Michael Kachmar, Editor
(If your e-mail client does not display this properly, click here.)
This Week’s Product Pick
Elo TouchSystems (Menlo Park, CA) launched its Interactive Digital Signage (IDS) family of touch displays at this week’s SID International Symposium in Seattle. These displays incorporate zero-bezel, edge-to-edge glass touchscreen technology into large-format, ruggedized panels specifically built for commercial environments. The trio of new products range from 32 to 46 inches and feature Elo’s acoustic pulse recognition (APR) touch technology, which provides full-screen interactive navigation by any means (finger, stylus, or pen). Elo TouchSystems IDS also offers optional high-performance computer modules suited for multi-media delivery and measurement, according to the vendor. Here, Intel Dual Core or Core 2 Duo processors slide into the dedicated bay behind the touch display. Finally, the IDS portfolio leverages advanced, high-contrast panel technologies, such as Samsung Electronics’ LCD Digital Information Display (DID), with scratch-resistant, aluminum frames capable of withstanding high-traffic, public-access venues addressed by RRN.Com readers. “Our new IDS portfolio offers the digital signage market something it hasn’t seen before: large-format, exceptionally durable display screens specifically designed for interactive touch applications,” declared Mark Mendenhall, GM of Elo TouchSystems and VP of Tyco Electronics, the parent company. “Elo considers touch functionality the next wave of computer engagement and targeted out-of-home messaging--and we believe that our IDS portfolio will significantly drive this evolution in the digital signage market by accelerating our channel partners’ adoption and competitive advantage.”
Elo’s IDS Portfolio
COMPANY BUSINESS CAM Splits POS and Payments POS and payment processing have parted ways at CAM Commerce Solutions (Fountain Valley, CA) with the splitting of the business, sale of the POS division to Robertson Piper Software Group (Menlo Park, CA), and subsequent rebranding of the integrated payments entity. CAM Commerce Solutions will continue its mission of POS sales and support under RPSG, the software-focused holding company. In turn, payment processing will now go forward as Accelerated Payment Technologies (Pleasant Grove, UT), still privately held under Great Hill Partners, and led by Roy Banks, CEO and former principal at CAM Commerce. In making the announcement, Accelerated Payment Technologies pointed to significant growth for its X-Charge, X-Web, and XpressLink products, driven most recently by PCI compliance requirements, as well as the competitive advantages it will enjoy from its experience with both sides of POS. For its part, CAM Commerce Solutions expects to benefit from its renewed concentration on POS software and solutions and the resources of RPSG. Interestingly, CAM Commerce will continue to serve as one of the largest partners and resellers for Accelerated Payment Technologies, according to the two parties. “Accelerated is focused on expanding our market share by displacing stand-alone terminal payment providers in cases where merchants utilize mission-critical Point of Sale software applications to accept payments and manage their business,” remarked Banks. “We expect this to continue to fuel our growth at the expense of other integrated payment providers who do not have Point of Sale experience and fail to understand the value of deep relationships, superior service, and next-generation payment platform technology solutions.” Before CAM Commerce, Banks served as President of Authorize.Net, which was brokered to CyberSource in 2007.
An Epiphany for Intermec Intermec Technologies (Everett, WA) has beefed up its CN50 mobile computer with more horsepower, scanning, and communications. With 256 MB of memory, twice the previous capacity, the device allows customers to run multiple simultaneous programs, large databases, and RAM-based virtual machines, according to the vendor. In addition, customers may choose to deploy an EA 11 one/two-dimensional area imager optimized for scan-intensive environments or an E21 area imager intended for barcode reading as well as full-page document imaging with the company’s eMDI software. Lastly, for businesses in regions lacking 3G cellular networks or with limited data communication requirements, Intermec has offered the CN50 that operates over EDGE networks. And there’s more to come. Mobile Epiphany (Denver), creators of an innovative 100% finger-touch, geospatial asset inspection technology called Touch Inspect, will certify the Intermec CN50 and CN4 mobile computers to work with its solution, RRN.Com has learned. Touch Inspect enables workers in the field to map and search for assets by proximity and other characteristics. It utilizes color coding and simple iconography to navigate through custom inspection forms and lets workers add photos and highlight areas of damage or concern with simple drawing tools. Mobile Epiphany previously certified hardware from Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions. “Intermec’s mobile computers are ubiquitous and well-received by their customers across many industries,” observed Glenn Kletzky, Mobile Epiphany’s CEO. “We know that their engineering is solid. So we fully expect to be able to complete the integration of their devices with our software in short order. Intermec’s existing customer base, which already achieves real ROI using their products, will become even more capable with these two great technologies.”
