This Week’s Product Pick

Elo TouchSystems (Menlo Park, CA) debuted its 1519L and 1919L wide-aspect touch monitors for use in POS, Point of Information, kiosk, and digital signage applications. The two touch monitors, representing 15-inch and 19-inch versions, have been built to withstand the rugged and sometimes punishing commercial or public environments where many people use them, according to the company. In addition, the wide-screen format allows extra content to be displayed, such as spreadsheets, publishing, and dual-window presentations. Both LCD panels are available in three Elo touch technologies: zero-bezel APR (acoustic pulse recognition), standard-bezel IntelliTouch SAW (surface acoustic wave), and zero-bezel AccuTouch five-wire resistive. “Designed for touch” features include easy-to-clean surfaces, stable tilt stands, built-in speakers, and user-lockable on-screen display. “The wide-screen format of both touch monitors provides more space to display your applications and they can also be used in portrait mode,” pointed out James Witkowski, Elo Product Manager. “Zero-bezel touch monitors are as practical as they are beautiful. The screen surface is resistant to water, dust, and grease, making it an excellent choice for use in public environments.”

Elo 1519L Touch Monitor

Worth Your While

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

Connect
Radiant Retail User Conference
February 24-26
Atlanta

Self-Service Expo & Digital Signage Show
KioskCom
April 14-15
Las Vegas

NACStech
Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing
May 5-7
New Orleans

FMI Show
Food Marketing Institute
May 10-13
Las Vegas

[Editor’s Note:  The FMI Show for 2010 will include technology sessions and exhibits, since Marketechnics has not been scheduled for this year.]

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 22-25
Chicago

POS Partner Invitational
Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS Division
May 26-28
Chicago

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Atomic Power at Touch Dynamic

Touch Dynamic (Irvington, NJ) has enhanced its POS product line with the inclusion of Intel’s Atom 1.6-GHz processor in two models, the Saturn All-in-One and the Breeze All-in-One. The new Saturn All-in-One targets space-restricted countertop or desktop environments with its 12.1-inch and 8.4-inch LCD screen sizes and the MSR integrated into the bezel. “Capable of gigabit connectivity, with PCIe expansion board for wireless, this compact fanless unit has outstanding operability and ease of maintenance and will give users the opportunity to break limits in expandability and flexibility,” RRN.Com was told by Craig Paritz, President of Touch Dynamic.

With small footprint (12.79 in. x 2.28 in. x 9.72 in.), and light weight (6 lbs.), the Saturn maintains all ports, Paritz emphasized, including four USB and one VGA. Additional benefits include easy hard drive access and 75x75-mm Vesa mount. As target markets, Paritz cited the casino industry and small digital signage installations.

Touch Dynamic also extended its Breeze All-in-One POS with the Atom 1.6-GHz CPU and two 17-inch screen options, resistive or surface acoustic wave (SAW). Designated “Breeze” for its ease of service, the POS terminal brings field-upgradeable motherboards to fanless technology. “The Atom 1.6 provides our customers with a much lower price point without sacrificing speed,” Paritz explained. “In addition, the rackable motherboard of Breeze can be replaced with Core 2 Duo 1.66-GHz or Celeron M 1-GHz or 1.5-GHz processors to meet evolving needs.”

Saturn All-in-One from Touch Dynamic

[Editor’s Note:  Touch Dynamic also has added Don Belisle as Senior Technician in its new warehouse and service center in Portland, OR. Belisle has more than 20 years of experience in the POS industry, including his tenure at the former POS Sales Management with Toby Jensen, Western Region Business Development Manager for Touch Dynamic.]

A Band of Brothers

Brother Mobile Solutions (Broomfield, CO) unveiled two new desktop barcode and label printers, the TD-4000 and TD-4100N. With direct thermal technology, the printers deliver speed of 4.3 inches per second, 300-dpi resolution, and label widths of up to 4 inches. The TD-4000 includes USB and Serial connections, while the TD-4100N offers USB, Serial, and Ethernet.

Both printers are equipped with Windows drivers and the P-touch suite of labeling software: P-touch Editor, P-touch Transfer Manager, P-touch Transfer Express, and P-touch Library. A built-in cutter comes supplied in every unit, as well as five resident fonts and fourteen linear and two-dimensional barcodes. The printers handle drop-in, 2 to 4 inch, Brother RD Rolls or most die-cut and continuous media, according to the vendor. In addition, custom media sizes can be developed for special applications.

“The price point of these printers and the software included with these printers combine for an outstanding value proposition,” declared Peteris D’Carlo, GM of the Brother Mobile and Label Printer Group. “The printers are designed to work with virtually any Windows barcoding and labeling application. Moreover, the included software will in many cases eliminate the need for an additional software expense. The software provides both label design and database integration tools.”

