Our Product Pick

CipherLab USA (Plano, TX) has unveiled its mobile computer with Android 6.0, designated the 9700A. Measuring 8.4 in. (L) x 3.5 in. (W) x 1.8 in. (D), and weighing about 1 lb., CipherLab’s 9700A carries 3.5” resistive touchscreen, 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN, and Bluetooth Version 2.1. As an example of versatility, it provides three different numeric and alphanumeric keypads and two choices of one- and two-dimensional scanners. As technical specifications, it has ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core CPU, 2-GB RAM, 16-GB Flash, and 32-GB Micro-SD. Addressing warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing, it meets IP-65 ratings for water and dust and has 6-ft./1.8-m drop resistance, with 3600- or 5400-mAh Li-Ion battery. Pricing starts at $1,295. CipherLab will showcase the 9700A, which complements the 9700 with Windows CE, at BlueStar’s Vartech Show in the Bahamas on September 12 to 14.

CipherLab 9700A Mobile Computer

COMPANY BUSINESS

Vantiv Sees Advantage

In concert with today’s app-driven world, the channel simplifies. At the recent RetailNow Show by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), to take only one example, “Advantage Mobile” emerged from Vantiv Integrated Payments (Durango, CO). Available in both Apple Store and Google Play, starting in September, Advantage Mobile provides real-time update for channel partners, 24/7. It falls under an overall effort seeking to boost four elements for partners--“rewards, resources, product support, and customer care”--collected under the company-wide emblem, “Vantiv Advantage.”

Advantage Mobile provides push-to-call access to the partner’s channel manager and correlating support, message center for commissions, service alerts, and selling tools (videos, graphics, links, etc). Supporting iOS and Android, obviously, it connects to the partner’s Vantiv Advantage Portal. In speaking with RRN.Com, Matt Taylor, Group President of Integrated Payments and Emerging Channels at Vantiv, emphasized that Advantage Mobile reaches out to VARs, while the previously announced Vantiv O.N.E. (for “One Network Experience”) empowers ISVs.

No grass grows under Vantiv IP. It also has formed its new channel-focused business advisory service, christened “PaymentsEdge.” Again, part of an overall effort, “Xcelerator Solutions” at Vantiv, PaymentsEdge addresses subjects such as employee management, leadership development, succession planning, and shifting to the recurring revenue model. It will be led by Jim Roddy, former President of Business Solutions Magazine and Past Chair of the RSPA. “Jim will go beyond providing advice, and will strategize with solution providers, face-to-face or by video conference,” indicated Matt Downs, Head of Business and Channel Development at Vantiv IP. “He will take a deep-dive into their business to deliver specific guidance and assistance, well beyond payments.”

Vantiv Integrated Payments Launches Advantage Mobile App

Catching the Tailwind in U.S.

A new distribution agreement has been forged between hardware manufacturer Tailwind Solutions (Dalgety Bay, Fife, Scotland) and BlueStar (Hebron, KY). Founded in 2006 by Garry Knox and Mark Stewart, both from Ingenico, Tailwind supplies mounting systems for payment processing terminals, encompassing vendors such as Equinox, Ingenico, PAX, and Verifone (as well as tablets). Its products can be seen at New York’s Grand Central Station.

At its core, Tailwind has its modular system, “FlexiPole.” It entails choice of sled, pole, base, and latch/lock. Configurations include standard, low-profile, wall, conversion, and vehicle. As materials, the system employs composites which resist rust, chip, or scratch and create no interference for Wi-Fi, EMC, or NFC. In cases where extra security is required, it includes Kensington’s lock/tether, “MicroSaver.”

“BlueStar is very excited to partner with Tailwind Solutions to bring their technology to our VARs,” stated Dean Reverman, Global Marketing Manager at BlueStar. “This partnership will both expand and enhance BlueStar’s ability to better serve our customers while increasing the level of expertise for those seeking mounting solutions in retail, hospitality, quick-service restaurants, banking, and kiosks.” With channel partners in 40 countries, Tailwind Solutions now has distribution with POS Portal, ScanSource POS & Barcoding, and BlueStar in the U.S.

