This Week’s Product Pick

Seiko Instruments USA, Thermal Printer Division (Torrance, CA), presented its RP-B10 direct thermal receipt printer for high-volume retail and hospitality environments. The RP-B10 outputs two-inch and three-inch-wide receipts at 200 mm/second and 203-dpi resolution, providing the minimum of 62 miles (100 km) print out and MTBF of 360,000 hours. In addition, its heavy-duty anti-locking and auto-recovering cutter design carries the rating of 1.5 million minimum cuts. Measuring 5.9 in. x 5.5 in. x 7.3 in., and weighing slightly less than 3 lbs., the RP-B10 offers standard vertical and wall-mount options and choice of USB and Serial interfaces. It comes with driver software for Microsoft Windows and OPOS (Windows XP/Vista), comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK), and wide array of utilities for rapid configuration and functionality, according to the company. Available with black or white casing, the RP-B10 bears the three-year Seiko Instruments AssurePrint warranty. “The new RP-B10 POS receipt printer provides outstanding reliability and ease of use, and offers tremendous value for customers looking for fast return on their investment,” declared Kaz Onishi, VP, Seiko Instruments USA. “Our development teams are working diligently to meet evolving customer engagement requirements, including traditional POS, self-service, and mobility solutions. The addition of the RP-B10 receipt printer to the Seiko Instruments line-up helps satisfy this goal.” For more information on Seiko’s RP-B10, click here.

Seiko’s RP-B10 POS Printer

Worth Your While

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

FMI Show
Food Marketing Institute
May 10-13
Las Vegas

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

U Connect Supply Chain Conference
GS1 US & VICS
June 7-10
San Antonio, TX

AIM Expo
Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility
November 1-3
Chicago

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Zebra Kicks Off Kiosk Printer

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) released its KR403 kiosk receipt printer, the first product in its new KR400 series. Designed for quick and easy integration, the KR403 direct thermal subassembly provides compact footprint (measuring 4.2 in. x 5.7 in. x 2.7 in. and weighing 2.4 lbs.) and multiple media and mounting configurations. Target applications include couponing, bill pay, and self-ordering at delicatessens and restaurants.

The KR403 also features expanded memory, increased driver support, and the Zebra Programming Language (ZPL). With print speed of 152 mm/second and resolution of 203 dpi, the KR403 handles all common fonts, barcodes, and symbologies, including Unicode-compliant encoding for international characters and GS1 for retail. To boost ROI, the printer utilizes large media roll capacity for fewer roll changes, automatic remote alerts, and paper-jam-preventing looping presenter with retract-and-retain function to protect customers’ private information.

“Kiosks are the best option for staff-constrained retailers focusing on implementing new initiatives to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction,” remarked Michael Eneberg, Product Manager for Zebra Technologies. “Zebra has recognized the increase in demand from both retailers and customers for self-service applications to improve store efficiencies, and has created the KR400 series to facilitate those companies looking to invest in this growing trend.” For more information on the KR403, click here.

KR403 Kiosk Printer from Zebra

Motorola Deals Reader Pair  

Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions (Holtsville, NY) unveiled its DS9808-R presentation imager with integrated RFID for retail POS environments. The DS9808-R represents two industry firsts, according to the vendor--combination one and two-dimensional barcode scanner and RFID reader, as well as combination handheld/hands-free UHF RFID reader. With this comprehensive feature set, the new device enables retailers to exploit the promise of RFID technology for real-time item-level inventory management and POS checkout. This includes price checking, new inventory commission, enhanced returns processing, and separated inventory identification (e.g., items taken to fitting rooms). Instant translation of the RFID EPC tag data to UPC barcode data adds to the package.

Simultaneously, Motorola EMS has armed its MC9090-G RFID reader with extended range in the eponymous MC9090-G RFID “ER” in order to increase productivity across the supply chain. With the ability to capture one-dimensional barcodes from as close as 4 inches to as far as 40 feet, the MC9090-G RFID ER eliminates the need for multiple devices for disparate and specific work tasks, according to the company. Further, the MC9090-G RFID product family supports U.S., European, and Asian frequencies for global deployments.

“With the introduction of the DS9808-R and new MC9090-G RFID ER, Motorola is further strengthening its RFID business and industrial-class portfolios, offering greater opportunity for organizations to determine how RFID solutions can add business value across an enterprise,” declared Mike Poldino, VP and GM of RFID, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions. “As the demand for RFID solutions grow, we will continue Motorola’s strong tradition of innovating across our portfolio, building on our legacy leadership positions in barcode scanning and RFID solutions, and driving application-specific enhancements to help our customers achieve their business goals.”

