This Week’s Product Pick

Star Micronics (Edison, NJ) has expanded its "i" Series of thermal printers with the debut of its first desktop Bluetooth model, the TSP650II BTi. Apple MFi certified, the TSP650II BTi spans iOS, Android, and Windows. A "JustWorks" SSP profile allows for easy connection without need of passkey or choice of operating system. Capable of printing 60 receipts per minute (300 mm/second), the TSP650II BTi offers state-of-the-art processing power and data throughput. Additional benefits include drop-in paper loading, small footprint, and reliable guillotine cutter. "With exceptional performance, functionality, Bluetooth accessibility, and iOS support, the TSP650II BTi embodies Star's motto of 'Always Leading, Always Innovating,'" stated Christophe Naasz, Business Development Director.

Star TSP650II BTi Printer

COMPANY BUSINESS

LightSpeed Brings It Home

LightSpeed Retail (Montreal) has partnered with Moneris Solutions Corporation (Toronto) to expand mobile POS based upon Apple iOS for Canadian retailers. Under terms of this agreement, Moneris will deliver secure payment processing that integrates with LightSpeed's point-of-sale and retail management tools. With this enhanced offering, LightSpeed's customer base throughout Canada can take advantage of the platform's ability to increase operating efficiencies, according to the two parties, including integration of the payment solution with back-office features such as inventory management and sales and order workflows.

"Our partnership with Moneris represents an important milestone in Canadian retail, which has been newly empowered by mobile, iPad, and Mac solutions that engage customers in an interactive and re-energized shopping environment," commented Dax Dasilva, CEO of LightSpeed Retail. "This is a great opportunity for our expanding Canadian client base to combine our powerful retail management platform with Moneris' card processing solutions, creating an e-commerce enhanced in-store environment that engages today's connected consumer." Just last month, LightSpeed announced its first U.S. headquarters, located in New York City's SoHo, with an education and training center and product demonstration showroom.

"Moneris has always provided industry-leading payment solutions for retail customers across North America," added Jeff Guthrie, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Moneris Solutions. "By collaborating in this way, we can connect the power of our payment platform with LightSpeed's innovative retail solutions to meet the emerging needs of a more dynamic, flexible marketplace." As the largest processor in Canada, Moneris offers credit, debit, wireless and online payment services for merchants across industry segments.

LightSpeed Retail's POS Portfolio for Apple

Going Mobile at Synnex

Add Synnex Corporation (Fremont, CA) to the growing list of distributors seeking to navigate the mobility waters for their resellers. Its new practice in this area, entitled "MobilitySolv," will be led by Adnon Dow, VP of Global Mobility Solutions, who brings experience from Motorola, Avaya, and Cisco. Built around the concept of "Connect, Move, and Control"--representing, roughly, "devices, networking, and infrastructure management"--MobilitySolv will kick off with education road shows at key cities.

"At Synnex, we embrace change, and at certain times we create new business models to address tipping point trends responsible for changing how businesses operate and how people consume information," proclaimed Kevin Murai, CEO/President of Synnex Corporation. "With mobility and cloud reshaping the IT industry, MobilitySolv goes beyond products and infrastructure, resulting in a comprehensive, service-oriented and value-added end-to-end mobile solution." As one would expect, MobilitySolv also bridges other technology solutions Synnex offers to the channel.

"MobilitySolv gives Synnex resellers a unique opportunity to solve their customers' mobility challenges beyond just controlling devices. It's more about mobilizing the enterprise, while being able to analyze the data behind it and understand what to do with that data to make smart business decisions," related Dow. "Connect, move, and control is connecting people, devices, and networks to anyone, to anything, at any time."

