This Week’s Product Pick

Fujitsu America (Sunnyvale, CA) unveiled its TeamPoS 7000 F-Series POS terminal for dispersed store environments. Incorporating Intel’s second-generation Core CPU’s, i5, i3, and Pentium, TeamPoS 7000 F-Series runs the most robust OS and application software, according to the vendor. Zero side ventilation ensures controllers run cool for the highest reliability, and low profile allows placement under counters and in tight spaces. Users may choose between 15-inch color resistive or infrared touchscreen, plus speakers, microphone, and webcam, and three LCD displays are supported concurrently. Tool-free access to the hard disk drive as well as “works in a drawer” design lower mean time to repair. Finally, the terminal has been tested to double the PC industry standard for electrostatic discharge. “This new addition to the TeamPoS family of All-in-One solutions offers the best of all worlds, enabling retailers to deliver tailored customer relationship management (CRM) strategies to shoppers and helping employees speed up the checkout process, while also supporting the retailer’s environmental commitments,” suggested Brian Yates, Director of Retail Product Marketing at Fujitsu America.

Fujitsu’s TeamPoS 7000 F-Series

COMPANY BUSINESS

Zebra Validates Your Ticket

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) has launched its Zebra ISV Validation Program to help customers more easily identify third-party solutions that have been tested and demonstrated to work with its products. Based on best industry practices, according to the printer vendor, this new effort provides registered Zebra ISV partners with the framework to verify the interoperability of their software applications, and gives them direct access to Zebra testing specialists. Successful completion of the process enables the ISV to market their application with accompanying product as “Zebra Validated.”

“Zebra is excited to be engaged with our ISV partners as they develop applications that address emerging market opportunities and solve real customer business problems,” commented Robert Woodward, Director of Global Partnerships, Software, for Zebra Technologies. “We are committed to making it easy and effective to integrate Zebra-enabling technologies into enterprise solutions. Better collaboration between software and hardware vendors at the onset leads to efficiency and productivity gains for the customer as they implement their solutions.”

ISV StepOne Systems (Pittsburgh) has stepped up first with approval for its Mobile Checkout for Retail. “Validation with Zebra Technologies is critical for our enterprise customers,” confirmed Todd Berner, CEO of StepOne Systems. “Our customers need the confidence that the applications they have in thousands of their stores are going to execute flawlessly. Zebra Technologies’ Validation Program allows us to demonstrate our commitment to delivering enterprise-class mobile software that works each and every day.” This differentiation was cited as one of the major benefits for ISVs and VARs.

Robert Woodward, Director of Global Partnerships, Software, Zebra Technologies

Revel “i’s” Grocery

Now it’s grocery. Revel Systems (San Francisco), the much promoted purveyor of iPad-based POS, has released its version designed specifically for the vertical, commonly thought impervious to the lure of the consumer hardware world. Revel’s Grocery POS has been rolled out at Marty’s Market with five checkout lanes in Pittsburgh, thereby extending the developer’s customer base beyond restaurants, food trucks, and retail establishments. Significantly, it ties into Dwolla, the new payment platform that charges no fees for transactions under $10 and only 25 cents per transaction for any amount over $10 with no service agreement or cancellation penalties for stores. LevelUp’s payment scheme is also supported via plug-in.

Revel’s Grocery POS software license costs $2,000 per seat plus additional hardware bundling options for flatbed scanners, receipt printers, PIN Pads, cash drawers, and scales. Revel Router, which piggybacks on Verizon’s 4G/3G wireless service, facilitates integration and an accompanying Grocery Store Application Programming Interface allows customization of products “at an advanced level.” Additional benefits are listed by the company, including import and export of SKUs, price-embedded barcodes, couponing capability, customer-facing kiosk mode, and back-end functions such as inventory, employee scheduling, and report generation.

“Our Grocery POS system has been in development for over a year to provide our customers with the features they really want and need to run their businesses,” declared Lisa Falzone, CEO and Co-Founder of Revel Systems. “Our partnership with Dwolla for payments and our API, which connects to scanners and other best-of-breed peripherals, give our customers the most advanced features at an extremely competitive price point.” To date, Revel Systems has expressed no interest in working with POS resellers--despite winning and accepting the 2012 RSPA/VSR Innovative Solution Award for POS at the recent Retail Solutions Providers Association Show in Las Vegas.

