This Week’s Product Pick

OKI Data Americas (Mount Laurel, NJ) unboxed its RT322 Series of thermal receipt printers, further extending its Label/POS product portfolio. The RT322 brings two-color printing and 203-dpi print quality with 2D barcode printing capability to produce high-quality receipts, coupons, and ticketing. Its print speed of up to 5.9 inches per second (150 mm/s) translates to 30 customer receipts per minute with graphics and 20 lines of text, for increased levels of productivity, according to the company. The new printer features compact footprint for horizontal or vertical positioning, drop-in paper loading, and two-year overnight exchange warranty as standard. Models come with parallel, serial, high-speed USB or network connectivity. The RT322 Series has been made available in tear bar and auto-cutter models starting at an estimated street price of $261. “We recognize the growing need for Point of Sale printing solutions, so this series expands upon our Label/POS product portfolio to offer customers the best value right out of the box to fulfill a variety of receipt printing needs,” said Nick Ciarlante, Senior Marketing Manager, Mono/SIDM/Specialty Products, OKI Data Americas. “With the RT322 Series, customers can affordably achieve reliable, two-dimensional barcode output, with interchangeable interfaces for the ability to grow along with the businesses’ printing applications.” Synnex Corporation (Greenville, SC) distributes OKI’s Label/POS products, along with its office printers.

RT322 Series from OKI Data Americas

Worth Your While

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

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Fujitsu TeamPoS Takes on SMB

Fujitsu America (Sunnyvale, CA) has taken direct aim at the SMB market with its new TeamPoS 3600 family of POS systems, first shown at NRF in January, and now ready for shipment. The new terminals can be custom-configured to meet the merchant’s cost and performance needs, and will be offered through Fujitsu channel partners and the company’s direct sales force. Retailers can select from a wide range of Intel processor and memory options, as well as various input/output modules.

The TeamPoS 3600 family includes four basic models:  TeamPoS 3604, with Intel Celeron 440 2-GHz/533-MHz processor; TeamPoS 3625 with Intel Dual Core E5300 2.6-GHz/800-MHz processor; TeamPoS 3627 with Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8-GHz/1066-MHz processor; and TeamPoS 3628 with Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3-GHz/1333-MHz processor. SmartPoS Manager from Fujitsu, in conjunction with Intel vPro/AMT technology, provides extensive controller and POS peripheral diagnostics, monitoring, security, and asset management, according to Fujitsu. In addition, components are easy to replace and can be accessed without tools for ease of maintenance and increased uptime.

“With the TeamPoS 3600 system, we’ve expanded the breadth of our TeamPoS 3000 family to include this scalable solution that meets the needs of the SMB retailer market,” declared Michelle DuBreuil, Strategic Marketing Manager for Store Technology at Fujitsu America. “By offering it through our channel partners, we’ll ensure that retailers not only have a robust, custom-configured system, but will also receive the value-added services our partners provide.”

TeamPoS 3600 from Fujitsu America

New NEC Display Lets There Be Light

NEC Display Solutions of America (Itasca, IL) unveiled its high-bright LCD display for digital signage use in environments heavy with ambient light, such as corporate lobbies, atriums, and restaurants. With brightness measurement at 1500 cd/m2 (candela per square meter) and “remarkable” contrast ratio of 3500: 1, the 46-inch MultiSync X461HB boasts 110% higher brightness than NEC’s previous-generation displays but consumes only 50% more power. It will be ready for July 2009 shipment at an estimated street price of $3,899 with three-year parts and labor warranty included.

“NEC’s new MultiSync X461HB high-bright display provides an extraordinary amount of brightness that outperforms displays using standard settings, allowing it to be truly noticeable in environments where typical, standard brightness would normally seem dim or washed out,” indicated Jean McLaughlin, Senior Product Line Manager for NEC Display Solutions. “Its advanced features detect nearby light and automatically adjust the display according to its surroundings. Having a brilliant display in a highly-trafficked, brightly-lit area is crucial to getting your message across, and the MultiSync X461HB’s unrivaled screen performance is the essential solution to these elements.”