Adnon Dow, VP, Global Mobility Solutions, Synnex

Worth Your While

ETA Annual Meeting & Expo
Electronic Transactions Association
April 30 - May 1
New Orleans

THE Tech EVENT
(Formerly NACStech, National Association of Convenience Stores)
May 6-10
Dallas

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 18-21
Chicago

HITEC 2013
Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals
June 24-27
Minneapolis

RetailNow 2013
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
August 4-7
Las Vegas

Pack Expo 2013
Packaging Manufacturers Machinery Institute
September 23-25
Las Vegas

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Wasp Abuzz Over Inventory Control

Wasp Barcode Technologies (Plano, TX) has released its InventoryControl Version 7 for the SMB. Responding to the number one customer-requested inventory management feature, reportedly, Wasp has developed the connector module for QuickBooks. "Integrating InventoryControl with QuickBooks, the industry-leading accounting package, eliminates data integrity concerns, provides greater supply chain visibility, and provides to Wasp customers those efficiencies typically reserved for big business," remarked Brian Sutter, Wasp's Director of Marketing.

Wasp InventoryControl Version 7 comes in three editions: Standard, RF Professional, and RF Enterprise. Beyond QuickBooks compatibility, which is optional, enhancements include an ability to schedule and receive e-mail alert notifications, mass update functionality for customer and inventory records, advanced security features and permission controls, greater drop ship, forecasting, and search functionality, and WaspLabeler Version 7. Free unlimited technical support, start-up training, and try-before-the-buy test drives are provided.

Priced from $995, InventoryControl Version 7 also comes with fully refundable 30-day satisfaction guarantee. A complete inventory management solution from the company bundles software, mobile device with scanning, and barcode printer. Integration of InventoryControl data with QuickBooks via the connector module requires implementation assistance from one of Wasp's certified partners, the company pointed out.

InventoryControl Version 7 Integrates With QuickBooks

A Little White Box by Denso

Denso ADC (Long Beach, CA) has unboxed its stationary two-dimensional barcode scanner, QB30, for VARs and OEMs. This new component combines high-speed scanning, small size, and rugged construction, according to the vendor. Two models are offered, QB30-SR with RS-232C, and QB30-SU with USB. Twice as fast as the QB20, QB30 can read moving objects on conveyor belts, with batch scanning of multiple codes.

For easy integration, QB30 measures 2.4 in. (H) x 2.4 in. (W) x 1 in. (D) and weighs approximately five ounces. A wide-angle focusing lens enables placement of the unit as close as 1.6 inches away from the barcodes to be scanned, with audio and visual confirmation of performance and "magic key" for control of parameters. A white LED allows the QB30 to read codes of all colors and the white face of the lighting unit minimizes glare. In addition, the QB30 features an IP-54 dust- and splash-proof protection level and an extended operating temperature range of -4 to +122 F.

"Our new QB30 high-speed stationary scanner is so small and scans so close up, you can install it almost anywhere," proclaimed Fran Labun, VP of the Sales Group at Denso ADC. "It's a great solution for everything from indoor industrial operations to semi-outdoor entrance gates and kiosks." Denso also supplies its industry-leading software for generating ISO-compliant QR Codes.

QB30 Barcode Scanner From Denso ADC

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ALLIANCES

ISV Shines With Sterling

CAP Software (Ft. Worth, TX) has selected Sterling Payment Technologies (Tampa, FL) as one of its preferred payment processing providers, bringing additional value to its dealers. Along with Sterling, the longtime POS ISV, which serves retail, will recommend credit card terminals from PAX (Jacksonville, FL). Both the SP30 Pin PAD and MT30 signature capture device from PAX will take CAP's products out of scope with PA-DSS, with affordability and ease of installation also cited as benefits.

SP30 delivers magnetic-card reader, with optional contactless, along with EMV certification. A large 128x64 pixel LCD with four lines of display and three additional function keys help end-users with payment, and the device fits in the palm of the hand. Sterling also will offer promotions for the specific PAX terminals as part of the reseller program, RRN.Com has learned.

"We realize that our reseller partners need flexibility and a range of products to compete in today's trying times, and Sterling brings a full toolkit to the table to help sell more CAP systems," relayed Will Atkinson, President of CAP Software. "Sterling impressed us as a forward looking organization with expertise not only in traditional payment capabilities but also in the development of new products and services that help resellers and merchants grow their businesses." CAP Software also partners with Mercury (Durango, CO) for payment processing, it should be noted.

