This Week’s Product Pick

Planar Systems, Inc. (Beaverton, OR) introduced its new PA1575R All-in-One touchscreen for POS and other retail systems. The thin-profile computer features Microsoft Windows XP or WEPOS O/S, fanless 1-GHz Intel Celeron processor, 1-GB memory, and 15-inch resistive touchscreen, which can be activated with finger, gloved hand, credit card, pen, or stylus. The sleek, industrial design of the PA1575R satisfies space-constrained environments, with card swipe/MSR accommodated on the side of the unit (kit sold separately) and the full complement of I/O ports (including USB, Ethernet, and VGA). The monitor may be adjusted from 0 to 90 degrees to meet user preferences and the rugged desk-stand minimizes accidental tipping. In addition, Planar Systems presented its PT2275SW touchscreen, featuring surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) technology and 22-inch LCD screen size. The PT2275SW targets small-format digital signage and desktop applications and provides superior image quality, resolution, and light transmission, according to the vendor. Both units are backed by Planar’s three-year Customer First Warranty, with free two-day advance replacement.

PA1575R from Planar Systems

Worth Your While

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.]

WERC Annual Conference
Warehousing Education and Research Council
May 16-19
Anaheim, CA

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 22-25
Chicago

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

PARTNER PROGRAMS

Quick Path to QuickBooks

BlueStar (Hebron, KY) and Star Micronics America (Edison, NJ) have assembled an Intuit POS bundle that brings together best-of-breed hardware and software into one all-inclusive solution for channel players. The package features Star’s receipt printer, with cash drawer, scanner, and card reader added. All components have been certified to work with Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale. BlueStar will bring the bundle to market under what was described as “low introductory price.”

Armed with Intuit POS software, this solution will outfit merchants with easy inventory and store management, according to the participating parties. The package features Star's TSP100 receipt printer, with cash drawer, scanner, and card reader added, and goes by the working title of Star Snap-On Value Bundle. In making the announcement, Rob Dorsey, BlueStar’s VP of U.S Sales, noted that such value packages give the distributor’s resellers the ability to implement solutions more quickly and efficiently.

“Star Micronics products have been integrated since the first release of Intuit QuickBooks,” indicated Christophe Naasz, Business Development Director for Star Micronics. “So we are proud to partner with BlueStar to offer the “Classic’ QuickBooks TSP100 printer. Star is known for its quality products and reliability, which is why we are offering our free overnight swap to all U.S. QuickBooks customers for any non-working TSP100 unit during its first year.”

Christophe Naasz, Business Development Director, Star Micronics America

CognitiveTPG Hunts Gold, Platinum, Diamonds

CognitiveTPG (Lincolnshire, IL) has launched its new multi-tier Preferred Reseller Program, which promises quarterly rebates and back-end yearly bonus based on volume of purchases, in addition to technical, marketing, and sales support. Qualifying resellers must offer turn-key solutions in Auto ID and POS for select markets such as retail, hospitality, banking, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing, according to the vendor. Additionally, resellers must demonstrate the expertise to service and support the CognitiveTPG product line of barcode and transaction printers.

“The new structure--Gold, Platinum, and Diamond level--was the result of some take-aways from 2009,” noted Kyle Turner, GM of the Printer Group for CognitiveTPG. “We achieved double-digit growth with our select resellers last year in an economy that was reporting 30% declines. By adding levels to our Preferred Reseller Program, we can strengthen our relationship with existing partners and promote loyalty while attracting new resellers who show significant growth potential.”

“CognitiveTPG is committed to helping our preferred resellers find ways to improve business operations, identify new opportunities, and grow their bottom line,” added Kevin O’Donnell, Sales Director for CognitiveTPG. “We find the closer we get to our partners, the better their sales are through the channel. Our new Preferred Reseller Program was designed to help companies of various sizes generate revenue from sales of CognitiveTPG products.”

Kyle Turner, GM of the Printer Group for CognitiveTPG

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ALL IN THE FAMILY

PT Cruises at Brother

Brother Mobile Solutions (Broomfield, CO) has shipped two new desktop barcode and label printers, the PT-9700PC and PT-9800PCN, expressly designed for harsh environments in warehousing, manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, and retail.  Both printers are based on thermal transfer technology and allow users to vary print speed and resolution by switching tape cassettes. Brother TZ multi-layer laminated labels print at 0.78 inches per second (ips) and 360x360 dots per inch (dpi) resolution, while HT tapes offer three grades: “high speed” (3.15 ips and 360x180 dpi), “standard” (2.05 ips and 360x360 dpi), and “high resolution” (0.78 ips and 360x720 dpi).

