This Week’s Product Pick

Para Systems, Inc. (Carrollton, TX) unboxed the Minuteman RPM 1521 two-outlet IP-addressable device for remote power management, allowing power to be cycled off and on via Web browser. Benefits include reduction in system downtime, elimination of expensive service calls to reboot equipment, and “green” functionality. Designed for use with security systems, telephone/VoIP, servers, and network peripherals, the RPM 1521 allows each receptacle to be independently monitored and managed, including scheduled shut-downs and reboots, while providing protection against surges and spikes. An “auto-ping” feature monitors and auto-detects the availability of attached equipment. If no response is detected, the RPM 1521 will notify administrators that an attached device is non-responsive. The user can configure the system to send an SMS text message, broadcast an e-mail, and/or issue an SNMP trap notification. It can also be programmed to perform an automatic reboot when equipment has failed with notification that the power event has occurred. This new product offering from Minuteman is especially useful for remote offices where IT managers or technical personnel are not on staff, as well as hard-to-reach locations where equipment is mounted above ceilings or outside the facility. “As we all know, equipment gets locked up for various reasons and requires a simple reboot,” noted Bill Allen, Director of Marketing at Para Systems. “For less than $200, the RPM 1521 can quickly pay for itself when attached devices need to be rebooted.”

Minuteman RPM 1521 from Para Systems

Worth Your While

Poll-A-Rama IV
Tri-Technical Systems
September 15-16
Dubuque, IA

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

32 MB Flash Comes Free from Source

Source Technologies (Charlotte, NC) now offers 32 MB of user-addressable Flash memory at no extra charge in its Secure MICR, Secure MICR Prepped, and Secure Document printers. This modification takes effect immediately for DLE-based (downloadable emulation) versions of the company’s ST9620, ST9630, and ST9650 printer models. The enhancement is also available for eligible, current model, secure DLE-based printers that have already been purchased. Parties interested in an upgrade should contact the Source Technologies Technical Support team.

With this increase in functionality, users are no longer required to purchase Flash memory to support additional system fonts or to store signatures for access by the printer’s security features, noted the vendor. Source Technologies printers that utilize DLE option cards will now include this enhancement, eliminating the need for an additional memory component. This supplementary memory provides significantly higher value to customers in addition to enabling higher security when printing checks or information-sensitive documents.

“Source Technologies continues to offer the greatest value and highest security check and document printers,” declared Sarah Burkhart, Director of Product Marketing. “The addition of 32 MB of user-addressable memory enables customers to step up their security efforts at no extra charge, protecting their organizations from fraud while providing the highest possible return to their stakeholders. This change will encourage more customers to take advantage of the printer’s security features, strengthening their fraud arsenal at a lower cost.”

ST9620 MICR Printer from Source Technologies

One Very Cold Dogbone

UPM Raflatac (Tampere, Finland and Mills River, NC) introduced its new Dogbone Freeze RFID tag for use in frozen environment supply chain applications with operating temperatures as low as -40C/F degrees. Metro Group has been using the Dogbone Freeze with excellent results in its RFID pilot project at its distribution center for frozen foods in Hamm, Germany, according to UPM. Metro has placed the RFID tags on pallets and at the locations where the pallets are stored; interrogators are installed on forklifts and at the gates of the distribution center. Now UPM has decided to make the product commercially available.

Dogbone Freeze delivers up to 240-bit EPC memory. A locked 64-bit Tag Identifier (TID) includes 32-bit unique serial number. The product can be directly applied on items, cases, and pallets through the use of an extra thin, cost-efficient, non-sandwich type structure and printable, white, synthetic surface. Unlike barcodes, UPM reminded RRN.Com readers, the RFID tag eliminates the need to create visual contact with labels through frosted surfaces.

“Dogbone Freeze is specially designed for the frozen food supply chain,” explained Mikko Nikkanen, Business Development Manager for UPM Raflatac. “Frozen fish, meat, vegetables, and ice cream all need to be well-controlled from the source to the retailer. This cold-chain integrity needs to be guaranteed and monitored, since that is the only way to secure the quality of the goods sold. RFID is the only Auto ID technology that can provide robustness and user-friendliness in this tough working environment.”