PAX Supplies Its SP30 Payment Terminal

It's the Same Price Everywhere

Avery Dennison's Retail Branding and Information Solutions (Framingham, MA) has tied its "Markdown" scheme to the GlobalBay Mobile POS platform from VeriFone Systems (San Jose, CA). Through this new agreement, retailers may add price markdown capabilities into smart devices utilized by store associates, whether iOS, Android, or Windows CE/Mobile. For its part, Avery Dennison provides its Markdown App, Pathfinder 6140, and necessary labels. Debuted at this year's NRF Show in New York City, Pathfinder 6140 combines scanning, printing, and application of pricing labels from one handheld terminal.

"Avery Dennison Markdown is highly configurable with smart devices, allowing for rapid deployment so that retailers can drive ROI very quickly," declared Mark Hill, VP and GM of Global Innovation and Solutions for Avery Dennison. "Through our partnership with VeriFone, we are providing our customers with a fully featured price marking solution as well as the ability to easily add additional modules such as mobile POS and clienteling to their smart application suites." In addition to greater speed and accuracy, Avery Dennison Markdown provides retail executives with full dashboard reporting.

According to Avery Dennison RBIS, 35% of apparel is sold at discounted pricing. Using the traditional "red pen" markdown process, store associates can only complete three garments per minute with 63% accuracy, which means more than one-third of items are mismarked, leading to lost opportunities. There's also no way for the merchandising team to monitor the timing and execution of the markdown process, or to work with store operations to address any problems.

Avery Dennison's Pathfinder 6140 Scans, Prints, and Applies Labels

Code Corner

SheerID (Eugene, OR), which enables merchants to offer discounts to special interest consumer groups, has presented its new active duty military verification solution. This free, secure technology verifies active duty military without requiring the service member to share social security number or any sensitive information, or to enroll in any networking or shopping community. Businesses can set up the software directly from SheerID's domain through its self-service portal, allowing instant online verification and discounting, as well as customization for service subcategories such as veterans or family members. SheerID also offers premium packages of its software, with built-in analytics, sales and marketing, and mobile verification. "SheerID believes it is important for companies to recognize the sacrifices made by our service members and their families by offering them exclusive discounts," relayed Jake Weatherly, CEO and Co-Founder of SheerID. "By offering the ability for any business, big or small, to verify active duty military for free, we empower them to offer targeted discounts to show their appreciation to our troops. Service members should get exclusive discounts everywhere they shop, and we want them to feel confident that the offers they receive are from reputable retailers."

INSTALLATIONS

Better Bev Ops Thru Barcoding

Barcoding, Inc. (Baltimore) has deployed an advanced route accounting system for Crescent Crown Distributing, one of the leading national beverage wholesalers. This solution, coupling the eoStar routing software suite from Rutherford & Associates (Holland, MI) with mobile hardware and lifecycle management from Barcoding, Inc., will help Crescent Crown in its everyday delivery, warehouse, and sales efforts. It went live in October 2012 at the Louisiana location, and will go live in July 2013 in Arizona.

On the delivery side, with eoStar installed on Motorola's MC75 handhelds, Crescent Crown's drivers can write, print, and finalize invoices. Warehouse personnel can better manage inventory, print pallet tags, receive purchases and transfers, and create adjustments such as write-offs and repacks via Motorola's MC9190 handhelds. Using Panasonic Toughbooks, salespeople may draw necessary information ranging from customer records to accounts receivables to inventory levels. Similarly, links to iPads or iPhones help merchandisers conduct more effective stocking of store shelves with eoStar.

"Efficiencies achieved with Rutherford's eoStar will not only help Crescent Crown obtain greater visibility into our company-wide operations, but will also help us better serve our customers," summarized John Thompson, CIO of Crescent Crown. "In addition, the convenience of turning to Barcode's Professional Services Division for product lifecycle management--whether we are in need of replacing a piece of hardware or technical support--anytime, anywhere, ensures maximum uptime and complete functionality." Barcoding, Inc. and Rutherford & Associates exhibited their combined technology at this week's BevOps/Fleet Summit in Phoenix.

