This Week’s Product Pick

Telpar (Dover, NH) debuted its two- and three-inch Stealth Series thermal printer mechanisms with 8 inches/second print speed, allowing for increased productivity in a wide range of self-service and kiosk environments, including gaming, vending, point-of-service, and remote printing. The new subsystems, Stealth MPT2822 and MTP2832, occupy the same footprint as previous models, with an improved print head to double speed and wear life. A six-inch-diameter paper supply yields approximately 550 feet of output for maximum integration flexibility, according to the vendor. Additional network connectivity includes USB, RS-232 Serial, Parallel, and Ethernet. Telpar's patented looping presenter, flip-up mechanism, retract-and-retain function, and optional auto-cutter are also offered. Microsoft Windows drivers and "flash" memory for fonts and logos complete the package."Telpar is improving its product line to meet customer demands for more speed and functionality at value pricing," said Vicki Pillsbury, VP of Manufacturing.

Telpar Stealth Printers

COMPANY BUSINESS

Checkered Flag for Item-Level RFID

Impinj (Seattle) continues its drive to Item-Level RFID with the launch of its Monza 5 Tag Chip and accompanying Source Tagging Platform (dubbed STP, in keeping with the company's race car nomenclature for products). When used in conjunction, the two new offerings deliver "incredible performance," RRN.Com was told by Larry Arnstein, Senior Director of Business Development for the RFID pioneer. Indeed, utilizing Monza 5, the STP system of UHF RFID hardware and software can encode up to 1,750 tags per minute, thus enabling large-scale deployments. It also simplifies source tagging by supporting in-line as well as bulk encoding needs.

In describing Monza 5, Arnstein cited the new chip's greater sensitivity, reliability, and speed. In addition, Monza 5 carries two unique, patent-pending features: TagFocus, which minimizes redundant reads of strong tag signals, allowing the reader to focus on harder-to-find tags with weaker signals, and FastID, which makes applications based on Tag ID, such as inventory, more practical by boosting efficiency by two to three times. Furthermore, the so-called "repassivation" spacing layer insulates inlays from die-attach pressure during production, resulting in less variance and more predictable performance.

Targeting solution providers as well as retail brand owners and packaging suppliers, Impinj STP bundles Speedway Revolution ("the only reader on the market that's really optimized for encoding," according to Arnstein), specialized firmware, software development kits, and three distinct antenna configurations for meeting bulk encoding and item-level requirements. "We've backed all the hard stuff in, so you guys can build solutions," Arnstein suggested to RRN.Com's audience. As evidence of the relevancy for the channel, he pointed to the success of Mid-South Marking Systems (Memphis, TN), the long-time barcode reseller, which now works with Impinj to bring RFID technology to market.

 Inline Encoding With Source Tagging Platform From Impinj

Fujitsu's New York State of Mind

Fujitsu Frontech North America will move its POS manufacturing and integration operations from its current headquarters in Foothill Ranch, California, to its satellite facility in Plattsburgh, New York.  FFNA has been running its self-checkout and self-service business from the Plattsburgh facility for the past 10 years, fulfilling customers throughout North America and Europe. By consolidating its manufacturing and supply chain activities in one location, the company said it hopes to streamline processes, drive efficiencies, and improve response in the POS area.

FFNA's manufacturing and supply chain operation is ISO 9011:2008 certified and has received numerous best-practice nominations by third-party auditors such as the British Standards Institution (BSI) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Overall, FFNA is in the process of overhauling the entire global supply chain for its POS and retail products. Here in the U.S., FFNA headquarters remain on the West Coast, along with its efforts in biometric security, cloud infrastructure, and digital media.

"I see tremendous potential for Fujitsu to expand its business operations in the State of New York," declared Dick Zarski, SVP of Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Logistics for Fujitsu Frontech North America. "FFNA is committed to continually seeking ways to adopt best practices and to improve logistics processes and quality management for retail clients in North America. We believe that consolidating our manufacturing and supply chain management functions in one location demonstrates FFNA's dedication to providing operational excellence and maximum service."