Revel’s Grocery POS Configuration

Worth Your While

VARTECH US/LATAM
BlueStar
October 5-8
Bahamas Cruise

NACS 2012
National Association of Convenience Stores
October 7-9
Las Vegas

Pack Expo 2012
Packaging Manufacturers Machinery Institute
October 28-31
Chicago

Customer Engagement Technology World
JDEvents
November 7-8
New York

IAAPA Expo 2012
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
November 12-16
Orlando

ALL IN THE FAMILY

An RFID Home for Nomad

Trimble (Sunnyvale, CA) has added an RFID reader to its Nomad rugged computer, extending the device’s appeal for inventory and asset management. Utilizing the best-in-class ThingMagic M5e UHF RFID module, for reading and writing of EPC Global Gen 2 tags, this new configuration comes in two classes, one for use in the U.S., Canada, and most of South America, and one for Europe. It includes device drivers and software development kit (SDK) for developers of mobile applications.

“Nomad has been a very successful platform, supplying field workers with a robust tool for data capture and navigation,” relayed Jim Sheldon, GM of Trimble’s Mobile Computing Solutions Division. “Its ruggedness and durability have made it the handheld computer of choice for users with both physically and technically demanding tasks. The RFID reader further extends the Nomad’s capabilities and offers enterprise management more options in its use.”

Trimble’s Nomad features sunlight viewable touchscreen display, barcode scanning, GPS receiver, five-megapixel camera with geo-tagging, and integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GSM/GPRS/EDGE cellular. Technical specifications include Windows Mobile 6.1 OS, XScale CPU at 806 MHz, 128 MB SDRAM and 512 MB Flash. Significantly, Nomad carries an IP-68 rating for protection against dust and water and MIL-STD-810F certification for drops, vibration, and temperature extremes. A 5000 mAh Lithium-ion hot-swappable battery provides 15 hours of use between charge cycles.

Trimble Nomad Now Carries ThingMagic UHF RFID Module

DAP Carves Out Larger Tablet

DAP Technologies (Tempe, AZ) has unwrapped its enterprise-level M9700 tablet with 9.7-inch multi-touch capacitive display. Weighing just over two pounds and less than one inch thick, the M9700 ships with Windows Embedded Standard 7, Intel Atom N2600 Dual Core CPU at 1.6 GHz, and 32 GB solid-state drive. Communication capabilities include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G WAN, and GPS, with autofocus two-megapixel camera for mobile exchange of documents and images. In addition, the M9700 meets IP-54 and MIL-STD-810F ratings for resistance to water, dust, and vibration and withstands multiple four-foot drops to concrete.

“Consumer tablets have their appeal, but for many enterprise applications, they are neither rugged enough nor compatible with existing networks,” offered David Molesworth, GM at DAP Technologies. “The M9700 combines the best-loved features of consumer models with rugged design and the Windows-based OS needed for seamless migration into the majority of existing networks.” Writing in “DAP Talk,” the company’s blog, Molesworth emphasized that many customers are not ready to take the risk of moving to Android and iOS, particularly in light of the upcoming general release of Windows 8 in October.

Headquartered in Quebec City, Canada, DAP Technologies recently opened its second U.S. facility in Atlanta to better address the southeast. The company specializes in handheld, tablet, and vehicle-mount computers for challenging environments in warehousing and logistics, field service, manufacturing, and public safety, and sells through the channel. Its flagship product, the M9010 with 7-inch screen, has entered its seventh generation.

DAP’s M9700 Windows-Based Tablet

Join the Party at No Charge

Subscribe Today! Email:

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 :

Week of August 13

Week of July 30

Week of July 16

INTEGRATION

Happy FileTrails for BlueStar

BlueStar (Hebron, KY) has approved its first turnkey RFID scheme for asset tracking, RFID Asset Express from FileTrail (San Jose, CA). Widely used in law offices and courthouses for the past five years, FileTrail and RFID promises to improve asset tracking for SMBs over key parameters such as visibility, cost, and regulatory compliance, according to the two parties. It works in conjunction with MC3190Z and MC9090Z handheld RFID readers from Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL), with sweep range of 20 feet and easy uploading and synchronization of data.

Browser-based, RF Asset Track comes in the package of three user licenses, software for the handheld, and installation, configuration and training (via phone). Three data entry screens represent three classes of items in the standard protocol. Yearly maintenance and upgrades are offered and BlueStar will help VARs select the right tag for the assets in question.

