This Week’s Product Pick

Sato America (Charlotte, NC) has updated its CL4e RFID industrial barcode printer for HF (High Frequency) tagging. This series of four-inch thermal-transfer and direct-thermal devices now supports HF 13.56-MHz RFID tag inlays such as I-Code and Tag-IT, two of the industry standards for smart label solutions in HF. Feature benefits include print speeds as high as six inch/second, the full range of plug-in interface cards including Parallel, Serial, USB, LAN, and WAN, and optional cutter or dispenser media-handling capabilities. Models in the CL4e family measure 10.7 in. (W) x 16.9 in. (D) x 12.6 in. (H), weigh 28.7 lbs., and carry heavy-duty metal construction. RFID tags are read, written, and verified inside the printer prior to production. “Designed and built especially for item-level tracking and traceability, the CL4e HF RFID is ideal for labeling in libraries, hospitals, pharmacies, and entertainment venues,” commented Kevin Boger, Product Marketing Manager at Sato America.

Sato’s CL4e Label Printer

COMPANY BUSINESS

IRS Lightens the Load on 1099-K

The National Federation of Independent Business (Washington, DC) has declared victory over the U.S. Internal Revenue Service when it comes to one worrisome 1099-K reporting requirement. Starting in the tax year of 2012, small businesses would have been required to reconcile their gross receipts with those reported by the “third-party payers” given on their tax returns, RRN.Com readers may recall. NFIB had protested this move, citing common merchant practices for which cash gets advanced to customers using credit or debit cards or may be given in reimbursement for returned merchandise. Last week, the IRS withdrew the new regulation, which was established as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

“This is to confirm what I stated in our recent meeting with your organization and other industry representatives,” wrote Steven Miller, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement at the IRS in his letter of February 9 to the NFIB. “There will be no reconciliation required on the 2012 form, nor do we intend to require reconciliation in future years. Our intention is that the reporting of gross receipts and sales on the 2012 income tax forms will be modeled on the 2010 income tax forms. No other changes to these forms related to payment card reporting are contemplated.”

“The many complications in our country’s tax code often put the small business owner at a disadvantage with government compliance,” asserted Dan Danner, CEO of the NFIB. “For this reason, NFIB fought so hard to have this provision eliminated and we count this as one small, but important step in the direction of simplifying tax code overall. While NFIB was able to achieve this victory by working directly with the IRS, we were also closely working with the offices of Senators Thune [R-SD] and Cantwell [D-WA] and Congressmen Shock [R-IL] and Shilling [R-IL] to permanently remove this requirement. The [recent] legislation that has been introduced in each chamber will ensure that should the IRS choose to invoke this provision in the future, small businesses will remain protected from complying with this nuisance paperwork provision.”

Reverses Course on Reconciliation With Third-Party Payers

Deeper Bench for Partner Tech

Somewhat quietly, Partner Tech USA (Irvine, CA) has put together an experienced team of POS sales, marketing, and channel executives, with an eye towards increasing the company’s visibility in North and South America. The process started last September with the hiring of Gus Reid as VP of Sales and Marketing. Reid will be familiar to many RRN.Com readers from his decade-long service as National Distribution Manager for Epson America, where he helped build one of the strongest channels in the industry. Following Epson, he worked with Wincor Nixdorf, Squirrel Systems, and Skywire Media, which supplies SaaS-hosted mobile marketing.

In short order, Reid has added two more players. Cindy Blankenship came onboard as Channel Sales Manager in November, with responsibility for advancing Partner Tech’s relationships with distributors, resellers, and ISVs. Prior to Partner Tech, Blankenship served for five years as Northeast Sales Manager for M-S Cash Drawer as well as similar positions at various POS and Auto ID resellers. She will be based out of Clearwater, Florida.

