This Week’s Product Pick

Touch Dynamic (Irvington, NJ) has presented its TB4 thermal receipt printer, the replacement for the TB3. Several enhancements have been made, RRN.Com was told, including print speed of 250 mm/9.8 inches per second at 203 dpi and dual-interface (either Serial/USB or Parallel/USB, with both cables shipped). Measuring 6.3 in. (W) x 9.5 in. (D) x 6.8 in. (H), and weighing about 3 lbs., TB4 features drop-in paper loading, user-friendly sensors, and maximum roll diameter of 80 mm/3.15 inches. Emulation includes ESC/POS Mode and OPOS, with support for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and POS Ready 2009. A wall-mount bracket is included and cutter life is specified at one million cuts.

TB4 From Touch Dynamic

COMPANY BUSINESS

Stop Whispering About Intermec

The suspense is over. Honeywell will buy Intermec, ending months, if not years, of speculation regarding the historic vendor of barcode, mobile computing, and RFID technology. Purchase price has been set at $10 per share in cash, totaling about $600 million, net of cash and debt acquired. Upon completion of the deal, expected to close in Q2 2013 following shareholder approval and customary regulatory reviews, Intermec will become another part of ever-expanding Honeywell Scanning & Mobility, which is now headquartered in Ft. Mill, South Carolina.

"The addition of Intermec is a natural extension to our Scanning & Mobility business, which was established through the successful acquisitions of Hand Held Products, Metrologic, and EMS," commented Roger Fradin, CEO/President of Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions. "While Intermec strengthens our core scanning and mobile computing business, it opens up entirely new opportunities in RFID, voice solutions, and barcode and receipt printing segments that we currently don't serve. It expands our product offerings and strengthens our intellectual property portfolio, putting us in position to be a technology leader for years to come."

By way of reference, Intermec, based in Everett, Washington, reported revenue of $848 million in 2011 and has over 2,000 employees worldwide. The company's troubles this past year have been well documented, including, most recently, staff reductions and loss of $272 million in Q3. On November 1, it announced it had retained Bank of America Merrill Lynch to explore its alternatives. "We are pleased that Honeywell recognizes and values the capabilities as well as the strategic potential of our business," stated Allen Lauer, Intermec Chairman and Interim CEO, describing the sale as "the best possible overall outcome for our stakeholders."

Roger Fradin, CEO/President, Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions, Which Has Purchased Intermec

A Strong Hand for CardFree

Another new company to address mobile commerce? Of no great consequence, perhaps, except the founders are the team behind Starbucks Card Mobile and Dunkin' Donuts Mobile, two of the largest such deployments to date. CardFree, as the new effort has been dubbed, also enjoys the backing of Jeffrey Katz, who started Mercury Payment Systems (now Mercury). Armed with $10 million in venture funding, and based in San Francisco, CardFree has entered the market with its white-label platform of merchant solutions, including "personalized offers and promotions, mobile payments, loyalty, order-ahead, and social media engagement, all of which comes with robust reporting." The new company also claims integration with most major POS systems.

Jon Squire serves as CEO of CardFree, having previously spearheaded the Dunkin' Donuts Mobile effort for CorFire and the Starbucks Card Mobile for mFoundry. Other executives include Dustin Young, President; Chuck Davidson, Head of Product; Diane Hong, Head of Marketing; and Sen Wen, Head of Architecture. All bring extensive experience in mobile commerce from companies such as Starbucks, mFoundry, CorFire, and InComm.

"We have reunited the individuals who created the gold standard in mobile commerce deployments," Squire noted. "Our goal is to lead merchants to new levels and ensure they remain at the center of their customer relationships, rather than being secondary in third-party mobile apps or wallets. We have a fundamental belief that the merchant is the most important piece of the omni-channel ecosystem, and CardFree built its platform around that belief. Our team comes from large merchants, vendors who service them, and payments enablers; together, we will look to further disrupt the status quo of mobile."

"The CardFree team's vision for the company, creating a merchant-centric mobile solution, aligns with my view of where the market is heading," Katz corroborated. "There is a gap in the market for seamless merchant solutions that integrate mobile, online, and POS, and merchants are going to be a big driver of mobile commerce in the near future. This talented team is uniquely positioned with the knowledge, experience, and connections to lead innovation in this space."