Crescent Crown Distribution Center

Remember NFC? Toshiba Does

Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions (Research Triangle Park, NC) will include support for the Isis SmartTap mobile commerce application with Toshiba ACE POS for North America. Isis, RRN.Com readers may recall, was launched by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to profit from the inevitability of Near-Field Communication (NFC) for cashless payments. Instead, NFC has entered purgatory, with middling public interest, lagging pilot programs, and growing confusion among stakeholders. This recent endorsement of Isis comes courtesy of Toshiba's "Together Commerce" effort.

"Integration of Isis SmartTap with the ACE POS platform can fundamentally transform the way consumers and retailers interact at the POS," maintained John Gaydac, EVP of Global Sales and Professional Services for Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. "Toshiba is committed to helping retailers adapt their strategies, their stores, and their technology to support a more customer centric shopping experience. Working closely with innovative partners such as Isis in our Together Commerce Alliance Program is key to this strategy."

"The Isis platform provides a channel for retailers to strengthen the relationship with their consumers and transform the shopping experience, long before a consumer reaches the check-out line," added Jim Stapleton, Chief Sales Officer for Isis. "By integrating Isis SmartTap with the ACE POS platform, Toshiba customers will be able to mobilize offers and their rewards programs, driving loyalty and ultimately increasing consumer spending." Over the past few months, Isis has gained some traction in the vending machine space, with Coca-Cola among its adopters.

Isis Added to Toshiba ACE POS

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
Metropolitan Sales
Synnex
Wasp Barcode Technologies

POS & Peripherals
Harbortouch
Partner Tech
Pioneer POS
Posiflex
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

POS Systems - Apple Based
LightSpeed Retail
ShopKeep POS

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic ADC
Trimble

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse
Mercury

Keyboards
PrehKeyTec USA

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Scanners
Code Corporation
Honeywell

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Aliens Invade Retail

Alien Technology (Morgan Hill, CA) has unveiled three new UHF Gen 2 RFID tags designed expressly for the retail market. All three inlays are based on the Higgs 4 IC with features such as pre-encoded multi-chip vendor serialization and the company's proprietary mass-encoding capabilities. "'GT' and 'HiScan' solve specific warehouse and show floor challenges for a variety of apparel and consumer goods," announced Mike Frieswyk, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Alien Technology.

Measuring 30 mm x 50 mm, suitable for garment labels, GT ALN-9728 has been tuned for tightly packed goods. Classified for use in Category A (denim), Category B (polybag apparel), and Category D (hanging apparel), it comes in various orientations and web widths. More compact, 40 mm x 15 mm, HiScan ALN-9720 supports the use of low-powered handheld RFID readers, which typically transmit at 25% of the power of their fixed counterparts, and require rapid hand movement over tags in close proximity.

Additionally, "BAT" ALN-9770, with dimensions of 82 mm x 32 mm, has been configured for use with metal or fluid-filled containers. "As the categories of goods tagged by RFID expand, certain products remain impractical or inefficient," reported Frieswyk. "The BAT tag is an example that extends the RFID return on investment to challenging products such as stacked automotive batteries on pallets, in warehouses, or displayed on the retail floor." All three tags are available for volume ordering from Alien Technology.

Higgs 4 IC-Based RFID Tag

Popping Pills at Cognex

Cognex Corporation (Natick, MA) has supplied its updated software for the labeling of healthcare products, entitled In-Sight Track & Trace 2.0, for use with the company's machine vision hardware. Notably, this enhanced version addresses new requirements calling for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to achieve unit-level product traceability. It accommodates human-readable text, along with one and two-dimensional barcodes such as Data Matrix, GS1-128, GS1 DataBar, SecurPharm, and Pharmacode.

"In-Sight Track & Trace is an off-the-shelf label verification and serialization software supplement for our pharmaceutical customers required to comply with GS1 and FDA regulations and similar laws worldwide," confirmed Herbert Lade, VP and Business Unit Manager for Vision Systems at Cognex. "In the newest version, we incorporated bundling reader support, secondary authentication capability, and our OCRMax tool for the highest read rates in the industry. This new feature provides superior scanning of dates, lot codes, and serial numbers."

