This Week’s Product Pick

MMF Cash Drawer (Wheeling, IL) added Powered USB as another interface option for its Advantage Series Cash Drawers. This new interface allows the cash drawers to receive power from the host computer or hub via 12-V Powered USB cable instead of an external power supply, thus preserving the plug-and-play end-user experience typical of USB connectivity. It will help reduce installation and energy costs for retailers and improve their total cost of ownership numbers, according to the company. By design, MMF’s upgradeable interfaces extend cash drawer life by making it possible to use the same drawer in different application environments. In addition to the new Powered USB, five interfaces are offered: USB, USB/4-Port Hub Combo, Standard Serial, Multi-Serial, and Printer. In addition, MMF has announced its VAR Rebate Program for Advantage Series Cash Drawers, which replace MMF’s Heritage Series. Through November 2009, VARs will receive an incentive of $15 per purchase of Advantage Cash Drawers. This will be valid for up to 25 cash drawers per VAR. “Initial response to the Advantage Series has been very positive,” said Bill Youngquist, VP and GM for MMF Cash Drawer. “Besides avid interest from retailers, we’re also receiving accolades from the loss prevention community with our Drop Safe and High Security Locks.”

For more information, click here.

Advantage Series from MMF Cash Drawer

Worth Your While

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

RSPA Inspire 2010
Retail Solutions Providers Association
February 7-10, 2010
Cancun, Mexico

Connect 2010
Radiant Retail User Conference
February 24-26, 2010
Atlanta

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Cards Showing at Zebra

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) has added support from two leading card-design software developers for its ZXP Series 8 retransfer card printer--ScreenCheck’s BadgeMaker and Card Coach as well as NFive’s CardFive Vision 8.6. Zebra’s ZXP Series 8, introduced in March 2009, produces photo-quality cards at nearly twice the speed of other retransfer printers currently on the market and operates easily with both applications, according to the manufacturer. ScreenCheck (Dallas) and NFive Software (sold in the U.S. through Digion24 in Simi Valley, CA) address card design, printing, and encoding, with thousands of implementations worldwide.

“Zebra understands that enabling the full suite of software applications on our new retransfer printer is critical for our customers while important to our reseller partners to open up new markets and opportunities,” declared Mark Zucherman, Product Manager for Zebra Technologies. “Complete support for CardFive and BadgeMaker applications is an important first step in ensuring that Zebra meets this need. We look forward to announcing compatibility with additional card-design software applications and other application software for the ZXP Series 8 in the near future.”

In conjunction with the Zebra ZXP Series 8 printer, Zebra offered ZMotif, an XML-based Software Development Kit (SDK) designed to significantly improve the speed and ease of third-party application integration and support. Enhanced features include industry-standard PC/SC (Personal Computer/Smart Card) encoding, and laminating options for printing secure, tamper-proof ID cards. Both NFive and ScreenCheck credited ZMotif for helping them to achieve integration with their solutions, and both praised the overall performance of the ZXP Series 8.

Zebra ZXP Series 8 Retransfer Card Printer

A Convenient Truth from Tripp-Lite

Tripp-Lite (Chicago) has incorporated an energy-efficient function into its latest line of SmartOnline 3-Phase UPS systems. Operating in economy mode, the SmartOnline 3-Phase Series boasts an industry-leading efficiency rating as high as 97%, according to the company, which has long targeted POS and self-service. Economy mode yields significant reduction in operating costs through lower heat output, reduced cooling requirements, and associated electrical savings--without sacrificing power protection.

Tripp-Lite offers a wide range of SmartOnline 3-Phase UPS with capacities from 20 kVA to 160 kVA in high-power density/small footprint cabinets. Modular models provide N+1 and parallel capabilities and double-conversion mode gets utilized only when power quality demands it. SmartOnline 3-Phase offers online double-conversion operation with zero transfer time, IGBT inverter technology, hard-wired input and output, and external batteries for added run time. Finally, extended service/support programs are available.

