This Week’s Product Pick

TSC Auto ID Technology America (Pomona, CA) unwrapped its TTP-268M Series of six-inch-wide, industrial-class, thermal-transfer label printers. Constructed of heavy-duty die-cast aluminum, the TTP-268M carries advanced features such as large LCD display, built-in Ethernet, PS/2 keyboard interface, and USB, Parallel, and Serial communications. Two versions are offered: the standard TTP-268M 203-dpi featuring print speeds of up to 8 inches/second, and the higher-resolution TTP-366M 300-dpi for producing two-dimensional barcodes, fine text, and small graphics. For storage, the new printers include 32 MB DRAM, 8 MB Flash, and extra memory card slot. Standard emulations include Eltron and Zebra programming languages, with TSC’s two-year limited warranty and pricing about 15% below comparable products on the market. “We are very excited about the introduction of our TTP-268M Series,” relayed David Lundeen, VP of Sales and Marketing for TSC America. “Our customers have been eager to see us expand our line-up of industrial-quality printers.”

TSC TTP-268M Series

COMPANY BUSINESS

ScanSource All Charged Up

ScanSource has installed an electric vehicle charging station at its corporate headquarters in Greenville, SC. Manufactured by Coulomb Technologies, the ChargePoint Networked Charging Station was installed by Thurso Power Systems LLC, also based in Greenville. It will serve ScanSource employees, vendors, and customers who currently drive, or are considering driving, electric vehicles. It will also be made available to the general public free of charge, according to the distributor.

“As electric vehicles gain prevalence, the need for charging stations in convenient locations becomes a necessity,” observed Mike Baur, ScanSource CEO and long-time owner of an EV. “And by installing the charging station at ScanSource, we hope to continue to promote the benefits of utilizing clean air technology in transportation and other areas, while also delivering an added convenience to our EV driving employees and customers.”

Last year, ScanSource launched ScanSource360, in an attempt to create the culture of environmental responsibility throughout its offices worldwide. The program includes corporate-wide recycling, an organic garden benefitting the Harvest Hope Food Bank in South Carolina, as well as many other waste reduction and recycling efforts. Installation of the charging station is one more way for ScanSource to promote environmental awareness and enhance its corporate green efforts, said the company.

Brian Edens, President of Thurso Power Systems (at left) and Mike Baur, CEO of ScanSource, Celebrate Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Panasonic’s New Deal

Panasonic (Secaucus, NJ) has launched its new dealer program for its POS and Drive-Thru sales channels. Divided into three categories, gold, silver, and bronze, the program offers authorized resellers targeted tools based on their commitment level and business activity, RRN.Com was told. It includes sales rebates, competitive pricing, and the ability for “dealers to sell to almost all major accounts.” Program partners may also take advantage of Panasonic’s financing solutions, deal registration, dealer advisory councils, and authorized service center certification.

“The new dealer program is one of our key building blocks for capturing additional market share,” declared Bill Taylor, President of Panasonic System Networks Company of America. “It has been formulated to enable Panasonic partners to access and leverage the business-to-business market leadership of Panasonic and, in turn, help them develop business strategies that will resonate with end-users and help push sales.”

Panasonic furnishes Stingray and Lite-ray POS workstations for hospitality, with the Attune Drive-Thru digital communications system offered as an easy add-on with significant dealer margins. Panasonic operates through open distribution for the Lite-ray workstation and Allure Drive-Thru, meaning any reseller can purchase and sell these two products. Panasonic requires pre-authorization to sell the Stingray workstation.