TD-4100N Label Printer from Brother Mobile Solutions

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ALLIANCES

BlueStar Serves Up Kiosks

BlueStar (Hebron, KY) has added kiosk hardware and software products from Meridian Kiosks (Aberdeen, NC) to its line card for distribution. Meridian produces turn-key self-service solutions for ticketing, food ordering, gift registry, inventory extension, bill payment, and patient check-in. BlueStar cited the 12-year-old company’s quality construction techniques, best-in-class ergonomic designs, and enterprise-level software integration capabilities.

“By offering Meridian Kiosks’ solutions and products, BlueStar stands to strengthen our portfolio and provide this valuable option for our VARs,” indicated Rob Dorsey, BlueStar’s VP of Sales. “This new relationship will allow us to supply clients with the latest and most innovative kiosk solutions within a variety of vertical markets.”

BlueStar also announced it has completed its acquisition of Impuls ID Distribution (Sabadell, Spain), which dispenses Auto ID, ID Security/Badge, and specialty application products such as CD-DVD systems in Spain, France, Latin America, and North America. The Impuls management team will have accelerated management roles with expanded regional responsibilities. Its CEO, Albert Baranera, has been appointed as President of BlueStar Latin America. Frederic d’Orsay has been named GM of BlueStar’s Southern EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).

Rob Dorsey, VP of Sales, BlueStar

ScanSource Found by Fujitsu

ScanSource POS & Barcoding (Greenville, SC) has taken on Fujitsu America (Sunnyvale, CA) for distribution in North America. Through this agreement, ScanSource will offer its resellers the Fujitsu TeamPoS family of POS terminals and peripherals, which come in different configurations to meet end-user needs and budget requirements. In making the announcement, Matt McManus, VP of Channel Sales for Fujitsu America, pointed to the benefits to be garnered by VARs from the Fujitsu Accelerator Partner Program, which the company extended into the retail space at last year’s Retail Solutions Providers Association Show.

“Fujitsu has a long-standing reputation as a reliable, high-quality manufacturer, and that certainly remains true with their Point of Sale products,” stated Jeff Yelton, President of ScanSource POS & Barcoding. “Fujitsu’s products will be available to our customers who are looking for new POS solutions for retail and convenience stores. We’re excited to have them represented in the channel.”

Meanwhile, Fujitsu Transaction Solutions (Richardson, TX) announced that Genesco, one of the leading specialty retailers of footwear, headwear, and accessories in North America, will upgrade its POS technology with Fujitsu’s TeamPoS 3000 XL2 systems. The rollout includes 1,350 locations across Genesco’s Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Underground Station, and Johnston & Murphy chains. Significantly, TeamPoS 3000 XL2 features Intel’s Core 2 Duo mobile processor for increased performance and energy efficiency. It also offers the advantage of hardened laptop components, such as hard drives that are rugged and shock-resistant.

TeamPoS 3000 XL2 from Fujitsu

Code Corner

Elavon (Atlanta), part of U.S. Bancorp, fired up Fusebox, its next-generation hosted payment gateway. Elavon reportedly developed Fusebox using the combined experience, technical knowledge, and valuable relationships gained through its recent acquisition of two leading gateway providers, Southern DataComm and Global Card Services, as well as the base platform of Stratus Systems. Fusebox adheres to the latest data security and compliance regulations, while providing extensive connectivity, flexibility, and visibility, according to its creator. It utilizes centrally-managed hosting within Elavon’s secure data center, mitigating risk for the merchant. An advanced data protection module applies tokenization to further protect cardholder data. Hundreds of POS systems and all leading banks and processors are supported, while an online portal allows users to view the entire transaction lifecycle. “Elavon recognizes that payment processing is a mission-critical function for our customers and that it is becoming increasingly complex to keep up with the ever-evolving requirements,” said Stuart Harvey, Jr., Elavon’s CEO. “We’ve invested in the expansion of our gateway product offerings to help businesses better manage the risks and costs associated with data security and PCI compliance, while extending the flexibility necessary to enable payments for global enterprises.”

