This Week’s Product Pick

Partner Tech (Irvine, CA) announced Harmony, its Kitchen Display System (KDS). Comprised of KDS-1000 Controller, BB-20 Bump Bar, and Harmony Software, this full-featured, graphical solution integrates with any POS system, according to the vendor. It allows for items to be routed independently to definable, multiple displays in the kitchen with an expo display for the entire job, as well as automatic printing when the order is ready to be served. Courses such as appetizers, salads, and entrees may be entered simultaneously with suggested release times and screen layouts have been designed to mimic paper tickets. Colors and cues on the screen help control synchronization of items on each order. Harmony’s KDS-1000 Controller features spill-proof, fanless construction and an optional 802.11g WLAN module. Each controller can support two mirrored or independent displays with primary display resolution of 1680x1050 and secondary display resolution of 1024x768 along with the ability to scale wide. Harmony’s Software offers recall support for the last 10 bumps, “auto-bump” for unattended stations, and management reporting. “Harmony bridges the gap between simplistic text-based solutions and overly complex solutions that require separate servers and/or databases,” commented Keith Schroer, VP of Sales and Marketing for Partner Tech North America. “This affordable and powerful integrated system is designed to enhance the efficiency of the busy restaurant kitchen while also increasing customer satisfaction and service.”

Harmony KDS from Partner Tech

Worth Your While

VARTECH 2009
BlueStar
August 13-15         
Nashville, TN

2009 APICS International Conference & Expo
Association for Operations Management
October 4-6
Toronto

2009 IFDA Distribution Solutions Conference
International Foodservice Distributors Association
October 19-21
Baltimore

NACS Show 2009
National Association of Convenience Stores
October 20-23
Las Vegas

BAI Retail Delivery Conference & Expo
Bank Administration Institute
November 3-5
Boston

Synergy 2009 Customer Conference
Retalix
November 8-11
Dallas

NRF 99th Annual Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 10-13, 2010
New York

ALL IN THE FAMILY

30 Days, 30 Cameras, 3 Frames per Second

Toshiba Surveillance & IP Network Video (Irvine, CA) premiered its IPS-30-30-3 Network Video Recorder (NVR), which comes preconfigured to record up to 30 IP network cameras at VGA resolution (640x480) for 30 days at 3 frames per second. With 30-day recording representing the industry-standard setting, the new NVR helps cuts unnecessary complexity for system integrators, according to Toshiba. Further, it eliminates the need for “software-only” solutions loaded onto the server that require license fees for every camera installed.

“Designing an IP system takes considerable time and money,” explained Sergio Collazo, Director of Sales and Marketing for Toshiba Surveillance & IP Network Video, part of Toshiba America Information Systems. “We’ve completely eliminated that step with the IP-30-30-3. Everything is ready to go, straight out of the box. Plus, network managers will appreciate the fact that the IPS-30-30-3 bandwidth requirement takes less than 2% of the Gigabit network.”

The IPS-30-30-3 is fully compatible with Toshiba IP network cameras, as well as those of other leading manufacturers such as AXIS, Sony, and Panasonic. Onboard software and 1.5-TB storage provides security administrators with simultaneous recording, playback, and remote streaming of live video images retrievable on their remote or local PC, along with comprehensive search capabilities of archives. To save space for other critical peripherals, Toshiba IPS Series NVRs offer the sleek, black 3U chassis (5.8 in. x 17.25 in. x 19.5 in.) that mounts into any standard rack.

Toshiba IPS Series Network Video Recorder

Hi-G-Tek’s Dash to RFID Standardization

Hi-G-Tek (Rockville, MD), developer of RFID sensing and control solutions for tracking high-value cargo and sensitive materials, debuted its 18.7 Secure Series. The new product line, which includes Secure Series Container Tag, Sensor Tag, and Interrogator, meets the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) 18000-7 Active RFID technology standard. Hi-G-Tek has served as one of the founding members of the DASH7 Alliance, an independent industry group dedicated to promoting ISO 18000-7, as well as one of the four contractors awarded the U.S. Army’s 2008 RFID III contract for an integrated, universal, logistics platform.