John Squire, CEO, CardFree

Worth Your While - 2013

NRF 102nd Annual Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 13-16
New York City

INSPIRE
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
January 20-23
Curacao, Lesser Antilles

ETA Annual Meeting & Expo
Electronic Transactions Association
April 30 - May 1
New Orleans

THE Tech EVENT
(Formerly NACStech, National Association of Convenience Stores)
May 6-10
Dallas

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 18-21
Chicago

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Sharp Rewrites RZ-X750

Sharp Electronics (Mahwah, NJ) has delivered its latest POS terminal, designated RZ-X750. With new design, RZ-X750 carries twice the processing power of the company's previous models, expanded cash drawer compatibility, and built-in powered USB port for peripheral devices such as printers. Measuring 15.6 in. (W) x 15.4 in. (D) x 12.2 in. (H) and weighing 15 lbs., RZ-X750 runs Microsoft Windows XP Pro.

As standard features, this new device includes Intel Atom Dual Core D525 CPU at 1.8 GHz, 15-inch LVDS LCD water-resistant touchscreen, and three-track magnetic-stripe card reader. It carries 2 GB standard memory, expandable to 4 GB, with RS-232, Parallel, and USB ports. VESA mount allows for flexible configurations and Sharp extends its three-year warranty.

"In addition to faster processor and open system capability, this terminal more deeply engages with customers via two optional rear-facing displays and promotes up-to-the-minute business offerings, discounts, or other relevant information," observed Greg Tucker, POS Product Marketing Manager with Sharp Electronics. "We understand that businesses have limited face time with their customers, and this added feature enables merchants to engage customers at the service counter with offerings that will make their experience at the business more rewarding and memorable." Two customer-facing displays are offered: 2x20 character or 10.4-inch LCD.

RZ-X750 Series From Sharp

Getac Jacks Up V Series

Getac, Inc. (Irvine, CA) has upgraded its V100 and V200 rugged convertible tablets with third-generation Intel Core i5-3320M CPU at 2.6 GHz or Core i7-3520M CPU at 2.9 GHz with vPro IT remote management. With the new chips, V100 and V200 clock in at 251% and 177% faster, respectively, than the company's previous generation. Both computers also carry Intel's HD Graphics 4000, for over four times the responsiveness of prior models.

In addition to faster processors and graphics cards, the V100 and V200 offer Getac's advanced QuadraClear sunlight-readable screen technology and multi-touch pressure-sensitive screens, allowing operators to wear industrial gloves. Additionally, both models can now be configured with integrated 4G LTE for fast communication in the field. Built with magnesium-alloy design, the pair of V100 and V200 meets MIL-STD-810G and IP-65 ratings for dust, water, and vibration with an operating temperature range of -4F to 140F.

"Now in its fourth generation, our V Series is a proven workhorse in flight-line maintenance, field service, and the utility and oil and gas sectors," asserted Jim Rimay, President of Getac. "Updating our convertible tablets is part of our initiative to incorporate the latest technologies across the full line of rugged and semi-rugged notebook computers." Getac, which sells through the channel, offers bumper-to-bumper five-year warranty for its rugged devices.

V200 With 12-Inch Screen

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ALLIANCES

Putting VARs in Motion

Barcoding, Inc. (Baltimore), one of the leading integrators in data capture and mobility, will partner with Motion Computing (Austin, TX) to pursue development of bundled solutions for that manufacturer's tablet PCs. As part of the announcement, Barcoding, Inc. has been welcomed as Platinum Partner in the Motion Valued Partner Program, abbreviated, obviously, as MVP. "This relationship allows us to help customers in a wide range of industries--especially retail, distribution, and healthcare--operate more efficiently with robust solutions built around Motion tablet PCs," suggested Jay Steinmetz, CEO/President of Barcoding, Inc.

"Motion is committed to aligning with industry-leading ISVs and VARs to develop and deliver solutions that continue to define mobile computing," reported Grant Frederiksen, Senior Director of Strategic Corporate Alliances for Motion Computing. "We are thrilled to work with Barcoding, Inc. to provide innovative, end-to-end mobile computing solutions to their customers." Founded in 1998, Barcoding, Inc. has 75 employees and approximately 2,800 end-user customers.