Panasonic’s Lite-ray Workstation

Worth Your While

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

Global Supply Chain Summit
National Retail Federation
April 10-12
Columbus, OH

WERC 2011
Warehousing Education and Research Council
May 15-18
Orlando

NRA Show 2011
National Restaurant Association
May 21-24
Chicago

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

HITEC 2011
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
June 20-23
Austin, TX

RetailNOW 2011
Retail Solution Providers Association
July 24-27
Orlando

ALL IN THE FAMILY

DLI 9200 Hits the Road

DLI (La Porte, IN) debuted its DLI 9200 Vehicle Mount Computer, promoted as the first device in its class powered by Intel’s Atom Dual Core processor. A fourth-generation product, the DLI 9200 builds on the legacy of the company’s workhorse--the DLI 8200--in addition to carrying characteristics typically found in rugged tablet devices, according to the company. It comes with 12-inch or 15-inch sunlight-viewable touchscreen technology to fit applications in forklifts, semi-trucks, police cars, emergency vehicles, and heavy-duty construction equipment.

Additional features of the DLI 9200 VMC include: six illuminated user-programmable keys; choice of OS including Microsoft Windows 7, Embedded Standard 7, XP Pro, Embedded Standard 2009, and Linux 2.6 (Ubuntu); and an integrated power-filtering DC-to-DC converter with back-up battery. For communications, concurrent Wi-Fi, CDMA/GPRS, Bluetooth, and GPS are provided, as well as IP-67 rated ports for USB, RS-232, VGA, and Ethernet. Finally, the DLI 9200 meets or exceeds MIL-STD-810F for shock and vibration, with the metal housing and component durability required for vehicle-mount environments.

“Like its predecessors, the DLI 9200 was designed with in-vehicle use in mind,” related Bryan Wesolek, President of DLI, “but given its large industrial touchscreen display, wireless connectivity, and Uninterruptible Power Supply, the 9200 is sure to find a home in a variety of fixed-mount industrial applications including manufacturing production lines and dock-side solutions.” The DLI 9200 Vehicle Mount Computer will be available for purchase in the middle of March, “nicely configured,” at $1,995.

DLI 9200 Vehicle Mount Computer

Banking on Scanner/Printer Combo

CognitiveTPG (Lincolnshire, IL) has teamed with Digital Check (Northbrook, IL) to launch the TellerScan TS240/TTP (for Teller Transaction Printer), which merges check scanning and receipt printing into one configuration. This device encases Digital Check’s TS240 batch-fed scanner, which handles up to 100 documents per minute, and CognitiveTPG’s A799 thermal unit, with print speeds of 250 mm/second. A combined development effort grew in response to ongoing feedback from the banking market over the need for enhanced scanning, printing, and space savings, according to the two parties.

Measuring 15.35 in. x 5.74 in. x 11.25 in. and weighing 8.1 lbs., the TellerScan TS240/TTP saves up to 50% of valuable counter space by incorporating scanner and receipt printer into one footprint. Moreover, through CognitiveTPG’s Receiptware marketing software, the system allows end-users to print bank branding, check images, and even variable promotional and loyalty messages on each receipt independent of the teller application. In addition, thermal receipt printing provides significant savings on consumables and cleaner, easier maintenance compared to printers typically deployed in financial settings.

“The TS240/TTP has seen tremendous early acceptance in our U.S. market and we expect it to be a hit internationally as well,” commented Alex Trombetta, Managing Director of Digital Check’s International Sales Division. “As banks look for greater efficiencies in the branch, this product is the perfect solution to achieve that at the teller window.” The TS240/TTP will first go to market through Digital Check’s network of solution providers.

TellerScan TS240/TTP Check Scanner and Receipt Printer From Digital Check and CognitiveTPG

[Editor’s Note:  CognitiveTPG also announced certification of its A799 receipt printer by POS software developer, Logivision (Mont-St-Hilaire, QC, Canada). Logivision addresses grocery, pharmacy, liquor, convenience, and specialty retail.]

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ALLIANCES

QR Code Couple

Denso ADC (Long Beach, CA) has tapped VitreoQR (Cleveland) as its North American Authorized Partner for its QR Code-generating software and scanning solutions in the U.S. and Canada. This partnership was forged to take advantage of the rapidly widening adoption of the QR Code by mobile marketers, according to the two parties. VitreoQR will play an essential role in providing end-users with complete solutions in this area, John Doran, Senior Manager, Commercial and Industrial Systems at Denso ADC, told RRN.Com.