|
|
Worth Your While
U Connect Supply Chain Conference
GS1 US & VICS
June 7-10
San Antonio, TX
BlueStar
GTEC 2010
Canada Government Technology
October 4-7
Ottawa
NACS Show
National Association of Convenience Stores
October 5-8
Atlanta
CTIA Enterprise & Applications
CTIA-The Wireless Association
October 6-8
San Francisco
AIM Expo
Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility
November 1-3
Chicago
Customer Engagement Technology World
(Formerly KioskCom & The Digital Signage Show)
November 10-11
New York
ALL IN THE FAMILY
KoamTac Tackles “Consumer Novelty”
KoamTac, Inc. (Princeton, NJ) unpackaged its KDCi Bluetooth barcode scanners designed expressly for use with Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. At less than two cubic inches and weighing only 1.2 oz., the KDCi devices allow companies to add barcode scanning to their mobile workers’ handset of choice in industries such as transportation, field service, retail, and healthcare, according to the manufacturer. KoamTac hopes to distinguish itself from “ineffective barcode scanning performance associated with software apps designed for consumer novelty,” in the words of one of its resellers, Glen Hall, VP of the UK’s Herbert Retail Ltd.
KoamTac’s KDCi comes in two models. KDC200i integrates laser scan engine for reading all popular linear barcodes. KDC300i utilizes Adaptus Imaging technology from Honeywell, enabling high-performance omni-directional reading of linear and two-dimensional barcodes, postal codes, and optical character recognition (OCR) schemes. Additional features include support for Version 2.0+EDR Class 2 Bluetooth, Organic LED display, rechargeable battery, 180-KB of memory for storing 10,000 barcodes in batch, and bundled KTSync keyboard wedge and application generation software.
“We focused our efforts in developing this barcode terminal that follows the latest design trends of mobile devices like MP3 players and smart phones while adding the durability needed for professionals,” stated Hanjin Lee, CEO and Founder of KoamTac. “The KDCi’s bright display allows iPhone, iPad, and iPod to send line-of-business application workflow and instructions to the user, enabling one-handed operation. And, given its ultra small size and light weight, many customers will choose to attach the KDCi to their body using our convenient retractable belt lanyard.”
Ultra-Compact KDC Barcode/Bluetooth Terminals for Smart Phones
Deep in the Heart of Encryption
Heartland Payment Systems (Princeton, NJ) has commercially launched its end-to-end encryption scheme--called E3--which was engineered to protect cardholder credit and debit card data from the moment of swipe through processing. Two years in the making, with 10 months of beta testing, E3 features multiple layers of security using both software and tamper-resistant hardware, including Advanced Encryption Standards, or AES. The finished product was announced at this week’s National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.
E3 is easy and cost-effective to implement, according to the processor. There are no changes to the merchant’s daily routine or the speed of transactions and no large equipment investment. Merchants may purchase an E3 terminal or PC-based magnetic-stripe reader/wedge at--or below--the price of standard processing equipment. Once the hardware gets installed, with any integration by POS provider completed, E3 automates the process of continually changing the encryption keys that convert sensitive account information to scrambled data. “We are making the highest degree of security available to every merchant regardless of size--without charging extra monthly or transaction fees and taxes,” professed Bob Carr, Heartland’s Chairman/CEO.
Additionally, Heartland helps “the vast majority” of merchants who use E3 in completing the elaborate forms required for PCI compliance. “Since E3 does not allow card numbers to exist on or through the merchant’s system or network--when combined with our Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) assistance service--E3 reduces the cost of PCI compliance and the risk of non-compliance for business owners,” Carr added. Lastly, should data be breached despite E3, Heartland’s “E3 End-to-End Encryption Warranty” will reimburse the merchant’s related fines, fees, or assessments.
E3 Now Ready From Heartland Payment Systems
[Editor’s Note: Heartland Payment Systems also said it plans to recruit 1,198 sales professionals over the next 18 months, above and beyond its 101 new hires since the end of March. This breaks down to 409 for foodservice, 669 for healthcare, and 120 for lodging, to be precise.]
Join the Party at No Charge
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Do you need to reach the POS & Auto ID resellers who really drive business—in the most targeted editorial environment, and on the most cost-effective basis?
E-mail Michael
Kachmar for advertising information,
or call 973-270-3284
Did you miss one of our issues and suddenly realize your competitors know more than you do?