Last month, Motion added new Gold Partners to its recently enhanced partner efforts. "Our MVP Program is designed to drive our partners' success by dedicating a variety of resources, sales tools, and training techniques," Frederiksen related. New members, with their related disciplines, include: Celerant (retail management software), TekservePOS (POS), CompuWave (microcomputing), Lowry Computer Products (Auto ID), NexTalk (voice translation services), MOC1 (automotive repair), and Get The Point (computer-aided design and building information modeling).

Motion Computing's F5t Tablet PC

A Pack of POS Guys

POSGuys.com (Bellingham, WA) has joined forces with Mercury and Retail Capital to supply so-called "Pre-Financed POS Systems" to new retailers and restaurant owners. Two bundled packages of hardware and software will be offered, with PCs and POS peripherals. The first, based upon the POSGuys.com Preferred Retail System, runs Cash Register Express from pcAmerica. The second, based upon the POSGuys.com Premium Restaurant System, runs Aldelo POS (formerly Aldelo For Restaurants Pro).

Businesses that apply for credit card processing through Mercury are eligible for the program, which pays for the POS via 10% of daily electronic transactions. Support includes pre-installment of the customer's POS databases before shipment, on-site installation by certified technician, and over the phone training for employees and managers. POSGuys.com promises two-day turnaround on applications and quotes an approval rate of 90%.

"The initial costs of starting new businesses can be prohibitive," noted Travis Chun, Director of Operations for POSGuys.com. "From general infrastructure, hardware, and initial inventory orders, many businesses feel tremendous upfront financial strain. By choosing our Pre-Financed POS System, businesses defer preliminary investment costs of anywhere between three and ten thousand dollars, money that can be put to other vital uses."

Pre-Financed POS Bundles for Retail and Hospitality With Mercury Processing

Code Corner

Seculert (Petach-Tikva, Israel) has identified "Dexter," new custom-made malware for stealing credit card information which has infected hundreds of POS systems over the past several months. Some of the targeted victims include big-name retailers, hotels, restaurants, and even private parking providers, according to the network security firm. "The name Dexter comes from a string [of code] found in one of the malware-related files and its Track 1/Track 2 online parsing tool," writes the company's blog. "Dexter is stealing the process list from the infected machine, while parsing memory dumps of specific POS software related processes, looking for Track 1/Track 2 credit card data [e.g., customer name, account number, expiration date]. This data will most likely be used by cybercriminals to clone credit cards that were used in the targeted POS system. How POS systems are targeted is yet to be known for sure, but by observing the administration panel of Dexter, Seculert was able to identify that over 30% of the targeted POS systems were using Windows Servers. This is an unusual number for regular 'web-based social engineering' or 'drive by download' infection methods." According to Seculert, Dexter has been detected in 40 different countries, with 42% of infected POS systems located in North America, and 19% located in the United Kingdom.

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

NCR: "Aloha, Mobile Pay"

NCR (Duluth, GA) has launched NCR Mobile Pay, which allows restaurant customers to order and pay through their smartphones. Utilizing QR codes for access to the system, NCR Mobile Pay spans the range of expected functions--including summoning of servers, e-mail receipts, and social media--with encrypted credit card processing. It integrates with NCR Aloha POS. "Review your order, add to it, take a survey, tip and pay. We've put all of those abilities in the consumer's control," reflected Mike Finley, VP and CTO of Hosted Solutions for NCR Hospitality.

"We host concerts, food and wine classes, and private events in addition to having a traditional restaurant setting," volunteered David Richter, GM of City Winery-New York, an early adopter. "At the end of these events we have multiple tables that our servers are trying to close out at the same time, which can be a real challenge. We've found NCR Mobile Pay to be an extremely valuable asset that allows our customers to pay their bill without waiting for their server, if they so choose."

In making its announcement, NCR quoted earlier research from Gartner which predicted worldwide mobile payment transactions will surpass $171.5 billion in 2012, jumping nearly 62% from $105.9 billion in 2011. The number of mobile payment users should reach 212.2 million in 2012, up from 160.5 million. "We expect global mobile transaction volume and value to average 42% annual growth between 2011 and 2016, and we are forecasting this market to be worth $617 billion with 448 million users by 2016," proclaimed Sandy Shen, Research Director at Gartner.