Then, last month, Partner Tech recruited Mike Forrest as its Director of Sales. Based in Boston, Forrest brings more than 25 years of involvement with many facets of POS. His resume includes Epson America, where he enjoyed success as Northeast Sales Manager for many years, TransAct Technologies, as VP of Sales for POS and Banking, and, most recently, Alpha Bay Corporation, the provider of retail management software.

“Partner Tech USA is one of the best-kept secrets in the American POS market,” Reid told RRN.Com. “Our products include reliable, cost-effective All-in-One touch terminals, mobile solutions, thermal printers, pole displays, and digital signage equipment, all of which will benefit resellers and their customers.” In the very near future, he noted, several terminal upgrades and new tablets will be introduced, with their preview in RRN.Com.

Gus Reid, VP of Sales and Marketing, Partner Tech USA

Worth Your While

2012 Annual ETA Meeting & Expo
Electronic Transactions Association
April 17-19
Las Vegas

NRA Show 2012
National Restaurant Association
May 5-8
Chicago

WERC 2012
Warehousing Education and Research Council
May 6-9
Atlanta

NACStech
National Association of Convenience Stores
May 21-23
Nashville, TN

GS1 Connect Conference
GS1 US
June 4-7
Las Vegas

HITEC 2012
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
June 25-28
Baltimore

RetailNOW 2012
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
July 29-August 1
Las Vegas

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Fastest Gun in the West

Intermec (Everett, WA) has unholstered its SG20 family of handheld scanners, claiming to have the industry’s fastest two-dimensional imaging technology and best-in-class motion tolerance for maximum omnidirectional performance, thus reducing the need to reposition awkward items. Designed to speed the process in retail, healthcare, and general countertop settings, the SG20 provides more than 50 times the motion tolerance of competitive scanners, according to the vendor. Models have been offered with one-dimensional or two-dimensional imagers, Bluetooth cordless or corded connectivity, and standard or disinfectant-ready housing. In addition, the large multi-color LED helps confirm successful reads.

“With true omnidirectional scanning of both 1D and 2D barcodes, combined with best-in-class motion tolerance, the SG20 series enables users to scan barcodes at record speed at any orientation,” stated David Downey, GM of Data Capture for Intermec. “The SG20 family further enhances Intermec’s channel-focused handheld scanner product portfolio by delivering the highest level of productivity, device reliability, and uptime for customers in scan-intensive environments.”

In the physical realm, the SG20 measures 7.9 in. (L) x 2.4 in. (W) x 2.6 in. (H) and weighs between 4.4 oz. and 6.2 oz., depending on scan engine. A stylish and ergonomic design sets it apart from traditional gun-shaped handheld scanners, according to Intermec, and the smooth grip and trigger location promotes easy use. Intermec’s Windows-based EasySet PC programming tool expedites configuration and the Lithium-Ion battery ensures 8,000 scans from 70% capacity.

Intermec’s SG20 Barcode Scanner

Socket Soups Up SoMo

Socket Mobile (Newark, CA) has presented its SoMo 655 handheld computer with enhanced features and functionality. Building on the SoMo 650, this new device carries Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5, PXA270 CPU at 624 MHz, 4-GB memory, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Described as pocket-sized, it measures approximately 5 in. (H) x 3 in. (W) x 1 in. (D), weighs 7.2 oz., and supports barcode scanning, magnetic-stripe reading, and RFID. Other benefits include 3.5-inch color touchscreen display and Micro-SD slot for up to 32 GB of additional data storage. SoMo 655Rx adds disinfectant-ready housing and SoMo 655DXS eliminates the radio to meet special security wants in government.

“Socket Mobile is committed to meeting the market’s needs, and the SoMo 655 incorporates many new features, included improved charging and durability, specifically requested by our customers,” remarked Vince Coli, Senior Handheld Computer Product Manager at Socket Mobile. “With more than 50,000 devices already shipped to healthcare institutions, restaurants, and other end-users, the SoMo 650 has proven reliability in business deployments. The new SoMo 655 not only provides enhanced functionality, but also helps enterprises maximize ROI with an expected long life of three to five years and professional service and support options.”