“The real key to success for BlueStar is the depth of experience that is built into the software,” suggested Art Barton, Director for RFID Strategies for the RF Trail Division of FileTrail. “And the real unique aspect of RF Asset Express is that individual users can change language setting to Spanish, Portuguese, or French as needed.” Dan Miller, RFID Program Manager for BlueStar, serves as the point person for the FileTrail effort.

Dan Miller, RFID Program Manager, BlueStar

To Infinea, and Beyond, at IPC

Sleeves for Apple products, with credit card reading and barcode scanning, have become common in recent months, but one vendor early to the market was Infinite Peripherals, Inc. (Arlington Heights, IL). This company, which abbreviates itself as IPC, and also supplies receipt printers and mechanisms, has enjoyed success with its Linea-pro for iPod Touch and iPhone. Now it has introduced Infinea Tab for the newest platform of high interest, the iPad.

“After carefully listening to our customers and considering their issues, we can now meet all of their iPad POS needs with the smallest combination barcode and magnetic-stripe reader for the iPad today,” remarked Jeffrey Scott, CEO at Infinite Peripherals, Inc. “In addition to POS, the Infinea Tab and iPad can be used with software written for other applications and industries, including inventory management, asset tracking, ID verification, inspection and work flow, dispatch, and laboratory and healthcare. Software development resources and tools are available for the Infinea Tab so customers can program scanner and reader functions into their own software application.”

Infinea Tab mates with the 30-pin connector on the iPad to add three-track magnetic-stripe reader (MSR) and one or two-dimensional barcode scanner for mobile POS, with wireless Bluetooth communications and RFID reader as options. Weighing less than 4 oz. with Lithium-ion battery and scanner (without iPad), Infinea Tab carries two LEDs for device status and two buttons to start scanning, with standard USB for synchronization and charging. A wide range of stands, mounts, and cases are offered as accessories by IPC.

Infinea Tab for iPad by Infinite Peripherals, Inc.

Code Corner

A seamless digital wallet? In pursuit of the dream, PayPal (San Jose, CA) has teamed up with Discover to bring its payment methodology to more than seven million merchant locations across the U.S. Starting in 2013, participating merchants will be enabled to accept PayPal easily through their relationship with Discover. To offer PayPal, merchants will not have to install or upgrade existing POS hardware or software, according to the two parties, and consumers will be informed of this additional payment choice through in-store signage. Cited benefits include convenience and utility for consumers and, for merchants, increased sales, more engagement, and greater loyalty. Initially, Discover will serve the 50 million PayPal users in the U.S., with possible plans for the additional 60 million overseas at some later date. “We’re delighted to enable PayPal’s efforts to provide their U.S. customers acceptance at millions of physical locations by leveraging our unique payment service assets,” stated Diane Offereins, President at Discover Payment Services. “The establishment of this relationship is a major industry milestone, which will help shape the emerging payments landscape by bringing together an established direct banking company with one of the leading commerce enablers to create an alternative for consumers at the point of sale.”

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Precidia Drives MINI

Precidia Technologies (Ottawa, Canada) has shipped POSLynxMINI, its compact, single port payment processing appliance for low-end electronic cash registers (ECR's). Based on Linux core, with an RS-232 interface and Ethernet port, POSLynxMINI supports Precidia’s TransNet middleware for use with popular ECR's from Casio, Samsung, and Sharp. Measuring 3.33 in. (L) x 1.75 in. (W) x 0.95 in. (D), this modem facilitates PCI PA-DSS compliance, and may power the ECR in some cases, thereby maximizing counter space for merchants, according to its manufacturer.

Precidia’s POSLynx Series may be managed remotely by accompanying web-based NetVu management server to track network and device status. A derivative of NetVu, dubbed MerchantVu, addresses store operations by providing transaction data, alerts for fraudulent activities, and tools such as batch closure. “The POSLynxMINI provides a small, inexpensive route to fully integrated payments for our smaller merchants,” volunteered Edward Kennard, Owner of Onondaga Cash Registers (Syracuse, NY).

Precidia also has entered into new strategic relationship with Vantiv (Cincinnati), one of the largest providers of payment processing services and related technologies in the U.S. Together, the two companies will target resellers of POS software as one component of their go-to-market strategy. At the recent Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) Show in Las Vegas, one early enthusiast, Arrow Point of Sale (Crown Point, IN), announced it has deployed TransNet and the Precidia POSLynx 220 in several pizza restaurants, processing transactions to Vantiv.