Dogbone RFID Tags from UPM Raflatac

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ALLIANCES

Zenith and Autotask Work Together

Zenith Infotech (Warrendale, PA) has hooked its SAAZ Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tool to the leading hosted Professional Services Automation (PSA) application from Autotask Corporation (East Greenbush, NY). Thus, Autotask becomes the first company to write to Zenith Infotech’s new open Application Programming Interface (API), which enables broad integration with complementary third-party software solutions, according to the two companies. Zenith’s SAAZ platform constitutes its comprehensive hosted environment for Managed Services Providers (MSPs), with tools for desktop management, server and network monitoring, back-up and disaster recovery, advanced scripting and reporting, and even ticketing.

“Our mutual customers have been asking for this integration for a long time, and we are thrilled that we can finally deliver this for them thanks to the new Zenith API,” indicated Bob Godgart, Autotask’s CEO. “Autotask has become the leading PSA solution in the cloud by integrating our software with other tools used by the customers in the IT services ecosystem. We are pleased and proud to add Zenith to our stable of integration partners.”

Autotask will provide this integration at no additional cost to its MSPs and other customers, thereby allowing deeper insight into their client networks and easier automation of critical business processes. Benefits include: asset discovery, with data imported directly from Zenith SAAZ into Autotask configuration records; contract and invoice management, since Zenith SAAZ automatically updates Autotask as to the number of devices to be monitored; remote access, through the link to Zenith SAAZ within the Autotask console; true ticket/alert synchronization, including round-trip ticket closure; and finally, help-desk support provided through Zenith Infotech’s private-labeled Network Operations Center and Virtual Service Desk. 

Roadmap of Autotask Professional Services Automation Software

SAP in the Sky

Peak Technologies (Columbia, MD) has partnered with Sky Technologies (Dallas) to offer an SAP-centric technology platform for extending enterprise-level data to the mobile workforce. Sky’s technology delivers “middleware-free mobility, lower cost of integration, and fully functional business templates that are embedded within SAP,” according to its developer. Peak intends to leverage the new alliance to target SAP mobility applications such as field service automation, plant maintenance and work order-based systems, proof of delivery, mobile merchandising, and other industrial solutions that are an extension of the supply chain and logistics arena in which Peak usually plays.

“Our partnership with Sky Technologies allows Peak to extend the reach and mobility of SAP to new applications and business processes both inside and outside the four walls of our customer’s operations,” stated Tim Wills, VP of Marketing at Peak Technologies. “The SkyMobile platform supports real-time and stand-alone modes of operation which ensures our customer’s mobile workforce can communicate in real-time to SAP, or operate independent of any network connection.”

“We are extremely excited to add Peak to our portfolio of strategic partners,” remarked Bruce Johnson, President, Americas, Sky Technologies. “Our partnership will combine Peak’s business process knowledge and SAP experience with Sky Technologies’ proven technology platform to seamlessly integrate mobile solutions with existing business processes and to help customers generate the maximum value from their ongoing investment in SAP.”

SkyMobile for SAP on iPhone from the Apple App Store

Code Corner

Precidia Technologies Inc. (Ottawa, Canada) has supplied Decision Academic, one of the leading providers of academic student services to the higher education market, with an e-commerce solution for its university customers. Powered by the TransNet payment engine, the application ties to Decision Academic’s eCampus Navigator course registration product to deliver PA-DSS-compliant transaction processing without the gateway fees charged by comparable options, according to the two parties. Supporting credit, debit, gift, and loyalty to any certified processor, TransNet routes transactions directly to the transaction processor without any gateway fees. Housed on the secure POSLynx220 payment router from Precidia, TransNet offers universities the flexibility and control of the payment function, with 24/7 remote access to transaction logs, settlement data, alerts, and reports. “Statewide university systems are increasingly being mandated to obtain and maintain PCI compliance for all online payment systems,” observed Jan Huus, VP of R&D at Decision Academic (Ottawa, Canada). “The PA-DSS-validated TransNet application facilitates this, with PCI-compliant default settings and automatic security updates. Eliminating gateway fees for lower cost transactions made the solution even more attractive to us. Universities using this fully integrated solution will lower their costs, and rest easy knowing their e-commerce solution is secure and compliant.”