Elsewhere, Socket Mobile has partnered with iPad Enclosures (Sandy, UT), which supplies tamper-proof and theft-resistant mounts and stands for the Apple iPad. Under this relationship, Socket Mobile will supply its Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) 7x, which has been certified by Apple. This portable, lightweight device carries one- and two-dimensional reading capability and will be marketed by Warehouse Mobile Solutions, part of iPad Enclosures, as hardware in its bundle for inventory management.

SoMo 655 From Socket Mobile

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ALLIANCES

A Little Help From My Friends for Bematech

Feelers to ISVs and OEMs continue to pay off for Bematech (New Hyde Park, NY), which recently announced several new contract wins and software relationships. First, ElectroMenu (Garnet Valley, PA), which first partnered with Bematech last summer to address the restaurant industry, has installed its digital menu board system for two chains, Famous Famiglia and Slack’s Hogie Shack. In both cases, Bematech’s LC8700 retail-hardened computer drives ElectroMenu’s OS and application platforms, allowing dynamic menu updates on LCD monitors without any programming at the store level.

Famous Famiglia plans to roll out digital menu boards to all of its 125 company and franchised quick service locations worldwide, RRN.Com was told by Max Evans, Founder and CEO of ElectroMenu, following tests in New York City’s Times Square, Newark and Sacramento Airports, as well as the headquarters controller in While Plains, New York. Slack’s Hogie Shack installed two dozen menu boards at 13 stores in only two days. Both Famiglia and Slack’s reported immediate double-digit increases in sales of premium items from the installation of signage from ElectroMenu.

“When Bematech started its ISV partner program, the idea of creating the total business system solution was the ultimate goal,” noted Wladimir Alvarez, President of Bematech U.S., longtime hardware supplier to the channel, which dropped Logic Controls from its name in January. To that end, his company also disclosed two new partner relationships. First, Goldtech (Greenville, SC) will bundle its retail management software with the Bematech SB9090 All-In-One POS terminal, the SB9100 retail-hardened computer, and other peripherals. Secondly, pcAmerica (Pearl River, NY) has certified Bematech’s LS9000 Kitchen Video Display System for use with its Restaurant Pro Express, which addresses all segments of the restaurant industry, from fine dining to quick service.

Digital Menu Board by ElectroMenu, Bematech’s Partner

That’s Not Entertainment, Decides NCR

NCR Corporation (Duluth, GA) has sold its entertainment business to Redbox (Oakbrook Terrace, IL), the wholly owned subsidiary of Coinstar. Included in the purchase are DVD kiosks, certain retailer contracts, and DVD inventory, along with an accompanying strategic supplier arrangement whereupon Coinstar will purchase product and services from NCR. As RRN.Com readers may recall, NCR made major incursions into this market with Blockbuster, which declared bankruptcy last year and was subsequently bought at auction by Dish Network.

Redbox will pay up to $100 million for the assets. Through the manufacturing and services agreement, Coinstar will procure hardware, software, and services that will yield $25 million in margin for NCR over five years, according to the two parties. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in Q3 of 2012.

“Through this agreement with Redbox, NCR will be better positioned to focus on expanding our business in our targeted industries,” explained John Bruno, EVP and CTO at NCR. “Additionally, this transaction affords us the opportunity to develop a long-term strategic relationship with Coinstar and partner on delivering new and innovative solutions to the market.” In combination with Redbox, Coinstar has approximately 35,400 DVD kiosks and 20,200 self-service coin-counting machines in retail, hospitality, and financial settings.