Tailwind Solutions Signs BlueStar to Distribute Its Terminal Mounts

Worth Your While

VARTECH
BlueStar
September 12-14
Paradise Island, Bahamas

CRS Profit Booster Dealer Conference
CRS, Inc.
September 20
Columbus, OH

Money 20/20
i2i Events
October 23-26
Las Vegas, NV

Pack Expo
PMMI
November 6-9
Chicago, IL

NRF's Big Show
National Retail Federation
January 15-17, 2017
New York, NY

INSPIRE
Retail Solutions Providers
Association (RSPA)
Jan. 29-Feb.1, 2017
St. Kitts, West Indies

ALL IN THE FAMILY

An Engaged Citizen

A busy end of summer at Citizen Systems America (Torrance, CA), with three steps forward in its thermal printing for POS. A new 2” CT-S251 features sleek design, front exit, drop-in paper loading, built-in buzzer, and 11.8 in./300 mm per second print speed at 203 dpi. It supports iOS, Android, and Windows, with USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LAN. It measures 4.2 in. (W) x 6.5 in. (D) x 4.2 in. (H), weighs 2.6 lbs., and comes in black or white.

“Citizen is dedicated to making the printing experience as intuitive and seamless as possible for our end-users,” stressed Ted Masuda, President and CEO of Citizen Systems America. “Our newest design shows that we are not trying to spin out products that are just enhancements to legacy. We are creating new products that provide added value to the point-of-sale, hospitality, or general retail industries we serve.”

Addressing today’s cable-less environment, Citizen Systems America also has added enhancements, under the appellation “Type II,” to its popular 3” Models CT-S601, CT-S651, CT-S801, and CT-S851. In addition to Bluetooth, it increases print speed by 10% to 8.7 in./220 mm per second at 203 dpi. Finally, Citizen Systems America has launched its new 3” CT-S310II with LAN (in white or black). It prints at 6.3 in./160 mm per second at 203 dpi, with features such as top exit, drop-in paper loading, built-in buzzer, and Energy Star. All these printers have shipped.

New CT-S251 POS Printer by Citizen

Another Track to Scanning

AirTrack has entered the barcode scanner arena with its one-dimensional linear S1 and two-dimensional imager S2. Targeted at the general-purpose market in retail, logistics, and manufacturing, at affordable pricing, both devices come corded, with stand and USB. AirTrack, part of Kreon Technologies (Limoges, Cedex, France), distributes its products, such as scanners, barcode printers, and consumables, via Barcodes Inc., Barcode Planet, Barcode Discount, etc.

AirTrack’s S1 weighs 4.2 oz., with red LED laser (610-650 nm). It has performance of 400 reads per second with 25% minimum print contrast, with wide-angle scanning. AirTrack’s S2 weighs 5.1 oz., with VGA imager (752x480 pixels), with omnidirectional scanning. It has the typical read ranges from 0.2 to 13.8 in./0.5 to 35 cm depending on the symbology (i.e., Code 39, EAN/UPC, PDF-417, Data Matrix).

Both scanners have an operating temperature range of 32 to 122 degrees F. They carry an IP-42 rating for water and dust and withstand 5-ft./1.5-m drops to concrete. They also furnish “Green Spot” technology for good-read feedback, which is proprietary to Datalogic. This indicates the S1 and S2 have been private-labeled by AirTrack.

A Pair of General Purpose Scanners From AirTrack

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ALLIANCES

Datalogic “Stays” With TE

Datalogic (Eugene, OR) has embraced terminal emulation (TE) from StayLinked (Tustin, CA) for two of its advanced products, the DL-Axist PDA and Joya Touch. So-called “SmartTE” helps connect smartphones and industrial mobile devices to host-based applications such as WMS (Warehouse Management System) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). As expected, it transforms “green screen” applications into user-friendly graphical presentation, and supports iOS, Android, and Windows.

“We are enthusiastic about offering StayLinked SmartTE on our new full-screen, full-touch mobile computers,” commented Tom Burke, VP of Product Marketing for Mobile Computers at Datalogic. With 5” screen, Android O/S, full wireless, and two-dimensional scanner, DL-Axist targets retail, field-service, and hospitality. With 4.3” screen, Windows Embedded Compact 7, full wireless, two-dimensional scanner, and optional pistol grip, Joya Touch targets self-shopping for customers, and queue busting and inventory and price control for store employees.