“In 2006, roughly 1.5% of energy in the U.S. was consumed by data centers,” asserted Dave Slotten, Tripp-Lite’s Director of Product Management. “We felt that this was a significant statistic that we could have some effect on. Tripp-Lite’s 3-Phase units not only provide premium protection for mission-critical applications, they also perform at a level of efficiency that reduces overhead, improves financial performance, and allows businesses to operate in an environmentally responsible way. We’re proud to say we’ve developed this cost-effective solution that offers so many benefits to the corporate and natural environments.”

Tripp-Lite’s SmartOnline 3-Phase UPS System, Front and Back

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CERTIFICATION

Psion Becomes Conversant with AirVersent

AirVersent (Owings Mills, MD) and Psion Teklogix (Hebron, KY) announced the successful certification and integration of AirVersent’s 20/20 Delivery supply chain software with Psion Teklogix’s rugged handheld computers. Specifically designed “for the last mile,” AirVersent’s 20/20 Delivery automates workflow for delivery, pick-up, cross-dock, and backhaul operations. Device certification follows more than 150 tests and ensures that the Windows Mobile-based handheld computers will support all the features of the AirVersent solution, including basic application functionality, data synchronization, LAN connectivity, dispatched orders, mobile forms, and software updates through Afaria, according to the two parties.

“After going through our strenuous certification process, Psion Teklogix’s mobile handheld computers passed with flying colors--once again living up to their reputation for true ruggedness,” reported James Wee, SVP of Sales & Business Development at AirVersent, which delivers its products via Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and also counts Motorola and Intermec as partners. “We are pleased with the results. This certification will not only expand our customer base, but will provide our customers with confidence in deploying comprehensive mobile solutions that increase business efficiency and productivity.”

“Like Psion Teklogix, AirVersent has a proven track record of success, with more than a decade of experience providing global companies with feature-rich, easy-to-deploy solutions for their field mobility needs,” added Mike Jachimiec, VP of Channel Sales for Psion Teklogix. “We believe the interoperability between Psion Teklogix’s rugged mobile handheld computers and AirVersent’s 20/20 Delivery is a perfect fit to meet our customers’ needs of improving response time and operational efficiency while in the field.”

Seeking Improvements in Fleet Efficiency, Worker Productivity, and Customer Satisfaction

Keystroke Typed for PCI PA-DSS

Specialized Business Solutions (Dillon, CO) has received PCI Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) validation for managing sensitive payment card data. SBS engaged Coalfire Systems (Seattle), one of the Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs), to provide advisory services and complete an assessment of Keystroke POS, which is resold by hundreds of dealers across North America. Over ten months, SBS made significant enhancements to the Keystroke POS solution, now recognized by all the major credit card brands as being PA-DSS compliant following the Report of Validation from the PCI Security Standards Council.

“Compliance with the PCI Standard is critical to the needs of our end-user business customers, and the independent dealers who represent our products,” noted Michael Gebb, President of SBS. “We’re committed to protecting business from the negative consequences of fraud when sensitive cardholder data falls into criminal hands. As our industry anticipates ongoing enhancements to the already stringent PCI Data Security Standard, SBS will continue to work in concert with Coalfire to stay current on all changes to the PCI Standard and other mandates from the PCI Security Standards Council.”

“While many merchants are still wondering what to do about PCI and where to start,” remarked Jim Fish, VP of Coalfire, “SBS has stepped up to the challenge and is offering their merchants and resellers their PCI-validated application--Keystroke POS--which is the critical first step in the merchant’s own PCI security program.”