NCR DVD Kiosk Business Purchased by Redbox

Code Corner

Modiv Media (Quincy, MA) has launched Modiv Social for coupon sharing across the variety of consumer-centric delivery platforms. Used in conjunction with the Modiv Mobile shopping scheme, Modiv Social allows retailers to offer shoppers “an advanced coupon wallet” that draws from any source (web, retailer, mobile, digital) and empowers them to share their promotional offers via Facebook. As an adjunct, Modiv Social enables retailers and brands to track, monitor, manage, and analyze the lifecycle of socially shared coupons, as well as identify and reward “shopping influencers.” With Modiv Social, the consumer will see an identified “share” option for Facebook on select coupons. Once shared, their friends (and their friends) can simply grab the coupon and load it to their mobile coupon wallet for that specific retailer. On their part, retailers can reward shoppers based upon parameters of their choice--simple sharing, number of resulting redemptions, or any purchase-related activity. Available immediately, Modiv Social will be piloted in Q2 by one of the developer’s newest retail clients. “We’ve identified what matters most to retailers and brands while creating an innovative and simple user-experience for the shopper,” suggested Mike Grimes, CEO of Modiv Media, which recently partnered with Agilysys. “They may cap the number of times coupons can be shared, determine which offers can be shared or liked, and measure which shoppers have shared the coupons and with whom. This gives retailers an unprecedented ability to identify the most socially influential customers and target them with offers.”

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

CRM on the Run

Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, WA) will release its next service update of Microsoft Dynamics CRM in Q2, which seeks to extend the program to Windows Phone 7, iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry. According to Microsoft, the full power of customer relationship management will be delivered to mobile workers. In addition, this new build carries enhanced social functionality and new enterprise-class features as well as multiple web browser options for users--including Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari--running on PC, MacIntosh and iPad platforms. Moreover, it addresses social networking with “activity feeds” that give people the ability to like and unlike status updates, as well as improved status filtering and the capacity to view all statuses relating to any particular record view.

Described as “fast and familiar,” Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile will help sales, customer service, marketing, and management professionals connect with their customers and each other on multiple mobile devices, according to Microsoft, within its security-enhanced environment. Sales representatives can quickly capture and convert leads 24/7 and develop marketing campaigns on the fly, as well as sync their information with company databases and pipelines on their own terms. Finally, through xRM, the platform’s flexible application development framework, Microsoft promises seamless integration between existing Dynamics CRM environments and the new CRM Mobile.

“In today’s hyper-connected world, customers need to be able to access their business-critical data on the device of their choice wherever they are,” commented Dennis Michalis, GM for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. “These advancements, combined with the strength of the Microsoft platform, make Microsoft Dynamics CRM an obvious choice for any business.” Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile will be made available at the starting price of $30 per user, per month, and supports the use of up to three devices per individual.

Screen of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile

Much "To Do" About PCI

Trustwave (Chicago) has unveiled the latest version of its cloud-delivered TrustKeeper PCI Manager, designed to help small merchants comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Most significantly, this new portal now features its “To Do List” tailored to the needs of the merchant’s payment processing environment. As part of the offering, not surprisingly, TrustKeeper PCI Manager provides merchants with compliance patches through security products and services, including firewalls and SSL certificates, to remedy any vulnerability.

For example, if the merchant discovers that his business needs to destroy documents with credit card numbers in the most secure manner, TrustKeeper PCI Manager adds an action item to his business’s To Do List with suggestions on how to address this security gap. The merchant can then check-off, or resolve, the item once the task has been completed, helping the merchant validate compliance. For acquirers, the financial institutions that process merchant card payments, TrustKeeper PCI Manager offers unhindered insight into their customers’ PCI compliance status and progress.

“Simply put, there is nothing in the industry like the new To Do List in TrustKeeper PCI Manager that personalizes compliance issues and provides small businesses with an action item breakdown that allows them to meet their compliance obligations,” maintained Doug Klotnia, EVP of Payment Services at Trustwave. “We know the majority of small businesses don’t have dedicated IT professionals, they are focused on the day-to-day of running their business. This easy-to-use solution for these complex problems allows organizations to act immediately on PCI challenges and keep their acquirers in the loop on their current progress.”

