This Week’s Product Pick

Datamax-O’Neil (Orlando) premiered its E-Class Mark II desktop barcode printer, which raises performance, print quality, and reliability to meet the needs of vertical markets such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and postal service. The E-Class Mark II comes in two models: the E-4205e for 200 DPI, 5 IPS requirements and the E-4304e for 300 DPI and 4 IPS. Both printers handle five-inch paper roll diameters. Features include their small footprint of 7 in. H x 9 in. W x 10 in. D, state-of-the-art processing for faster throughput, and internal Ethernet and wireless Ethernet connectivity. An adjustable print mechanism along with advanced media sensing and handling results in superior print quality. These innovations also give the E-Class Mark II the ability to print quickly and accurately on the most challenging label shapes, materials, grades, and coatings, according to the vendor. Interestingly, the E-Class Mark II comes in two colors, warm white or cool grey. Finally, international fonts with required memory are now free with any E-Class Mark II and all Datamax-O’Neil stationary printers. “The E-Class series has always served the most diverse requirements and applications for customers around the world,” noted Raul Palacios, Senior Product Manager for Datamax-O’Neil. “With the latest features we’ve incorporated into the Mark II, we are now meeting the need for higher performance and greater connectivity that has evolved in many industries. The E-Class Mark II is a simple and fast drop-in replacement for competitive aging printers and slower desktop printers that hinder productivity and shrink profitability.”

For more information, click here.

E-Class Mark II from Datamax-O’Neil

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

IH/M&RS
International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show
November 7-10
New York

Synergy 2009 Customer Conference
Retalix
November 8-11
Dallas

Fall 2009 Self-Service Expo
KioskCom
November 10-11
New York

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

ALL IN THE FAMILY

LXE: Let’s Get Physical with MX9

LXE Inc. (Atlanta) shipped its new MX9, MX9CS, and MX9HL Ultra-Rugged handheld computers for use in heavy industrial and outdoor data-collection environments. The MX9 family of handheld computers further extends LXE’s reach into new markets and applications, according to Steve Newell, LXE’s GM. In replacing the popular MX5 series of handhelds, LXE said it has incorporated improvements and additional functionality requested by its customer and partner base.

The MX9 features an outdoor display, multiple scanning and imaging schemes, backlight keypads, built-in GPS positional location option, and 802.11a/b/g, WWAN, and Bluetooth communications capabilities. All MX9 computers provide PXA320 processing, Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 O/S, and LXE’s Toughtalk voice-recognition technology. An IP67 rating and rugged packaging meet the demands of harsh outdoor environments. With low-temperature batteries and built-in heater control, the MX9CS version of the handheld computer comes ready for cold storage applications. The MX9HL complies with Class 1, Division 2 Hazardous Location requirements.

“The MX9 computer offers best-in-class performance along with special features such as GPS,” Newell declared. “Interest in the product for agriculture, forestry, and public safety markets, among others, demonstrates the need for high-reliability handheld computing solutions. Adding the MX9 family of computers to our portfolio of products will greatly extend the breadth of LXE products made available to our growing network of partners, for use in their solutions offerings.”

MX9 Ultra-Rugged Handheld from LXE

Revolution in the Air at Impinj

Impinj (Seattle) introduced its Speedway Revolution reader, designed to boost RFID performance and ease of use through patented “Autopilot” technology that continuously tunes the device for environmental conditions. Speedway Revolution readers sense levels of RF noise and interference, automatically selecting the best settings for configuration. Low duty cycle reduces power consumption and energy costs, with readers only transmitting when tags are in the field of view, eliminating unnecessary RF. Lastly, dynamic antenna switching improves throughput and efficiency by focusing on the largest tag populations in view at any time, regardless of pallet height or other considerations.

“End-users need RFID systems to deliver great performance in dynamic environments, and they want readers to be easy to deploy and inexpensive to own,” observed Kerry Krause, VP of Marketing at Impinj. “Speedway Revolution represents a quantum leap in reader design, inspired by our experience as the worldwide leader in UHF RFID tag chips, reader chips, and fixed readers. The combination of Autopilot along with Revolution’s small size and extremely low power consumption delivers consistently superior performance, unparalleled ease-of-use, and significant cost savings for end-users.”