The ISO 18000-7 standard protocol, now required by the U.S. Department of Defense for use around the world, operates at 433 MHz. This frequency features low power consumption that allows the incorporation of various sensor attributes, including breach, shock, light, temperature, and humidity. In addition, the standard establishes the methodology for automatic identification of assets at distances of up to 100 meters.

“Hi-G-Tek advocates the use of ISO 18000-7 in both commercial and defense applications, because this move from proprietary technology to the international standard means far more open RFID infrastructure that promises to drive down prices with multiple vendor competition,” reported Larry Blue, CEO of Hi-G-Tek. “The ISO 18000-7 standard, as applied to the RFID III contract award, ensures total interoperability between the four vendors’ products. As such, Hi-G-Tek is ready to fulfill opportunities utilizing the standard in the global intermodal shipping, seaport logistics, downstream petroleum transportation, and other remote asset management applications around the world.”

18.7 Series Secure Container Tag from Hi-G-Tek

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ALLIANCES

StoreNext Lets LaneHawk Fly

StoreNext Retail Technologies (Plano, TX) will distribute the LaneHawk “bottom-of-basket” loss prevention system from Evolution Robotics Retail (Pasadena, CA) through its nationwide reseller network. Specifically, StoreNext, the Retalix subsidiary, will integrate LaneHawk into its ISS45 and ScanMaster POS solutions, while Retalix itself will offer LaneHawk with its StoreLine POS. The agreement takes Evolution Robotics Retail and LaneHawk into the market for independent grocers and regional chains, according to the two parties.

“Timing could not be better for this exciting opportunity,” observed Ray Carlin, StoreNext’s President/CEO. “There’s keen interest in the industry on loss prevention and the LaneHawk solution helps stop bottom-of-basket shrink with an ROI of 12 months or less.”

LaneHawk combines video with patented object recognition technology to detect and identify items left in the bottom of checkout baskets, without having to read the UPC code. Unnoticed by cashiers, such items cause losses averaging $3,500 per lane each year, according to data from Evolution Robotics Retail. LaneHawk alerts cashiers and automatically enters bottom-of-basket items into the shopper’s order, reducing shrink. Since items do not need to be removed from the basket for scanning, checkout speed and shopper service gets enhanced while doing away with cashier injuries from lifting heavy items from the bottom of the basket.

LaneHawk to Bottom of Basket: “Oh No, You Don’t!”

[Editor’s Note:  StoreNext also announced that Pro’s Ranch Markets, one of the fastest-growing Hispanic independent grocery chains in the U.S., has implemented its Real Time Sales Dashboard across its 12 stores in the Southwest. The solution helps retailers monitor and control current store sales performance from any Web-enabled PC or mobile device.]

Ryzex and LXE Bring It All Back Home

LXE (Norcross, GA) has named Ryzex (Bellingham, WA) as one of its LXE Premier Partners, the highest distribution sourced level in its PartnerPass Program. With the new status, Ryzex can now offer LXE’s rugged handheld, wearable, and vehicle-mount mobile computers to its broad customer base across North America. This alliance extends the existing relationship with Ryzex’s European division.

“Ryzex has been helping customers make the most of their technology investments for the last 20 years,” commented Chris Glennon, VP of Sales and Marketing for Ryzex. “By adding LXE wireless rugged computers to our solutions portfolio we’ve enhanced our ability to provide the best solution to meet the needs of our customers.”

“We’re pleased to have Ryzex as part of the PartnerPass Program,” added Tom Riecke, LXE VP of Sales-Americas. “LXE customers will benefit from Ryzex’s experience and broad offerings, including products, services, software, and support critical to the business needs of our mutual customers.”

