives to serve one-year terms: SPVA Chairman Christophe Dolique, EVP, Global Marketing and Transaction Services at Ingenico; SPVA Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer T.K. Cheung, VP, Global Quality and Security at Hypercom; and SPVA Secretary/Treasurer Paul Rasori, SVP, Global Marketing at VeriFone. Commented Dolique: “Security is the cornerstone of the electronic payment industry and its continuous enhancement among the payment value chain is mandatory to protect all stakeholders’ interests.”
A primary objective of the SPVA will be to bring together industry experts to participate in Technical Working Groups that focus on pressing security topics. At the outset, such topics will include Standardized Implementation of Existing Security Standards, Security of the Payment Device Lifecycle, End-to-End Encryption, and Security Threat Analysis and Intelligence. Once these types of guidelines and standards are fully developed, the SPVA will establish an “SPVA Approval” program targeted at POS system vendors wishing to display the SPVA Logo on their solutions. For more information, go to www.spva.org.
Christophe Dolique, Chairman, Secure POS Vendor Alliance
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PARTNER PROGRAMS
Avnet Added by Datamax-O’Neil
Datamax-O’Neil (Orlando) has expanded its North American distribution network with the addition of Avnet Technology Solutions (Phoenix), which will handle its complete line of mobile and stationary printers. The agreement builds upon the success of Datamax-O’Neil’s existing Pan-European distribution agreement with Avnet, which began in May 2008. As a new distributor, Avnet will play an important role in boosting Datamax-O’Neil’s North American market penetration by leveraging its extensive customer base, according to the two parties. Datamax-O’Neil also markets to resellers through BlueStar, ScanSource, and Ingram Micro’s Data Capture/POS Division.
“Avnet provides Datamax-O’Neil with an opportunity not only to align our North American distribution network to more efficiently support our existing resellers, but to incrementally grow it as well,” shared Mike Allocco, Regional GM for Datamax-O’Neil. “They have customers that will benefit with the addition of our products to their portfolio. Their focus on mobility solutions is an ideal match for our expansive mobile printer line.”
“Avnet now offers the comprehensive range of desktop and mobile printers,” added Gavin Miller, GM and VP of Avnet Technology Solutions. “With Datamax-O’Neil, we can provide a printer for every application, including fixed or portable barcode label printing, receipt printing, and RFID, further strengthening Avnet Technology Solutions’ position as one of the leading full-service and solutions distributors.”
ScanSource Security (Greenville, SC) has created an array of customized professional services for its security dealers offering IP Video and wireless solutions. ScanSource Security Professional Services include network assessment and design, Wi-Fi site survey and virtual design, and outdoor point-to-point surveys. These will be delivered through the distributor’s Partner Services Group, and build upon success providing such support to its communications dealer network, according to Paul Constantine, VP of Merchandising, ScanSource Security.
“As video surveillance continues to move to IP, it’s critical that dealers ensure their customers’ existing network infrastructure can support network video and has the necessary bandwidth for technological advancements,” observed Constantine. “Many of the issues encountered when putting video on the network are similar to those of putting voice on the network, so we see great value in providing this offering to our security dealers.”
“By offering these services, resellers can identify any network infrastructure issues up front, ensuring smoother installation while also allowing the reseller to identify additional opportunities for hardware sales related to the company’s network infrastructure,” Constantine continued. The new services are open for resale by all of ScanSource Security’s partners.
Code
Corner
VeriFone (San Jose, CA) released PAYware PC, the next generation of its popular PCCharge payment processing solution for stand-alone or integrated environments. PAYware PC delivers end-to-end payment processing and customer management capabilities for SMB merchants as well as an attractive integration platform for developers, according to VeriFone. It features an innovative, streamlined user interface inspired by the 2007 Microsoft Office system, with colorful icons and dynamic menu screens providing easy access to all features and functions. Most tasks, such as settlement, contract processing, report generation, database backup, and update download, can be performed automatically. The solution offers developers simpler and more secure integration by writing to one API, according to the company. In addition, PAYware PC’s Device Manager manages all interactions with payment devices and peripherals, further simplifying integration for developers. PAYware PC can handle transactions in multiple formats and supports all electronic payment types. PABP-validated, the software will help SMB retailers and restaurateurs achieve PCI DSS compliance. Finally, it works with all versions of Microsoft Windows Vista, as well as Windows XP Professional and Windows 2003 Server Edition. “PAYware PC is a powerful, secure, and easy-to-use solution out-of-the box, but it also provides developers with a powerful platform for value-added applications,” stated Paul Rasori, VeriFone’s SVP of Global Product Marketing. “It builds on the heritage of PCCharge, which has been integrated into more than 700 POS systems and deployed to more than 150,000 installations, and was designed to support the evolution of Microsoft Windows.”
