This Week’s Product Pick

Firich Enterprises Co. (FEC) has brought its Gladius Smart POS terminal to North America. Gladius Smart carries fanless technology, Intel Dual Core Atom D525 processor at 1.8 GHz, 15-inch resistive or capacitive touchscreen, and rear-facing customer display. Its spill-proof, injection-molded, die-cast aluminum housing acts as heat-sink to withstand harsh operating environments such as hospitality. FEC’s new terminal features the full complement of ports and support for Windows XP, POS Ready 2009, and Windows 7. An interchangeable second I/O interface provides unique control over hardware inventory management, according to the manufacturer. In order to further facilitate different peripherals and space requirements, FEC has developed various base configurations and mounting kits. “Our power supply is encased within the base of the unit with aesthetically pleasing cable management and easily accessible hard disk drive,” noted Keith Schroer, VP of North American Sales for FEC, which is exclusively provided in the Americas by Acrelec (Waterville, NY).

FEC's Gladius Smart

COMPANY BUSINESS

Citizen’s Busy Summer

Citizen Systems America (Torrance, CA) pushed out on several fronts over the past few weeks. First, the printer manufacturer has kicked off two new channel efforts in North America, the Citizen CT-S310II Club Partner Program and the Citizen Barcode Partner Program. Both campaigns provide selected dealers with significant benefits in areas such as co-marketing funds, leads, product discounts, priority access, and training and services. Citizen is now soliciting applications from the POS & Auto ID channel, with information displayed on its redesigned website at www.citizen-systems.com.

Speaking of barcodes, Citizen’s CL-S700 label printer has been chosen by Sharp Healthcare (San Diego) for use with its Cerner Millennium platform. This represents over 1,800 printers for their installations. Citizen’s entire barcode printer line-up has received Cerner Millennium certification, which will enable channel partners to penetrate new verticals, according to Oscar Ibarra, EVP at Citizen Systems, and help healthcare professionals to run tests, make diagnoses, place orders, fill medications, and remit documentation and bills. Citizen’s barcode printers also carry Meditech Software approval, which, together with Cerner, make them suitable for most hospitals and pharmacies.

Several other developments have taken place. Citizen recently unveiled SDKs for Android, BlackBerry, and Symbian for its recently launched CMP-20 and CMP-30 mobile printers. In addition to wireless transmission of receipts and labels, developers may use these tools to build solutions for credit card processing through the CMP-20/30 MSR, the company notes. Finally, the new Citizen CT-S310II is now shipping, with features such as dual Serial and USB interfaces, smaller footprint (5.5 in. x 7.7 in. x 5.2 in.) and faster print speed than its predecessor (160 mm/second at 203 dpi), higher cutter reliability (two million lines), and longer-life head mode (300 km). It includes two-dimensional barcode support, built-in power supply and buzzer, and loads with Windows XP, JavaPOS, OPOS and CUPS drivers. Green features such as Energy Star Compliance, save paper function, and Halogen-free housing complete the package.

Citizen Systems’ CT-S310II Printer

GenPOS Generates Eclipse, Channel Push

GenPOS, Inc. (Montreal) has unveiled the newest member in its Eclipse family of POS products, the Eclipse 104W POS Wedge. This All-in-One fanless terminal furnishes Intel Atom CPU technology at 1.6 GHz, 2-GB of memory, 250-GB hard drive, and an Elo 10.4-inch touchscreen. Measuring approximately 11.8 in. x 11.8 in. x 5.3 in., in clamshell format, it carries numerous native ports, such as Gigabit Ethernet, five USB, four Serial, PS/2, D-Sub for external display, VGA, speakers, and RJ-11 cash drawer interface. The standard unit comes with integrated card reader and 2x20 customer display while optional models add an integrated three-inch thermal receipt printer, wireless LAN, i-Button, and fingerprint sensor. Colors span red, blue, black, or white.

“Eclipse 104W POS Wedge is designed for quick-service restaurants and pick-up counters mostly, although due to its small form factor it can easily be used in any POS installation where space is an issue,” RRN.Com was told by Francis Martel, Business Development for GenPOS. “Our price point for resellers on this unit is extremely competitive and gives our resellers an edge compared to other more easily recognized brands, without neglecting product quality. It fits well with the industry trend towards low-cost, green, low-power All-in-One POS terminals, one product we did not have before.”