The MultiSync X461HB accommodates components such as the MPD-SBC-8/16-2 single-board computer, SB-L008WU DVI daisy-chain module, or SB-L007KK HD-SDI card by fully integrating it into the unit’s expansion slot. This gives cost-effective sourcing and management of display content, while eliminating the need for external distribution equipment and power supply, as well as simplifying installation and reducing maintenance, according to the manufacturer. Advanced thermal protection includes an extra thermal layer on the display panel to diffuse heat and fan-based technology specifically designed to work in both landscape and portrait modes, in addition to the internal temperature sensors.

NEC’s 46-Inch MultiSync X461HB Adjusts Automatically to Surroundings

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FRESH STARTS

SaaS Monitoring of POS from Vigilix

Vigilix (Greenville, SC) has offered usage-based pricing for its Virtual Technician remote monitoring, remote control, and offsite back-up products for POS. The new pricing model is targeted at dealers who are just getting started in offering such services to their customers, and Vigilix will continue to offer block-based pricing for dealers supporting large customer bases. The Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model “just makes good business sense in today’s economy where everyone is looking for immediate payback,” said Andrew Kurtz, Vigilix President/CEO.

With usage-based pricing, Virtual Technician customers can deploy agents and turn on only the modules needed to support their customers. In addition to the subscription-based model, there are no minimum requirements to get started, so dealers can offer the flexible POS support solution to their customers without requiring any upfront hardware or software investment. Virtual Technician also gets brought to market through ScanSource, as the ScanSource Virtual Technician.

“Dealers can price Virtual Technician in whatever way they think best fits their service model,” Bradley Smith, Vigilix VP of Sales and Marketing, told RRN.Com. “Most dealers bundle Virtual Technician in their support agreements and use it as the tool for providing these services to their customers. For them, the proactive monitoring and alerting represents new, higher levels of service versus the traditional break/fix model. So there’s value to the service provider and value to the customer.”

Alien Technology (Morgan Hill, CA), one of the leaders for Gen 2 RFID products, has introduced its Alien RFID Custom Application (ARCA) kit that will allow users, for the first time, to implement custom applications on Alien readers such as the ALR-9900, ALR-9650, ALR-9800, and ALR-8800. Alien’s channel partners can now deliver more effective and better integrated RFID solutions to end-users, according to the company, in areas such as apparel inventory management, industrial manufacturing, and IT asset tracking. ARCA becomes available on May 30 for the one-time cost of $299.

Alien selected Ruby, the stable, flexible, object-oriented programming language, because it allows users to rapidly develop cross-platform applications. Beta users have found Ruby to be easy to master, the company said. Coupled with the Alien Reader Protocol, Ruby provides the feature-rich, highly adaptable platform for implementing RFID solutions. Functions that partners can implement through Ruby include RFID-based data preprocessing, applications-specific triggering modes, and custom communication channels with server-side applications.

“We’ve had ARCA in beta for several months and partner feedback has been very positive,” reported Scot Stelter, Director of Product Marketing for Alien. “Our channel partners find that they can quickly deliver new features they need to penetrate new applications. This highlights the continuing trend away from the lab and toward market-driven commercialization of RFID.”

Alien’s Flagship ALR-9900 Enterprise-Class Reader

Code Corner

Wavelink Corporation (Midvale, UT) released Wavelink Avalanche Site Edition 4.8, its next-generation, full-featured mobile device management solution targeted at SMB businesses. Highlights of Wavelink Avalanche SE 4.8 include:  Web-based console for alert management; integration with Wavelink Communicator to provide server-less, push-to-talk functionality on mobile devices; and enhanced reporting module with new output options for CSV and XML formats. In addition to streamlined device management, Avalanche SE also provides automated out-of-the-box provisioning, centralized management, and increased security for mobile devices, according to the developer. It provides broad support for devices from multiple vendors, covering legacy DOS-based devices, ruggedized handhelds, wireless printers, barcode scanners, RFID readers, and other embedded O/S devices. With Avalanche SE, users receive the full device management functionality of Avalanche Mobility Center but without the complexities added by the wireless infrastructure management and distributed architecture that are often required by larger enterprises. In addition, customers who purchase Avalanche SE with Wavelink’s Customer Care maintenance plan may upgrade to Avalanche MC at no cost. “With the introduction of Avalanche SE last year, we were able to fill the need for an effective device management solution that is more suited for SMB companies, which have historically been left to find other alternatives for device management or simply had to go without this critical IT capability,” commented Peter Cannon, Senior Product Manager at Wavelink.