Michael Gebb, President, Specialized Business Solutions

Code Corner

InfoTouch Corporation (Atlanta) has won the Innovator/Silver Award in the recent ISV contest sponsored by NCR to add solutions to NCR’s 2ST two-sided thermal printing technology. Support for 2ST printers has been added to InfoTouch’s latest POS software product lines and the developer received its own NCR 2ST printer for future development efforts. In addition, InfoTouch wins “special, aggressive pricing” that will be provided only to InfoTouch partners to help them win 2ST business in 2009. “InfoTouch’s winning submission creates an innovative marketing coupon on the back of the sales receipt that will help beauty salon owners drive repeat business, thus increasing their revenue,” explained Phil Walker, NCR’s ISV Solution Sales Manager. “The coupon can be changed easily to depict new promotions and can be printed in different colors to ensure it gets noticed and used by customers. And since the coupon is on the back of the regular receipt, paper and money are saved, while being environmentally friendly.”

[Editor’s Note:  InfoTouch will demonstrate its award-winning support for 2ST printing at the 2009 NCR Partners Conference in Miami on October 4-6. In addition, Keith Neerman, InfoTouch’s President, will be leading one of the breakout sessions at the conference.]

Star Micronics America (Edison, NJ) offered support for Snow Leopard, the latest Mac O/S, for its product lines of single and multifunction printers. “Star Micronics is one of the few printer companies to embrace the Mac community and has always played a pivotal role in the Mac POS market,” related David Salisbury, Product Manager for Star Micronics America. “Making sure we were ready to support customers for Snow Leopard, at its release time, is the most recent example of that role. Star Micronics is pleased to announce that the current version of the Mac CUPS drivers (3.0) is fully compatible with what will no doubt be another popular operating system.” Star Micronics’ Technical Support Department has already developed numerous application notes to assist users who are upgrading to Snow Leopard on Star’s USB, Ethernet, and TSP100/GT receipt printers. Simultaneously, Star announced support for the latest manifestations of Fedora (Version 11) and Ubuntu (Version 9.04) Linux O/S. Fedora is an operating system which showcases the latest in free and open-source software. Ubuntu is the community-developed operating system suited for laptops, desktops, and servers.

ALLIANCES

Broader Bandwidth for M2M

Tessco Technologies (Hunt Valley, MD) and Verizon Wireless (Basking Ridge, NJ) will team up to chase Machine-to-Machine (M2M) opportunities in vertical segments such as transportation and utilities. This new joint marketing agreement will leverage Tessco’s integrated wireless capabilities and Verizon’s 3G cellular network to provide customers with specialized end-to-end solutions. Dedicated teams from both companies will support the effort with marketing, engineering, and customer service.

Tessco serves as one of the leading value-added distributors of the products needed for wireless systems. This includes mobile and fixed wireless network infrastructure products, mobile devices and accessories, and installation, test, and maintenance equipment and supplies. In the case of remote monitoring, for example, Tessco’s solution may encompass modems, antennas, cable, primary solar power, back-up power, weatherproof enclosures, and even lightning protection. The joint program will allow efficient and quick deployment of cellular-based M2M networks, as well as serving to reduce costs associated with purchasing from multiple vendors, according to the two parties.

“Both our transportation and our utility customers are doing the analysis today to build the solutions they need for the future,” observed Mark Bartolomeo, VP of Enterprise Data Marketing for Verizon Wireless. “The Tessco relationship gives these customers the benefit of both companies’ expertise as well as superior wireless solutions.”

WiMAX Wireless Antenna Tower

First Data Banks on RSA’s Risk Fix

First Data Secure Transaction Management Service has been introduced by First Data (Atlanta) and RSA, The Security Division of EMC (Bedford, MA), to ease compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The new service, offered exclusively by First Data and powered by the RSA’s SafeProxy architecture, layers on tokenization, advanced encryption, and public-key technologies to enable merchants to secure payment card data and displace it from their environment while allowing access when needed. It dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of meeting PCI DSS mandates, according to the two parties.

Basically, payment card data gets encrypted at the time of capture at the POS and delivered securely to the First Data authorization switch, where decryption occurs. Once authorized through the switch, the “token” value replaces the card number, allowing merchants to eliminate sensitive data from their business operations without the need for application or hardware modifications. When needed, merchants can access the original card number through the secure vault that First Data maintains for controlling authorized look-ups. This outsourced service should help merchants reduce the risks associated with the loss of cardholder data, avoid fines, and preserve brand equity and customer trust.