“Our channel is in full development and opportunities for both distributors andresellers are plentiful,” Martel continued. “So far we’ve had tremendous success in Eastern Canada over the past couple of years. At this point, we are seeking to build the channel outside of Eastern Canada, including the U.S. and Latin America. As we progress towards that model, we will withdraw from distributing our own products ourselves to relying and providing solely for our developing channel.” As company role models, Martel pointed to Logic Controls/Bematech and POS-X.

Eclipse 104W POS Wedge by GenPOS

Worth Your While

AIM Expo
Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility
September 26-28
Las Vegas

PACK EXPO 2011
Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute
September 26-28
Las Vegas

NACS 2011
National Association of Convenience Stores
October 1-4
Chicago

Customer Engagement
Technology World
JDEvents
November 9-10
New York

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Signage on a Stick

Two longtime channel players, Logic Controls/Bematech (New Hyde Park, NY) and CAP Software (Fort Worth, TX), have joined forces to help retailers better promote and market their products at the front counter. Specifically, Logic Control’s unique LV3000 LCD pole display will be integrated with CAP’s POS software, allowing custom messaging of product images, store sales, and discounts, above and beyond traditional item numbers and prices. This new solution will go to market through distributors and resellers for the two companies.

“CAP is very excited about offering our digital signage solution to our resellers and customers on the Logic Controls/Bematech pole display,” shared Will Atkinson, President of CAP Software. “I think the LV3000 gives retailers an affordable, flexible way to incorporate digital signage into their existing point-of-sale system. The LV3000 is the perfect outlet for CAP’s easy-to-use digital signage controller to help retailers increase sales and improve customer service.” CAP’s platform may also be used to display POS and digital signage content on customer-facing LCD rear displays or stand-alone LCD monitors.

“Logic Controls/Bematech is pleased to introduce this successful collaboration for the retail industry,” added Waldimir Alvarez, President of Logic Controls. “Over the decades, CAP has been one of the most powerful retail management software companies. By working with the digital signage manager, an advanced feature of CAP SellWise Pro, the LV3000 will help increase competitiveness of any establishment. This ‘Blue Ocean’ innovation will generate new demand and create new possibilities for every size of retail establishment, including SMB.”

LV3000 Pole Display From Logic Controls/Bematech Works as Digital Signage Via CAP Software

Yesterday’s Paper for Today’s Printers

POS Supply Solutions (Danvers, MA) now offers parchment-looking thermal receipt paper as part of its growing product family. These new rolls target jewelers, hotels, spas, casinos, or any luxury business that wants to add some “subtle elegance” to its receipts, coupons, or tickets, according to the company. Available in 3-1/8-inch wide format or custom sizes, they can be used in many of the most common POS printers.

In addition to distinctive appearance, several benefits are offered end-users of this new paper, including more durability (4.3-mil thickness versus standard 2.1 mil), improved image retention and stability, and inherent security due to the difficulty of forging copies. Overall, POS Supply Solutions projects more than 10-year archive life for the new paper, compared to the 7-year maximum life of standard thermal paper rolls. “The parchment-look thermal paper helps us to maintain our high-end image,” testified Miguel Gonzalez of Miami Lakes Jewelers. “This receipt paper not only looks beautiful, it’s also well-made.”

Earlier this summer, in July, POS Supply stocked its “Gold Star” thermal receipt paper rolls for gas stations and convenience stores. Every 10 feet, this message appears with the star: “You are a winner. Come inside for details!” On standard rolls, this means about every 40th customer per pump would be so designated. Customers bring in the receipt for their reward, whether fountain drink, cup of coffee, basic car wash, or new showcase item.

Parchment-Look Receipt Paper Roll by POS Supply Solutions

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PARTNER PROGRAMS

HaaS Happens at AccuCode

AccuCode, Inc. (Centennial, CO) has formally announced “AO: HaaS,” one of the modules in its “AccuCode Object” channel program, first premiered in RRN.Com in August. AO: HaaS seeks to bring the Hardware-as-a-Service model into the Auto ID, POS, and Mobility arena, combining hardware and an all-inclusive list of managed services in an offering for VARs and ISVs. Under the plan, reportedly developed in partnership with many of the leading manufacturers in the industry, AccuCode charges end-users the typical monthly subscription fee for hardware, managed services, and support. Its channel partners are rewarded with recurring monthly revenue streams for reselling or referring AO: HaaS.

“Technology has historically been unpredictable in performance and cost,” remarked Kevin Price, Founder and CEO of AccuCode. “Now AO: HaaS takes the risk out of the equation. The customer will always know how much your system will cost on a day-to-day basis and have a working, supported solution. We combine our HaaS with cloud-hosted software that provides customers with the opportunity to purchase an entire package through one provider. AccuCode is now responsible for making sure that every employee, on any given day, is sufficiently equipped.”