Fujitsu Frontech North America's Facility in Plattsburgh, New York

Worth Your While

Southeast Dealer Profit Booster Conference
CRS, Inc.
May 3
Roswell, GA

WERC 2011
Warehousing Education and Research Council
May 15-18
Orlando

NRA Show 2011
National Restaurant Association
May 21-24
Chicago

RetailNOW 2011
Retail Solution Providers Association
July 24-27
Orlando

VARTECH 2011
BlueStar
August 15-17
Miami

CERTIFICATION

Independents' Day at PixelPoint

ParTech (New Hartford, NY) has approved the ReadyPrint T20 receipt printer from Epson America (Long Beach, CA) for use with its PAR EverServ PixelPoint POS software. Certification follows extensive testing, according to ParTech, and offers hospitality resellers an extremely competitive package for the SMB market. ReadyPrint T20 features an "all-in-one-box" format (with manuals, drivers, utilities, cables, and power supply) for easy set-up and installation. It also meets Energy Star standards for low power consumption.

"The ReadyPrint T20 POS printer provides our channel partners with a cost-effective solution for their customers," stated Peter Wolf, Chief Marketing Officer at ParTech. "With PixelPoint POS and the Epson low-cost thermal printer, small independent restaurant operators can afford the same features, benefits, and reliability as larger operators, which greatly enhances the guest experience."

ParTech and Epson expanded their long-time relationship in October 2009, seeking to leverage best-of-breed products and support for the hospitality industry. In addition to the ReadyPrint T20, Partech offers Epson's TM-T88V, TM-U220, and EU-T432 printers for its PAR EverServ 2000 and 6000 POS terminals. "We are proud of our strategic partnership with PAR, a clear leader in hospitality," said Mike Helm, Director of Sales and Marketing, Epson Business Systems Group. "Epson remains dedicated to delivering the most reliable printing solutions, and we continue to broaden our product line to suit the needs of our most valued strategic partners, as well as the customers they serve."

Epson's ReadyPrint T20 POS Printer for SMB Hospitality

Code Doesn't Trip on FIPS

Code Corporation (Bluffdale, UT) has received FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Certification for its Code Reader 2500 and Code Reader 3500 barcode terminals, deemed critical for selling devices to the federal government. To receive this approval, Code successfully passed testing to the rigorous Federal Information Processing Standard, or FIPS, for both its wireless barcode readers and Bluetooth modems, as outlined by the National Institute for Standards and Technology. BlueStar (Hebron, KY) distributes Code Corporation products--including the CR2500 and CR3500--to RRN.Com's readers.

FIPS 140-2 lies in the hierarchy of U.S. government security standards used to accredit cryptographic modules. FIPS 140-2 Level 2 adds requirements for tamper evidence and role-based authentication to previous authentication and encryption features, according to Code. It satisfies the need to protect sensitive but unclassified information in government environments.

"This certification sets Code apart as the only barcode reader manufacturer to receive the Level 2 validation," observed Garrett Russell, VP of Marketing for Code Corporation. "We are firmly committed to providing the most sophisticated barcode reading solution available, and meeting the government's security approval underscores that commitment." Earlier this year, Code also became an authorized reseller of MobiControl device management software from SOTI Inc. (Mississauga, ON, Canada), which has become much more active in the market of late.

Code's CR2500 Barcode Reader

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PARTNER PROGRAMS

All Signs Bright at BlueStar

BlueStar (Hebron, KY) will distribute digital signage and kiosk controller products from BrightSign (Saratoga, CA), which was founded by Anthony Wood, inventor of the digital video recorder (DVR). The BrightSign platform can be used to manage any digital sign or interactive display, according to the two new channel partners, with capacity for highest-quality video, images, and audio. BrightSign supports networking for tasks such as remote content delivery, scheduling of content playback, synchronization of multiple displays for video wall applications, and zones for multiple content windows on one screen. BrightAuthor, its PC content management software, comes free with its controller products.

"BlueStar is excited about our new partnership and channel distribution opportunities with BrightSign," relayed Gary Childress, Director of Digital Signage at BlueStar. "BrightSign products are easy to use, have flexible features, and work in the SMB space and large enterprise-wide deployments. The partnership fits perfectly with our approach of providing product bundles and end-to-end solutions with POS dealers in the retail and hospitality markets and our growing network of digital signage resellers."