Motorola’s DS9808-R Hybrid RFID/Barcode Device

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INTEGRATION

Space Age Loss Prevention

Talk about preemptive loss prevention. Intelligent Security Systems (Woodbridge, NJ), provider of video management and image analytic software, has developed SecurOS POS, which ties POS surveillance to license plate recognition technology in an attempt to thwart cash register shrinkage, merchandise theft, and gas drive offs. The solution can also be used very effectively at malls, according to its developer, which touts its historic roots in space technology. SecurOS POS links live video from checkout surveillance cameras with transaction data, in the manner familiar to RRN.Com readers. As expected, the system sends alerts--via phone, e-mail, or SMS--when suspected activities such as shorting the register or unscanned items occur.

Here’s where things get interesting with license plate recognition. In addition to recording events such as gas drive offs, SecurOS POS warns other stores when the license plate of any suspect enters their vicinity. For security staff at malls, the system keeps track of all vehicles entering and leaving the area, thus establishing the forensic trail in the event of criminal activity. Even further, facial recognition capability may be added so staff learns when known shoplifters or trouble makers enter one of the connected outlets. 

“In challenging economic times, the need for more advanced security solutions tends to grow exponentially,” explained Aluisio Figueiredo, COO of Intelligent Security Systems. “For smaller retail businesses such as convenience store chains, the double whammy of inside theft, whether by clerk or customer, and outside theft in the form of gas drive offs, can add up to major economic losses over time. With SecurOS POS, ISS offers specialized loss prevention for retailers, both by automating the security process with an unprecedented level of business intelligence and by providing potential deterrent to would be offenders.”

Linking POS Surveillance to License Plate Recognition Technology

Payment Mobility Prix Fixed

ExaDigm, Inc. (Santa Ana, CA) has launched its Wireless Value Bundle program in order to “provide merchants with the most cost-effective way to implement mobile payment acceptance for their business.” Billed monthly, and with no upfront capital outlay, the Wireless Value Bundle encompasses ExaDigm’s Linux-based payment terminal technology, nationwide wireless coverage, and 24/7 help-desk service and support. It represents an ideal solution for storekeepers faced with having to upgrade existing terminal equipment to meet PCI DSS compliance mandates, according to the company.

“For many merchants, the cost of implementing wireless Point of Sale has been prohibitive and often far outweighed the benefits,” suggested Scott Holt, SVP of Business Development for ExaDigm. “It’s this challenge, along with our continued focus on delivering the industry’s most innovative wireless payment solutions, that drove ExaDigm to develop a program based on a bundled solution offering that is available to a merchant for less than $30 per month.”

ExaDigm also has joined the Voltage SecureData Open License Program and will integrate end-to-end encryption schemes from Voltage Security (Palo Alto, CA) into its family of payment solutions. “By selecting Voltage, ExaDigm is delivering advanced security with simplified key management to merchants and their customers,” said Doug Dwyre, Voltage’s VP of Business Development. ExaDigm reportedly chose Voltage because of its advanced technology and market momentum in signing new end-users and payment processors.

Scott Holt, SVP of Business Development, ExaDigm

Code Corner

Heartland Payment Systems (Princeton, NJ) and Micros Systems (Columbia, MD) have reached an “amicable settlement” of their 2007 lawsuit, and have begun product integration to bring new payment solutions to hospitality and retail. Initial development work between Heartland processing and Micros POS should be completed this summer, according to the two parties. Heartland and Micros are also collaborating on another project designed to protect transactions originated by the Micros Simphony platform, an enterprise, service-oriented architecture (SOA) POS product for the hospitality industry, which encompasses E3. Recently introduced, E3 is Heartland’s end-to-end security solution designed to guard cardholder data from the moment of swipe, to and through its processing network, and to participating card brands. Back in November 2007, RRN.Com readers may recall, Heartland filed suit against Micros, Merchant Link LLC, and Merchant Link’s owner, Chase Paymentech, alleging violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act and New Jersey’s unfair competition laws. Basically, Heartland claimed that Micros and Merchant Link were forcing it to pay for the use of Merchant Link’s gateway in order to handle transaction processing from Micros terminals.