The PT-9700PC carries USB and Serial interfaces, and the PT-9800PCN offers standard USB, host USB, Serial, and Ethernet. Both printers have been ruggedized for protection from moisture, temperature extremes, and industrial chemicals. Finally, Brother’s P-touch Editor label design software, included with the printers, allows direct printing from Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access databases using the supplied add-ins, the company said. Labels may be created with text, graphics, and most industry-standard linear and two-dimensional barcodes.

“Our new PT-9700PC and PT-9800PCN models print durable, laminated labels using Brother’s unique, patented process that enables the labels to withstand many harsh environments,” observed Peteris D’Carlo, GM of the Brother Mobile and Label Printer Group. “The lamination is applied as part of the printing process, which saves our customers time by eliminating the need for manual over-lamination. As with our recently announced TD-4000 printers, the price point of these new printers--which also includes barcode and label-creation software--makes for an outstanding value proposition.”

PT-9800PCN Label Printer from Brother Targets Harsh Environments

Good Vibrations from Socket’s Scanner

Socket Mobile, Inc. (Newark, CA) has rounded off its Series 7 product line with twin two-dimensional barcode scanners, the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) 7X and the CHS 7XRx with disinfectant-ready casing for healthcare. Both devices feature ergonomic design, Bluetooth V2.1 communications, omni-directional barcode scanning, CMOS high-density imaging technology, and 10-hour battery lifetime. Socket Bluetooth CHS 7X targets asset tracking, field service, and inventory control, while the CHS 7XRx addresses the need for accurate reading of patient wristbands and medication labels. MSRP starts at $650 and $685, respectively. SocketScan software will be added in Q2.

“Our 2D cordless barcode scanners are lightweight and extremely compact in size,” emphasized Samantha Chu, Data Collection Product Manager for Socket Mobile. “Design efforts were focused on creating a state-of-the-art, portable scanning solution that fits a diverse set of application requirements. We achieved our goal of providing the user with an ergonomic form factor that fits comfortably in the hand. There’s currently no other 2D scanner like it on the market.”

“The CHS 7X and 7XRx include unique features such as support for the Bluetooth Human Interface Device (HID) Profile,” Chu continued. “This means installation is ‘plug-and-play,’ in the manner of your cordless keyboard, and the need to install barcode scanning software on the host computing platform gets eliminated. There’s also built-in tactile vibration mode that confirms successful scans and wireless data transfer, which is particularly useful in high ambient noise environments.”

Socket Mobile’s Ergonomic CHS 7X With Stylus Tip for Use With Touchscreens

Code Corner

Aldelo Systems (Modesto, CA) has released its Aldelo For Restaurants (AFR) Version 3.8 Release B and Electronic Data Capture (EDC) Version 6.2. “Both our AFR and EDC software received PCI Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) validation for managing sensitive payment card data from Coalfire Systems and are recognized by the major credit card brands as being PA-DSS compliant,” remarked Harry Tu, Aldelo’s CEO. “This represents our ongoing commitment to providing safe electronic data transactions for our customers and dealers.” Aldelo EDC 6.2 includes many new features. Its integration to Mercury Payment Systems now supports electronic benefit transfer (EBT), check verification, PIN debit, and Canadian PIN debit transactions. An updated integration to Merchant Warehouse ties to the MerchantWARE Payment Gateway, which encrypts credit card data at the point of swipe through MagTek’s MagneSafe MSR card reader. EDC 6.2 also seamlessly links to RBS WorldPay, TSYS, and Secured Payment Systems. Both the EDC and AFR upgrades will be made available at no cost to existing Aldelo customers for 90 days after this release.

Torex (Warwick, RI) pressed Version 9 of its flagship Torex Retail POS solution. Version 9 provides plug-and-play support for best-in-breed Business Analysis, Loss Prevention, Loyalty, and Mobile POS modules from Torex, as well as the widest range of complementary services that support the platform. Such applications include mobile phone top up from ePay, cross channel e-gifting from Givex, dynamic currency conversion, and tax-free trading. Through its unique card payment system integration layer, “EFT Link,” Torex Retail POS 9 also works with dozens of international card processing services, according to its developer. Next, Torex will address the multi-channel capabilities of the platform, helping retailers to bridge their e-commerce and store operations. “We have committed over 40 man years of development time to making sure that Torex Retail POS 9 offers the most comprehensive benefits for our customers,” estimated Doug Hargrove, Chief Marketing Officer for Torex. “The addition of plug-and-play compatibility with dozens of applications developed by external software vendors ensures that the platform will continue to support the latest and most innovative retail services and applications.”