Oracle (Redwood Shores, CA) unveiled Oracle VM Template Builder, an open-source, graphical utility that makes it easy to use Oracle Enterprise Linux “Just enough OS” (JeOS)-based scripts for developing prepackaged virtual machines for Oracle VM. Now ISVs, VARs, and end-users have the option to develop their Oracle VM Templates by using these JeOS-based scripts directly or via the graphical Oracle VM Template Builder. Oracle VM Templates are virtual machines containing pre-installed and pre-configured enterprise software that can be used by ISVs, VARs, and end-users to develop, package, and distribute their applications for faster deployment. Templates currently cover Oracle’s Siebel CRM, Oracle Database, Oracle Enterprise Manager, and Oracle Fusion Middleware. Oracle Enterprise Linux JeOS is the company’s version of the same Oracle Enterprise Linux that comes backed by 24/7, global enterprise-class support. It has been tailored specifically to facilitate the production of Oracle VM Templates, with reduced disk space requirements, best-in-breed reliability, and protection against security vulnerabilities. “Oracle VM Template Builder extends the benefits of Oracle VM by enabling customers to more rapidly configure and deploy applications while reducing costs through the use of server virtualization,” said Wim Coekaerts, VP, Linux and Virtualization Engineering, Oracle. “This is a testament to Oracle’s commitment to providing customers with tools that allow a fast, easy, and low-risk way to deploy enterprise software and solutions.”

INTEGRATION

EPX Drives Encryption/Tokenization Hybrid

Electronic Payment Exchange (EPX), the hard-charging payment processor based in Wilmington, DE, has reportedly delivered an end-to-end solution that incorporates both tokenization and encryption for securing cardholder data from the card reader through the entire transaction lifecycle. Using encrypted card readers with EPX’s BuyWall credit-card tokenization technology, EPX claims to have removed merchants’ POS systems and card readers from the scope of PCI compliance while substantially eliminating merchant liability associated with the risk of processing, transmitting, and storing sensitive cardholder data. Tokenization, RRN.Com readers will remember, replaces card holder account information with values that are meaningless to hackers and identity thieves.

“There no longer needs to be any debate over encryption versus tokenization,” maintained Ray Moyer, EPX’s CEO. “Quite simply, the answer is to use both. Merchants deserve the best possible solution that incorporates the benefits of both technologies. Rather than creating regulation and expecting merchants to absorb the costs and burdens of securing payment data, we in the payment industry must lead the way in developing and delivering the most secure and cost-effective solutions to facilitate PCI compliance, to protect merchants, and to ultimately enhance customer confidence.”

FasTraxPOS (Monticello, NY), which provides its POS to more than 1,300 convenience and tobacco-related stores, has become one of the first companies to adopt EPX’s new tokenized end-to-end encryption solution. “We realize the importance of protecting our customers from the costs and liabilities associated with compromised credit card information,” said Darren Schwartz, CEO at FasTraxPOS. “Using EPX’s processing with our new Point of Sale system will give our merchants affordable protection and virtually ensure PCI compliance.”

Ray Moyer, CEO, Electronic Payment Exchange

This Library Wants More Talking

Vocollect, Inc. (London) released Voice Interface Objects, its library of voice-based Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) which enable Warehouse Management System (WMS) providers to quickly and easily integrate Vocollect Voice into their solution offerings. Voice Interface Objects represent an addition to the flexible developer framework within Vocollect’s VoiceWorld Suite, which was premiered in May, and augments the company’s existing TaskBuilder solution. They are supported on Vocollect Talkman series mobile computers as well as other industry-leading mobile computing devices.

“Voice Interface Objects allow Vocollect to engage the wider cross-section of European WMS providers,” offered Gary Glessner, VP and Managing Director, EMEA with Vocollect, Inc. “They help WMS providers capitalize on the growing demand for voice solutions in the warehouse, bring new benefits to their existing customers, and reach new markets.”

Proteus, one of the leading UK-based suppliers of warehouse-centric solutions, has successfully piloted Vocollect’s new Voice Interface Objects. Commented Howard Turvey, Managing Director of Proteus: “Voice Interface Objects are very intuitive and powerful; they give us the ability to fully incorporate Vocollect Voice into our product offerings. After our initial training, we were quickly able to develop and integrate complete new voice applications. We are excited to be able to offer the compelling benefits of Vocollect Voice to our customers.”

With Voice, Eyes Stay on the Work, Not the Screen

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
POS-X

Barcode & Mobile Printers
Datamax-O'Neil

Cash Drawers
MMF Cash Drawer

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic Mobile
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility
Janam Technologies
Motorola

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Star Micronics

Retail Software
InfoTouch
Logivision

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security

HELLO GOODBYE

Dillman Joins HP

Linda Dillman has joined Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, CA) as SVP of Global Information Technology, where she will lead the IT teams responsible for the company’s outsourcing services business and the newly created group supporting global functions such as corporate administration and shared services, finance, global real estate, and human resources. Dillman will report to Randy Mott, EVP and CIO at HP. HP and EDS data centers operating client environments will remain under the supervision of the EDS outsourcing business.