“To comply with the PCI DSS and reduce risk, organizations need security controls built into their infrastructure, and not bolted on,” cautioned Art Coviello, EVP, EMC Corporation and President, RSA, The Security Division of EMC. “Rather than addressing security risks by deploying disparate point controls throughout their infrastructure, First Data Secure Transaction Management provides organizations with a simplified and scalable solution that helps radically reduce management complexity and costs.”

[Editor’s Note:  First Data also added two executives to its staff. John Elkins will serve as EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, and Kevin Schultz will serve as President, Financial Services. Both gentlemen previously worked for Visa.]

Art Coviello, EVP, EMC Corporation, and President, RSA, The Security Division of EMC

Key Advertiser Links

Be sure to visit these vendors for the latest in channel products and offers for resellers.

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
ScanSource

POS & Peripherals
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

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems

MICR Check Printers/Self-Service Kiosks
Source Technologies

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Star Micronics

Retail Software
InfoTouch
Logivision

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security

INSTALLATIONS

JCPenney Lights Cellfire in Houston

JCPenney has launched its first mobile coupon scanning program in 16 of its stores in the Houston metropolitan area, just in time for holiday shopping. Employing technology from Cellfire Inc. (San Jose, CA), customers may download and carry coupons on their mobile phones that can be scanned directly from the display screen. In order to make the system work, each POS station has been outfitted with the DS9808 Hybrid Presentation Scanner from Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions (Holtsville, NY), which can handle 1D, 2D, and PDF-417 barcodes.

JCPenney will promote this initiative--introduced in September, National Coupon Month--through Web and mobile advertising, and directly via e-mail and other messaging to members of its JCP Rewards program in the Houston market. Customers who have downloaded Cellfire can have access to the same coupons on their cell phones as they would receive from JCPenney by mail. Continuing throughout the fall and winter, JCPenney will offer coupons almost every week, including some that are exclusive to JCP Rewards program members. Offers will include targeted discounts and mobile-redeemable rewards.

“Mobile coupon scanning is the latest way we are helping customers easily take advantage of the discounts at their fingertips,” commented Brent Dusing, CEO of Cellfire. “We believe this will be the first step in taking this technology to a wide variety of markets and industries, passing along the savings to consumers nationwide.” Cellfire is a free service, although standard data or usage charges may apply depending on the carrier or data plan. The company was founded in 2005 and has penetrated the grocery space with ShopRite, Safeway, and Kroger.

Mobile Coupon from Cellfire

NCR Taken to the Pilot

Pilot Travel Centers has selected NCR Corporation (Duluth, GA) as its POS supplier for its more than 300 travel centers in 39 states. Specifically, Pilot has deployed the NCR RealPOS 70XRT touchscreen POS workstation, along with NCR RealPOS scanners and RealPOS printers. Pilot also adopted NCR Retail Systems Manager in selected store locations. RSM represents NCR’s remote monitoring and management software solution with “help-desk-friendly” interface. NCR’s RealPOS 70XRT offers Intel Active Management Technology, RRN.Com readers may remember, which allows the help-desk to manage the workstation even if the operating system is corrupted or the workstation is turned off.

“Pilot’s technology strategy reflects their commitment to customer service and results-oriented approach to business,” indicated Mike Webster, NCR’s VP and GM for Retail and Hospitality Solutions. “NCR POS solutions are purpose-built for retail--with features not found in competing systems--enabling us to readily match Pilot’s requirements and earn their business. We’re proud that NCR has been part of the Pilot success story for more than two decades, providing innovative solutions that help transform customer interactions and improve productivity.”

In addition to checkout, NCR self-service kiosks have been installed in each Pilot store. One terminal serves as the “truck driver’s kiosk,” enabling drivers to obtain receipts for many of their transactions without having to wait in line at the checkout. A second kiosk has been dedicated to human resource applications. Pilot, by the way, is the largest operator of travel centers and biggest seller of over-the-road diesel fuel in the U.S.