Getloaded.com (Louisville, KY), one of the leading U.S.-based freight matching services, has launched iGetloaded, an Apple iPhone and iPod touchscreen application that allows members to move freight from their mobile handheld devices. The new app delivers popular add-on features such as rate index, credit reports, and mileage, routing, and toll information, according to the developer. Core capabilities include: GPS-based load and truck monitoring, easy “back-haul” searching from your current location, an ability to call contacts directly from the app, and quick, one-touch browsing of all available loads and trucks. iGetloaded also allows users to see all of their existing saved searches in their online account, and also automatically records user conduct. “As the first major freight matching service to embrace the iPhone phenomenon, Getloaded.com changes the game in the trucking industry,” said Bryan Jones, President, Getloaded.com. “With the growing national trend toward the use of touchscreen wireless devices, we are poised to serve that market demand.”

INSTALLATIONS

Where Keypads Are King

Here’s an interesting market opportunity. Best Buy Co. (Minneapolis) will address the needs of the blind and visually impaired by adding tactile keypads to its POS systems at the checkout. This will allow customers who cannot read information on touchscreens to privately and independently enter their PIN code in order to protect their financial privacy.

All Best Buy stores in California already have the new devices as do many other stores across the chain. Keypads will be installed in all Best Buy stores nationwide by September 30, 2010, if all goes according to schedule. “We are pleased to collaborate with organizations committed to advocacy for the blind and introduce service enhancements in our stores that will improve the experience for Best Buy’s visually impaired customers,” stated Barry Judge, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for the $45 billion retailer.

“Flat-screen Point of Sale devices leave blind customers using their PIN-based card at risk for identity theft,” testified Brad Hodges, a blind Best Buy shopper in West Virginia and technology expert with the American Foundation for the Blind, which has officially endorsed the retrofit. “Every retailer in the country should follow Best Buy’s example to ensure that customers who are blind or visually impaired can independently enter our PIN and other confidential information when paying for products and services.”

Best Buy Will Retrofit POS for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Supply Chain Unknotted by Retailer Data

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, supplier of some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands, will implement Multi-Enterprise Demand Sensing (MDS) from Terra Technology to improve its forecasting and inventory processes. In the recent pilot using POS data from the largest retailers in North America, MDS software improved shipment forecast accuracy by 40%, according to the two parties. Kimberly-Clark joins Proctor & Gamble, Unilever, Kraft Foods, Smuckers, and Campbell Soup in running the supply chain solution.

“Kimberly-Clark selected Terra Technology’s Multi-Enterprise Demand Sensing to better synchronize our strategic monthly shipment forecast process with daily order execution,” related Gene Arnold, VP of Sales and Operations Planning at Kimberly-Clark (Irving, TX). “MDS enables us to utilize customer data along with our own order and shipment history to optimize short-term forecasting. The shipment forecast accuracy benefit in this horizon is expected to enable meaningful reduction in safety stock inventory.”

“We’re thrilled that Kimberly-Clark has selected Terra to help them improve accuracy and reduce inventory,” added Robert Byrne, CEO/President of Terra Technology (Norwalk, CT). “Ongoing shifts in consumer preferences have created problems for traditional forecasting systems which rely on sales history and we think increased use of retailer POS data will offer significant benefits to consumer products companies in this and other ways.”

Better Forecasting and Reduced Inventory Costs for Kimberly-Clark

[Editor’s Note:  Elsewhere, the sun keeps shining on Radiant Systems (Alpharetta, GA), which announced two new contract wins:  Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Brinker International. Romano’s will put Aloha POS and Radiant hardware terminals in its 186 company-owned restaurants. Brinker will do the same for its Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy locations.]

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

Barcode & Transaction Printers CognitiveTPG

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

Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security

BELLS & WHISTLES

One RFID Tag Fits All

Metalcraft (Mason City, IA) introduced Universal RFID Tags which promise long read range regardless of the mounting surface. The small, durable tags also feature custom printing of barcodes and other information on the label. The first item, Universal RFID Asset Tag, delivers read range of 15 feet and measures approximately 2.9 inches long by 1.4 inches wide and just .085 in. thick--the lowest profile among metal mount tags, according to the manufacturer.

The Universal RFID Hard Tag also carries read range of 15 feet. It measures 4.25 inches long by 1.75 inches wide with .07-inch impact-resistant housing combined with ultrasonically-welded seal that protects subsurface printed label and RFID inlay. It withstands heavy impact and will function after resurfacing from submersion in over 20 feet of water. Permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive is an optional affixing method, with two holes for mechanical fasteners standard.

“Our Universal RFID Tags represent Metalcraft’s strongest effort to date in creating low-cost, durable products for asset tracking with RFID,” indicated Steve Doerfler, President of Metalcraft. “They allow RFID integrators and end-users to procure only one tag for several surfaces without sacrificing function. And because it’s so thin, the Universal RFID Asset Tag is ideal for tracking metallic IT equipment.”