Chris Glennon, VP of Sales and Marketing, Ryzex

Code Corner

CAS (Atlanta) has set Q4 as the release date for CAS 8, its next-generation of customer management and mobility solutions for the consumer products industry. CAS 8 affirms the strategic relationship between CAS and Microsoft, and embraces the entire spectrum of Microsoft products. It debuts offerings specifically designed for Trade Promotion Optimization (TPO), Direct Store Delivery (DSD), and Field Service Execution (FSE); these represent an extension of CAS solutions for Sales Force Automation (SFA) and Trade Promotion Management (TPM). CAS 8’s user interface has been re-engineered to leverage the rich, interactive capabilities of Microsoft Silverlight and to achieve revolutionary business process-driven navigation, according to the developer. Significantly, CAS 8 can be deployed on all major mobility device platforms, including smartphone, PDA, tablet, and laptop, in both online and offline environments. Finally, CAS 8 delivers improvements in speed-to-value and total cost of ownership. These include enhancements to the core configuration tools and the next edition of the CAS Pro2 process model. “CAS 8 presents industry-leading advances in technology, functionality, user experience, mobility, and total cost of ownership,” testified Stefan Joneck, Founder of CAS. “The combination of our integrated software suite, deep vertical expertise, and global coverage enables leading consumer products manufacturers to extend their ERP and CRM solutions. In fact, CAS now has more successful SAP integrations than any other leading provider in this segment.”

Datacap (Tarrytown, NY), one of the leading channel players in document capture and forms processing, has updated its Taskmaster for Medical Claims with Version 7.6. Taskmaster for Medical Claims provides rapid and accurate automated data entry from Professional claim forms (CMS 1500), which are filled in by individual medical providers, and from Institutional claim forms (UB-04), which are typically submitted by hospitals. Version 7.6 exploits the company’s flexible Rulerunner Service architecture, with procedural rules controlling recognition, validation, and export of data, all configured in Datacap Studio. Adding new document types beyond claims only requires modifying or adding new rules for each document. In addition, Version 7.6 allows capture of so-called “black” claims (red ones which have been copied or faxed), while the new ICR/C recognition engine from Open Text Recostar delivers superior accuracy. “Many users of Taskmaster for Medical Claims have improved their already impressive ROIs by extending the application to capture other document types, such as enrollment forms and human resources documents,” shared Scott Blau, Datacap’s CEO. “Our rules controller makes it much easier to configure and test new workflows, and we expect to see many more medical claim processors modifying Taskmaster to include other documents.”

STOPS & STARTS

RSPA to Certify POS VARs

The Retail Solutions Providers Association (Charlotte, NC) has rolled out its Certification Program for the retail technology industry to “identify professionals and raise standards.” The RSPA Reseller Certification Application was made available for download on July 13 to coincide with the start of the RSPA Show in Las Vegas. According to Lauren Stark, RSPA’s Education Coordinator, “The launch of the RSPA Certification Program is exciting because it lays the foundation for what will become an increasingly robust program to differentiate member professionals in our industry.”

RSPA Certification will launch in several stages, beginning with company certification, and later will offer an individual certification track. Certification for retail technology companies will be based on qualities such as commitment to excellence, exceptional levels of professionalism, fair and ethical practices, and quality of the products and services they sell and support. So far, 16 POS VARs have earned the designation, “RSPA Certified 2009.”

“RSPA is very pleased to bring an industry association supported Certification Program to the retail technology marketplace,” remarked Joe Finizio, RSPA President/CEO. “This program was developed to set and maintain the bar of professionalism for retail technology vendors and resellers.”

Joe Finizio, RSPA President/CEO

[Editor’s Note:  RRN.Com will have more on the RSPA Certification Program in an upcoming edition.]

RPower Simplifies SaaS for Dealers

RPower (Scottsdale, AZ) has added the subscription-based SaaS model to its hospitality software offerings. Instead of paying licensing fees, merchants may now get the same software for zero upfront cost and the monthly fee with RPower AMP. This offers them the latest software releases, features, integrations, and credit card security updates available for download, according to the ISV. Supporting RPower AMP dealerships can maintain all of their clients without the barrier of priced upgrades.

