This Week’s Product Pick

DAP Technologies (Tempe, AZ) debuted its M4000 rugged handheld computer for warehouse environments. Members in the M4000 family measure 7.5 in. x 3.5 in. x 1.5 in., weigh slightly more than 1 lb., and meet IP-65 ratings. M4000 runs Windows CE, with Marvell PXA270@520 MHz processor, 128 MB SDRAM, and 1 GB Flash ROM. Communication protocols include 802.11b/g WLAN and GPRS. As features, M4000 offers 3.5-inch full-color LCD touchscreen with LED backlight and choice of alphanumeric or alphabetical keyboard. Modularity extends to one or two-dimensional image scanners, standard or high-capacity lithium-ion battery packs, and optional GPS or RFID capacity. The device carries four programmable function keys and four scanner trigger buttons--two each on the left and right sides for ease of use. M4000 may be equipped with removable pistol grip or vehicle-mounted.

DAP’s M4000 Series

COMPANY BUSINESS

Micro-SD Wants to Be Everywhere

Visa has joined the revolution by endorsing mobile contactless payments for smart phones using the In2Pay Micro-SD from DeviceFidelity (Richardson, TX). Issuers who choose to adopt the scheme can provide their account holders with the Micro-SD card, loaded with Visa’s mobile payment application, which fits into the phone’s existing memory slot. The technology is compatible with existing contactless payment terminals already installed at retail outlets worldwide, according to the two parties, and results from 18 months of development and testing with leading financial institutions in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

“This is an historic milestone for Visa and its clients,” observed Bill Gajda, Head of Visa Mobile. “In addition to distributing plastic magnetic-stripe or chip-enabled payment cards, financial institutions can now consider offering their account holders a new technology that enables them to transform their existing phones into fully functional mobile payment devices.”

Smart phones compatible for use with the Micro-SD payment card include select models from BlackBerry and iPhone, as well as the Android-based Samsung Vibrant Galaxy. Visa said it also expects to add smart phones based on the Symbian and Windows operating systems. Benefits of DeviceFidelity’s Micro-SD design include an integrated, software-controlled antenna, innovative browser user interface, and TSM (Trusted Service Manager) readiness. In addition to mobile payments, participating financial institutions may offer services such as Visa transaction alerts that notify account holders in near real-time of any activity.

“This is a significant step towards the next generation of payments, loyalty, and rewards, allowing banks and retailers to build entirely new business models,” postulated Nick Holland, Senior Analyst with Yankee Group. “Visa’s announcement illustrates that the future of payments will be mobile.”

Visa Offers Mobile Contactless Payments for Smart Phones

All’s Well for Motorola and Janam

Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL) and Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY) have reached an agreement that settles all outstanding intellectual property disputes between the two companies. In 2008, Symbol Technologies, Inc., subsidiary of Motorola, filed its lawsuit against Janam for infringement of patents related to mobile computing technologies. The new settlement, specific terms of which were not announced, ends all pending litigation.

Under the settlement agreement, Janam has taken a royalty-bearing license under Symbol’s patents in the fields of mobile computing, wireless technology, and laser and imaging-based barcode scanning for finished mobile computing terminals. Future releases of Janam’s mobile computing terminals may be added to the agreement, subject to Motorola’s approval. With this relationship, Motorola has dismissed the pending litigation against Janam, and Janam acknowledges the strength of Motorola’s intellectual property in these technologies.

“We are delighted to put this legal dispute behind us, and we believe the royalties due to Motorola under the settlement are reasonable given Motorola’s vast patent portfolio,” commented Ron Goldman, Co-Founder and Board Member of Janam Technologies.

Stated Bob Sanders, SVP, Enterprise Solutions and Wireless Network Solutions, for Motorola: “We are pleased to have reached an amicable business resolution outside the courts. This settlement adds Janam to the very long list of Symbol licensees and validates yet again the strength of Symbol’s pioneering intellectual property based on decades of R&D investment and innovation.”