“It’s very satisfying to be working so closely with Datalogic to deliver our joint solution to the industry,” volunteered Gary Brewsaugh, StayLinked’s CEO. “StayLinked’s products allow customers to take full advantage of Datalogic’s mobile computers, realizing significant productivity gains.” Started in 2002, StayLinked offers wireless emulation (Telnet/SSH) and associated business intelligence (StayLinkedIQ), in addition to SmartTE. It also supports mobile computers from vendors such as AML, Janam, Honeywell, and Zebra.

Datalogic Adopts StayLinked’s SmartTE for Terminal Emulation of Mobile Devices

Cayan Rides the Blue Sage

Ah, verticality. Another specialized ISV has chosen Cayan’s Genius Customer Engagement Platform, this time automotive aftermarket specialist, Blue Sage Software (San Diego, CA), for its PaceSetter Software. Unwrapped in 2012, Cayan’s Genius accommodates the many forms of electronic payments, including MSR, EMV, NFC, and Mobile Wallets. It supports payment terminals by Verifone, particularly the MX 915/925.

“With our Genius Platform and ChipIQ technology now fully integrated into PaceSetter, merchants can accept secure EMV transactions in under four seconds today,” elaborated Henry Helgeson, CEO and Co-Founder of Cayan (Boston, MA). “It works with every card brand and requires no software upgrade or additional testing for the merchant.” As additional benefits, he lists real-time general ledger updates, centralized reporting, and facilitated compliance with PCI.

“At Blue Sage, we’re driven by providing our customers with the most state-of-the-art business solutions to apply and accept payments,” espoused Roger Moyers, President of Blue Sage Software. “With Cayan’s Genius Platform, our customers can leverage an easy application and set-up process that is integrated right inside their PaceSetter solution and experience all the benefits of integrated payment processing.” As functionality, Blue Sage has point-of-sale, inventory management, invoicing, accounts receivable, and e-commerce.

Another ISV for Cayan’s Genius Customer Engagement Platform

Code Corner

SML (Dallas, TX) has enhanced its Clarity RFID platform with support for iOS, Android, and Windows 10. At its base, the new Clarity employs Xamarin, the mobile device software development product by Microsoft. It supplies speed-to-market advantages, with easy generation and sharing of applications, according to SML. In addition to its multi-platform capacity, this latest version of Clarity is now multi-lingual, supporting English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, German, and Dutch. It works in conjunction with the Model RFD8500 handheld sled for RFID by Zebra Technologies (Lincolnshire, IL). “The consumer device market is gaining greater market share among retailers and Clarity is evolving to support the latest devices that retailers want to use as they migrate to RFID,” contributed Dean Frew, CTO and SVP for RFID Solutions at SML. “Clarity has proven to be the most scalable and feature-rich RFID application platform for retail with over 1,000 stores using every day, processing over five billion RFID transactions in 2016.”

SML’s Clarity Platform on Zebra’s RFID Sled

INTEGRATION

An Eye Watching the Pie

An interesting pair of new partners for restaurant IT, with ties to POS: Envysion (Superior, CO) and Delaget (Eden Prairie, MN). With this pact, the companies have linked Envysion’s video-based business intelligence platform with Delaget’s loss prevention and analytics solution (entitled “Guard”). A greatly reduced investigation process results, according to Envysion and Delaget. An initial project has begun with an unidentified major restaurant chain, RRN.Com has learned, with broader industry rollout expected in 2017.

“For years, restaurant operators have looked to stand-alone video and exception-based reporting to provide visibility into loss prevention and operational activities, which means they had to go into multiple systems,” observed Calvin Quan, President and COO of Envysion. “By integrating Envysion’s comprehensive live and recorded video platform with Delaget Guard, restaurant operators now have this more powerful solution that gives them deep POS transaction details side-by-side with video of each transaction, which they can save and share as needed. This level of visibility is critical to improving loss prevention, operations, and overall customer experience.”