NCR Mobile Pay for Smartphone

"Conductiv"-ity for Ingram Micro

Conductiv Software (Bothell, WA), supplier of mobility solutions for retail and supply chain, has signed on with Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS (Carlsbad, CA). Ingram Micro DC/POS will distribute the Conductiv Mobile POS+ application in concert with hardware from Motorola Solutions and Zebra Technologies. This out-of-the-box mobile retailing system "can scale, is easy to implement, and is offered at a reasonable price point by our channel partners to retailers of all sizes," said Carla Cicero, Executive Director, U.S. Sales and Vendor Management, for Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS.

"Small or large, retailers have to understand their customers," emphasized Rob Loughan, Chairman and CEO of Conductiv Software. "Teaming with Ingram Micro represents the next step to best serve those retailers through the world's most trusted ecosystem of technology resellers. Together, we are going to help retailers provide an increased level of service that today's consumers demand."

Founded in 2011, Conductiv Software offers three products: Mobile POS+ for retailers, eCatalog for suppliers, and eOrdering for collaboration. Modules for MPOS+ include CRM, Business Intelligence, Inventory Management, and Mobile Payment. The company sells through several prominent partners of Ingram Micro DC/POS such as JD Associates, Barcoding, Inc., Retail Information Systems, and All Point POS.

Conductiv Software's Mobile POS+ To Be Bundled With Motorola and Zebra

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
Wasp Barcode Technologies

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

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

POS & Processing
RedFin Network

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic ADC
Janam Technologies
Trimble

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

Scanners
Bar Codes Unlimited
Code Corporation
Honeywell

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

INSTALLATIONS

A Checkout for Healthy Choices

Medagate (Redwood City, CA) has completed the first roll out of its 2.0 "Restricted Spend" platform for Fred's Super Dollar stores in North Carolina and Georgia. Medagate 2.0 encourages consumers to make healthy living choices by guiding their purchase of qualified items at the POS. Under the system, Fred's Super Dollar customers who participate in chosen "wellness" programs (which may be sponsored by an insurer, employer, benefit administrator, retailer, or consumer packaged goods manufacturer) automatically, and in real-time, receive special discounts on pre-identified, pre-approved food items and eligible over-the-counter medicines--all at the POS down to the SKU level.

"This program is the type of targeted benefit and partnership that we are pleased to offer our customers and their benefit providers. We want to enable incentives for our customers that keep them healthy and save them money," remarked David Mueller, SVP of Sales and Marketing for Fred's Super Dollar. Added Devin Wade, President of Medagate, "The future of healthcare consumerism sees direct involvement by payers to support healthy choices. Our incentive-based platform supports those efforts."

With more product categories and dynamic discounting, Medagate's 2.0 platform expands the company's OTC Network, in place at over 35,000 retail locations across the U.S. In partnership with health plan providers and state governments, and tied directly to the POS, the OTC Network supports over-the-counter (OTC) drug sales under Medicare and Medicaid. Medagate, incidentally, is owned by InComm (Atlanta), one of the leading providers of prepaid products for retail.

"Restricted Spend" Platform Deployed at Fred's Super Dollar

Regular, Premium, or Powerball?

VeriFone Systems (San Jose, CA) has enabled printing of lottery tickets at the fuel pump, an industry first in the U.S. Under auspices of the Minnesota State Lottery, VeriFone and partner Linq3 (New York) implemented this "play at the pump" at nine convenience stores around Minneapolis. Lottery sales at the pump and other self-service locations represent one of the major untapped market segments for state lottery commissions across the U.S., according to the two parties.

With VeriFone's payment-enabled media solution, PayMedia, customers may buy quick-pick numbers for Powerball and Mega Millions drawings utilizing debit card payments. Age verification and enrollment takes place quickly and easily, reportedly. Winnings under $600 are automatically deposited to the debit card account and customers can check purchases on the web and sign up for mobile text notifications.

"We believe that play at the pump allows us to easily expand the distribution of lottery products and make the purchase of a ticket more convenient," indicated Ed Van Petten, Executive Director of the Minnesota State Lottery. "This delivery method reaches a casual player who may want the convenience of making a lottery purchase while at these locations. It is a means for the Minnesota State Lottery to generate additional revenue for the state and its important beneficiaries. It will also provide additional revenue and media elements to help lottery retailers grow their business."