AccuCode, one of the largest North American VARs serving retail and the supply chain, has embarked upon an ambitious plan to move its focus from the end-user to the reseller community through its SaaS-based methodology and the AO: Channel Program. Six individual products have been assembled: AO: Communications, AO: Compliance, AO: LifeCycle, AO: ProServ, AO: Rapid Inventory, and AO: HaaS. All open opportunities for RRN.Com readers, Price maintained, with payback as much as 30% of the customer’s recurring revenue and removal of the “headaches typically associated with after-sale support and service.”

AccuCode Headquarters Near Denver and the Rockies

POS for Free, Courtesy of Processor

Another payment processor wants to give away POS systems for users of its services. Westshore Processing Inc. (Sarasota, FL) has announced it will bestow POS terminal, touchscreen, cash drawer, receipt printer, scanner, and card reader on participating merchants in retail and hospitality. Systems reportedly include customization, software, shipping, and training. Associated costs of $59 monthly “support fee” for 24/7 technical help-desk and $59 “quarterly software upgrade fee” per terminal were cited by Westshore Processing.

“Our card processing fees are among the lowest in the industry and we are committed to being competitive on rates,” offered Paul Dion, National Sales Manager for Westshore Processing. “By providing our systems free, we are in effect investing in our clients’ businesses. The POS systems will help them become more profitable and through the increased merchant services traffic, we will benefit from their success.”

The following conditions have been set for merchants, both existing and start-up: “If the business is already processing credit cards there is automatic approval with no credit pull. If the business has gross revenues under $25,000 per month with no record of financial fraud, they are automatically approved with no credit pull. If the business has gross revenues over $25,000, 99% have been approved to date.”

Warehouse Processing to Bestow Retail Hardware

Code Corner

Fujitsu America (Sunnyvale, CA) has released the latest version of the Fujitsu Retail Suite, its unified solution for POS, customer relationship management, and back-office functionality. Version 4.2 increases support for global retailers, making it suitable for companies that want to run the same system for every country in which they operate. This new build also delivers an enhanced view of customers across all selling channels and all touch points--POS, self-service kiosks, mobile devices, and the web--promoting greater customer satisfaction, according to the developer. In addition, expanded configuration capabilities boost ease of use, workflow, and branding. Fujitsu Retail Suite 4.2, which adds support for Windows 7 desktop and SQL 2008 R2, encompasses five individual components: GlobalStore (POS), CustomerCenter (CRM), ReturnCenter (for returns), ValueCenter (scored value cards), and StoreCenter (centralized data management and reporting). For improved security, Version 4.2 of GlobalStore has achieved PA-DSS 1.2 certification from the PCI Security Standards Council. “Global retailers want an integrated view of the customer in order to optimize their shopping experience and they want a customizable solution that integrates easily with existing systems and prepares them for future retailing initiatives, such as migration to the cloud,” maintained Bill King, EVP, Fujitsu Global Retail Business. “Fujitsu Retail Suite delivers all this, providing unprecedented uniformity across all customers and countries, enabling retailers to work smarter and far more efficiently to improve service and drive down costs.”

ALLIANCES

Psion NetWoven into SAP

Psion (Hebron, KY) has tightened its ties to SAP through integration of its Omnii XT10 device with SAP NetWeaver Mobile. Specifically, SAP’s Integration and Certification Center has tested and approved Omnii XT10 for Windows CE for use with SAP NetWeaver Mobile 7.1 through NW-MOB-DEV scenarios. This means Psion’s partners and customers using these solutions now benefit from shorter implementation times, greater technical enablement, and faster return on investment, according to the two parties.

SAP channel partner, Ciber, Inc. (Greenwood Village, CO), has become the first reseller to implement SAP software on the Psion handheld, for its customer, APP Pharmaceuticals. In this case, Ciber employed its ITS Mobile (Internet Transaction Server) for use with the SAP Warehouse Management System. ITS Mobile allows end-users to run applications in SAP's widely disseminated Web Dynpro development environment.

“Many of our clients use SAP technology in their warehouses, so they require mobile computers that are not only compatible with the latest SAP software, but offer high performance and durability,” indicated Chris Tordi, Manager of IT at Ciber. “Omnii XT10’s specifications, especially its response time and long battery life, significantly outperformed other handheld devices, making it an ideal rugged handheld for the warehouse setting.” Added Guy Franck Nakach, VP of Worldwide Channel Sales at Psion, “Working with partners such as Ciber on the implementation of SAP software not only helps them to meet the specific needs of their customers, it benefits the Psion community as a whole.”