Hurry ! Use the links below to catch up :
ALLIANCES
Mercury Runs at the Corner Store
International Point of Sale (Teaneck, NJ) has integrated payment processing from Mercury Payment Systems (Durango, CO) into its Corner Store POS. The new solution was developed in-house and targets fast-paced convenience and liquor stores. By adopting Mercury TranSentry, International POS now supports credit, debit, and gift cards while helping merchants meet PCI compliance mandates prior to the July 1 deadline, according to the two parties.
“Enhanced features, like free gift card transactions and 24/7 customer care, will make it easy for Corner Store POS resellers to help merchants protect customer card data and more efficiently run their businesses,” relayed Ed Levin, CEO/President of International Point of Sale. In order to introduce its Corner Store POS package, International POS will give unlimited free licenses through 2010 to the first 100 resellers who join its partner program.
Elsewhere, Mercury Payment Systems has announced an expanded footprint for its MercuryShield application. In all, four products are offered that address encryption, tokenization, and PCI compliance: E2E, MToken, TranSecure, and TranSentry. “Mercury’s new suite of secure integration technology makes it easy for POS developers and resellers to offer integrated payment solutions to their merchants while meeting industry mandates,” commented Baird Kleinsmith, Director of Channel Sales at Mercury.
Ed Levin, CEO/President of International Point of Sale
Coffee, Tea, or Motion Detection
Clear Channel Airports (San Antonio, TX), which bills itself as the world’s largest outdoor advertising company, has teamed with Monster Media (Orlando) to bring gesture-based digital signage to selected airports across the U.S. This interactive network debuts next month in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Central Terminal with Microsoft as its first sponsor. Sea-Tac handled more than 31 million passengers in 2009, making it the 18th busiest airport in the U.S. The technology will next roll out to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, according to Monster Media.
The wall display incorporates nine 46-inch LCD monitors arranged in three-by-three grid pattern. The entire configuration, including the framework, measures approximately 8 ft. in height and 12 ft. in length. The surface delivers multi-touch functionality and displays multi-media content. Significantly, travelers may engage by either touching or pointing at the screen.
“Clear Channel is redefining the digital out-of-home advertising landscape with cutting-edge display platforms that deliver greater engagement for brands,” noted Toby Sturek, President, Clear Channel Airports. “Through our gesture technology display at Sea-Tac Airport, we’re providing advertisers with this new way to deliver truly memorable brand experiences. And the appeal extends beyond bringing advertisers’ messaging to life by delivering built-in audience measurement as the displays track gestures.”
Gesture-Based Digital Signage for Clear Channel Airport Advertising
Code
Corner
Volante POS Systems (Toronto) released “Multi-Meal” software for retirement communities and assisted living facilities. This new build handles all types of meal plans and payment methods at the POS, providing clear and confidential information to staff and family, according to the developer. Its detailed, real-time reporting, along with photo identification, allows the communication of allergy alerts, nutrition requirements, special needs, and interests. Equally significant, the system records all participation by residents, authorizes the purchase of additional items and services, and calculates dates for patients and visitors who qualify for temporary eligibility. For management, Multi-Meal offers full reporting capabilities, with tailored summaries, drill down, and exporting, and supports both Microsoft Windows and Linux. Volante has already installed the solution in partnership with NCR at Toronto’s Baycrest, an academic health sciences center focused on aging. Baycrest provides care to approximately 2,000 seniors daily through its Geriatric Health Care System. “We’ve definitely noticed more accurate tax reporting,” testified Andrea Bronstein, Project Manager at Baycrest. “We’re now also keeping better track of actual sales, inventory control, and menu changes. Everything is now streamlined, so the cost benefits will be sure to come.” Multi-Meal may also fit schools, universities, and corporate cafeterias, according to Annette Ennamorato, VP of Sales at Volante.
STARTS & STOPS
RFID With Your Burger?
Tetherball (Indianapolis, IN) has launched an RFID-powered mobile rewards program for Star Chasers Oklahoma, Inc., franchisee of 39 Carl’s Jr. locations. Under the system, based on Tetherball’s Mobiquitous proprietary platform, customers are given HF RFID tags (13.56-MHz) for their mobile phones and receive text messages of discounts and promotions. Redemptions are accomplished at contactless POS systems supplied by ViVOtech (Santa Clara, CA), one of Tetherball’s long-standing hardware partners.
The Carl’s Jr. Mobile Rewards program is up and running in 37 Oklahoma locations and two Northern Texas locations--and has seen redemption rates as high as 39%, according to the two parties. Customers opting into the program receive, on average, one text coupon offer per week. Messages include special promotional codes which allow stores to keep track of redemption rates via their POS systems.