Single Port POSLynxMINI Payment Appliance for ECR's

A Briefcase Full of True Counts

Truecount Corporation (Dover, NH) hopes to bring item-level RFID to the SMB through its new package of hardware and software neatly assembled in briefcase format. So-called Truecount RFID 2-Go includes the company’s inventory management software, laptop computer, networking, and RFID gear from Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL), both fixed reader and handheld mobile computer. It may be used to commission new tags, track supplier goods with tags, or somewhat less likely, process tagged transactions at the POS.

“Truecount’s RFID 2-Go typically deploys in one day or less. Its use is intuitive, training of staff is minimal, and it immediately delivers the powerful advantages of RFID,” indicated Zander Livingston, CEO of Truecount. “It is the simplest and easiest way to experience and explore the benefits of advanced item-level RFID technology. With RFID fast becoming the standard for retail inventory management, we wanted to level the playing field for small to midsized retailers by making this remarkable technology easily accessible.”

Within its hardened case, weighing 15 lbs. altogether, RFID 2-Go can be transported from store to store as needed to conduct inventory or to identify problem areas. In the case of apparel, items may be tracked by the usual factors of style, size, color, quantity, and location, with rapid counts performed with RFID’s much cited accuracy of more than 99%. “As a complete solution, RFID 2-Go can manage all retail functions--receiving, searching, locating, tagging, managing workflows, and generating reports,” summarized Livingston.

RFID 2-Go Bundled Solution by Truecount Corporation

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
Synnex Corporation
Wasp Barcode Technologies
Yellowfin Distribution

POS & Peripherals
J2 Retail Systems
Pioneer POS
Posiflex
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic ADC
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Repair & Refurbishment
AMCOR Tech Solutions

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

INSTALLATIONS

Speakeasy Patronized by Goya

Goya Foods has chosen Speakeasy voice-enabled emulation from Wavelink Corporation (Salt Lake City) for its new warehouse management system. Goya, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the U.S., tested Speakeasy at its facility in Prince George, Virginia, and now plans rollout for all 13 distribution centers. Since its founding in 1992, Wavelink Corporation has served as one of the leaders in enterprise mobility management. In June, the company was purchased by LANDesk Software, the IT systems and security provider spun out of Intel.

“We needed to be more efficient across the board,” recounted Luis Ramos, GM for Goya Foods. “Speakeasy’s voice-enabling technology gives picking greater efficiency and more accuracy, and is safer than traditional picking. Speakeasy has low cost of ownership and was easy to deploy across our enterprise as the software is 100% hardware agnostic. We went from 40 to 60 missed picks per night to almost non-existent missed picks per night. Our employees embraced the change and immediately saw the safety and efficiency benefits of voice-picking and understood it ultimately gave them more quality time off the job.”

“Speakeasy’s text-to-speech and speech-to-text technology gives companies exactly what they need in voice software with tremendous flexibility,” stated Stephen Bemis, VP of Worldwide Sales at Wavelink. “Also, the flexibility of the product doesn't require a worker to be assigned to a specific device and can be used across multiple shifts. Any individual can pick up a device, no matter their native language, and begin working immediately. This was important for Goya Foods where both English and Spanish are spoken.”

Wavelink’s Voice-Enabled Emulation Adopted for Hispanic Foods Distribution Centers

A HungerRush to Pizza

Jet’s Pizza, the growing mid-sized chain, has extended its technology partnership with Revention (Houston) into the area of online ordering. Revention was endorsed as one of Jet’s POS providers last August and now provides its online ordering services for one-third of the 250 locations, with more added each week. Serving 15 eastern states in the U.S., Jet’s was founded by brothers Eugene and John Jetts in 1978, and started franchising 12 years later.

Using Revention’s platform, called HungerRush, Jet’s has generated over 220,000 online orders in the first seven months of this year, reportedly, touting $21.50 check average compared to onsite check average of $16. “HungerRush makes online ordering simple for our franchise community to manage,” noted John Jetts. “HungerRush is completely integrated with our Revention POS systems.” In addition, many franchisees are utilizing Revention’s Enterprise Mobile App to stay connected with the store’s performance during the business day.

Hot fun in the summer time for Revention. Earlier this month, the developer’s POS and Enterprise Management was adopted by Top That, another pizza hopeful with nine restaurants and more underway in Oklahoma, Colorado, Missouri and Kansas. The week before, Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, based in Anchorage, Alaska, one of the nation’s highest selling single-unit independent pizzerias and microbreweries, selected Revention POS as its preferred system. “We even made an important software change to duplicate the exact format of the kitchen prep ticket produced by their former POS solution,” reported Laura Gaudin, Revention Product Manager.