Dillman most recently served as EVP of Benefits and Risk Management for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Other roles she held with the retailer included CIO, VP of Applications Development, and VP of International Systems. She joined Wal-Mart in 1991 through its acquisition of The Wholesale Club in Indianapolis, and before that worked for five years at HP as computer operator. A recognized IT and business leader, Dillman has been named one of Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business each year from 2003 to 2007.

“Linda is an exceptional leader who makes a great addition to the global IT team for HP,” said Mott. “She has broad IT and business experience, from integrations-related to acquisitions to aligning global applications development to business priorities, and a passion for serving customers.”

Linda Dillman, SVP of Global Information Technology for HP

JDA Deputizes EVP of Sales and Marketing

JDA Software Group, Inc. (Scottsdale, AZ) has named Jason Zintak as its new EVP of Sales and Marketing. In this role, Zintak will be responsible for JDA Software’s worldwide sales and marketing operations, its partner and alliances programs, and industry operations including the company’s services industries and government, aerospace, and defense business units. Zintak brings more than 17 years of enterprise software sales and sales management experience, including stints at HCL Axon, Capgemini, SAP, and Blue Martini Software.

“We are pleased to welcome Jason to JDA Software’s executive management team,” related Hamish Brewer, CEO of JDA Software. “Jason brings to JDA his stellar track record of developing, implementing, and executing sales growth strategies and consistently improving the performance of the sales organizations that he has managed. He knows what it takes to bring an organization to the next level and will bring that experience to JDA’s worldwide sales teams.”

JDA also announced that COO Chris Koziol has left the company to pursue other opportunities. “On behalf of JDA, I would like to thank Chris for his service to the company and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors,” Brewer stated.

Channel Factoid

Commercial bankruptcies among the 25 million small businesses in the U.S. increased by nearly 81% in June 2009 compared to June 2008, according to Equifax. There were 10,339 bankruptcy filings in June 2009 throughout the U.S., up from 5,712 one year earlier. California represented the most negatively affected state with 10 MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) among the 15 such areas with the most commercial bankruptcy filings during June. Los Angeles, Riverside/San Bernardino, and Sacramento led the nation in this dubious category. The Atlanta MSA increased to 208 bankruptcies from 93, Houston increased to 153 from 84, and Charlotte, which wasn’t even in the top 15 one year ago, suffered 225 bankruptcies in June, the fourth highest of any MSA. “While it may not be quite as intense in some areas as what we saw earlier this year, we’re still seeing hefty increases in the number of bankruptcies in a lot of major areas,” cautioned Reza Barazesh, Head of North American Research for Equifax’s Commercial Information Solutions Division. Equifax defined “small business” as having less than 100 employees and included both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.

STARTS & STOPS

Tri-Tech Promises Margins of 40%

Tri-Technical Systems (Dubuque, IA), developer of PC/Poll polling software, AIMsi Point of Sale, and Active-e Web hosting and e-commerce, has launched its new “Dealer Link” reseller program. Qualified dealers will earn 40% margins (based on retail price) from reselling AIMsi software to clients, according to the company, as well as residual revenues on support contracts and Active-e installations. AIMsi targets vertical markets such as musical instrument stores, bicycle and fitness, sewing and vacuum, and hobby stores, with appropriate add-on modules such as Repair & Service Tracking, Lesson Scheduling, Short Term Rentals, and Rent and Sales Contracts, in addition to the full suite of standard POS and business functions.

An interface for touchscreen has recently been added. It offers an array of menu and sub-menu options as well as tab tracking to allow sales to be suspended and recalled throughout the course of the business day. This new touchscreen capability opens new markets for AIMsi, according to Tri-Tech, including golf courses, convenience stores, delicatessens, and bars. Tri-Tech recommends the new SAM4s SPT-3000 from CRS, Inc. (St. Paul, MN) as its preferred touchscreen POS terminal.

“We are excited to introduce our AIMsi Point of Sale and Active-e Web solutions to the dealer channel,” declared Paul Acton, President of Tri-Technical Systems. “These solutions, along with the PC/Poll polling software, give the dealer a wide variety of options for any retail environment. This allows dealers the benefit of partnering with one company for support and assistance with both polling or PC-based POS and Web solutions. We have some very aggressive price points and options for recurring revenue for the dealer.”

For information on Tri-Tech’s Poll-A-Rama IV Show, scheduled for September 15-16 in Iowa, click here.

AIMsi POS Solution on the New SAM4s SPT-3000 from CRS, Inc.