RedPrairie (Milwaukee), which delivers productivity solutions for workforce, inventory, and transportation, has provided fully-integrated functionality between its Execution Management solution and its Enterprise Workforce Management solution. Execution Management helps prioritize, assign, and align tasks for store and distribution personnel. Customers for Enterprise Workforce Management will receive numerous benefits from the added functionality, according to the developer. These include: one schedule for all store activities, whether task, incentive, or process related; enhanced usability, with richer user profiles and confirmation of scheduling accuracy; improved compliance with promotion and other high-involvement events; and the potential for increased return on store labor investment. “RedPrairie now has the solution that can meet the most granular needs of managers, whether they’re in the store or the supply chain,” remarked Noel Goggin, RedPrairie VP of Product Strategy.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

An Impending Avalanche

Wavelink Corporation (Midvale, UT) announced the upcoming release of Wavelink Avalanche 5.0, the company’s flagship mobile device and wireless infrastructure management software package. Previewed at this week’s National Retail Federation Show in New York, Wavelink Avalanche 5.0 will add device location mapping, two-way messaging, stronger security encryption, Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) capabilities, and new web-based console. Avalanche 5.0, including both Avalanche Mobility Center (MC) and Avalanche Site Edition (SE), will become available in the spring, according to Wavelink.

“We have developed Wavelink Avalanche to provide the most complete management solution on the market regardless of network type or device manufacturer,” reported Lamar Van Wagenen, CEO at Wavelink. “With the upcoming release of Avalanche 5.0, we are both strengthening the existing feature set while adding new innovations such as device mapping and tracking. This upgrade reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers and providing them with superior products and services.”

With newly added location-based services, users may now view detailed information regarding the current and past location of devices being managed and how they are being used. The client gathers GPS information, including latitude, longitude, heading, and speed, and the location of devices is provided in the web-based map with street-level views. When GPS is unavailable, Avalanche 5.0 can provide location information based on cell tower associations. Further, so-called heat maps may be used to display wireless infrastructure coverage and device locations on the user’s floor plan diagram.

Wavelink Avalanche 5.0 Will Feature Device Location Mapping

[Editor’s Note:  Wavelink also has launched Wavelink eLearning, its series of online training classes designed to help end-users and partners realize the full benefits of the company’s products. The classes may be customized to individual needs and address both technical and sales disciplines.]

Peeking at Datalogic’s New PDA

Datalogic Mobile (Eugene, OR) took the opportunity of this week’s NRF Show to pre-launch its next-generation rugged PDA, which hasn’t been named yet. The new PDA was designed from the ground up with the ergonomics, technology, and ruggedness to meet the needs of retail as well as field service, according to the company. It features 624-MHz processing and 256-MB RAM. It also boasts an accelerometer to eliminate awkward presentation of on-screen data.

“Our new PDA uses our next-generation platform, providing blazing speed coupled with the latest technology for mobility, all packaged in one of the most ergonomic devices on the market,” commented Tom Burke, VP of Products and Services for Datalogic Mobile. “The new PDA is one of the first in our industry to run Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5. We have also integrated Datalogic’s patented Green Spot good-read technology with both the laser barcode reader and the two-dimensional imager. This new PDA also incorporates HF RFID technology.”

As in all Datalogic Mobile computers, the Wavelink Avalanche device management system is pre-loaded and pre-licensed. Connectivity on the new PDA includes: UMTS HSDPA mobile radio for voice and data communication; Summit embedded 802.11a/b/g radio for enterprise-class mobile connectivity with CCX V4 certification; and Bluetooth wireless 2.0 EDR for simultaneous connections with lower power consumption. The PDA carries three-megapixel autofocus camera and user-accessible Micro SD card slot for photo storage.

Datalogic Mobile’s Pre-Launch PDA

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
pcCashDrawer
Posiflex Business Machines
POS-X

Barcode & Mobile Printers
Datamax-O'Neil

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer
MMF Cash Drawer

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

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems

Keyboards
Cherry Electrical Products

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Self-Service Kiosks
Zebra/Motorola

STARTS & STOPS

Micros Weaves Its Web of Hospitality

Here’s an interesting move. POS leader Micros Systems has snapped up TIG Global (Chevy Chase, MD), one of the leading interactive marketing companies for the hospitality and travel industries. TIG Global serves the online needs of more than 1,000 clients worldwide, helping to build brands and attract new customers. Last month, it signed the Beaches of South Walton, the popular vacation destination in northwest Florida, and Grupo Colibri Hotels, the collection of three boutique properties in Tulum, Mexico.

“TIG Global is known for providing interactive practices and online results through its suite of products and solutions that include multi-language website design and management, search engine optimization, social media, and mobile marketing,” observed Tom Giannopoulos, Chairman/CEO, Micros Systems, Inc. (Columbia, MD). “TIG Global’s leading technology and focus on the hospitality and travel industries make TIG Global the ideal partner to provide best-in-breed solutions to our clients worldwide.”

“With travel being the most widely consummated transaction on the Internet today, and with most consumers conducting their own travel purchases, our products and solutions have become critical to the hospitality industry,” added Frederic Malek, CEO and Co-Founder of TIG Global. “With the worldwide platform and presence of Micros, and our deep understanding of the Internet consumer, we can accelerate our growth globally and together provide a superior value proposition with a comprehensive end-to-end solution with increased localized service for our clients.”