“This solution gives RPower Restaurant POS resellers significant advantage in today’s price-conscious marketplace,” declared Jami Interdonato, RPower Channel Manager. “They can offer their merchants access to a broad range of restaurant software without having to make a large purchase.”

RPower AMP includes the Mercury Payment Systems integrated payment processing platform. Mercury delivers added value with free gift card transactions, 24/7 live customer care and technical support, MercuryStand-In authorization for continuous processing during outages, e-commerce solutions, and multi-store gift card programs with ACH services. Interestingly, Mercury’s automated ACH billing streamlines collection of RPower AMP’s monthly software fees. “Customers have their monthly fees, including reseller support, ‘auto-debited’ from their Mercury processing accounts and distributed directly to the supporting dealerships,” Interdonato said.

RPower Branded Workstation and Supported Peripherals

StrataScale Launches Clone Wars

StrataScale, Inc. (Sacramento, CA) has joined up with the Microsoft Software + Services Incubation Center Program, which provides guidance and an established hosting channel to ISVs seeking to adopt the SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) delivery model. StrataScale’s IronScale Web portal gives ISVs and SaaS providers direct control over their entire physical server infrastructure, according to the MSP (Managed Services Provider), including the ability to clone, provision and manage physical and virtual servers, allocate storage, install Windows Server 2008/Hyper-V images, and configure network and security infrastructure.

IronScale can provide “snapshot” capabilities on physical servers, thereby capturing and restoring the server’s boot volume to given points in time. Providers can also create custom gold images to clone entire physical servers, as well as utilize “auto-failover” to eliminate server downtime. SaaS vendors in the Microsoft Software + Services Incubation Center Program can then repurpose servers or reload operating systems and applications to quickly return to initial builds. Further, IronScale seamlessly promotes images or entire servers from development, to test, to production in real time.

“Virtualization is an important technology trend, however 70% to 80% of companies are still operating their applications on physical servers,” cautioned Reed Smith, Director of Product Management for StrataScale, which launched its channel partner program in March. “For ISVs to be able to test in both environments simultaneously, as well as repurpose those servers across product lifecycle stages creates an opportunity to accelerate time-to-market, optimize IT resources, and keep money in their pocket by not having to buy additional infrastructure. This allows developers to focus solely on bringing new applications to market, not on infrastructure management.”

Reed Smith, Director of Product Management, StrataScale

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
ScanSource

POS & Peripherals
Aures Technologies
FEC USA
Logic Controls
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
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility
Janam Technologies
Motorola

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Star Micronics

Retail Software
InfoTouch
Logivision

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security

INSTALLATIONS

Metro Sweet on SwedaMart

Metro Inc. (Montreal), which runs 600 food stores in Quebec and Ontario under the Metro, Super C, and Food Basics brands, will standardize its POS on the SwedaMart solution from Sweda (Toronto). The two companies have completed pilot installation and initial rollout and expect all stores and screens to be fully converted before the end of this year. Metro has aggressively expanded through acquisition of rival Canadian grocers such as Dominion, Loeb, and A&P, and last summer announced it will invest $200 million to consolidate operations.

“We are very pleased with Sweda in delivering this technology to our stores,” commented Jacques Couture, VP, Information Systems, at Metro, which averages 10 terminals per store. “Sweda has provided us with smooth migration and no disruption to our operation.”

SwedaMart Supermarket POS operates on Linux with Postgres, an open-source platform, as well as the powerful IBM DB2 database. This benefits end-users with increased control and flexibility in cost and hardware selection, according to the developer. Of particular importance to Metro, SwedaMart offers an advanced promotion module that helps retailers implement loyalty strategies and promotional pricing programs. Sweda has been providing POS systems, solutions, and support to Metro for more than 15 years.