In-Sight Track & Trace needs little set-up through touchscreen or Human Machine Interface (HMI), according to its developer. As pre-programmed add-on software package, it easily integrates into third-party serialization or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) with industrial protocol support and built in I/O settings. Technical controls needed for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 validation, including secure user authentication and automatic audit trail generation, have been provided.

Pharmaceutical Serialization by Cognex's In-Sight Track & Trace

[Editor's Note: Elsewhere, Cognex has sued Microscan (Renton, WA) for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court of New York. Cognex alleges that Microscan's Mobile Hawk, its handheld product used to read Direct Part Mark (DPM) codes, violates one of the patents held by Cognex. Microscan describes the patent infringement claim "to be without merit."]

Channel Factoid

An endangered species: paper? New research from Adobe Systems reveals generally negative attitudes towards traditional paper-based work processes on the part of office managers in the U.S. Approximately one-half of respondents (51%) believe that digital workflow makes filing and managing documents easier. Six in ten (61%) believe working digitally saves on cost and 32% feel this protocol gives them an edge and ultimately helps them win new business. When it comes to contracts, in particular, respondents cite several disadvantages concerning paper, such as defacing (67%), unauthorized access (60%), and getting lost (56%). Almost three-quarters (73%) feel life would be easier if all contracts exchanged at work were performed digitally, with electronic signature capture, for example, yet only 18% have switched entirely from paper. The study also indicates that companies committed to digital workflow appear more prestigious in the marketplace. Three-quarters (76%) of respondents say they're impressed by companies that have strong digital presence, and 68% say it's important for the company to operate mostly electronically versus on paper when they are deciding where to work. "Printers, scanners, and fax machines are killing business productivity," suggested Jon Perera, VP of EchoSign for Adobe. "Successful organizations are quickly moving towards paperless-based approaches for their critical business processes. This is about driving revenue, cutting costs, improving security, and reducing environmental impact."

HELLO GOODBYE

More Mo' at CognitiveTPG

CognitiveTPG (Ithaca, NY) has unleashed its new business development team, consisting of Jose Basa, Director of Business Development, and Joe Howe, Business Development Manager. Basa previously held the position of Director of New Product Development for ATSI Holding, Inc., former owner of CognitiveTPG, preceded by similar positions with other printer manufacturers. Kyle Turner, CEO/President of CognitiveTPG, praised Basa's "proven track record of managing business and identifying partner opportunities."

Howe brings 10 years of sales management experience for EMF Corporation. Earlier, he spent six years as Returns Material Coordinator for Axiohm, forerunner of CognitiveTPG. "As a former Axiohm employee, Joe has familiarity and historical ties to CognitiveTPG," Basa noted. "That unique relationship will prove useful in achieving the development team's goals."

"The formation of the New Business Development team marks a significant milestone in CognitiveTPG's momentum to create innovative and customized printing applications for our partners and customers," remarked Turner. "We are delighted to have Jose and Joe on board and believe their combined experience will be a tremendous asset in developing new partnerships, channels, and products." CognitiveTPG markets both receipt and barcode printers through the channel.

New Business Development Team: Jose Basa and Joe Howe

APG Gets Creative

APG Cash Drawer (Minneapolis) has promoted Breanna Brown to its new strategic position of Creative Marketing Ambassador. Brown joined APG in 2009 as Marketing Intern, before becoming Marketing Coordinator. Her expanded role will now encompass corporate branding, press relations, social media, and collaboration with channel partners. In making the announcement, APG emphasized the changing nature of the POS industry.

"APG is developing cutting-edge mobile solutions--it's an exciting time for us," commented Brown. "By using our unique mix of marketing tactics and growing our POS business relationships, we can help other ISVs, VARs, and vendors by jointly promoting innovative bundled solutions. APG's growth strategy is impressive, and I'm appreciative of their dedication and investment in employees."

"The way customers interact with us now is different than it was five years ago," observed Stephen Bergeron, VP of Global Marketing at APG. "It's imperative for companies to have someone manage those relationships on the many different platforms and levels. Breanna has tackled projects with remarkable agility. We're thrilled to have her in this new role."

Breanna Brown, Creative Marketing Ambassador, APG Cash Drawer