More Features for Trustwave’s TrustKeeper PCI Manager

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
FEC/Acrelec
Pioneer POS
Posiflex
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic ADC
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse
WorldPay US

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Mobile Marketing & Loyalty
Sundrop Mobile

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Repair & Refurbishment
AMCOR Tech Solutions

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

STARTS & STOPS

POS Taken to the Cleaners

POS Supply Solutions (Danvers, MA) now offers an array of consumables targeted at the dry cleaning market, including thermal paper rolls for POS, wet strength paper tag rolls, and indelible ink ribbons. The new thermal paper rolls feature an appropriate hanger graphic on the front and come in 15- or 21-lb. paper weight. In addition, they carry terms and conditions on the back of the receipt. All rolls also have an end of roll warning stripe and get packaged 50 rolls per case.

Wet strength paper tag rolls are made with five-point bond and allow dry cleaning businesses to create their own tags. This high-quality paper better withstands the dry cleaning and laundry process, according to the manufacturer. All wet strength rolls also have an end of roll warning stripe and get packaged 20 rolls per case. Ink cartridge ribbons offer superior quality and have been specially formulated to withstand all dry cleaning, laundry, and bleaching processes. Each ribbon is individually sealed in plastic and packaged six ribbons per box.

All stock dry cleaning thermal paper rolls and wet strength paper tag rolls may be ordered in white as well as nine colors: blue, green, gray, yellow, lavender, tan, orange, pink, and red. POS Supply also offers small runs of custom-printed paper rolls. “We are pleased to announce the addition of our new point-of-sale supplies for the dry cleaning industry,” shared Stephen Enfield, President of POS Supply Solutions. “We are confident that they not only offer the quality that our customers expect, but are also competitively priced.”

Dry Cleaning Consumables by POS Supply Solutions

Line Busting Lures Bass Pro

Bass Pro Shops, one of the world’s largest outdoor recreational retailers, has commenced its pilot of mobile sales technology in conjunction with Java-based POS software provider, PCMS (Cincinnati). Interestingly, the rollout will take place in two phases. First, Bass Pro will utilize Apple’s iPod Touch to reduce waiting times by enabling customers’ purchases to be scanned, with the transaction suspended until payment at the register. At some later date, following evaluation and presumed success, the iPod Touch will be outfitted by Bass Pro to take payments.

“We faced challenges in managing wait times and we wanted to find an easy-to-implement and fast solution that would integrate with our POS,” relayed Steve Brock, Director of Retail and Direct Marketing Systems at Bass Pro Shops. “Following PCMS’s ‘Core Product’ strategy, we are able to achieve this, as well as making future enhancements easier to implement. We are looking forward to implementing mobile sales solutions across our stores and seeing our customers’ shopping experiences continue to improve.”

“Retailers need an ever-increasing degree of flexibility with in-store technology so that they can offer more ways to engage with customers, improve their service, and reduce waiting time and lines at the register,” added Martyn Osborne, Head of Global Product Development for PCMS, which is headquartered in the U.K. “Our mobile solution builds on the investment we’ve made in Vision BeanStore by offering the already rich POS capabilities on a mobile device without significant investment in a whole new solution.” In somewhat unrelated news, Givex, one of the early pioneers in loyalty and gift card programs, based out of Toronto, has just integrated its platform with Vision BeanStore POS.