ALLIANCES

Mobile Merchandising Tag Team

Avery Dennison (Pasadena, CA) and Scanbuy (New York) have linked up to pursue mobile merchandising based on 2D barcode labeling and camera phone technology. The solution, which will be marketed by Avery Dennison through its worldwide network of service bureaus, ticketing centers, and sales offices, connects the company’s line of retail labeling products with Scanbuy’s ScanLife Client application and ScanLife Code Management Platform to allow retailers to communicate with consumers while they shop. Commercial pilots will be launched later this year with major retailers and apparel manufacturers, according to the two parties.

ScanLife, which can be used on over 250 million mobile phones from major manufacturers, supports all major operating systems, including Android, BlackBerry, Brew, iPhone, Java, Symbian, and Windows. In addition, it comes preloaded in certain regions by wireless vendors such as LG, Nokia, and Samsung. The solution utilizes EZcode, the 2D barcode technology created specifically for use with mobile phones. EZcode can be fitted to nearly any size label.

“Our new mobile merchandising solution will deliver purchasing suggestions, images, special offers, and virtually any type of promotional messaging to shoppers as they are in the process of making buying decisions in the store,” emphasized Terry Hemmelgarn, Group VP, Retail Information Services for Avery Dennison. “The information appears on the screen of the consumer’s camera phone, turning the device into a kind of personal sales assistant that provides bottom line benefits to retailers of any size, in virtually every worldwide retail segment and location. These benefits include increased units and dollars per transaction, improved traffic and conversion, and promotion of consumer loyalty.”

PDA Recommends Red Blouse, Tan Slacks, and Brown Handbag

A Cloud Named WebSpan

Hubspan Inc. (Seattle) and IBM (Armonk, NY) have launched their new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) integration platform, dubbed WebSpan. WebSpan combines the Hubspan on-demand integration platform and IBM WebSphere integration software into one platform that can help businesses reduce the cost, time, and complexity associated with traditional integration and business process automation solutions, according to the two parties. It will be marketed and sold worldwide by both IBM and Hubspan.

A single instance, multi-tenant SaaS integration platform, WebSpan allows users to more easily deploy business community networks, extend the reach of existing application and infrastructure investments, and strengthen service-oriented architecture (SOA) efforts. It comes with specific solution packages to meet the needs of diverse companies and business processes, with an initial set of offerings targeting e-procurement, demand/supply chain, e-payments, logistics, and e-commerce integration. In addition, its “pay-as-you-grow” model helps companies address even small integration challenges by offering an affordable starting point with scalability.

“Hubspan is proud to combine forces with IBM to change the way the world accesses and consumes integration technologies and solutions,” acknowledged Trisha Gross, CEO of Hubspan. “WebSpan can dramatically drive down the cost of integrating systems and business processes while accelerating time to value.”

Trisha Gross, CEO, Hubspan

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
Aures Technologies
FEC USA
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

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
Citizen Systems America
Star Micronics

Retail Software
Toshiba TEC

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security

HELLO GOODBYE

Newell to Lead LXE

EMS Technologies has named Stephen Newell as GM of LXE Inc. (Atlanta), its rugged mobile computer business. One of Newell’s key priorities will be to continue the focus on, and growth of, LXE’s distributor channels, which doubled in 2008, according to the company. Further goals will be to enhance product manufacturing, and not surprisingly, improve the business’s profitability.

Newell joined EMS in 2003, most recently serving as VP of Satcom sales for the company’s EMS Satcom business unit, where he led the formation of its global aeronautical sales team and sharpened the business’s go-to-market strategy. Newell also led the military and government sales group, overseeing major military program wins and supporting key government prime contractors, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. In his new position as GM of LXE, he will report to Neil Mackay, EVP and COO of EMS Technologies.

“LXE has a very strong product and service value proposition, with some of the largest, most respected partners and customers in the retail and intermodal industries—all of which are important differentiators in this tight market,” noted Newell. “I’m excited to lead LXE’s talented staff and to leverage opportunities within and outside the Auto ID market to help grow this business.”