Universal RFID Tags from Metalcraft

Counting the Cash Faster

Fujitsu Frontech North America (Foothill Ranch, CA) shipped the G610 and G611 currency recyclers for automated cash distribution. The large-capacity, multi-cassette machines offer superior reliability, state-of-the-art security, and low maintenance requirements for retailers, hardware OEMs, and financial service providers, according to the manufacturer. The G610 handles up to 8,000 new notes, while the G611 reaches 16,000.

The new solutions offer flexible front or rear service configuration that can be easily built into through-the-wall applications, Fujitsu said. In addition, the deposit and recycle cassettes can be configured in any combination from one to four cassettes to meet customer specifications. Finally, the G610 and G611 support Microsoft’s Windows Open Services Architecture, designated WOSA XFS, to smooth software and hardware integration.

“Fujitsu is the proven industry leader when it comes to currency dispenser equipment--our F53 unit is used by all of the top manufacturers of self-checkout solutions because of its reliability, low maintenance requirements, and small physical footprint,” stated Randy Fox, Director of OEM Products for Fujitsu Frontech North America. “The introduction of the G610 and G611 represents a strong addition to our currency handling product family as it will help businesses automate their cash-management process to reduce operational costs and ensure accuracy. We look forward to working with our OEM partners to deliver the highest-performing currency recycling solutions on the market.”

Fujitsu’s G610 Currency Recycler/Acceptor

Channel Factoid

Almost half of U.S. IT professionals (45%) say that the risks of cloud computing outweigh the benefits, according to the first annual ISACA IT Risk/Reward Barometer. Somewhat surprisingly, the survey of 1,800 members found that only 10% of respondent organizations plan to use cloud computing for mission-critical IT services, and one in four (26%) do not plan to use cloud computing for any IT services whatsoever. Indeed, the overall appetite for IT-related risk in 2010 appears light. In the face of continued economic uncertainty, more than three-quarters of those surveyed (79%) believe that projects should offer the same or lower level of risk in 2010. According to these IT professionals, only 22% of organizations are very effective at integrating IT risk management with their overall business risk management. The most common reason for practicing IT risk management was regulatory compliance (28%), versus business drivers such as improving the balance of risk taking with risk avoidance to improve return (8%). “The cloud represents major change in how computing resources will be utilized, so it’s not surprising that IT professionals have concerns about risk versus reward trade-offs,” observed Robert Stroud, International VP of ISACA and VP of CA. “But risk and value are two sides of the same coin. If cloud computing is treated as a major governance initiative involving a broad set of stakeholders, it has the potential to yield benefits that can equal or outweigh the risks.”

HELLO GOODBYE

Wright Fit for Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (Clearwater, FL) has named Murray Wright as President, the Americas, effective immediately. Wright will be responsible for leading the distributor’s extensive sales, marketing, logistics, and purchasing operations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. He joined Tech Data in 2006 as SVP, U.S. Sales, and has more than 25 years experience in the IT industry.

“Murray brings a wealth of industry and operational experience to his new role,” commented Tech Data CEO Robert Dutkowsky. “He has been at the forefront of many strategic initiatives at Tech Data and has the proven leadership to position a world-class enterprise like ours to capitalize on new opportunities. Under Murray’s leadership, we will continue to strengthen Tech Data’s best-in-class execution and strong performance in the Americas.”

In addition to his primary responsibilities as SVP, U.S. Sales, Wright oversaw Tech Data’s government, technical, and integration service organizations, as well as its TechSelect community of SMB resellers. Before joining Tech Data, he served as President of Lenovo Canada. Prior to Lenovo, he was GM for distributor Ingram Micro Canada.

Murray Wright, President, the Americas, Tech Data

Grocery Group Bags Turner

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (Washington, DC) has recruited Todd Turner as VP of Industry Affairs. In his new position, Turner will lead the group’s vanguard efforts in its sales, supply chain, and technology practices, as well as the day-to-day operations of his department. He will report to Stephen Sibert, SVP of Industry Affairs.

“I am pleased to welcome Todd to the GMA team,” said Pamela Bailey, CEO/President of GMA. “He is a veteran of the retail and CPG industries with a proven track record of providing first-rate member service as an association executive. He is well-equipped to help food, beverage, and consumer product manufacturers deliver on their promise to provide safe, healthy, and affordable products to the public.”

Previously, Turner functioned as VP of Membership and Urban Affairs at the Food Marketing Institute. Primary achievements in the course of his 14-year career at FMI include increasing dues revenue by 40%, generating $1.7 million in additional funds by establishing an associate member program, and developing an industry-wide supplier diversity program.