Speedway Revolution comes in two versions: four-port configuration at an MSRP of $1,585 and two-port configuration at $1,385. Measuring only 6.75 in. x 5.5 in. x 1 in., Speedway Revolution is 80% smaller than the original Speedway reader, consumes less than half the power, and has 20% lower MSRP, according to the vendor. In addition, with features such as Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and support for the standard application interface, EPCglobal Low-Level Reader Protocol (LLRP), Speedway Revolution provides lower cost of ownership and integrates with leading RFID middleware platforms.

[Editor’s Note:  Impinj also has partnered with The Coca-Cola Company to provide RFID technology in support of the new Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispensing system, which offers 100 different drink combinations and touchscreen-based ordering. Coca-Cola Freestyle will employ RFID to monitor, track, and maintain dispenser operations, as well as to provide real-time business analytics about product consumption and preferences. ]

Speedway Revolution Evaluation Kit

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Week of August 10

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Week of July 20

ALLIANCES

IBM Sets Table for EMN8’s Kiosk

IBM (Armonk, NY) and EMN8 (San Diego) will jointly manufacture, market, and support EMN8’s self-service kiosk products for the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and Fast Casual Dining (FCD) segments in hospitality. As part of this agreement, EMN8 will transition production of its OrderM8 4000 kiosk hardware platform to IBM. Once IBM production gets going, the companies plan to develop future generations of hardware products, including full-service terminals incorporating IBM’s Anyplace kiosk technology.

”Our business is growing rapidly,” commented Perse Faily, CEO at EMN8. “IBM’s high-volume, high-quality production and extensive service capabilities are key ingredients for serving the needs of the quickly growing kiosk market as well as meeting the rigorous demands of the QSR and FCD environments. With IBM’s production and service capabilities and our marketing model, we both can offer attractive pricing to our clients--critically important in this tight economic environment.”

In particular, EMN8 looks to leverage IBM’s TotalStore Solution, which spans kiosk deployment, help desk, training, proactive health checks, and depot and on-site maintenance provided by IBM Global Technology Services. EMN8 was founded in 2002 and lists companies such as Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box, Arby’s, and Walt Disney World among its customers. OrderM8 allows guests to accurately order, confirm, and make payment via cash, credit, debit or gift card, and adds consistent in-store brand messaging as well, according to its developer.

QSR Kiosks from EMN8 Serve Millions of Guests

NCR Offers RDC for the Masses

NCR Corporation (Duluth, GA) has brokered an OEM agreement with Document Capture Technologies (San Jose, CA) with the goal of bringing Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) to the 27 million small businesses in the U.S. with checking accounts. RDC, as RRN.Com readers should know by now, allows businesses to scan check images and transmit the information to their financial institution for processing. This procedure allows commercial clients to receive quicker funds availability, improve timing of bank deposits, reduce courier and fraud costs, and improve internal reporting capabilities.

NCR’s solution will provide the remote self-service terminal to customers in an integrated package that includes NCR’s APTRA Commercial Passport Solution, the lightweight, USB-powered DocketPORT scanner from Document Capture Technologies, and specialized scanner software drivers from Silver Bullet Technologies (Pensacola, FL). NCR will resell the DCT product to financial institutions and businesses as the “NCR Personal Scanner” at the MSRP of $230. In addition to online banking integration, NCR’s APTRA platform offers reporting, conversion, and security benefits for processing transactions.

“NCR selected DCT’s unique DocketPORT terminal to extend our self-service suite and provide cost-effective RDC to our customers,” stated Bill Nuti, Chairman/CEO of NCR. “Due to the lost cost and performance of the DCT terminals compared with other available options, we expect adoption to accelerate as broad acceptance of RDC begins to take hold. We believe this new product offering with DCT for the turn-key Remote Deposit Capture solution presents significant opportunity, not only in the RDC market but in other markets we serve as well.”