Frederic Malek, CEO and Co-Founder of TIG Global

Heartland Settles Data Breach, Up to $60 Million

Heartland Payment Systems (Princeton, NJ) and Visa (San Francisco) have finalized an anticipated settlement agreement under which issuers of Visa-branded credit and debit cards will have an opportunity to obtain recovery from Heartland with respect to losses they may have incurred from the 2008 criminal breach of Heartland’s payment system environment. Heartland will pay up to $60 million to fund the settlement program, which is subject to certain conditions, including the specified level of participation by U.S. Visa issuers. Visa will now present details of the settlement to eligible parties.

“We believe issuers will benefit by participating in this settlement program because it offers an immediate recovery with respect to losses they may have incurred from the Heartland intrusion,” proffered Ellen Richey, Chief Enterprise Risk Officer, Visa Inc. Bob Carr, Heartland’s Chairman/CEO, concurred with, “We are pleased to have reached a fair settlement agreement. At Heartland, we are also committed to helping issuers--as well as all stakeholders in the payment ecosystem--mitigate future risk.”

The Visa/Heartland settlement agreement will be contingent upon acceptance by financial institutions representing 80% of the eligible issuers’ U.S. accounts that Visa considered to have been placed at risk of compromise during the Heartland intrusion. The settlement also includes mutual releases between Heartland and its sponsoring bank acquirers, on the one hand, and Visa on the other. As part of the agreement, Visa will credit the full amount of intrusion-related fines it previously imposed and collected from Heartland’s sponsoring bank acquirers. Overall, more than 100 million credit card numbers were stolen from the payment processor during the data breach.

“Immediate Recovery” Cited for Issuers of Visa-Branded Cards

Channel Factoid

Shoppers in North America left an average of $109 unspent this past holiday season due to limited store merchandise, lack of availability of coupons/discounts, and inconsistent customer service. Nearly 40% of surveyed shoppers abandoned their purchase altogether, up from 20% in 2008. Interestingly, many such abandoned purchases could have been recovered--including 54% in consumer electronics retailers, 46% in clothing stores, and 42% in auto parts stores--if coupons or discounts were more readily available. In addition, when in-store associates were equipped with their own mobile technologies, such as two-way radios and handheld mobile computers, the same shoppers recounted better experiences due to the use of the devices (59% and 56%, respectively). “By utilizing mobile technologies, consumers have become empowered, better informed, and more critical shoppers,” said Frank Riso, Senior Director of Retail Solutions, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions, which conducted the annual survey. “Retailers need to establish near-term strategies to provide product information, stock availability, discounts, and coupons directly to shoppers to help them to remain competitive.”

HELLO GOODBYE

CognitiveTPG Looks Worldwide

CognitiveTPG (Lincolnshire, IL) has drafted Charles (Jay) Elwood to serve as its Director of International Sales. Elwood will be charged with growing the company’s worldwide sales of barcode and transaction printers through channel partners across Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

CognitiveTPG’s GM for the Printer Group, Kyle Turner, commented, “Overseas expansion is a key part of our 2010 growth strategy and we’re very pleased to have Jay’s breadth of international experience on board. Not only does he bring a strong combination of technical and industry expertise, but he understands the potential for growing the CognitiveTPG brand on a global scale.”

Prior to joining CognitiveTPG, Elwood worked with InfoPrint Solutions Company concentrating on RFID/thermal solutions for a broad range of customers. Before that, he held strategic positions with Zebra Technologies Corporation for nearly 20 years, with assignments in global sales and strategic alliances.

Jay Elwood, Director of International Sales, CognitiveTPG

Vision Had by DataMax

DataMax Services (Boca Raton, FL), the sister company of DataMax System Solutions, has purchased Vision Point of Sale (Glenview, IL). Vision, which has provided POS solutions and support in the U.S. and Canada since 1993, filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2009. The purchase includes Vision’s entire maintenance business, technical facility, engineering machinery, as well as inventory of POS equipment.

“We are very excited about the Vision Point of Sale purchase along with their dedicated and well-trained technical staff and support team, Vision’s greatest asset,” shared Elliott Wallace, CEO/President of DataMax System Solutions. “That staff has allowed significant growth of their on-site maintenance business over the last several years.”

Wallace continued: “The acquisition is the natural progression in our growth here at DataMax. Currently we provide POS components and equipment to maintenance providers throughout the country, and with our lower cost of ownership combined with Vision’s strong on-site maintenance presence, we will be able to dramatically lower costs associated with supplying and maintaining store systems.”