Psion’s Omnii XT10 Handheld

Wearing Haz-Loc in Schaumburg

Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL) has expanded its line of rugged mobile computers for use in hazardous locations, or “Haz-Loc,” to be marketed in cooperation with Bartec (Houston), the worldwide leader for such applications. Three models have been reconfigured: the compact, enterprise MC75A; the scan-intensive, gun-style MC9190; and the field-mobile, industrial-class MC9500. Workers in the manufacturing, government, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries represent potential end-users for these products.

Motorola’s Haz-Loc mobile computers are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class I, Class II, and Class III, Division 2 compliant and are complemented by equivalently certified products from Bartec along with ATEX Zone 2 and Zone 22 manifestations. UL, as RRN.Com readers may know, is required for hazardous applications in North America, while ATEX is required within the European Union. Motorola will utilize green keypads to signify the Haz-Loc designation on its MC75A, MC9190, and MC9500 mobile computers.

Said Ralf Koster, CEO of the Bartec Group, “We’re proud to be working with Motorola Solutions, the leader in rugged mobile computing, to provide feature-rich Haz-Loc certified devices that will help improve the safety of workers throughout the enterprise while maintaining the rugged specifications they require.” In Bartec’s nomenclature, Motorola’s computers add the superscript “ex,” for “explosion protection.” Appropriately, Bartec, based in Germany, got its start in 1975 with its safety switch to prevent combustion at fuel pumps.

Motorola MC75A for Haz-Loc Bears Green Keys

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
Casio America
Logic Controls
Pioneer POS
Posiflex
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Software - Retail
Tri-Technical Systems

Barcode & Transaction Printers
CognitiveTPG
Datamax-O'Neil
TSC 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
WorldPay US

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Mobile Marketing & Loyalty
Sundrop Mobile

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

INSTALLATIONS

IBM Whistles Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie Stores has chosen IBM POS and self-checkout technology for an upgrade of 484 store locations across the Southeastern U.S. The SAM Group, Inc. (Greenville, SC), one of IBM’s Premier Business Partners, will deploy 6,000 IBM SurePOS 700 systems armed with IBM’s SurePOS ACE (Application Client/Server Environment) and Retail Integration Framework software, both components of IBM’s Smarter Checkout package. Winn-Dixie will also install IBM SurePoint infrared touch displays and SureMark thermal impact printers as part of its plan to create “one of the industry’s most comprehensive, flexible, and robust retail shopping environments.”

“This initiative will allow us to introduce services quickly and seamlessly to improve our guests’ shopping experience and will help to support our overall strategy,” declared Maura Hart, GVP and CIO at Winn-Dixie. “We believe the functionality, reliability, and open standards offered by IBM hardware and software will accelerate our innovation, which will enhance our competitiveness, as well as our ability to deliver quality service in our stores.” In recent years, Winn-Dixie has remodeled nearly half of its stores, utilizing technology to transform and expand its produce, meat, and floral departments, in particular, and to introduce advanced customer loyalty and promotional programs.

“Implementing IBM’s SurePOS hardware and our ACE and Retail Integration Framework software will help Winn-Dixie to efficiently introduce new services to benefit their guests and team members,” noted Steve Ladwig, GM, IBM Retail Store Solutions (Raleigh, NC). In addition, Winn-Dixie will employ IBM’s Remote Management Agent (RMA) for pro-active monitoring, asset tracking, and trouble-shooting, as well as Lotus Expeditor for development of applications for mobile devices, desktops, and kiosks. Finally, the solution includes SAM Audit Explorer to provide file integrity for Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance and SAM Refund Software for centralized refund management.

Peter Lynch, President of Winn-Dixie, at Store Opening

Rising Tide of iPad at Global Bay

Global Bay Mobile Technologies (South Plainfield, NJ) has attracted another customer for its iPad Retailing Application--Pacific Sunwear, which focuses on the “California Lifestyle” and has installed the solution to 300 outlets in the U.S.  Increasingly popular, Global’s iPad POS scheme empowers store associates to work with customers as they are shopping throughout the establishment, personalizing the selling process and, hopefully, enhancing brand image. Further, it offers configurable features to meet each retailer’s specific needs, according to the two parties.