BrightSign's portfolio also includes its freestanding table-top display, which combines wireless networking, battery power, 12-inch screen, and solid-state media player. Dubbed the BrightSign TD1012, this display measures approximately 20 inches high (with 10 inches in both width and depth) and weighs 25 lbs. It may be moved wherever messaging will be most effective, with remote content updates accomplished through the BrightSign network architecture and Wi-Fi.

Table-Top Display by BrightSign

Dinerware Dishes Up Version 3.2

Dinerware, Inc. (Seattle) has released Dinerware 3.2, which carries enhancements for restaurant owners such as custom loyalty programs, addition of barcode scanning, menu functionality improvements, more robust reporting capabilities, and integration with an expanded list of third-party providers of credit and gift cards, including TSYS, Heartland, and Chockstone. This marks the developer's first major full-feature upgrade since Dinerware 2.8.2 in February 2009. Significantly, Dinerware's platform builds on Microsoft SQL Server and the .NET Framework, with open APIs for developers and add-on modules such as Dinerware Online Ordering for customers.

"Our path is clear, which is to further enhance our system while keeping it easy to learn, use, and modify for the restaurateur and their employees," commented Jeff Riley, Dinerware's CEO. "Addressing customer needs is our highest priority and our feature-rich releases reflect that. Restaurateurs want POS that is intuitive and that has the features they need to efficiently run their business. This is where Dinerware excels, as our solution puts the customer in complete control."

"As we continue to bridge innovative technologies with industry needs, Dinerware software becomes a more powerful and far-reaching tool for our customers," added Carl English, Dinerware's Founder and CTO. "We constantly evaluate potential solutions in the mobility or cloud computing space to understand how those offerings can translate into real everyday values in the hospitality industry. For instance, one critical aspect for cloud and mobility is to weigh the unknowns on the development side when industry standards are not yet in place--while keeping the user experience top of mind."

Dinerware's POS Screen

All in the Family

Infinite Peripherals Corp. (Arlington Heights, IL) has released Linea-pro Version 4 for mobile POS with Apple's next-generation iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4. Introduced in 2009, Linea-pro has been designed to maximize the functionality and convenience of Apple iPhone and iPod by adding one or two-dimensional scanning and three-track magnetic-stripe reading, and has received an enthusiastic reception in the market. Each Linea-Pro configuration is comprised of two-piece plastic shell that attaches to the mobile devices with 30-pin mating connector and functions using third-party software, allowing data to be stored locally or transmitted via Wi-Fi or cellular network. Bluetooth connects to two- or three-inch portable receipt printers. Linea-pro for the iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4 with one-dimensional scanner is priced at $499 and with two-dimensional scanner at $599. With three-track card swipe only, $299. "The Linea-pro helps bring the checkout lane or customer service desk directly to shoppers, instead of requiring them to spend time waiting in line for service--time that could be spent browsing and selecting additional merchandise for purchase," said Andrew Graham, President of IPC. "Purchasers really appreciate the time savings, along with the 'no-hassle' factor, which creates an enormous perception-shift of checkout."

Linea-pro by IPC

ALLIANCES

A Shifty Squirrel

Shift4 Corporation (Las Vegas) and Squirrel Systems (Burnaby, BC, Canada) have combined their respective capabilities in payment processing and POS to address the hospitality market. Specifically, Shift4's "Dollars On The Net" SaaS-based payment scheme has been integrated with Squirrel's touchscreen POS system. Shift4, RRN.Com readers may remember, helped introduce tokenization to the credit card industry in 2005; the company now serves 20,000 clients in several vertical segments, with more than 350 POS/PMS (Property Management System) combinations and bank and processor neutrality.

"I'm excited by the potential this relationship holds for both organizations," remarked Bob Lowe, Shift4's Director of Strategic Relationships. "It's nice to see Squirrel building their POS with truly modern Microsoft SQL technology. Now, with certification to Shift4's Dollars On The Net, their offering just got that much better."

This new integration was premiered at the prominent Fort Garry Hotel, Spa, and Conference Center in Winnipeg, Canada. Fort Garry also opted to install Shift4's "It's Your Card" monetary equivalent, which operates across POS and PMS systems, and allows guests to use the same gift card throughout the property's various revenue centers. "Thus far, the Dollars On The Net feature most impressive to me is the back-of-house reporting functionality," noted Mike Watson, Controller for Fort Garry. "It's all online, accessible from anywhere, and the look-ups are flexible--so when I search for information, it's right there."