INSTALLATIONS
McSignage by Harris
Harris Corporation and McDonald’s will launch the fast-food chain’s branded TV channel, powered by Harris Digital Signage Solutions, into 20 restaurants around the U.S. in May. The pilot program follows on the heels of two successful trials at the technology-inspired Viva McDonald’s location on the Las Vegas Strip and an additional McDonald’s restaurant in Norwalk, CA. The McDonald’s Channel will present entertainment, messaging, and advertising, reinforce the McDonald’s brand, and broadcast focused promotional campaigns. ChannelPort Communications (Los Angeles) will ride herd on content.
Harris InfoCaster technology will drive broadcast-quality video content to displays installed throughout each restaurant. Designed around file-based workflows that merge television technology and IT infrastructure, the new systems will be designed and managed by Harris Broadcast Communications and Harris IT Services, and Harris IT Services will supervise the entire operation from the Harris Advanced Media Center in Melbourne, FL. Managed services include reception of programming and so-called interstitial content, quality assurance, content scheduling for every display in the network, and remote monitoring for each location.
“The McDonald’s-Harris relationship has been essential to getting this project to the pilot stage,” reported Brad Hunter, West Division Marketing Officer for McDonald’s. “It is comforting to know that Harris can manage this end-to-end platform, allowing McDonald’s to focus on the day-to-day operation of its restaurants.”
Not the History Channel, the Hamburger Channel
Smarter than Cardboard: An RFID Promotions Stand
An RFID-powered, item-level inventory management system for high-margin retail promotions has been deployed by the team of UPM Raflatac (Dixon, IL), Seeonic (Minneapolis), and Alliance/RockTenn (Norcross, GA). The solution, described as an industry first, pairs the free-standing, RFID-enabled MAXRPM retail display from Alliance with Seeonic’s SmartWatch service and UPM Raflatac’s UHF Gen 2 DVD Spine tags. “Taking the guesswork out of inventory,” rhapsodized Harley Feldman, President and CTO, Seeonic. “The platform allows manufacturers and retailers to make informed decisions about production and ordering and adapt instantly to changing conditions.”
Battery-powered, semi-permanent, and customizable, MAXRPM contains an embedded inventory management system that reads RFID-tagged merchandise stored on its shelves. Data is captured in real-time and communicated wirelessly to the secure, Web-accessible business intelligence service and relational database, SmartWatch, hosted by Seeonic. SmartWatch provides analytical and modeling tools, SmartPlan, to help business users track and manage inventory and reduce out-of-stocks. The MAXRPM system also can be paired with RFID-enabled loyalty cards to motivate customer behavior, such as visiting stores at specific times to receive special offers or merchandise giveaways. Perhaps most importantly, it empowers retailers to make the most of the “golden hour” when new products are released, and before prices fall.
The MAXRPM system is currently on display at the Sam M. Walton College of Business RFID Research Center at the University of Arkansas. “Our research studies have demonstrated that retailers achieved 16% reduction in product out-of-stocks with merchandise identified and tracked using RFID EPC technology,” stated Bill Hargrave, Director of the RFID Research Center. “In addition, RFID-enabled stores were 63% more effective in replenishing out-of-stock products than control stores not equipped with the technology. Essentially, this meant fewer total out-of-stock items and fewer occurrences of empty shelves when the merchandise was in the back room.”
The MAXRPM System from Alliance, Seeonic, and UPM Raflatac
Key
Advertiser
Links
Be sure to visit these vendors for the latest in channel products and offers for resellers.
POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
M-S Cash Drawer
POS & Peripherals
FEC USA
Pioneer POS
POS-X
Barcode & Mobile Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Cash Drawers
MMF Cash Drawer
Data Collection Software
Wavelink
Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic
Mobile
Janam Technologies
Motorola
Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Payment Engine Solutions
Precidia Technologies
Receipt
Printers
Star Micronics
Retail Software
Toshiba TEC
Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters
Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security
HELLO GOODBYE
NRF Loses Mullin, Merges with RILA
Tracy Mullin, who has worked for the National Retail Federation for more than 30 years, has announced she will retire from the organization in late 2009. Mullin has served as President and CEO of NRF since 1993 when she was elected by the Board of Directors. While she made her retirement plans known to NRF’s leadership last year, the news comes as NRF’s Executive Committee agreed to the merger between NRF (Washington, DC) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (Arlington, VA).