“We see mobile marketing as a functional and complementary solution that we’ve been able to easily integrate with our existing marketing and advertising programs, thanks to the great help we’ve gotten from Tetherball,” indicated Troy Beats, VP of Marketing/Operations for Star Chasers Oklahoma. “This new medium allows us to reach a broad range of customers well beyond our loyal base of core ‘young hungry-guy’ customers. Most people today, young and old, are using their mobile phones for just about everything, especially when they are out and about and thinking of where to eat.”
Tetherball’s Mobile Rewards Program Serves Carl’s Jr.
CDC Gathering Clouds
TradeBeam (San Mateo, CA), one of the leading providers of SaaS for the supply chain, has been purchased by CDC Software Corporation (Atlanta), the hybrid enterprise software conglomerate. CDC Software and TradeBeam share several customers, and the move furthers CDC’s aggressive expansion into SaaS. TradeBeam provides import and export compliance, global sourcing, collaborative forecast and inventory visibility, supply chain event management, and trade finance solutions.
“This is synergistic on many fronts,” commented Edward Flaherty, CEO of TradeBeam. “Our solutions are a great fit for CDC Software’s growing installed base, especially with its CDC Supply Chain and CDC eCommerce products and its market presence in complementary vertical industries such as automotive, medical device, and retail. We expect that TradeBeam and its customers will benefit immensely from the global breadth of CDC Software’s technology and business infrastructure, especially its extensive operations in China.”
Also this month, CDC Software kicked off its Strategic Cloud Investment Partner Program, or SCIPP, by making funding placements in two companies, eBizNET and Marketbright. Part of 7Hills Business Solutions, eBizNET (Pittsburgh) supplies SaaS for warehouse, transportation, yard, and port and cargo management. Marketbright (San Bruno, CA) addresses on-demand marketing automation for the web, social networking, and events. Under SCIPP, CDC makes minority investments and establishes reseller partnerships with companies in position to extend its enterprise solutions portfolio.
Edward Flaherty, CEO of TradeBeam
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
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
Janam Technologies
Data Collection Software
Wavelink
Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Payment Processing, Inc.
Keyboards
Cherry Electrical Systems
Receipt
Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics
Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters
Self-Service Kiosks
Zebra/Motorola
Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA
Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security
INSTALLATIONS
Farm Aid by CipherLab
CipherLab (Plano, TX) and ACS Software (Oregon City, OR) have taken Auto ID into the field, literally, in order to capture “pick data” for strawberries and raspberries that can be used to calculate, report, and print payroll information. The bundled solution, which runs on CipherLab’s 8300 and 8400 handheld computers, has been adopted by grower/producers such as Blue Heron Farm and Jorge Vasquez Labor Contractors. ACS Software started business in 1980 as Agricultural Computer Services and specializes in inventory, payroll, and sales record systems for farming environments.
“Since field workers are generally paid by how much they pick, agricultural companies needed some way to accurately and cost-effectively weigh produce in the field and integrate that information into their pay calculations,” explained Steve Watts, Founder of ACS. “By partnering with CipherLab, we’ve been able to deliver an affordable and easy-to-use solution. Now customers get the ruggedness, power, and scalability of CipherLab’s handhelds coupled with ACS’s custom applications.”
At Blue Heron Farm (Salem, OR), picked berries are weighed at mechanical scales in the field with data entered via barcode scan into the CipherLab 8300 with ACS Scan2QuickBooks. For Jorge Vasquez Labor Contractors (Silverton, OR), CipherLab’s 8400 computers wirelessly capture and disseminate information taken from digital scales. In both cases, supervisors immediately print and process payroll for the field workers in addition to tracking productivity.
Berries Picked, Weighed, and Paid On the Spot
Lite Lunch Served by Panasonic
Mobi Munch has selected the Lite-ray POS Workstation from Panasonic System Networks Company (Rolling Meadows, IL) for the food trucks it designs and builds for independent restaurateurs in the Los Angeles area. Integration of the Lite-ray terminal was performed by POS Technical Services, Inc., within the confines of the mobile restaurant manufactured by AA Cater Truck, Inc. The first vehicle, which was produced for celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre and christened as the LudoBites Truck, served up its famous fried chicken on the floor of this week’s National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.
Lite-ray brought several benefits for the specialized application, according to Mobi Munch, including its small footprint, anti-glare resistive touchscreen, and Intel Atom processing for power and efficiency. In addition, Lite-ray’s open platform accommodates almost any POS software solution, an important feature that support’s Mobi Munch’s mission to provide concept-driven, custom designs. Lite-ray supports Microsoft Windows, in both standard and embedded platforms, along with Linux. Lastly, Mobi Munch saw value in Lite-ray’s durability, as well as Panasonic’s three-year warranty, given the severe mobile environment.