PCMS Brings iPod Touch to the Retailer of the Great Outdoors

Channel Factoid

It’s all about the customer for retailers in 2012. According to new research from the NRF Foundation and KPMG, entitled “Retail Horizons: Benchmarks for 2011, Forecasts for 2012,” nearly 67% of prominent merchants rank customer satisfaction as their top strategic concern for 2012, and, similarly, 82% say customer service improvements will be their top priority in the coming year. As such, retailers predict they will invest in programs that directly resonate with today’s shopper. According to the survey, 85% will seek to increase online sales, up from 83% in 2011, and 38% will put greater focus on mobile commerce over the next year, up from 29% in 2011. Further, more than half (53%) of those surveyed say they will concentrate on web personalization engines in the coming months, which includes such enhancements as location-based services and tracking methods unique to shopping habits. To better serve mobile-savvy shoppers in their stores, retailers also reported that enhancing handheld technologies, including POS, will be critical over the next 18 months. Overall, 17% say they already utilize mobile POS in their store, and 32% indicate they plan additional POS investments. Finally, after years of practicing cost containment, in 2012, the majority (52%) of respondents plan to increase their IT budgets. “Compared to the past few years, retailers have turned their attention to growth acceleration, with an emphasis on improved customer engagement strategies and tactics,” observed Mark Larson, KPMG’s Global Head of Retail. “Clearly the retailers who master the one-to-one customer approach, and who also leverage the full potential of e-commerce and m-commerce platforms, will be in much stronger position to gain wallet share.”

HELLO GOODBYE

TabbedOut Taps New CEO

TabbedOut (Austin, TX) has enlisted veteran technology and financial services executive Paul Fiore as its new CEO. Fiore brings more than 20 years of experience to his new role, including time as GM of Bank Products for prepaid financial services company Green Dot, VP of Strategy at XP Systems, and CFO for the AT&T Employees Federal Credit Union. He also was Co-Founder and CEO of banking software provider Digital Insight, which was purchased by Intuit for $1.35 billion in 2007. Founded in 2009, TabbedOut enables customers to pay their bar or restaurant tab through their smartphone. It has 400 installs in the U.S. and integration with POS players such as Micros, Focus POS, Future POS, Jumpware, Dinerware, and Agilysys.

“We’re thrilled to have someone of Paul’s caliber and experience join our team,” stated Rick Orr, Co-Founder and EVP of TabbedOut. “The Board and I were determined to find an undeniably great and proven leader to really capitalize on what we’ve built. Paul brings both powerful market perspective and an amazing track record to our team and Board.”

“I am excited to join TabbedOut at such a pivotal time in its history,” said Fiore. “The mobile payments industry is similar in many ways to the Internet software sector in the mid-1990s: vast opportunity, dramatic growth in technical capability, and consumer adoption. The ultimate winners had the right product at the right time, a solid team, investors that added value, a sustainable business model, and a well-thought out partnership strategy. I believe TabbedOut has all of these ingredients.”

Paul Fiore, CEO, TabbedOut

Heartland Targets Partners (and Enjoys Super Bowl)

Heartland Payment Systems (Princeton, NJ) has named Thomas McCole as its Executive Director of Affiliates, with responsibility for major accounts, banks, associations, and resellers. In addition to previous consulting with Heartland, McCole’s resume includes more than 20 years of work with payment processing players such as Atomic Mobile Payments, Hypercom, Transaction Network Services, and NBS Technologies. Heartland Payment Systems now ranks itself as the fifth largest payment processor in the U.S., serving more than 250,000 business locations.

“Tom completed two separate consulting roles with Heartland and through those assignments, he proved to be an invaluable asset to the organization,” recounted Bob Carr, Chairman/CEO of Heartland. “With our renewed focus on affiliates, we knew Tom would be an ideal executive for this role and should excel in expanding and deepening Heartland’s various affiliate relationships.”

As the official concessions payment processor of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Heartland Payment Systems handled 43,982 credit and debit card transactions totaling $924,500 on Super Bowl Sunday and during accompanying special events. To help support such significant influx of transactions, the company supplied an additional 60 wireless POS terminals to supplement the nearly 600 POS registers already in use at Lucas Oil Stadium. “Not only did Heartland demonstrate its ability to handle card processing at large scale events,” declared Carr, “we also proved that our customer service center in Jeffersonville, Indiana, is ready and able to service mega venues 24/7/365.”

Super Bowl XLVI Processed 43,982 Credit and Debit Card Transactions