Bob Sanders, SVP, Enterprise Solutions and Wireless Network Solutions, Motorola

Worth Your While - 2011

NRF 100th Annual
Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 9-12
New York

RSPA Inspire 2011
Retail Solutions Providers Association
January 23-26
Maui, Hawaii

Supply Chain Conference
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)
January 30-February 1
Orlando

ProMat 2011
Material Handling Industry of America
March 21-24
Chicago

NRA Show 2011
National Restaurant Association
May 21-24
Chicago

UConnect 2011
Voluntary Inter-Industry Commerce Solutions (VICS)
May 31-June 3
Orlando

INTEGRATION

Bluetooth Printers Surfed by Wavelink

Wavelink Corporation (Midvale, UT) has extended its Avalanche Device Management solution to handle printers attached to mobile terminals via Bluetooth. Administrators may now monitor and control such printers through Wavelink Printer Management, the plug-in to Wavelink Avalanche. This new build identifies each mobile printer and tracks firmware, battery level, and installed RAM. Usage reports reveal which printers run most frequently, and in what conditions, allowing administrators to schedule maintenance more effectively.

Wavelink Printer Management integrates with the Avalanche Web Console, the developer’s user-friendly dashboard. Wavelink said it worked closely with Zebra Technologies in development of the product, and Printer Management initially supports QL, MZ, and RS series printers from Zebra. Additional manufacturers will be incorporated into future releases, as RRN.Com readers would expect. Wavelink Avalanche Version 5.0.2 and later are required for operation.

“With Wavelink Printer Management, we are continuing the ability for administrators to manage all assets in their wireless ecosystem through a single, central console,” noted Jay Cichosz, VP of Marketing at Wavelink. “For today’s enterprise that includes a wide range of wireless devices from multiple manufacturers that are deployed across multiple locations, Wavelink provides the industry-leading solution for administrators to manage all their assets from any standard web browser.”

Wavelink Printer Management Plugs Into Avalanche

[Editor’s Note: Wavelink also has extended its customer support capabilities with live chat, above and beyond previous phone, e-mail, and web opportunities. This new service comes as part of the company’s recent website redesign, which also highlights more information and easier navigation.]

What’s in Your (Electronic) Wallet?

Sundrop Mobile (Maitland, FL) introduced Reward Card Wallet, which allows consumers to store all their plastic loyalty cards on their Apple iPhone or Android mobile device, while delivering location-based marketing alerts--push, not pull--for local businesses. This new service ties to Sundrop’s “loyaltyTXT” mobile loyalty system for merchants, as well web-based marketing engines such as Groupon and Living Social. Location-based awareness allows customers to check for nearby offers and receive promotional SMS text messages broadcasted by participating merchants.

“This type of proactive, location-based deal alert is often referred to as the holy grail of mobile marketing, and Reward Card Wallet is the first application to deliver on that promise by providing consumers with intelligent, relevant, money-saving notifications,” declared Travis Priest, CEO/President of Sundrop Mobile. “Reward Card Wallet considers consumers’ communication preferences, current loyalty memberships, previous claim activity, time of day, and proximity to the offer before deciding to send an alerting notification. This discrimination makes Reward Card Wallet valuable to both merchant and consumer alike.”

Consumers download Reward Card Wallet as part of their loyalty program registration process and information automatically propagates the application. On their next store visit, consumers present their mobile phone and the cashier scans the on-screen barcode representation of their plastic loyalty card. Any other loyalty program--grocery, convenience, and motor club--can be easily added, according to the developer. Reward Card Wallet has been made available through the Android Market, with approval pending from the Apple iTunes store.

Location-Based Loyalty Program From Sundrop Mobile

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ALL IN THE FAMILY

CipherLab Ready for Anything

CipherLab (Taipei, Taiwan and Plano, TX) has stocked its new Model 1704 scanner with one- and two-dimensional functionality and 1.3-megapixel imaging capabilities. This new device, which comes in industrial yellow, handles everything from 3-mil barcodes to signatures to full A4 documents, according to the vendor. It weighs 8.7 ounces, features read rate of 30 frames/second, and has been ruggedized for use in harsh environments such as manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

Significantly, the CipherLab 1704 offers an innovative, three-part scan confirmation system based on adjustable volume alert, LED sighting, and vibration in the handle. Supported interfaces for the device include RS-232, keyboard wedge, USB HID, and USB Virtual Com. Set-up takes place through Windows-based ScanMaster software by direct connection or printing out barcode guidelines. A power hood is offered as an accessory.