Integrated Payments for Winnipeg's Fort Garry Hotel

Four Million New CRM Users?

A new collaboration between Intuit (Mountain View, CA) and salesforce.com (San Francisco) seeks to bring CRM to four million QuickBooks users in one fell swoop. As part of the strategic alliance, Intuit will resell Salesforce CRM with integration that synchronizes customer data with its QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online, to be offered through its Intuit App Center. This new application is expected in the summer with pricing to be announced at launch.

"By working with Intuit, we are bringing the industry's leading customer relationship management platform to QuickBooks," declared George Hu, EVP of Platform and Marketing, salesforce.com. "This alliance will accelerate the adoption of social, mobile, and open cloud CRM solutions by small businesses."

Speaking of Web 3.0, salesforce.com also has purchased Radian6 (Fredericton, NB, Canada), one of the industry-leading social media monitoring platforms, for approximately $276 million in cash and $50 million in stock, net of cash acquired. This transaction should be completed in salesforce.com's fiscal second-quarter ending July 31, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions. Founded in 2006, Radian6 captures and categorizes hundreds of millions of conversations every day across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, blogs, and online communities. "Not only will this technology accelerate our growth, it will extend the value of all of our offerings," predicted Marc Benioff, Chairman and CEO, salesforce.com.

Intuit and Salesforce.com Link Solutions

[Editor's Note: According to research by Intuit, more than one-half of small businesses perform CRM tasks manually or with software not designed for the job, with 28% relying on paper and pen, and another 28% manually entering data on spreadsheets.]

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
ScanSource

POS & Peripherals
Logic Controls
Pioneer POS
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
SATO America
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic Mobile
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse

Pay at Table
Bellatrix Systems

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

INSTALLATIONS

E-Commerce Blooms at Celerant

Celerant Technology (Staten Island, NY) continues to demonstrate that e-commerce lies within the scope of smaller POS solution providers. Just recently, the company completed web development and retail software integration for Merz Apothecary, the celebrated pharmacy and natural health boutique with two locations in Chicago. This new e-commerce site, www.smallflower.com, serves as an extension of the brick and mortar operation, and embodies an online store that integrates extensive inventory with advanced search capabilities and staff reviews.

"The development of smallflower.com included various innovative features for the custom design and functionality of the project," reported Ian Goldman, CEO/President of Celerant Technology. "Our e-commerce programmers created a sophisticated site that is highly optimized for search engines and includes robust search functionality, dynamic filtering, custom checkout options, and detailed product reviews. These features enable new and recurring customers to quickly find products and make informed decisions on purchases."

"We wanted to bring our personalized store shopping experience to our website," recounted Anthony Qaiyum, President of Merz Apothecary, which has been family owned since the 1870's. Celerant Command Retail manages all in-store functions: POS, inventory management, warehouse, distribution center, allocation, multi-channel/e-commerce, data mining, and back-office. Interestingly, it runs on the Java platform.

POS Solution Provider Builds Personalized  Websites

Play Ball, Sell Beer!

This year's opening day roster at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, included the MICROS 9700 Hospitality Management System, which was rolled out as the POS for the entire stadium, with Perpetual Inventory & Event Management included. The ecosystem consists of 283 MICROS Keyboard Workstation 270's throughout 50 concession outlets, 50 MICROS Workstation 5A's for the four premium restaurants, and Mobile MICROS for in-seat service. The Nationals also implemented 11 MICROS Kitchen Display Systems in kitchens and pantries to help expedite the food prep process and ensure order accuracy.

"The Nationals are thrilled to work with MICROS to introduce this new point-of -sale system that ensures our concessions move faster and more efficiently than ever before," indicated Andrew Feffer, COO of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club. "We are committed to leveraging technology in a way to create an exceptional fan experience at every level. We are confident this new partnership will enhance the superior customer service programs our visitors at Nationals Park have come to expect and appreciate." Moreover, use of the MICROS 9700 HMS should reduce exposure to theft by increasing transaction controls and employee accountability, according to the two parties

"We are honored to add the Washington Nationals to our growing list of distinguished stadium and arena customers," added Dan Bell, VP of the MICROS Leisure and Entertainment Business Unit (Columbia, MD). "We continue to enhance our product offerings and technologies for the event-driven marketplace by actively soliciting feedback and recommendations on new products and services. We look forward to providing the Nationals with the most advanced technology and superior customer service .