“What makes this partnership so fitting for our customers is that it means that finding, validating, and acting on employee theft and error is now incredibly easy and incredibly fast,” declared Jason Tober, CEO of Delaget. “You won’t find an integrated solution like this anywhere else.” As examples of customers, Delaget has Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Hard Rock, IHOP, KFC, Panda Express, Hardee’s, and Sonic. Both Delaget and Envysion work with some of the major ISVs in POS.

Analytics Added to Video-Based Loss Prevention for Restaurants

Washing Windows at Charge Anywhere

Charge Anywhere (South Plainfield, NJ) has released its QuickSale Payment Application for Microsoft Windows. It allows merchants and their technology partners to flow EMV to their existing POS, according to Charge Anywhere. A player in our channel, somewhat quiet of late, Charge Anywhere has the full suite of payment processing products, including gateway, point-of-sale, mobile payment applications, closed-loop card management, and merchant billing services. In addition to Windows, it furnishes QuickSale for iOS and Android OS.  

With this current release of QuickSale Payment Application for Windows, Charge Anywhere now completes its full suite of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). QuickSale Payment Application for Windows employs the family of EMV POS and PED/PIN terminals from Miura. Relatively new to the U.S., Miura has offices in Timonium, MD, and ties to First Data, TSYS, and Chase Paymentech. It’s based in the U.K.

“Charge Anywhere’s QuickSale EMV solution routes sensitive cardholder data directly from the PA-DSS QuickSale software to the PCI-DSS Level 1 ComsGate Payment Gateway for card payment authorization and returns only the non-sensitive customer information and approval code back to the merchant’s software application,” remarked Paul Sabella, CEO of Charge Anywhere. “This integrated solution eliminates the need for the merchant and/or POS provider to obtain unique validation of PCI, speeding the time to market for Chip/EMV. It solves the pain and suffering being experienced by IT.”

Charge Anywhere’s QuickSale Payment for Windows

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
AnywhereCommerce
Bematech
CRS, Inc.
Harbortouch
Hewlett-Packard
Pioneer POS
Poindus America
POSBANK USA
Posiflex

POS Software
Action Systems Inc.

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
Citizen
CognitiveTPG
Godex Americas
Honeywell

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection
AML
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Honeywell
Janam Technologies
Unitech America

Distributors
Ingram Micro

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Moneris
Vantiv IP

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry Americas, LLC
TG3 Electronics

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
CognitiveTPG
Epson America
Star Micronics

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

INSTALLATIONS

Uncle Oogie’s POS Show

A quartet of familiar channel players has brought pay-at-the table to the pizza parlors of Uncle Oogie’s, with two locations in Philly and one at the Jersey Shore. As hardware, this solution employs iCMP smart payment terminals from Ingenico (Atlanta, GA) and the Quest II POS Tablet from Touch Dynamic (Irvington, NJ). As software, it features payment middleware, NETePay, from Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA) and PDQ POS from Signature Systems (Warminster, PA).

“In addition to improving our customer experience, this pay-at-the-table solution provides numerous benefits for our business and employees, including increased efficiency and table turnover,” reported Louie Cerone, Owner of Uncle Oogie’s. “We’re also able to offer our customers curbside pick-up, allowing them to receive their food and pay without needing to leave their car, which many of our customers enjoy.” As another advantage of the system, he cited real-time tipping.

In addition to mobility, this combination of software and hardware addresses the range of payment types, from MSR to EMV/NFC. It includes Chip-and-Signature and Chip-and-PIN in EMV and Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay in NFC. A multi-layered security approach is cited by the four parties, regardless of payment processor. “Uncle Oogie’s has significantly improved its payment acceptance experience for customers,” summarized Greg Burch, VP of Strategic Initiatives at the Ingenico Group.

Channel Players Bring Pay-At-The-Table to Pizza in Philly

I’m Popeye, Says POSsible

An up-and-comer, POSsible POS (Stafford, TX), has placed its technology in Popeyes Louisiana Kitchens of Chicago. An initial successful install has led to deployment of the system across this particular set of franchises. Employees can now serve large crowds--particularly in the lunch rush--faster and more efficiently, testified Sheldon Friedman, Owner of the Popeyes.