Revention Pizza Order Entry Screen

Channel Factoid

Three out of five users of mobile apps (57%) would consider purchasing their holiday gifts this year through that mechanism, according to the new survey conducted by Harris Interactive. Top items for purchase include books (32%), electronics (31%), gift cards (27%), DVDs (26%), clothing (24%), and toys (20%). When asked about possible benefits of using their mobile device to shop this holiday season, 82% of survey respondents responded positively, citing the freedom of browsing for deals wherever you are (50%), performing price comparison within the store (48%), finding the store location (40%), redeeming electronic coupons (38%), secretly shopping without spouse/significant other knowing (25%), buying embarrassing or personal items without using their computer (14%), and sneaking some shopping time while working (12%). More than half of these mobile app users (54%) have strong feelings about what it means when retailers do not provide this capacity. Their top concern, not surprisingly, was wasting the trip to the store looking for items the retailer doesn’t have (30%), followed by losing out on the best deals the store offers (25%), the perception of visiting an “old-fashioned” retailer (19%), loss of time (17%), loss of money (12%), and loss of loyalty to the store (7%). A further 7% said it could even make them think the retailer lacks respect for its customers. In terms of demographics, the Millennials (born in the 1980s and 1990s) are the generation most likely to say there will be consequences and overall men are more likely to feel that way than women (58% vs. 49%). “These findings demonstrate that the app economy is having a big impact on the way we live,” concluded Chet Kapoor, CEO of Apigee, which sponsored the study and develops API’s.

HELLO GOODBYE

Latin Leaning at Ingram Micro DC/POS

Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS Division (Carlsbad, CA) has bolstered its efforts south of the border with the appointment of Alfred Navarro to the newly created position of Regional Director for Latin America. He will report directly to John Soumbasakis, President of Ingram Micro Latin America, and will be in charge of the existing Data Capture/POS teams in Miami, Mexico, and Chile. His hiring supplements new resources, vendors, and services focused on this region, according to the distributor.

Navarro brings nearly 10 years of experience in the Auto ID industry. He comes to Ingram Micro DC/POS from Datamax-O’Neil, where he worked as Regional Distribution Manager. Previous positions include Senior Channel Manager at Motorola Solutions and Inside Sales Manager for the former Symbol Technologies. John Soumbasakis, as RRN.Com readers may recall, formerly led Ingram Micro DC/POS as its GM, the post now held by Justin Scopaz.

“Alfred brings a deep understanding of the barcode market in Latin America, and will complement our existing team very well,” Soumbasakis observed. “As a rapidly growing market with a meaningfully higher margin profile than our traditional business, the Data Capture/POS market is a key strategic area for Ingram Micro, and I look forward to supporting Alfred as he leads our growth in the region in this important market.” Earlier, in July, Ingram Micro, Inc. made big news by purchasing Brightpoint, one of the leaders in providing lifecycle services and distribution of product for the global mobility industry, in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $840 million.

Alfred Navarro, Regional Director, Latin America, Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS Division

Microscan’s Channel Man

Microscan (Renton, WA), provider of barcode, machine vision, and lighting products, has enlisted Scott McKay as its Global Director for Channel Management and Commercial Marketing. In this position, McKay will be responsible for channel strategy, recruitment, training, and program development, working with the field sales organization. His predecessor, Andy Zosel, former VP of Marketing and Commercial Operations, will now serve as VP of Engineering and Vertical Solutions.

“Our worldwide network of channel partners is fundamental to our business model and we acknowledge the critical role it will continue to play in Microscan’s success,” proclaimed Scott Summerville, President of Microscan. “We felt it important to dedicate a member of the senior management team to ensure that we are closely aligned to our partners and to support this vital function at a strategic level. Scott McKay’s educational and career background in channel management, along with his experience as sales manager and branch manager where he created and deployed sales and marketing programs at the local level, makes him an excellent choice to lead this newly created department.”

McKay spent the first 14 years of his career at Rockwell International, with oversight for sales, staff, and partner activities in various titles and geographic regions in the U.S. “What an exciting opportunity to lead a global team impacting such critical functions as channel management and marketing,” McKay said. “There is an unquestionable commitment throughout the organization focused on redesigning the channel strategy for sustainable growth.”

Scott McKay, Global Director, Channel Management and Commercial Marketing, Microscan