MICROS Serves Nationals Park in Washington, DC

Channel Factoid

Americans accumulate approximately $48 billion in reward points and miles annually, according to the recent survey of perceived dollar value in today's loyalty programs conducted by Colloquy and Swift Exchange. Out of this total, at least one-third, $16 billion, goes unredeemed by consumers. Put in perspective, the average household that participates in such programs earns $622 per year, but leaves $205 on the table. In terms of vertical markets, the financial services sector represents the biggest provider of rewards at $18 billion annually. Travel and hospitality comes in close second, with $17 billion. The retail industry, although it makes up 40% of all loyalty program memberships, issues the smallest value in rewards at $12 billion per annum. Total number of loyalty memberships in the U.S. should reach 2.1 billion this year, exceeding 2 billion for the first time, and up from 1.8 billion in the 2009 report. Further, the average household has signed up for 18.4 programs, compared with 14.1 in 2009. Despite this increase in overall membership, the average number of programs in which households actively participate is just 8.4. "Three decades after the inception of the modern frequent-flyer program, the rewards industry is ripe for a transition from a culture of accumulation to one of realization in the fullest sense," remarked Nancy Gordon, COO of Swift Exchange. "That means helping consumers make rewards-based purchases as easily as they buy anything else in their daily lives."

HELLO GOODBYE

South of the Border for Soumbasakis

Ingram Micro (Santa Ana, CA) has named John Soumbasakis as Senior Vice President and President of Ingram Latin America, effective on April 30. Based out of Miami, he will report to Greg Spierkel, CEO of Ingram Micro, and replaces Eduardo Araujo, who resigned to take an executive role with another company. An eight-year veteran of the world's largest technology distributor, Soumbasakis most recently served as SVP, Specialty Solutions, Ingram Micro North America, which spans the region's Data Capture/POS, Mobility, Physical Security, and Consumer Electronics operations.

"John is a strong leader who has a diverse business background and knows our operations well," commented Spierkel. "He is taking the reins of a respected organization at the forefront of the Latin America region. I'm confident that John's track record of excellent results and leadership will serve him well as he works to drive profitable growth in the region's core and adjacent businesses."

Soumbasakis joined Ingram Micro in 2003 as program management and corporate development executive and was instrumental in the formation and growth of the company's Data Capture/POS Division (Carlsbad, CA)--begun by the acquisition of Nimax in 2004--and which he eventually headed as VP and GM. He previously held management consulting positions at Accenture and The Boston Consulting Group. Justin Scopaz, current VP and GM of the Data Capture/POS Division, will continue to lead that effort.

John Soumbasakis, SVP and President, Ingram Micro Latin America

Foster Travels the MegaPath

MegaPath Inc. (San Jose, CA), the major provider of managed data, voice, and security services, has designated Dan Foster as its President of Business Markets, reporting to the company's Chairman and CEO, D. Craig Young. Foster previously served as MegaPath's EVP of Sales and Marketing, overseeing direct sales and partner efforts until January 2011. In his new role of President of Business Markets, he has been chartered with expanding the company's presence in the channel and key vertical segments, including healthcare and retail, and will exercise responsibility for all P&L functions.

"After a brief departure, I am pleased to return to MegaPath and help transform the company into the industry's most successful provider of voice, security, and connectivity services," shared Foster. "Following last year's merger, MegaPath is dedicating significant resources into our network footprint, technology, and customer service, which will be the cornerstones of our success moving forward. This is an exciting time for the company, and I am energized by the opportunities ahead of us." MegaPath, Covad Communications, and Speakeasy merged in June 2010, RRN.Com readers will recall.

"Having worked with MegaPath's customers for more than 10 years, Dan knows this market and what it takes to be successful," said Young. "His dedication to partners and end-users will significantly set MegaPath apart from other vendors in our space." Bruce Chatterley, who previously served as CEO of Speakeasy and President of MegaPath's Business Markets, has departed the company to pursue other opportunities.

Dan Foster, President of Business Markets, MegaPath