Efficiency of Operations and Marketing Activities: Company Goals Cited by Serge Boulanger, VP, Marketing, at Metro

Gilbarco Fills Up with Standard Epson

Epson America (Long Beach, CA) will supply its TM-T88IV thermal receipt printers to Gilbarco Veeder-Root (Greensboro, NC), one of the leading providers of technology for retail fueling and adjacent markets. Gilbarco meets the needs of convenience stores, gas stations, truck stops, and vehicle fleets with equipment and services for “inside, outside, underground, and head office,” including its branded Passport and G-Site POS systems. The company has selected Epson’s TM-T88 Series printer as part of its goal to deliver the lowest total cost of ownership and best integration possible to its customers, according to the two parties.

“Our customers expect only the best technology solutions,” emphasized Amy Wilson, POS Marketing Manager for Gilbarco Veeder-Root. “The Epson brand offers ultimate reliability--the printers work consistently and seamlessly. Gilbarco is committed to meet the needs of our customers and Epson is an excellent partner to supply our POS and printer technology needs.”

With more than 4.5 million units shipped to date, the TM-T88 Series represents Epson’s best-selling thermal POS printer. Features of the TM-T88IV include spill resistance, easy drop-in paper loading, seamless integration, and fast, uniform print speed regardless of receipt complexity. Compatible with today’s best-of-breed and component-based systems, the TM-T88IV offers multiple interface options, including high-speed USB, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and wireless.

A Familiar Sight to RRN.Com Readers: Epson’s TM-88 Series

Channel Factoid

An average family with students in K-12 expects to spend $548.72 on school merchandise for 2009, 7.7% less than $594.24 in 2008, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Back to School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. Blame the economy, with four out of five Americans (85%) making changes in back-to-school plans this year. Some of those changes impact spending, with 56.2% of back-to-school shoppers hunting for sales more often, 49.6% planning to spend less overall, 41.7% purchasing more store brand/generic products, and 40% intending to increase their use of coupons. Today’s economy also has impacted lifestyle decisions, with 11.4% of families saying children will cut back on extracurricular activities or sports and 5.7% debating private or public schools for their children. In total, spending on back to school should reach $17.42 billion in 2009, with 44.4% of families starting their shopping three weeks to one month before school starts, in an attempt to take advantage of retailers’ early promotions; 31.8% shopping one to two weeks before school starts; and 2.5% shopping after school starts, hoping to find clearance sales and to postpone purchases for as long as possible.

MARKET WATCH

What Allison Thinks

Allison Watson, Corporate VP of Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Group, shares her thoughts on upcoming targets of opportunity for VARs, ISVs, and OEMs. Microsoft’s Worldwide Partners Conference 2009 takes place this week in New Orleans.

“This will be one of the biggest launch waves in the history of Microsoft, starting with the introduction of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in October. Throughout the development of Windows 7, we worked closely with partners across the ecosystem to make sure they have the tools and resources they need for development and compatibility with Windows 7, as well as to effectively plan for its availability. We think the biggest opportunities are based on expanding innovation with new features like Device Stage and Windows Touch that will deliver new possibilities for our customers.”

“Add to that Office 2010 and related products, which include Office applications, new services such as Office Web applications, and server products such as SharePoint Server and Exchange Server that continue to provide partners with new growth opportunities. SharePoint Server, for example, is one of the fastest-growing server products in the company’s history, with more than 4,000 partners today. And we expect that number to continue to grow as the next release hits the market.”

“Windows Server 2008 R2 is a significant jump in our core infrastructure and Web infrastructure platform. Hyper-V and virtualization technology presents a significant cost savings and growth opportunity that partners can present to their customers. In addition, Windows Server 2008 R2 delivers improvements that help customers better secure and manage their networks, and we’re starting to see very strong partner interest in the advancements we’ve made there.”

“The final major category I’d add is mobility. With the announcement of Windows Marketplace for Mobile as part of the upcoming release of Windows Mobile 6.5, there is real potential for companies to develop interesting applications for Windows Mobile. We’ve all seen the success of mobile applications. This is another area where there is a lot of interest in how to provide the best all-around user experience.”

“I should also point out that with all these products and product families, each can be delivered on-premises, hosted by partners, or in the cloud, which creates further opportunities for customers and partners to build value with technology.”

Allison Watson, Corporate VP, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft