Our Product Pick

Custom America (Boothwyn, PA) has shipped its Silk Android PC POS terminal with projected-capacitive 15.6" touchscreen (1920x1080). It features ARM Quad-Core A17 CPU at 1.8 GHz, 2-GB RAM, 8-GB Storage, and Android 8 O/S. In true-flat design, with "refined" base, and Gorilla Glass, the Silk Android has USB, COM, LAN, and RJ-11 Ports. Also offered: Bluetooth 4 and 802.11 WLAN. A model may be ordered with Google Play Services. Optional hardware includes customer-facing display and credit-card reader, with mountable VESA. (Custom America also offers its Silk Android PC POS in touchscreen display size of 13.3").

15.6" Silk Android Terminal by Custom America

COMPANY BUSINESS

Shift4 Calls An Uber

Shift4 Payments (Allentown, PA) has added the on-demand food delivery capacity of Uber Eats to its Shift4 Marketplace. With this integration, food orders placed through Uber Eats will sync directly with the point-of-sale software utilized by Shift4 customers. All orders are managed from one central location, saving the restaurant money, freeing up counterspace, and streamlining overall operations. In addition, this integration improves the merchant's record keeping.

"This partnership with Uber Eats seamlessly connects our restaurant clients with millions of potential customers in a uniquely integrated way," commented Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments. "Shift4 strives to deliver a complete business ecosystem to our customers that extends well beyond payment processing. By partnering with companies like Uber Eats, we are able to complement our own solutions in order to provide additional benefit for our customers."

A part of the company's Lighthouse Business Management System, the Shift4 Marketplace includes third-party solutions in online ordering, online reservations, employee scheduling, accounting, loyalty, and marketing. An online control panel provides Shift4 customers with reporting capabilities, remote system management of POS, customer engagement platform, and tools to manage the business's social media presence. In addition to its payment processing prowess, Shift4 has Future POS, Harbortouch, POSitouch, and Restaurant Manager in POS.

Uber Eats Joins the Shift4 Marketplace

Playing the Hero

An integration effort between International Bancard (Detroit, MI) and New West Technologies (Portland, OR) will support payment processing with Retail Management Hero (RMH) POS. Employing Microsoft Windows, RMH was launched in early 2016 as the replacement for the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS), which will not be sold or supported after July 2021. As the front-end, this solution employs the Telium Tetra from Ingenico (Alpharetta, GA). It will be distributed via multiple channels.

"We're thrilled that New West Technologies and International Bancard are partnering to bring one of the first Ingenico Tetra line device integrations to Retail Management Hero (RMH) POS," indicated Dan King, President of New West Technologies. "Processing with International Bancard with our IBPay integration for RMH will include easy plug-and-play deployment and top-notch service. We're eager to bring this future-forward solution to users of RMH."

John Badovinac, International Bancard's VP of Integrated Solutions, stated: "We are incredibly excited to launch our RMH payment processing solution with New West Technologies--the preeminent integrator in the payments technology sector. We are proud to partner with them to launch International Bancard's entry into the Microsoft payment ecosystem and to empower RMH resellers with our plug-and-play joint processing solution." In July, International Bancard called upon Fee Navigator (King of Prussia, PA), and its platform of Artificial Intelligence (AI), for enhanced merchant acquisition and retention. In 2019, Retail Management Hero (RMH), based in Napa, CA, named New West Technologies as its Reseller of the Year in North America.

A New Partnership for Payment Processing With Retail Management Hero (RMH) POS

Worth Your While

VARTECH
BlueStar
September 14-15
Orlando, FL

[Editor's Note: VARTECH has been cancelled for 2020.] 

Shoptalk
Shoptalk Commerce, LLC
September 14-17
Las Vegas, NV

[Editor's Note: Shoptalk has been cancelled for 2020.]

Impact 2020 Conference
Electronic Payments
September 22-25
Fort Lauderdale, FL

NACS
National Association
of Convenience Stores
October 11-14
Las Vegas, NV

[Editor's Note: NACS has been cancelled for 2020.]

FS TEC
Foodservice Technology/Winsight
October 25-27
Dallas, TX

Pack Expo
Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI)
November 8-11
Chicago, IL

[Editor's Note: Pack Expo has been cancelled for 2020.]

2021

NRF Show
National Retail Federation
June 6-8
New York, NY

[Editor's Note: The NRF Show has moved from January to June.]

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Honeywell Casts RT10

Honeywell (Charlotte, NC) has unwrapped its new rugged tablet, the RT10. In overall dimensions of 10.7 in. (W) x 7.8 in. (L) x 0.8 in. (D), weighing 2.6 lbs./1.2 kg, it carries capacitive 10.1" touchscreen (800 NIT, 1920x1200). It also features Honeywell's FlexRange dual imager, capable of data capture scans of less than 5 in./13 cm out to 33 ft./10 m--"eliminating the need for employees to carry multiple devices," cited Kevin Dehoff, President of Honeywell Productivity Products.

As O/S, there's two choices. A Model RT10W has Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Intel Pentium N4200 Apollo Lake CPU (1.10 GHz, up to 2.5 GHz with turbo boost), 8-GB RAM, and 128-GB Storage. A Model RT10A has Android 9 (upgradeable through Android 11), Qualcomm Octa-Core Snapdragon CPU (2.2 GHz), 4-GB RAM, and 32-GB Storage. Another benefit of the model RT10A is Honeywell's Mobility Edge Platform.

In addition to 1D/2D imager (the Honeywell FlexRange, or Honeywell N6703 Standard Range), the RT10 furnishes front/rear cameras (2/8-MP for RT10W, 8/13-MP for RT10A), USB 3.0 Type A and USB 3.0 Type C, and 5,900-mAh or 10,280-mAh battery. As communications there's Bluetooth Version 5, 802.11 WLAN, 4G LTE WAN, NFC, and Push-to-Talk (PTT). As ruggedness, it carries ratings of IP-65, MIL-STD-810G, and 4-ft./1.2-m drop resistance. A Honeywell Marketplace supplies apps.

Honeywell's RT10 Enterprise Rugged Tablet

Star Takes Its Vitamin C

A version of its mC-Print3 thermal receipt printer--with USB Type-C interface--has been unveiled by Star Micronics America (Somerset, NJ). Adoption of increasingly popular USB-C will support standard communications, as well as power delivery, to devices such as smartphones, tablets, and PCs with Windows, Android, and Mac O/S. In particular, it will leverage Star Micronics America's proprietary SteadyLAN technology, which networks printers via wired Ethernet.

An mCP31C model has one USB-C port, two USB-A ports, one Ethernet port supporting Star Micronics CloudPRNT and WebPRNT technologies, and one DK-port. An mCP31CB model includes the same connectivity options as the mCP31C, as well as Bluetooth (non-Apple MFi). In cube-shaped dimensions of 5.2 in. (W) x 5.5 in. (D) x 4.9 in. (H), the mC-Print3 thermal receipt printer has paper width of 3 in./80 mm and maximum print speed of 9.8 in./250 mm per second at 203 dpi. (SteadyLAN is also available for iOS devices on models mCP21LB, mCP31L, and mCP31LB.)

"We are very excited to launch this new version of the mC-Print3," relayed Jon Levin, Director of Product Management at Star Micronics America. "Addition of an USB-C connection will allow modern host devices to enjoy the reliable network connection and power supply that SteadyLAN provides, all through one USB-C cable." A complete line of hardware--printers, cash drawers, scales, kitchen buzzers, and tablet stands for POS--comprise the mCollection at Star Micronics America.

Star's mC-Print3 Thermal Receipt Printer with USB-C Port

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ALLIANCES

Slicing the Cake

An Apple Mobility Partner, Mad Mobile (Tampa, FL) has pushed further into POS by buying Cake from Sysco Corporation (San Mateo, CA). With 5,000 restaurant sites at present, and subscription-based service, Cake will now add timely new modules from Mad Mobile such as mobile ordering, contactless payment, and curbside pick-up. Financial terms of the deal, expected to close by the end of Q3, were not disclosed. (A major food product distributor, Sysco serves 650,000 customer locations, with 320 warehouse facilities and $60 billion in sales in 2019.)

"We're confident of the future of Cake," shared Michael Foster, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Sysco. "Mad Mobile has been a great partner of Sysco for six years and they share our passion for the restaurant experience. This transaction allows Sysco to focus our efforts on our digital transformation, including our e-commerce platform, and provides an excellent opportunity for Cake to accelerate its evolution into a mobile-first platform supporting the unique needs of restaurant businesses."

"There is an enormous opportunity to modernize the restaurant experience with mobile. We have great partners who are helping us do it," declared Bruce Bennett, CEO at Mad Mobile, which offers its Concierge Associate (mobile pos), Concierge Manager (store insights), and Concierge Cloud (integration platform). "Acquisition of Cake comes with top-notch technology, a large customer base, and employees who are ready to help us achieve our vision. This is a big day for Mad Mobile." A motivating factor for this acquisition, of course: COVID-19.

Sysco Sells Cake POS to Mad Mobile

A Pocketful of Mobility

A bundle of software and hardware for printing work orders and receipts in the field has been assembled by Kyocera (San Diego, CA), Seiko Instruments (Torrance, CA), and GoCanvas (Reston, VA). It deploys Kyocera's DuraForce PRO 2 ruggedized smartphone, Seiko's MP-A40 mobile thermal printer, and GoCanvas Mobile Forms, and has been designated as the "Mobile Printing Solution." With GoCanvas, businesses may create custom forms or convert existing forms into electronic format, accommodating new information and signatures.

"Workers increasingly require mobile options to document and provide instant receipt of service calls, deliveries, inspections, rentals, and more, but mother nature can wreak havoc on delicate electronics in the field, which is why we developed this rugged all-in-one package," espoused Vipul Dalal, GM at Kyocera's Communications Equipment Group. "Japan-based Kyocera and Seiko Instruments have a successful history of working together--the majority of Seiko's thermal printers use Kyocera's thermal printheads--and GoCanvas adds software any business can incorporate easily for a must-have, affordable Mobile Printing Solution." With 5" capacitive touchscreen, weighing about 8 oz./225 g, Kyocera's Duraforce PRO 2 runs Android 8 O/S and meets environmental standards of MIL-STD-810G and IP-68.

Added Matt Schmitz, Director of Sales and Business Development for Seiko Instruments USA, Thermal Printer Division, "Replacing larger handhelds, PCs, or tablets with these high-quality mobile printers and smartphone that can fit in the pocket will help workers become even more mobile in the field." In clamshell design, Seiko's MP-A40 has 4 in./102 mm print width and maximum print speed of 4 in./102 mm per second at 203 dpi. It weighs about 1.5 lbs./750 g, with an IP-54 rating and 6.6-ft./2-m drop resistance. There's USB, Bluetooth, and WLAN.

A Smartphone-Based Mobile Printing Solution by Kyocera, Seiko Instruments, and GoCanvas

Code Corner

A Retail Inventory Optimization Cloud Service has been launched by Oracle (Redwood Shores, CA). It comes with pre-built machine learning models that accurately predict overall inventory levels, recommend inventory re-distribution, and balance supply and demand. Users can simulate and forecast optimal inventory positions and parameters to eliminate trial-and-error. As a result, supply chain executives and chief financial officers of the company can come together to navigate difficult terrain, manage cash flow, and determine the impact of inventory on the balance sheet, says Oracle. "Retailers are struggling to adjust decades of well-defined inventory and traditional supply chain management processes that have been thrown a curveball by COVID-19," postulated Jeff Warren, VP of Strategy and Solution Management for Oracle Retail. "With the ability to be deployed in just weeks, Oracle Retail Inventory Optimization Cloud Service does the heavy lifting and modeling to rebalance and optimize inventory so retailers can invest in the right products and automatically adapt to new consumer patterns."

Oracle Retail Inventory Optimization Cloud Service

A Message From the Editor

As we enter another year, our mission stays constant: to fill the need for timely, focused, non-biased news in the channel for POS & Auto ID. If anything, that need grows more pressing in the face of changes in technology, go-to-market strategies, and business models. We look forward to continuing that mission and welcome your suggestions and thoughts on improvements.

Michael Kachmar, Editor

INTEGRATION

Zebra "Reflexis" Its Muscle

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) has announced its intention to acquire workforce management software leader, Reflexis Systems (Dedham, MA). A Zebra PartnerConnect Premium ISV, Reflexis Systems had sales of $66 million in 2019. With the deal expected to close in Q4, Zebra will pay $575 million for Reflexis Systems.

"Acquisition of Reflexis Systems fits squarely within our Enterprise Asset Intelligence vision of making every worker and asset at the edge connected, visible, and fully optimized," proposed Anders Gustafsson, CEO at Zebra Technologies. "Combining Reflexis' market-leading platform with our complimentary software offerings provide us the unique opportunity to unify the store associate experience and empower every front-line worker to execute the best next action." As complementary software to Reflexis, Zebra Technologies offers its Zebra Predictive Analytics, Workforce Connect, and SmartCount.

Entitled, simply, "ONE," the Reflexis workforce management platform enables supervisors to schedule hours against projected traffic demand and task requirements. It also gives store associates a single place to view assigned tasks from all levels of the organization which can then be monitored for completion. "Our team has built a market-leading platform and application that has scaled to accommodate rapid growth over the last three years," observed Prashanth Palakurthi, Founder and CEO of Reflexis Systems. 'We look forward to applying our expertise in directing associate activity to more profitable execution for customers while helping provide greater meaning to an associate's workday."