“We kept hearing that what our partners needed was an affordable 2D device that could do it all,” related Sherman Chuang, President of CipherLab. “What makes the 1704 different is that it can be used under virtually any condition, because its confirmation system lets the user capture mission-critical data without being able to see or even hear. Plus, the 1704 has IP-54 dust/water protection and 1.8-meter drop test rating, so it really is ready for anything.”

CipherLab 1704 Two-Dimensional Scanner

Denim-Tough RFID Tags

Avery Dennison (Pasadena, CA) has launched its latest ultra-high-frequency RFID inlay, the AD-232, designed for item-level tracking of assets, soft goods, and other applications in which close proximity or stacking of inventory is required. In particular, AD-232 performs exceptionally well on difficult-to-tag items such as denim apparel, according to the manufacturer. It joins Avery Dennison’s comprehensive catalogue of HF and UHF labeling products.

Used in conjunction with NXP Semiconductors’ latest EPC Gen 2 integrated circuit, designated the G2iL, the AD-232 inlay meets global operating standards in the 860-to-960 MHz UHF band. This enables one inlay to be used regardless of geographic deployment, which proves critical in international supply chains. With an antenna footprint of 70 mm x 14.5 mm (2.75 in. x 0.57 in.), the architecture fits nicely into standard three-inch-wide RFID labels. Tightly pitched, high-yield/high-capacity rolls integrate seamlessly into automated converting processes.

“We are proud to partner with Avery Dennison RFID with our latest UCODE G2iL Series IC, which offers excellent read range and unique features such as tag temper alarm and privacy modes,” stated Chris Feige, GM, Tagging and Authentication, at NXP Semiconductors. “The high chip sensitivity allows for small tags and great performance in high tag populations. Our close strategic relationship brings forward solutions that address the host of applications where high and reliable read rates are must-have.”

Avery Dennison RFID Inlay for Item-Level Tracking

Code Corner

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) released its ZMotif CardStudio software suite, which seeks to simplify the design, encoding, and printing of ID cards. ZMotif CardStudio has been optimized for use with all Zebra card printers, including direct-to-card, retransfer, and legacy models, according to the vendor, and renders out-of-the-box readiness. CardStudio’s Direct-to-Printer (D2P) technology reportedly boosts print quality and performance by providing advanced print control from card design elements directly to the printer. It will be offered in three versions: Classic (entry-level with magnetic encoding), Standard (simple database capabilities and two-dimensional codes), and Professional (enterprise-level management, security, and encoding, all the way up to smart cards). Effective immediately, the Zebra QuikCard ID Solution bundle will include the Standard edition. Significantly, CardStudio license manager allows easy upgrades from Classic and Standard to Professional edition with its license key, eliminating the problems associated with existing hardware-based software licensing schemes. “Whether you are creating simple stand-alone ID cards or more complex smart card encoded or enterprise access ID cards, our CardStudio software offers an intuitive, proven solution for card design and issuance at any level,” said Ram Ramaprasad, Director of Product Management at Zebra Technologies. “CardStudio will enable our partners to deliver better integrated solutions to end-users.”

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Ryder Not Wrong in Supply Chain

Ryder Supply Chain Solutions (Miami), part of Ryder System, Inc., has signed an agreement to buy Total Logistic Control (Holland, MI), the independently run, wholly owned subsidiary of SuperValu, one of the largest U.S. grocery chains. TLC, not surprisingly, provides supply chain services to food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers throughout the U.S. It operates 34 facilities comprising 10.6 million square feet of dry and temperature-controlled warehousing across 13 states.

Ryder will take control of TLC for cash under purchase of stock, with the move contributing approximately $250 million in annual revenue to Ryder Supply Chain Solutions. Subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the transaction should close on December 31, 2010. Upon completion, TLC’s management team and 2,500 employees are expected to continue in similar roles with Ryder.

“By bringing the TLC organization and operations over to Ryder intact, we are able to immediately deliver best-in-class supply chain solutions to a broad range of new and existing food, beverage, and CPG clients,” explained John Williford, Ryder’s President of Global Supply Chain Solutions. “Going forward, we will build on TLC’s proven and highly regarded packaging and temperature-controlled warehousing capabilities by integrating client solutions using Ryder’s well-established strengths in dedicated contract carriage, transportation management, lean operational execution, and logistics engineering. We look forward to providing clients with innovative solutions in Ryder’s new CPG vertical industry group.”