DCT’s Terminal Will Be Rebranded as the NCR Personal Scanner

Code Corner

Cybra Corporation (Yonkers, NY) released MarkMagic 7 Enterprise, its total document development solution that seeks to replace multiple software packages with one cost-effective, integrated offering to help customers add barcodes, forms, reports, and RFID technology without programming. Cybra lists three major enhancements in MarkMagic 7 Enterprise: FormComposer Report Writing, PrintTransformer Conditional Printing with Dynamic Formatting, and OnDemand Web Document Serving. By using FormComposer, customers can produce multipage forms and reports containing headers and repeating detail lines, look-up fields from any number of associated files, overflow handling, calculated fields, and special functions--in minutes and without any programming, according to Cybra. In turn, PrintTransformer allows users to define printing conditions and rules based on document information. PrintTransformer automatically processes these conditions and rules and dynamically formats fields and changes print instructions. “PrintTransformer eliminates the need to maintain dozens of format variations to handle different scenarios, as was required in previous versions of MarkMagic,” explained Harold Brand, Cybra’s CEO. “Now all the user needs to do is create one multipurpose format and MarkMagic will modify the display, attributes, and even position of text fields, barcode type, logos, lines, and boxes--all controlled by the contents of the document.” Lastly, OnDemand gives customers access to invoices, statements, purchase orders, and additional forms through Cybra’s new Web-based portal. It supplies PDFs, enables printer selection or e-mailing, and accepts data from all major databases, including DB2, Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL.

Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA) has tested and certified the First Data Concord EFSNet migration software needed to shift accounts from the Concord EFSNet host to the First Data Atlanta host. This transfer is necessary because First Data is closing down the Concord EFSNet host in the very near future. With the migration software, Concord EFSNet users may continue to utilize the same interface to process transactions, and new users can also be implemented. First Data has executed an assigned switch so that Concord EFSNet/Datacap NETePay and GIFTePay users can change to new URLs on the ePay set-up screen to redirect transactions to the new host. Effective on or about August 25, all accounts that have not made this change will be automatically migrated by First Data by redirecting the current URLs to the new host, with no other changes required. If users wish to change prior to the automatic migration, dealers should change the set-up URL before the end of the month. Of course, any time such changes are made, users should be sure that any pending, unsettled transactions are completed.

INSTALLATIONS

3M Taped Together by Wavelink

3M has deployed Avalanche Mobility Center from Wavelink (Midvale, UT) to manage all the ruggedized mobile devices across its 30 plants in the U.S. Prior to the rollout, mobile devices (ranging in number from 6 to 80 per plant) were manually configured in different locations by different people. Over time, there were almost as many different configurations as there were devices, according to 3M. The scan-to-configure feature of Wavelink Avalanche now allows 3M’s IT Department to create standard configuration profiles in simple barcode formats. These only need scanning. 

In order to maintain security on the devices, 3M uses Avalanche MC to regularly change the encryption keys, along with updating the firmware, pushing out configuration updates, and changing the SSID on each device. In addition, the central management console gives 3M greater visibility into the mobile devices on the network. Each plant or location can be pulled up so the administrator can see exactly how many devices and what type of devices are being used, as well as the status of the updates or configuration so potential problems may be identified.

“As 3M compared Avalanche MC to other products, we found it to be the most comprehensive solution that could also manage devices from multiple vendors,” reported Dean Svela, who manages 3M’s mobile infrastructure. “We are using a lot of old Intermec devices along with a number of devices from LXE. We are now starting to introduce some Motorola devices to our network, and Wavelink lets me manage all of them centrally from the single console.”

“Now we don’t need to have our IT people at each location manually find each of the devices to update them,” continued Svela. “Previously, if one person had to go find all 30 devices to update the encryption key, it would take him all week. Now with Avalanche we can get it all down in about 30 minutes.”

Avalanche Mobility Center from Wavelink

A Real Estate License for Elavon

Elavon (Atlanta), the wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, will provide its credit and debit card processing services to FNC Inc. (Oxford, MS), one of the leaders in technology-based solutions for the real-estate and mortgage industries. The three-year agreement provides payment processing through the new dashboard functionality offered by FNC in support of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC), the regulatory requirement impacting the mortgage industry’s appraiser selection process. FNC’s Collateral Management System and Collateral HQ technology platform provides real-estate and mortgage banking professionals with one consolidated source for managing multiple vendor relationships throughout the entire lending process. Elavon’s solution enables FNC’s lender clients to deliver credit/debit payments via their dashboard, thus enabling them to more efficiently collect and pay vendor fees.