Zebra Buys Workforce Management ISV Reflexis

Anna Smokes the Competition

A self-service kiosk for cannabis retail, dubbed "anna," with lowercase, has sprouted up in dispensaries in Colorado. Its capacity exceeds 2,000 products in its footprint just under eight square feet. Customers may browse in-store using the kiosk's touchscreen or order online by scanning their QR Code. An "anna app" provides dispensing and contactless payment. In September, the kiosk will also roll out in Massachusetts, with "high" hopes for Nevada, California, and Canada.

A typical set-up, as described by the company, involves three or four units placed on the dispensary or retail sales floor. With each device serving as its own point-of-sale register, an assigned cashier or associate--an "anna.agent"--has responsibility for authorizing sales and live monitoring of transactions, all while prioritizing compliance. A proprietary rules engine for the system has been modeled after advanced analytics in health and life sciences. As another feature, there's custom branding of the kiosks: for example, Strawberry Fields.

"The retail technology available to dispensaries has inhibited the cannabis industry's path to normalization," suggested Matt Frost, Founder and CEO of anna (Braintree, MA). "With anna, our stakeholders will see very quickly that prioritizing retail efficiency improves store traffic, and allows associates to spend additional time with more inexperienced customers. It epitomizes 'Cannabis Retail for Now.'"

A Self-Service Kiosk for Cannabis Retail

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Aures
CRS, Inc.
Electronic Payments
Harbortouch
HP
Ingenico
Pioneer Solution
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
ShopPOSPortal

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Godex Americas

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Janam Technologies

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Electronic Payments
Ingenico
International Bancard
North American Bancard
PAX Technology
Sound Payments

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Stands, Mounts, Cradles
Gamber-Johnson

INSTALLATIONS

Of Vend, Loop, and Bird Watching

A new reseller agreement, and first deployment, between Vend (San Francisco, CA) and Loop Insights (Vancouver, BC, Canada). It brings the cloud- and iOS-based POS by Vend and the advanced marketing platform by Loop Insights to specialty retail franchise chain, Wild Bird Centers of America. A subsidiary of Global Harvest Foods, Wild Bird Centers of America has 30 stores, primarily on the East Coast in the U.S.

"Loop Insights is the perfect complement to our platform in that, collectively, we are able to deliver enterprise and franchise reporting tools, deep product insights, and even trends on consumer behavior to our retailers," expressed Jake West, Director of Business Development at Vend. Integration via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) may also support seamless access to other Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven services of Loop Insights, such as automated personalized engagement and programmatic advertising. In his remarks, West noted increased interest on the part of mid-market and enterprise retailers in Vend POS.

"A significant partnership for Loop," in the words of CEO Rob Anson, "given the fact both companies offer cloud-based services that provide a strong foundation for rapid scalability and growth. We are both driven to acquire multi-store clients. Active conversations are already taking place with many global retail clients of Vend." Loop Insights cited increased revenue from onboarding fees and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), as well as from distribution/redemption of third-party promotions.

Wild Bird Centers of America Deploys Vend/Loop Insights Package

Appetize: Live at the Drive-In

Appetize (Los Angeles, CA) has powered the "Live at the Drive-In" social-distanced concert series by Live Nation. Utilizing outdoor venues, with chairs spaced safely, guests may order food and beverages using the digital ordering system by Appetize on their smartphones through scanning QR Codes and accessing the website. Updates are sent via text messaging, with orders delivered directly to each guest in their space.

"Our ultimate goal is helping artists and fans connect and enjoy live music together, and our partnership with Appetize has helped us adapt and find an innovative solution to make that happen for these unique shows," reported Tom See, COO of U.S. Venues for Live Nation. "It was incredible to bring everyone together for that quintessential summer concert experience they love, and Appetize's touch-free mobile ordering allowed fans to have refreshments delivered directly to their personalized tailgate zones so everyone could stay distanced." So far, concerts have taken place at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis, MO; Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN; Ruoff Music Center in Indianapolis, IN; and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

Also, Appetize has started roll out of its ordering and payment solution for the 100 franchise locations in the U.S. of Urban Air Adventure Park. An omnichannel digital solution by Appetize includes self-service kiosks, tap-to-pay contactless checkout, and cloud-based POS. In the next several months, Appetize will also supply terminals, handheld devices, and kitchen display systems. A POS-as-a-Service model--encompassing software, hardware, and support--carries "affordable" monthly fee, reducing the capital required of franchises of Urban Air Adventure Park.

Social Distancing, and POS, at Outdoor Concerts

Channel Factoid

-Basic customization and segmentation tactics are no longer enough: 75% of consumers said the marketing e-mails they open frequently contain macro-segmentation and/or micro-segmentation tactics, indicating these are now table stakes.