“Clearly retailing is undergoing a fundamental change and the appropriate adoption of new technologies can be a critical piece in building relevance with today’s consumers,” relayed Gary Schoenfeld, CEO of Pacific Sunwear. “Customers and store associates are finding the iPad to be a welcome surprise at Pac Sun and are giving us very positive feedback for being an early adopter.” Indeed, the retailer plans to deploy iPad to an additional 100 stores during the course of 2011.

Global Bay’s iPad POS carries “look book” functionality which displays different outfit combinations and suggests products based upon the customer’s preferences, size, and budget. In addition to accessing product information and inventory, it allows store associates to place orders for out-of-stock items via e-commerce on the store floor. Finally, QR Code integration may be used to deliver exclusive content and promotions directly to the smart-phones of customers.

Global Bay’s iPad Scheme Offers “Look Book” Functionality

Channel Factoid

Windows 7 will become the leading operating system worldwide in the PC installed base, running on 42% of PCs in use by the end of 2011, according to “Forecast Analysis: PC OS Market, Worldwide, 2008-2015” from Gartner, Inc. This updated PC OS study shows 94% of new PCs will be shipped with Windows 7 in 2011. Interestingly, Gartner assumes that Windows 7 is likely to be the last version of Microsoft OS that gets deployed to everybody through big, corporate-wide migration. Meanwhile, shipments of Apple iMacs and market share of Mac OS on new PCs have seen increases in the last 12 months. Mac OS shipped on 4% of new PCs worldwide in 2010 versus 3.3% in 2008. Mac OS is projected to be on 4.5% of PCs in 2011, and should grow to 5.2% of new PCs in 2015. For its part, Linux OS is expected to remain niche over the next five years with its share below 2% because of the remaining high costs of application migration from Windows. Finally, Gartner does not expect Chrome OS, Android, or webOS to get any significant market share on PCs in the next few years. “By the end of 2011, nearly 635 million new PCs worldwide are expected to be shipped with Windows 7,” disclosed Annette Jump, Research Director at Gartner. “Many enterprises have been planning their deployment of Windows 7 for the last 12 to 18 months, following steady improvements in IT budgets in 2010 and 2011, and are now moving rapidly.”

HELLO GOODBYE

Shaw Registers With LogMeIn

LogMeIn, Inc. (Woburn, MA), which offers cloud-based connectivity solutions, has promoted Seth Shaw to SVP of Sales, up from VP of Sales and Marketing for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia (EMEA). A software industry veteran of Novell, Shaw takes over the position from Kevin Harrison, who is retiring. Harrison will remain with the company for an interim period to assist with the transition.

“Seth Shaw has been instrumental in our international and enterprise sales growth over the past few years,” observed Michael Simon, CEO/President at LogMeIn. “From spearheading our Asia-Pacific operations to growing our customer base in Europe, he has demonstrated the leadership skills required to take our sales organization into new territories and new markets. He will play a key role in continuing to grow our sales organization and business across the globe.”

Elsewhere, LogMeIn has launched vpn.net, which allows users of its Virtual Private Network (VPN) service, LogMeIn Hamachi, to create new VPNs and easily extend LAN-like network connectivity to mobile users, distributed teams, and even friends and family, according to the company. To create their new VPN, users can simply go to vpn.net, download Hamachi onto Mac and Windows-based desktops, name their network, and set their password. No IT assistance is required, LogMeIn promotes. A client for Linux-based systems is now in beta, and an optional web-based console for managing Hamachi networks has been offered by LogMeIn.

Seth Shaw, SVP of Sales, LogMeIn

DLI's New Sales Driver

DLI (LaPorte, IN), which supplies rugged mobile computing products, has hired Scott Cizewski as its National Sales Manager. Cizewski will steer an expanding inside sales team as well as the company’s growing channel network. He comes to DLI from outside the mobile computing industry, from an automotive dealership, bringing more than 20 years of experience in both business-to-consumer sales strategies and customer relationship and customer relationship management.

“We’re really fortunate to have someone of Scott’s caliber heading our sales department,” stated Bryan Wesolek, Founder and President of DLI, which stands for Data Ltd. Inc. “We’ve always prided ourselves on treating our customers like they were more than just another sale. Scott’s consumer sales management and customer relations experience will help DLI maintain our tradition of individualized attention and customer satisfaction as our business continues to grow by leaps and bounds.”

“For mobile device resellers, the rugged tablet and in-vehicle form factors provide both incredible opportunities and unique challenges,” said Cizewski. “The expanded markets that result from offering rugged tablets usually come with the demands of an expanded knowledge base and industry-specific experience. My goal is to arm our business solutions partners with the tools that will help them expand into these new markets and industries, resulting in improved margins and increased sales.”