"Play at the Pump" by VeriFone

Channel Factoid

Retailers will lose $8.9 billion to return fraud this year, and $2.9 billion during the holiday season alone, according to the National Retail Federation. An estimated 4.6% of holiday returns are thought to be fraudulent. Nearly all retailers polled (96.5%) say they have experienced the return of stolen merchandise within the last year, and 84.2% report they have experienced the return of merchandise purchased on "fraudulent or stolen tender." Wardrobing--the return of used, non-defective merchandise such as special occasion apparel and certain electronics--is another issue, with nearly two-thirds (64.9%) saying they have been victims of this activity within the past year. Additionally, 45.6% have encountered individuals using counterfeit receipts to return merchandise. Employee return fraud or collusion with external sources represents another major problem for retailers, with 8 in 10 (80.7%) reporting they've dealt with this issue over the past year. As many as 13.4% of returns made without receipts throughout the year are thought to be fraudulent. As a result, nearly three-quarters of retailers (73.2%) now require customers returning items without any receipt to show identification. Now comes return fraud with the use of e-receipts, suffered by 19.3% of retailers. "Many shoppers love the convenience and flexibility that digital receipts offer, and unfortunately, criminals are finding ways to manipulate them," observed Rich Mellor, VP of Loss Prevention for the National Retail Federation.

HELLO GOODBYE

Let's Just Call It Peak-Ryzex

Peak Technologies has refashioned itself as Peak-Ryzex, reflecting the assimilation of Ryzex, which Peak bought late in 2011. At that time, Ryzex had yearly revenues of approximately $75 million with over 200 employees and more than 2,000 customers. The newly combined entity, with 500 employees, and offices on both coasts (Columbia, MD and Bellingham, WA), has now merged back-end processes through its SAP ERP system, unified its product, service, and solution portfolio, and unveiled its redesigned website, according to lead executives.

"We selected a name for the combined business that is built from the foundation of both brands to further establish our unique identity in the industry and to better represent our full portfolio of solutions and services," commented Ross Young, CEO of Peak-Ryzex. "The new Peak-Ryzex name encompasses the full breadth of offerings from both companies: the Peak Technologies' expertise in supply chain automation, SAP logistics execution solutions, enterprise printing, and life cycle services, combined with Ryzex's market leadership in mobility and advanced data capture."

"We are extremely excited about the launch of our new company name and are eager to share the Peak-Ryzex value proposition and enhanced suite of offerings with our customers now that we are operating together as one company," added Tim Willis, VP of Marketing and Support for Peak-Ryzex. "The combination of the two companies to form Peak-Ryzex creates a force multiplier with more skilled resources in more places to help our customers implement, maintain, and manage end-to-end solutions that ultimately help improve the performance of their businesses." Peak-Ryzex drew upon an outside marketing expert and branding study in choosing the new name.

New Logo for Peak-Ryzex

Breadcrumbs Lead to VP of Sales

Groupon (Chicago) has named Mike DeLuca as VP of Sales for Breadcrumb, the company's iPad-based POS system for hospitality. In addition, DeLuca will remain in his current role as VP of Sales and Operations for Savored, another Groupon property, which merges restaurant reservations and customer discounts in an attempt to boost "yield management" for merchants. In his new role, he will continue to report to Rob Kilgarriff, VP and GM of North American Sales and Account Management at Groupon.

DeLuca brings more than 20 years of experience in supplying technology to local businesses. In the early days of Savored, he played one of the key roles as Chief Revenue Officer, according to his employer. Previously, he served as SVP of Sales and Operations at AOL Local, where he supervised more than 300 inside and field sales representatives. DeLuca also has held SVP and VP sales and operations positions at Yahoo and Yodle, an online marketing firm which has generated much publicity of late.

"Mike is a seasoned sales leader with an innate understanding of the needs and operational challenges hospitality businesses face," observed Kilgarriff. "He has greatly accelerated our efforts to introduce both Breadcrumb and Savored to restaurants." Groupon purchased Breadcrumb back in May, RRN.Com readers will remember, following that start-up's first successful installations in New York City.

Mike DeLuca, VP of Sales, Breadcrumb