-Consumers want true one-to-one personalization: 81% of consumers are willing to share basic personal information in exchange for a more personalized experience, and 73% said the brands they engage with the most recognize them on a one-to-one level.

-Loyalty programs are key to greater personalization: 79% of consumers agree that the more personalization tactics a brand uses, the more loyal they are to that brand, and 73% said they're more likely to engage with a brand that offers a loyalty program versus one that doesn't.

-Loyalty programs must stand out: 58% of consumers said they're more loyal to brands than they were five years ago, but the majority of respondents (63%) only belong to between one and three loyalty programs, meaning a program must deliver exceptional experiences to make the cut. Additionally, 77% of consumers feel brands could be doing more to earn their loyalty.

-"The bar for creating consumer relevance has risen dramatically as tech giants like Netflix, Amazon, and Spotify deliver increasingly personalized user experiences," emphasized Christian Selchau-Hansen, CEO of Formation.ai. "If brands want to foster loyalty from today's consumer, they must deliver experiences and communications so tailored they feel as if they've been crafted for just that one person."

Source: "Brand Loyalty 2020: The Need for Hyper-Individualization," by Formation.ai (San Francisco, CA).

A Higher Bar for Brand Loyalty

HELLO GOODBYE

ScanSource: "A Defining Time"

ScanSource (Greenville, SC) has announced the creation of its Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) program and appointed Ken Peterson, Senior Director of Human Resources, to the additional role of Chief Diversity Officer. A key component of this program will be an Advisory Council, led by employees, which will focus on strategies for Diversity and Inclusion. As Chief Diversity Officer, Peterson will oversee this Advisory Council. Also, he will develop supporting programs, training, and events, as well as talent acquisition and recruitment efforts in Diversity & Inclusion.

"We are living in a defining time in history, and now is the time for all of us--especially leaders--to listen, learn, and most importantly, act," related Mike Baur, Chairman and CEO of ScanSource, Inc. "We created an open dialogue with our employees so they can share their personal thoughts, experiences, and insights as we look to build out our D&I program. The knowledge Ken will bring to his new role as Chief Diversity Officer will be invaluable. Ken's expertise in the areas of D&I leadership, paired with his insight into ScanSource culture, business, and communities, will be integral to providing the structure and knowledge needed to create lasting impact for ScanSource, both inside and outside of the company."

Peterson joined ScanSource in 2017 from Southeastern Grocers, where he served as VP of Field Human Resources (2014 to 2017). He spent two decades at supermarket chain BI-LO, which is owned by Southeastern Grocers, in roles such as Store Manager, Human Resources Manager, and VP of Human Resources and Diversity (1993 to 2014). In his current role at ScanSource, he manages the human resources function for several ScanSource acquisitions in the U.S., as well as warehouses, and the company's Learning and Development program for North America.

Ken Peterson, Senior Director of Human Resources, and Newly Appointed Chief Diversity Officer, for ScanSource

[Editor's Note: Also, ScanSource has agreed to sell its businesses in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Peru (the "Latin America" business outside of Brazil) to Intcomex (Miami, FL). "This action is part of ScanSource's strategic portfolio repositioning to align investments with higher-growth, higher-margin businesses," according to ScanSource.]

Olea Rustles Partners

Olea Kiosks (Los Angeles, CA) has enlisted Rusty Gaynes as its new Director of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships. Most recently, Gaynes served as Director of Channel Sales at Zivelo/Verifone (2019 to 2020). Among his previous roles in sales of technology and related industries, he was Director of Sales at Specialized Office Systems (2014 to 2019), Channel Manager at Business & Decision North America (2013 to 2014), and Partner Champion-Cisco at Insight (2008 to 2013).

"We're delighted to build on Rusty's rich industry experience and his successful track record with those partnerships," reflected CEO Frank Olea. "With our in-house advanced design and manufacturing and operational agility, we're looking to further leverage technology to enhance the end-user experience. Rusty brings a depth and breadth of knowledge to help us continue to build an ecosystem centered around self-service delivery that allows Olea to attract and evolve with the most diverse and innovative partners to solve our clients' challenges."

"Throughout my career, I've witnessed how quality business relationships help achieve tremendous results," contributed Gaynes. "Olea's industry leadership and focus on the customer experience of the future puts a priority on convenience and I look forward to accelerating that across the various vertical markets." An early player in self-service, founded in 1975, Olea has divided its partner program into the categories of VAR, Technology, Services, ISV, and Distribution.

Rusty Gaynes, Director of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships, Olea Kiosks