ALLIANCES

Ryzex Cares for Opticon, Totally

Ryzex (Bellingham, WA) now offers Opticon Total Care in the U.S. and Canada, in support of the H-Series smart phones from Opticon Mobility Group (Renton, WA). The program includes guaranteed turnaround times on repair as well as technical support and mobile device management. Qualified buyers can purchase Opticon’s mobile devices and the extended services directly from Ryzex.

Under Opticon Total Care, customers may select from same-day, three-day, and five-day turnaround on repair and maintenance, any of which may be billed monthly. The program also offers hosted device management provided by AirWatch (Atlanta) and administered by Ryzez. Significantly, the new care package goes beyond the two-year warranty that Opticon extends and also brings coverage for non-warranty damages. Opticon will continue to offer its hot-swap program direct for those customers who desire the convenience of immediate, no-fault insurance on their devices.

“This offering allows customers to improve their cash flow by paying for repair and maintenance as a monthly service, rather than in one upfront payment, should they choose,” commented Phil Pease, Ryzex SVP of Product Management. “We’re also able to include other mobility services in the monthly billing, such as remote device management and staging.” Founded in 1989 to refurbish used equipment, Ryzex now provides barcode, RFID, and mobile computing technology to customers worldwide to the tune of $70 million.

Opticon’s H19 Smart Phone Bridges Barcoding and Telephony

A Vortex of Mobility for Retail

Opterus and Vortex Connect, both headquartered in Toronto, have joined forces to drive more mobility for store operations. Specifically, Opterus will leverage Vortex Connect’s expertise in that area to jointly develop the Opterus Mobile Ops-Center, dubbed MOC. Opterus will initially offer Store Audit capabilities for Mobile Ops-Center, with plans to expand the functionality to include the full suite of Store Ops-Center’s features on MOC later this year. Store Ops-Center is the company’s on-demand, web-based retail portal designed to communicate corporate policy and day-to-day objectives between the head office and store locations.

“Opterus Store Ops-Center represents one of the leading store communication and task management solutions and we’re excited to establish this business partnership,” stated Adrian Schauer, President of Vortex Connect. “The solution enables retailers to rapidly and accurately transfer information from the head office to their stores completely and more effectively and now they’ll be able to do all that from their mobile device. We are seeing more retailers begin to take advantage of the considerable return on investment from mobile functionality combined with powerful solutions like the Opterus Mobile Ops-Center.”

Vortex Connect also recently collaborated with Kronos (Chelmsford, MA) to develop that company’s new Workforce Mobile Scheduler, which extends mobility in workforce management. That solution lets managers broadcast text messages to the mobile devices of employees who are qualified to fill an open shift. Once an employee accepts the shift, it is automatically assigned, and the second message notifies employees that the shift has been filled. Meanwhile, the work schedule has been automatically updated in the Kronos platform.

Adrian Schauer, President, Vortex Connect

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar

POS & Peripherals
FEC USA
Logic Controls
Pioneer POS
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
Datalogic Scanning
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Self-Service Kiosks
Zebra/Motorola

INSTALLATIONS

RTC’s Variety Show

Variety Wholesalers has successfully completed the rollout of Retail Technologies Corporation’s StoreMS POS solution on 1,250 IBM POS terminals in their Roses and Maxway divisions. Duane McGlamery, VP of Store Systems for Retail Technologies Corporation, or RTC (Kennesaw, GA), partnered with Gary Boxler, Director of Information Systems Support Services for Variety Wholesalers, to retrofit 112 Roses stores and 157 Maxway stores throughout the Southeastern U.S. Now 40 additional locations will install StoreMS POS, most of them converting over from ECRs, RRN.Com has learned.

“At the onset of the project, VW formed its committee of 12 to 15 key resources covering all aspects of their business,” related McGlamery. “This team partnered with RTC resources to create the backbone for all decisions and plans. Strong leadership by VW along with the ‘long haul’ commitment by the entire team was the edge to this very successful business architecture re-engineering.” Reportedly, RTC was chosen from six leading software vendors considered for the project.