“We’re delighted about our partnership with Popeyes Louisiana in Chicago,” indicated Chris Woodard, VP of Operations at POSsible POS. “This franchise requires its platform to be efficient and accurate, and to improve the profitability of its business. Our user-friendly POS solution does just that.”

POSsible POS was founded in 2012 by payment processing veteran, Manan Mehta. It actively solicits VARs and ISVs in both retail and hospitality (as well as ISOs). As head of its channel effort, the firm has recruited Nancy Smith as Business Development Manager. Significantly, her background includes successful runs at Partner Tech, Pioneer POS, Posiflex USA, and VAR SSP North America.

One SKU Approach, With Card Processing, From POSsible POS

Channel Factoid

Small businesses are positive in their expectations for the next 12 months, with 64% anticipating growth, according to the Small Business Health Index from CAN Capital. With growth comes the need for funding to finance expansion and new projects, but 42% of small business owners say it’s “quite” or “extremely challenging” to gain access to working capital. Specifically, 66% of small business owners are looking for small amounts, no greater than $50,000, in order to buy equipment and/or inventory (22%) or to expand operations (21%). For small business owners, typical sources of funding include traditional banks (28%), credit cards (25%), and family and friends (21%). As for mobile payments, 34% of small business owners currently accept formats such as Apple Pay, up from 13% since April 2015. However, despite last year’s deadline, 73% of small business owners said their POS is not compatible with EMV. Although small business owners are feeling positive about the near term, they do see some potential threats on the horizon. These include excessive regulation (25%), competition from big box retailers (20%), and rising operation costs (18%).

HELLO GOODBYE

A New Teller at POSBANK USA

POSBANK USA (Gardena, CA) has enlisted Keith Schroer as its new Director of Sales, East Coast. A well-known figure in the channel for POS, Schroer has served as VP of Americas at Poindus, VP of Sales and Marketing at Partner Tech, VP of Sales and Marketing at Acrelec, and Director of Emerging Markets at ParTech. This marks the third recent hire for POSBANK USA. Earlier in the summer, it added Greg Feeback, as VP of Sales and Marketing for the Americas, and Brad Van Parys, as Director of National Sales. Both are also well-known in POS.

“I look forward to assisting resellers with POSBANK’s wide variety and highly configurable solutions for POS hardware and support services,” contributed Schroer. “An astonishing growth rate in the Americas is a testament to the reliability and quality of the solutions from POSBANK.”

“I am very pleased to have Keith join our team,” shared Feeback. “His long tenure in the POS hardware manufacturing arena, as well as his distinguished portfolio of clients, will prove invaluable to the continued success of POSBANK.” Most recently, POSBANK USA debuted its new 15” projected-capacitive touchscreen, the Apexa G. It features Intel Celeron Quad-Core J1900 CPU, I/O ports on the top, and three-year depot warranty. In keeping with today’s fashion, it mirrors the look of tablets, with very thin profile for the display.

Keith Schroer, Director of Sales, East Coast, POSBANK USA

Sterling Polishes Its Marketing

Sterling Payment Technologies (Tampa, FL) has engaged Anton Wurr as its new Executive Director of Marketing. His responsibilities include web design and development, lead generation, social media, e-commerce programs, strategic marketing planning, corporate branding, and communications. Previously, he served as Director of Marketing for America II Electronics and Manager of E-Marketing and TD Agency at Tech Data.

“Anton brings over twenty years of corporate marketing experience to Sterling, with the passion for branding and developing innovative campaigns,” affirmed Gary Staub, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Sterling Payment Technologies. Wurr replaces Michele German, who has retired. German served as Executive Director of Marketing at Sterling Payment Technologies from 2011 to 2016.

Sterling also has collaborated with ISV Focus POS (San Antonio, TX) to offer EMV for hospitality. A resulting solution includes tokenization for security and NFC for mobile payments. “The payments landscape is constantly evolving, but our continued commitment to protecting customers has allowed us to provide robust and integrated payment solutions that can adapt to changes in the industry,” asserted Joe Gage, Executive Director of the IPOS Channel at Sterling Payment Technologies.

Anton Wurr, Executive Director of Marketing, Sterling Payment Technologies