“We are proud of the reputation we’ve earned and our strong capabilities in serving the food, beverage, and CPG industries,” shared Peter Westermann, CEO/President of Total Logistic Control. “This acquisition will allow us to join together as one company to form the industry’s most reputable and recognized provider of supply chain solutions and become the market leader for logistics services in the CPG sector. We look forward to joining Ryder to provide even greater value to our clients.”

Total Logistic Control Will Join Transportation Juggernaut

ODIN, Ruler of Reva

ODIN (Ashburn, VA) has snapped up fellow RFID provider Reva Systems (Westford, MA), as consolidation takes hold in that arena in anticipation of widespread adoption. Reva’s TAP (Tag Acquisition Processor), which features proprietary algorithms for rapid deployment of large systems, will be added to ODIN’s RFID software portfolio under the brand name, EasyTAP. It joins EasyEdge, EasyMonitor, EasyArms, EasyKit, and Intelligent Asset Management, or IAM. The EasyTap product will allow ODIN to offer scalable solutions that furnish all the software, middleware, and services needed for rapid implementation. ODIN plans to hire more developers for EasyTAP, while simultaneously reducing REVA's footprint as an autonomous entity.

“With $50 million of collective investment, 10 patents granted or applied for, and over 1,000 customer instances, the ODIN-Reva combination is a powerful software portfolio proven across a diverse customer base,” asserted Patrick J. Sweeney II, ODIN Founder. ”Our clients increasingly require software which makes RFID solutions scalable and easy to integrate, and the TAP delivers that need for a booming market. I am also pleased to welcome Abbott, Boeing, Disney Cancer Center, Sony, HP, Metro, and DHL to the ODIN customer family along with the many skilled integrators that have deployed Reva software. We are increasing support for the TAP and also adding valuable new capabilities based on client feedback, and more importantly, growing our vertical market RFID solutions in healthcare.”

“The Reva team has long admired ODIN’s ability to deploy accurate and easy-to-use RFID solutions for global organizations ranging from the U.S. Department of Defense and Mayo Clinic to Johnson & Johnson and Vail Resorts,” added Ashley Stephenson, Reva Chairman and Co-Founder. ”Our existing clients and partners will also benefit from ODIN’s market-leading product set--including IAM--which will be fully integrated to the TAP platform. As RFID adoption accelerates, ODIN is the only RFID software company positioned globally to meet demand quickly, with high accuracy, and stable, proven point of accountability.”

Reva’s Tag Acquisition Processor (TAP) Holds the Key

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
ScanSource

POS & Peripherals
Logic Controls
Pioneer POS
Posiflex Business Machines
POS-X

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Mobile Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Godex International

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
Datalogic Mobile
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

Retail Systems
Zebra/Motorola

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Touch Displays & Monitors
3M Touch Systems

STOPS & STARTS

Making the Grade Without BPA

POS Supply Solutions, Inc. (Danvers, MA) now ships its line of BPA-free thermal paper rolls in response to growing concern over the potential human health effect of exposure to Bisphenol A in a wide variety of products. BPA, many RRN.Com readers know, is the mass-produced chemical used primarily to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that recent studies raise concern about its impact on infants and children, especially for applications with direct food contact.

Scientists have recently shown that BPA is detectable in food and on some cash register receipts. Further, an independent report by the Environmental Working Group has also found BPA on cash register receipts. Some of the papers that are outsourced by POS Supply Solutions to fulfill customer requirements--and to be used for retail, gas, and ATM applications--may continue to contain BPA, the converter cautioned.

“We are working closely with our vendors from whom we purchase thermal grades containing BPA to assist them in finding alternatives to BPA if the scientific or legislative community recommends or requires such changes,” indicated Stephen Enfield, President of POS Supply Solutions. “We are committed to responding to our customer’s requests for BPA-free products.”

New Thermal Paper Rolls From POS Supply Solutions

SOTI Stretched Out

SOTI (Mississauga, ON, Canada) forged two new relationships for its mobile device management (MDM) software: Glacier Computer and Datex. Glacier Computer (New Milford, CT) will offer SOTI’s MobiControl on its entire product line of rugged industrial computers. Glacier targets markets such as warehousing, field service, healthcare, and government. For its part, Datex (Clearwater, FL), the 30-year solutions provider, will resell MobiControl to its end-user customers, which include companies in supply chain, retail, cold storage, and pharmaceutical. Datex furnishes warehouse management, order management, and yard management systems.