The implementation includes not only StoreMS POS, but also RTC’s HTP-Link iSeries communication solution for polling stores as well as transaction management software from ISD (Irving, TX). RTC’s Consulting Services Group performed the integration between StoreMS POS and JDA’s Merchandise Management System (MMS-i). With the installation now complete, StoreMS POS has significantly improved VW’s throughput at checkout, enhanced their customer service, and streamlined their store operations, according to the two parties.

Variety Wholesalers Moves to StoreMS POS in 300 Locations

RFID Helps “Rig” Certification

Here’s an interesting use for RFID. Bairstow Lifting Products Co., one of the historic leaders in custom rigging supplies and fall protection gear, has implemented an RFID-based inventory inspection and certification tagging solution designed by UPM Raflatac (Fletcher, NC) and Marnlen RFiD (Markham, ON, Canada). Beginning this month, Bairstow will affix HF RFID tags to all of the products it manufactures, whether metallic or non-metallic, arming its client base with the ready-made technology. The company also intends to offer the custom-designed RFID tags and inlays for sale to its customers.

The scheme leverages UPM Raflatac’s HF MiniTrack RFID tags and two customized, low-profile, small-format tags developed by Marnlen RFiD. To meet the requirements of Bairstow’s unusual product catalog, the tags have been developed to withstand harsh conditions, according to their developers. Furthermore, exceptional rigidity and adhesion allows them to be affixed to polyester, nylon, rope, wire, and steel. Using handheld devices in the field, customers can streamline the necessary certification process and simultaneously improve their asset tracking and management.

“Adding RFID tags to our merchandise enables our customers to inspect and certify our rigging and fall protection products easily and accurately, guaranteeing that they will be used in an appropriate manner,” explained Carey Hanson, Sales Manager at Bairstow Lifting Products. “We serve safety-conscious industries, such as construction, power generation and utility operations, industrial manufacturing, and fire and rescue services. Preserving the integrity of our customers’ fiscal performance and protecting employees who engage in hazardous work is of paramount performance to our company.”

According to Jan Svoboda, Sales and Marketing Director, Americas, RFID, for UPM Raflatac, “Many companies could use this approach, reaping rewards from RFID’s ability to drive cost and waste out of critical processes without having to make drastic changes to existing operations.”

Tags for Difficult Products Such as Slings, Blocks, and Hoists

Channel Factoid

Third-party vendors and their software were factors in more than 81% of investigations of data security compromises last year, according to the 2010 Global Security Report from Trustwave. It was these third-parties that introduced many deficiencies exploited by the attacker, such as default vendor-supplied passwords and insecure remote access applications. Interestingly, the industries that requested penetration tests most frequently were those least compromised. For example, technology and business services sector clients made up 36% of the penetration tests performed in 2009, yet only 9% of compromise investigations. Conversely, hospitality and food and beverage clients accounted for 8% of the penetration tests performed, while this sector accounted for 51% of investigations conducted by the company. “The incidents we investigated showed that the hacking techniques used to penetrate systems were trivial--that is, they are very simple attack methods that have existed for many years,” said Nicholas Percoco, SVP and Head of SpiderLabs, the advanced security team at Trustwave. “In 2010, organizations should adjust their security plans and prioritize security risks before implementing new strategic initiatives.”

INTEGRATION

Paymetric Taps SAP

Integrated payment processing for SAP Business One has emerged from Paymetric, Inc. (Houston, TX), which has selected Support One (Golden, CO) as the master reseller for its XiPay On-Demand credit card solution. For SAP customers, the partnership seeks to deliver affordability, simplicity, and peace of mind, according to the two parties. For VARs, “our strong package ensures significant recurring revenue,” pledged Jason Sproles, President of Support One, an SAP Partner.

As always, PCI DSS requirements come into consideration. The Paymetric/Support One offering employs embedded tokenization to ensure cardholder data security. It helps VARs reduce costs across the board for their customers, in areas such as PCI compliance, installation, interchange fees, and administration. Moreover, it allows SAP Business One users to handle “virtually every type of electronic payment.”

“We are excited to partner with Support One to offer this option to VARs and their merchants,” shared Larry Wine, CEO/President of Paymetric. “There has been overwhelming demand for integrated payment processing capabilities but traditionally cost has been the barrier. Now, with Paymetric’s SaaS model, small businesses can affordably process electronic payments as well as the big guys . . . directly from their SAP systems.” Wine brings 20 years of executive leadership in payment processing to Paymetric, including time as President of both RBS Lynk and the U.S. Group of Moneris Solutions.

Adding Payment Processing to the SAP Business One Ecosystem