Pilot Travel Centers Offer Fuel, Food, and Supplies for the Real Road Warriors

Channel Factoid

According to The NPD Group’s Crest Service, which continuously tracks consumer usage of foodservice, all segments of the U.S. restaurant industry experienced traffic declines in the first half of 2009. For the seasonal quarter ending May 2009, total industry traffic experienced its steepest decline in 28 years when it fell by 3%. The quick-service segment, which makes up the largest portion of industry traffic, declined 2%, casual dining shrank 4%, and midscale was down 6%. Fine dining/upscale hotel dining experienced double-digit declines. Onsite foodservice traffic, which includes foodservice for businesses, hospitals, colleges, and the military, dropped by 9% for the quarter ending June. With lingering unemployment likely to delay recovery in this sector, consumers were asked what enticements would be attractive. Here are their answers: price discount on regular menu items (31%); coupon for free item, no purchase necessary (24%); dollar/99-cent offerings (23%); variety of price offerings (17%); and smaller portions at lower prices (10%).

INTEGRATION

RFID’s Next Hot Spot?

NextPoint Solutions (Valencia, Spain) has come forth with EPC Hotspot, described as an integrator’s tool for showing the highest performance configuration for RFID readers and tags. This new tool produces 3D graphical representation of the readability of tags in real-time as they pass through read zones, according to the developer, detecting hot spots and dead zones in virtual pallets mirroring your real-world pallets. In essence, full tag-location analysis may be performed on every SKU (items, cases, and pallets) quickly and easily, resulting in color-coded pictures of your labeled products.

Typically, RFID pilots and tests are based on trial-and-error measurements which do not take into account all the parameters for placing the tags, product materials, and configuration of readers, contended NextPoint. Moreover, such tests are performed with software applications developed by the reader’s manufacturers, so that comparison among obtained results becomes nearly impossible. With EPC Hotspot, by contrast, the RFID performance measurements are real and reliable, and not simulations.

NextPoint will provide all its customers and partners (80 RFID system integrators at present) with an evaluation copy of EPC Hotspot. The software reportedly works with most major RFID hardware brands such as Alien, Intermec, Motorola, Impinj, ThingMagic, CAEN, and RF Code and includes Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and libraries for additional coverage. It also handles so-called “RFID Power Tools”--Portal Reader, Tag Programmer, and Read-o-Meter--designed for identifying products missing at the portal reader, programming sequential tags, or measuring the performance of tags.

“The Real RFID Experience,” Not Simulation

Hanco Traffics in SAP

Hanco Technologies (Toronto), an SAP solutions partner, has integrated its “Traffic” data-collection software with the SAP Business One application, thereby delivering real-time, automated reporting capabilities for inventory control, production, and product distribution systems. Traffic combines mobile computing, barcode reading, and RFID technologies and offers product and package labeling for “out-of-the-box” functionality, according to its developer. Further, Hanco’s Design Studios Suite allows end-users to customize their business workflows and barcode labels without requiring modifications to the software’s source code.

“For manufacturers and distributors, the integration of Traffic with SAP Business One can mean an end to the manufacture and warehousing of surplus stock, or the equally unpleasant opposite, an insufficient flow of goods through the supply chain during strong business cycles,” declared Carol Hanley, President of Hanco Technologies. “Both of these scenarios are usually attributable to delays between data collection and reporting that are inherent in manual inventory and tracking systems. With this integration, those gaps disappear and users get the information they need to make critical business decisions that impact profitability, or even the very survival of their business, when needed.”

Earlier this month, SAP acquired the majority stake in Swiss-based SAF, the initials of which stand for Simulation, Analysis, and Forecasting. SAF’s three core products, SAF SuperStore, SAF SuperWarehouse, and SAF SuperForecast, help retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers predict demand and adjust their supply chain accordingly. SAF had sales of approximately $20 million in 2008. Its products have been embedded in SAP for Retail since 2002.