“With Glacier Computer’s expertise in the industrial hardware computing market, our partnership is the perfect strategic decision,” commented Carl Rodrigues, CEO/President of SOTI. “We at SOTI aim to simplify MDM for the end-user from a software perspective and, with this new partnership, SOTI can ensure our solution reaches those who need superior control over their mobile handhelds.”

“Our customers asked for a comprehensive system that effectively manages mobile device deployment, provisioning, security, and support,” reported Andy Armanious, Director of Software Development at Datex. “SOTI MobiControl incorporates all this functionality and has received so many positive third-party reviews that we were completely won over. We are thrilled about bringing this valuable system to our customer base.”

Carl Rodrigues, CEO/President of SOTI

Channel Factoid

The Federal Reserve’s 2010 study of noncash payments reveals that in 2009 more than three-quarters of all U.S. noncash payments were made electronically. In comparison, the 2007 study showed that in 2006 roughly two-thirds of such payments were made electronically. About 20 billion more electronic payments were made in 2009 than 2006, which represents an annual increase of 9.3%. Not surprisingly, the number of checks paid fell by about 6 billion, or 7.2%, over the same period. Credit card payments declined by 0.1 billion to 21.6 billion in 2009, while automated clearing house (ACH) payments grew to 19.1 billion, an expansion of 4.5 billion payments. Annual use of debit cards jumped by 12.8 billion payments, the largest move by any payment type during the survey period, reaching 37.9 billion payments in 2009, or annual growth of 14.8%. Debit card usage now exceeds all other forms of noncash payments and, by number of payments, holds approximately 35% of the total. Finally, prepaid card transactions had the lowest transaction volume of all noncash payments at 6 billion; however, these transactions grew the fastest, increasing 21.5% per year from 2006 to 2009. “The results of the study clearly underscore this nation’s efforts to move toward a more efficient clearing system for all types of retail payments,” said Richard Oliver, EVP of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. “It is also likely that the results reflect changing consumer behavior during difficult economic times.”

HELLO GOODBYE

BlueStar Wears Prado

BlueStar (Hebron, KY) has appointed Luis Prado to the position of Business Development Manager for Intermec for BlueStar Latin America. As BDM, Prado will serve as the marketing and business development point person to further sales of Intermec products in the region. His expertise in multiple facets of the industry--both retail and supply chain--will help Intermec incrementally grow its presence in Latin America, according to the distributor.

Prior to joining BlueStar, Prado worked in sales for both IBM Retail Store Solutions and Intermec. He obtained his Computer Systems degree from the Instituto Politecnico Naiconal in Mexico City and has certifications in RFID and PMI (Project Management Institute). He also attended the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Editar to obtain his Team Management qualification.

“Luis has extensive technical knowledge of our industry and applies that effortlessly to the commitment he has to Intermec at BlueStar,” observed Albert Baranera, President of BlueStar Latin America. “He is a steadfast team player and works tirelessly to create opportunities for Intermec.”

Luis Prado, BDM for Intermec, BlueStar Latin America

Mr. Smith Goes to NPS

Nationwide Payment Solutions (Scarborough, ME) has named Christopher Smith as its VP of Business Development, Software Integration Division. In this position, Smith will lead efforts to bring the firm’s new customizable, hosted payment engine, RetailPay, to the VAR, ISO, and ISV channels throughout the U.S. Founded in 2002, NPS processes over $3 billion in electronic payment transactions annually for more than 20,000 locations, including retail, business-to-business, automotive, municipalities, and schools. It serves as Registered Merchant Service Provider (MSP) and Level 1 Certified PCI DSS Direct Payment Processor.

Smith started in the payment industry in 1997 with Heartland Payment Systems, selling merchant processing accounts before being hired into their corporate office to assist in building their first deployment and technical support services desk. He also worked at Hypercom, starting as Sales Engineer and progressing to Sales Director. Most recently, he was employed in Ingenico’s National Sales Division.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to bring Chris aboard,” said Jamie Nonni, CEO of Nationwide. “We feel his industry experience, dedication, and technical ability are the perfect fit to help us expand our new POS sales channel.”

Christopher Smith, VP of Business Development, Software Integration Division, Nationwide Payment Solutions