“Even though the Panasonic Lite-ray was recommended to us, we still went ahead with an evaluation based on features, warranty, and price,” reported Josh Tang, CEO and Co-Founder of Mobi Munch. “It offered everything we needed and more. With Lite-ray, owners and chefs can focus on the food because the business technology side is covered.”
Upscale Mobile Eateries to Feature Panasonic's Lite-ray POS
Channel Factoid
New research findings from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston) demonstrate that barcode technology and electronic medication administration records (eMAR) together substantially reduce transcription and medication administration errors as well as drug-related adverse effects. Researchers compared 6,723 medication administrations on patients that did not use barcode eMAR and 7,318 medication administrations on patients that did. Implementation of barcode linked to eMAR achieved 41% reduction in administration errors and 51% reduction in potential drug-related adverse effects from such errors. In addition, mistakes in the timing of medication administration fell by 27%, while transcription errors and their associated adverse events were essentially eliminated. When nurses are armed with this technology, medication orders appear electronically in the patient’s chart after pharmacist approval. Before administering, nurses are required to scan the barcodes on the patient’s wristband and then on the medication. “Our study shows that this set of technologies can make the delivery of hospital care safer,” said lead study author Eric Poon, M.D. and Master of Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “However, hospitals need the right set of resources and human talent to deploy this technology successfully, so more research is needed to identify ways of implementation.”
HELLO GOODBYE
BlueStar Adds BDMs for Honeywell, Zebra
BlueStar (Hebron, KY) has strengthened its channel team with the addition to two new Business Development Managers: Alvaro Ruiz for Honeywell Scanning & Mobility and Wolfgang Kratzenburg for Zebra Technologies. Ruiz brings product knowledge in vertical markets, expertise in scanning and mobility technologies, and experience with label printing and converting processes, according to the distributor; in particular, he will collaborate closely with Latin American VARs. With specific skills in promotional programs, customer service, and technology-based sales and support, Kratzenburg will work to augment sales and distribution for his vendor’s printing solutions.
BlueStar also was recognized by Star Micronics America as its 2009 Distributor of the Year. This represents the sixth consecutive year BlueStar has taken such honors. The award is given for year-over-year growth in sales as well as best practices in reseller business development that raise the Star Micronics brand throughout the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.
“We are honored to receive this award from Star Micronics,” shared Steve Cuntz, CEO/President of BlueStar. “Star Micronics is one of our most elite and established partners, and has been an intricate component of BlueStar’s growth over the years. Star Micronics’ innovation, workmanship, and product support has led to wide acceptance of its products by our Value-Added Resellers for their printing solutions.”
Steve Cuntz, CEO/President of BlueStar, Receives the Star Micronics America 2009 Distributor of the Year Award From Christine Duffy, National Sales Manager for Star Micronics. Michael Hanson, VP of Star Micronics America (at left) and Doug Bivins, BlueStar CFO and VP of Finance (at right) Also Celebrate
[Editor’s Note: More kudos for BlueStar. Datamax-O’Neil has named BlueStar as its 2009 Distributor of the Year. In making the award, Theo Bielowitcz, Distribution Management Director for D-O, cited BlueStar’s support of smaller VARs as critically important in 2009.]
Takahashi Looking Sharp
Sharp has named Kozo Takahashi as Chairman/CEO of Sharp Electronics Corporation (Mahwah, NJ) and Group GM, North and South America, Group Sharp Corporation. He replaces Doug Koshima, who has transferred to GM, Central and South America, Group Sharp Corporation. Sharp Electronics Corporation, of course, functions as the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Sharp Corporation in Osaka, Japan.
Takahashi has spent 30 years with Sharp Corporation, most recently as Group GM in the Health and Environment Systems Group. This will be Takahashi’s second assignment in the U.S. He served as part of the management team of Sharp Electronics Corporation’s business-to-business group from June 1997 to April 2001.
“I am very pleased to be back at Sharp Electronics Corporation, at such an exciting time for the company,” Takahashi said. “Mr. Koshima’s strong guidance during the downturn has positioned the company for success. As the U.S. economy recovers, I hope to use my experience to renew Sharp’s strategic focus on health and environmental products, as well as its strengths in LCD and solar electricity, to help grow the brand and contribute to future success.”
Kozo Takahashi, Chairman/CEO of Sharp Electronics Corporation
PinPoint Media
All Rights Reserved