“We have been extremely impressed with the speed, efficiency, and innovation from Elavon,” noted Jon Fisher, Director of Strategic Projects at FNC Inc. “We believe Elavon’s processing services will be an effective solution for our lender clients.”

“Our relationship with FNC is a great example of how working together, adapting to a customer’s needs, and offering innovative solutions can enable commerce,” added Mike Passilla, EVP of Global Business Development for Elavon. “We are happy to support FNC in their endeavor to supply flexible solutions to their customers.” Elavon represents the former brands of NOVA Information Systems and its affiliates FHMS and EuroConex, RRN.Com readers will recall.

[Editor’s Note:  Elavon also has extended its joint venture agreement with Cleveland-based KeyCorp for KeyBank’s merchant referral business. KeyBank markets Elavon’s merchant processing services to business customers through its 13-state network of almost 1,000 commercial office and retail branch locations. Elavon’s PCI Compliance Program was cited as one of the critical benefits for KeyBank merchants.]

Payment Processing for the Real-Estate and Mortgage Industries

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
FEC USA
Logic Controls
Pioneer POS
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

STOPS & STARTS

Playing Heavy Metal for RFID

Metalcraft (Mason City, IA) has developed the ability to program expanded memory RFID inlays during its label converting process, adding to its prowess in RFID for access control and asset tracking in demanding environments. RFID inlays with memory larger than 96 bits are now programmed in-line with synchronization of the item’s printed image and post-programming data verification, according to the company. Further, EPC memory, user memory, and reserve memory containing kill and access codes can be locked in-line with custom programming.

“Metalcraft already offered the world’s most flexible and efficient RFID label service,” stated Steve Doerfler, President. “Now, Metalcraft has become the first label converter offering in-line programming of expanded memory during RFID label conversion. We’re programming expanded memory RFID labels at double our previous speed.”

In addition to inlay programming, Metalcraft’s RFID converting service includes subsurface printing of logos, copy, barcodes, and other fixed or variable data; full encapsulation of HF or UHF inlays in polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polycarbonate, die cut to custom sizes; and customized attachment constructions. The company now offers six standard RFID products: adhesive labels, folded tab tags, hang tags, hard tags, mount-on-metal labels, and windshield tags. It also resells through firms such as A2B Tracking Solutions (Portsmouth, RI), Asset Management Resources (Southfield, MI), and Data Support, Inc. (Nanuet, NY).

Metalcraft’s Hard Tag Protects RFID Inlay and Printed Label

PCI Smarts for Level 4?

First American Payment Systems (Fort Worth, TX), one of the fastest growing electronic payment processors in the U.S., has partnered with Trustwave (Chicago) to create its new program entitled “PCI Smart” in order to help Level 4 merchants achieve and maintain compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). PCI Smart will provide these small merchants with access to TrustKeeper, Trustwave’s on-demand compliance management solution, which provides automated tools such as quarterly network vulnerability scans. In many cases, merchants also will receive “advanced technology for system monitoring,” according to the two parties.

To further help First American merchants with their compliance efforts, PCI Smart also will provide access to Trustwave’s PCI Assistant, an on-demand online video tutorial. PCI Assistant was produced to guide merchants through general cardholder data security, the PCI DSS, and, most importantly, how to comply with the PCI DSS. (RSPA also provides an instructional presentation on PCI DSS, RRN.Com readers should be advised.) Compliance support services are also available from Trustwave for those businesses requiring additional guidance to become PCI DSS compliant.

“Our statistics show that card-present merchants represent the largest percentage of compromised merchants in North America,” pointed out Robert McCullen, Trustwave’s Chairman/CEO. “Trustwave’s technology will help merchants manage their compliance efforts and secure their network environment.” Neil Randel, Chairman/CEO of First American, confirmed that many merchants lack the resources or technological background to solve the problem on their own.