The new (and as yet unnamed) organization will provide enhanced value to NRF and RILA members and help ensure that the retail industry speaks with one voice to advance its interests and the interests of its 15 million workers, according to the two parties, which are conducting due diligence and working out details. Both associations’ board of directors must recommend the merger, and both memberships must approve it. NRF and RILA expect the process to be completed by this summer.
“NRF would not be where it is today without our extraordinary membership base,” Mullin wrote in her farewell letter to NRF members. “Please be assured that our entire staff, whom many of you have come to know well and trust, will be working diligently to ensure that this transition is smooth. Honestly, it is my hope that most of you will be unfazed by the merger—except those of you with membership in both associations will not be paying two sets of dues! I’m sure I speak for both the NRF and RILA staffs when I say that we value your commitment to our organizations, will do everything we can to make this new partnership valuable to you, and look forward to having you as our ally in this next step.”
Tracy Mullin, President/CEO, National Retail Federation
The G2 on GS1’s New CEO
Robert Carpenter had been elected as CEO of GS1 US (Lawrenceville, NJ), the not-for-profit supply chain standards group for Auto ID in all its manifestations: barcoding, RFID, data synchronization, and electronic information exchange. Miguel Lopera, who has been serving as the CEO of GS1 US since 2004 while simultaneously serving as CEO of Brussels-based GS1, will refocus on his global role. GS1 US is one of 108 country-based affiliates of the worldwide league.
Carpenter joins GS1 US from Aramak Corporation, where he served as SVP of Business and Strategic Development. Prior to that, Carpenter was President of Aramak Healthcare, the $1.7-billion division serving more than 1,100 hospitals in the U.S., for three years. He also worked for more than 10 years at Johnson & Johnson. In making the announcement, Sandy Douglas, Chairman of the GS1 US Board of Governors and President of Coca-Cola America, praised Carpenter’s management experience in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer roles.
“Although GS1 US has accomplished a great deal over the last three decades, there remain tremendous opportunities to strengthen adoption of solutions, standards, and technology across not only its traditional industry verticals, such as consumer packaged goods, but also emerging verticals, such as healthcare,” Carpenter noted. “The chance to participate in a leading role in these efforts influencing international commerce is very exciting.”
Robert Carpenter, CEO, GS1 US
Channel Factoid
Worldwide cloud services revenue is on pace to surpass $56.3 billion in 2009, an increase of 21.3% from 2008 revenue of $46.4 billion, according to Gartner. The market is expected to reach $150.1 billion in 2013. (Cloud computing, for the record, means scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are provided “as a service” to external customers using Internet technologies.) Business processes delivered as cloud services are the largest segment of the overall cloud computing market, accounting for 84% of the total in 2008. The segment, consisting of cloud-based advertising, e-commerce, human resources, and payment processing, is forecast to grow 19.8% in 2009 to $46.6 billion, up from $38.9 billion in 2008. While much of the publicity for cloud computing currently centers on system infrastructure delivered as a service, this is still an early-stage market. In 2008, such services accounted for only 5.5% of the overall cloud services market and are expected to account for 6% of the market in 2009. Infrastructure services revenue was $2.5 billion in 2008 and is forecast to reach $3.2 billion in 2009.
CERTIFICATION
Bixolon on Menu at Dinerware
Dinerware (Seattle) has added Samsung Mini Printers from Bixolon (Carson, CA) to its list of certified POS hardware. The hospitality solutions provider now offers the SRP-350Plus thermal receipt printer and the SRP-275 impact receipt printer from Bixolon. Both printers are free of third-party drivers, which results in faster, more reliable installations and performance, according to the two parties.
“Dinerware tests and evaluates hardware rigorously to ensure consumers have superior experiences,” indicated Jeff Riley, CEO of Dinerware. “Dinerware is proud to offer Bixolon Samsung Mini Printers to our customers, and to add additional quality products to our growing portfolio of certified hardware.”
Dinerware also announced the recent release of Dinerware Version 2.8.2. As with previous Dinerware releases, Version 2.8.2 provides next-generation security features (through two audit reports, in this case), localization (including complete Spanish language package), and third-party application hooks (via Virtual Client XML-based API), according to the developer. In addition to these new capabilities, the core software has been refined and augmented. Dinerware Version 2.8.2 has been integrated with payment processors First Data, Payment Processing, Inc., and Moneris.
SRP-350Plus Thermal Receipt Printers from Bixolon
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