LXE also announced its MX8 rugged handheld computer will now include the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system. “The MX8 handheld computer powered with Windows Mobile will extend LXE’s reach into new applications and markets,” Newell said. “We have seen growing sales of the product in the pharmaceutical and retail markets among others, due to its size, ergonomic design, and voice capabilities.” The new operating system complements the existing version of the MX8 with Windows CE 5.0.

Stephen Newell, GM, LXE

Radunz Clears HighJump

HighJump Software (Eden Prairie, MN), the global provider of supply chain execution solutions, has appointed Dan Radunz to VP of Product Development. Radunz worked in HighJump’s product development group for more than 13 years, from 1995 to 2008. Prior to rejoining HighJump in 2009, he served as VP of Network Operations Center for Wireless Ronin Technologies, where he managed Wireless Ronin’s 24x7 support group and data center.

“Dan’s many years of experience delivering innovative software will make him a valuable member of our leadership team,” stated Timothy Campbell, President/CEO, HighJump Software.  “As we continue to enhance existing product lines and acquire new technologies, we will rely on Dan’s strong senior technical leadership to guide us through these activities.”

HighJump also announced that Schoep’s Ice Cream has chosen the HighJump mobile sales and delivery applications to provide improved customer service through real-time transmission of orders, sales data, and inventory position. Based in Wisconsin, Schoep’s will implement HighJump Route Administrator, HighJump Route Assistant, and Usable GPS, products new to HighJump Software through the acquisition of BelTek Systems Design. The software will support the delivery of Schoep’s Ice Cream products via two dozen pre-sell and delivery routes throughout the Midwest.

Dan Radunz, VP of Product Development, HighJump Software

Channel Factoid

According to the annual sales tax rate study conducted by Vertex Inc., the leading provider of corporate enterprise tax solutions, 554 U.S. cities changed their sales tax rates in 2008. Of those, 200 were newly imposed city tax rates and 307 were straight increases to existing city tax rates. Four states—Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, and North Carolina—increased their state sales tax rates in 2008. As the first quarter of 2009 closes, two states, California and Utah, have already increased such levies. Several more states are discussing the possibility of future rate increases. Georgia is mulling an increase statewide and Pennsylvania has several county/city sales tax increases up for discussion. Oregon, currently one of the non-taxing havens, is considering imposing its new state sales tax. Overall, since 1998, the combined total of new and changed sales and use tax rates for the period reached 8,200, or an average of 746 per year. “The constant fluctuations in these numbers put increased pressure on companies and their tax departments as it becomes increasingly difficult to manually keep pace with changes that could have direct impact on their compliance,” warns Jeff Westphal, President/CEO of Vertex.

HONORS & AWARDS

Charge Anywhere Takes ETA Technology Innovation Award

Charge Anywhere (South Plainfield, NJ) received the coveted 2009 ETA Technology Innovation Award at ETA’s Annual Meeting & Expo in Las Vegas last month. Charge Anywhere’s Mobile Payment Solution with Signature Capture was chosen as the most compelling solution of the year. The award, which was presented by ETA Executive Director Carla Balakgie to Charge Anywhere CEO Paul Sabella, is given to the company whose use of technology in the transaction processing industry increases standardization, promotes customer usability, increases profitability, makes significant advances for the industry, and has demonstrated results in the marketplace.

The Charge Anywhere Mobile Payment Solution, described as simple and intuitive to use, allows small and midsized merchants to accept payments anywhere by using their 3G phones. With the addition of signature capture, the need for merchants to produce, carry, and store paper receipts is eliminated. In addition, electronic signature capture simplifies dispute resolution, optimizes operational efficiencies, promotes green practices, and reduces costs.

The Charge Anywhere payment application also benefits users in several other ways, according to the developer. Merchants are able to capture critical business data along with all transactions. The secure application has custom fields that record and transmit data securely along with the payment to ComsGate, Charge Anywhere’s PCI DSS Level 1 Secure Payment Gateway, and allows importing into back-end software applications, including QuickBooks. Charge Anywhere supports platforms such as BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, J2ME, Wireless and IP POS Terminals, Windows, and QuickBooks, providing merchants complete end-to-end solutions.