[Editor’s Note:  Recent research from NRF finds small merchants plenty aware of PCI DSS, but feeling frustrated and bewildered by the complex requirements it entails. According to survey results discussed at NRFtech last week, 72% of small retailers believe the risk their company faces from data compromise is “low” or “not possible.” More than two hundred Level 4 merchants participated in the survey last July, spanning e-commerce, retail stores, and mail order/telephone businesses.]

Robert McCullen, Chairman/CEO of Trustwave

Channel Factoid

The total global barcode scanner market (stationary and handheld) topped $1.7 billion in 2008 but is expected to decrease 0.4% annually through 2013, according to the VDC Research Group in its 2009 AIDC Global Industry Business Planning Service. The global stationary barcode scanner market is predicted to contract by 11% in 2009, while the handheld barcode scanner market is expected to shrink by more than 20%. This near-term softening in the barcode scanner market can be attributed to the number of large-scale deployments that have been postponed and the weakened appetite for IT investment across multiple vertical markets active in the global supply chain. “Despite this challenging near-term outlook, barcode scanners will remain one of the viable product segments, as suppliers and their channel partners support the robust installed base while pursuing emerging applications for stationary and handheld scanning,” cited Tom Wimmer, Director of the Auto ID & Transaction Automation Practice at VDC Research Group. “We are also encouraged to see continued innovation in the product category that is providing incremental value to deploying enterprises, providing a source of competitive differentiation by lowering operating costs, improving efficiency, and empowering end customers. We believe that these drivers will enable the scanner market to rebound to historic growth rates by 2013.” (Italics added by RRN.Com’s Editor)

HELLO GOODBYE

ParTech Finds Vainer “Yummy!”

ParTech, Inc. (New Hartford, NY) has hired Tim Vainer as Managing Director for the Yum! Brands account. Most recently, Vainer served as Director of Field Systems and Franchise Systems for Yum! Brands International. Prior to that, he held several other senior IT positions for the world’s largest restaurant company, with brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s, and A&W, and more than 36,000 sites.

“We are excited to have Tim joining the PAR team,” said A. Edwin Soladay, ParTech’s President. “Tim brings extensive experience both in the restaurant Point of Sale industry and with the Yum! organization, specifically. As Managing Director in charge of PAR’s Yum! global customer relationship, Tim will ensure that PAR continues to deliver the superior products and solutions, unparalleled service, and best-in-class operational infrastructure necessary to support worldwide expansion initiatives for Yum! and other global PAR accounts in the growing restaurant industry.”

“I have worked with PAR for many years during my tenure with Yum!, helping to deploy Point of Sale systems throughout the Yum! branded restaurant network in more than 100 countries,” Vainer emphasized. “I have an extensive understanding of PAR’s unique strengths and offerings, as well as Yum!’s global operations, franchisee needs, and corporate structure. Now, in my new role at PAR, I will be uniquely positioned to help PAR exceed Yum!’s expectations during an important period of growth and technology investment for the company and its franchise partners.”

Tim Vanier, Managing Director, Yum! Brands, at ParTech

Panasonic Places National Sales Manager for POS

Panasonic System Solutions Company (Rolling Meadows, IL) has named James Thiele to the position of National Sales Manager for Point of Sale (POS) and Wireless Audio Systems (WAS). Thiele joins Panasonic after serving as National Account Manager for NCR Corporation. He held previous positions in sales and technology management for companies such as EMN8, Comcast, and Pizza Hut. At Panasonic, he will focus on cultivating new sales partners and new business development opportunities.

“As we continue to pursue our corporate business initiative aimed at integrating Panasonic products to deliver comprehensive system solutions, Panasonic’s Point of Sale and Wireless Audio Systems will play an increasingly critical role in our business model,” predicted Joseph Taylor, EVP and COO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Jim is a seasoned and versatile leader who brings a wealth of experience across a diverse range of industries. We are confident his expertise will serve our integration model well as he leads Panasonic’s POS and WAS sales efforts forward in developed and emerging markets.”

James Thiele, National Sales Manager for POS at Panasonic