“Both Denso and VitreoQR want to bring industrial-strength solutions to clients who demand the highest possible degree of success, unprecedented data security, and state-of-the-art statistics and analytics,” stated Dave Wickman, Co-Founder and CTO of VitreoQR. “The strategic partnership between Denso and VitreoQR was created for the mission-critical client who requires a world-class, built-for-business approach to get the most successful QR Code deployments possible.”

“VitreoQR firmly believes in the need to adhere to the ISO 18004:2006 standard, which defines QR Code technology,” added Michael Balas, Founder and CEO of VitreoQR. “Since the Denso applications are completely ISO compliant, and since the software comes from the company that invented the QR Code, we believe that our partnership with Denso will give VitreoQR an important claim of distinction in the QR Code technology space.”

Denso’s Symbology Goes to Market Thru VitreoQR

Rows of Seats for POS

MiniFrame (Netanya, Israel) and LG Electronics (Englewood Cliffs, NJ) have joined forces to tackle virtualization in the POS arena. Specifically, MiniFrame’s SoftXpand desktop virtualization software will support LG’s Multi POS monitors, allowing one controller PC to be connected to up to five independent POS workstations over TCP/IP networks. Each POS workstation will include touchscreen monitor, receipt printer, cash drawer, additional peripherals, and audio output, according to the two parties. Such architecture will allow end-users to run several applications simultaneously, including POS-oriented programs.

“This landmark partnership shows the unstoppable momentum of IT infrastructure moving to desktop virtualization,” maintained Raz Rafaeli, CEO of MiniFrame. “Combining LG monitors with our award-winning desktop virtualization software SoftXpand creates the optimal solution for today’s cost-conscious businesses. We strongly believe that the joint multi-seat solution has the potential to be a game-changer for the POS market, where the emphasis is on helping customers and businesses achieve the most cost-effective solutions, eliminating high investment in IT infrastructure and maintenance.”

“LG has drawn on its years of experience and proven technologies to push forward in this field and to develop new digital hardware in partnership with MiniFrame, which has unrivaled expertise in software development,” said Si Hwan Park, VP of the Monitor Division of LG Home Entertainment Company. “Bringing together two industry leaders, this partnership is certain to provide ground-breaking solutions that greatly enhance the value and efficiency of our customers’ businesses.”

MiniFrame and LG Address POS Desktop Virtualization

Code Corner

FreedomPay (Radnor, PA) released the Dashboard 2.0, its new reporting tool that provides visibility into POS transaction activity. The Dashboard 2.0 benefits retailers of all sizes, according to its developer, as well as distributors and manufacturers. Companies may compare store-by-store results, including daily volume, transaction types, average ticket, and hot-selling products. This enables on-the-fly decisions that maximize revenues, adjust inventories, and make changes across the supply chain. In addition, finance departments can set alerts that issue an early warning sign when stores drop below pre-set performance thresholds and that allow drill down into precisely why these locations are underperforming. Further, an end-user interface extends easy-to-implement “drag and drop” widgets to provide custom dashboards for each site and level of employee. “Our innovations support big-picture business objectives, making it easier for companies to harvest and harness the powerful information that is available every time they interact with the customer,” remarked Sam Bellamy, Chief Innovation Officer of FreedomPay. “Now, with the Dashboard 2.0, enterprises can quickly and simply measure, monitor, and manage Level 4 data to adjust to business conditions, converting data into actionable information.”

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

A License to Speed Software Sales

Tech Data (Clearwater, FL) unveiled its StreamOne Software License Selector, designed to bring new levels of speed and simplicity to how the channel handles these products. In four simple steps, the web-based StreamOne Software License Selector guides resellers through the entire purchasing process, sifting through hundreds of thousands of software SKUs and each vendors’ complex licensing rules to identify the right part number, most accurate pricing, and correct license type. This makes it easier to attach software to all hardware sales, according to the distributor, and reduces the cycle time from quote to license from days to minutes.

“The StreamOne Software License Selector is quickly solidifying Tech Data’s position as the premier software license distributor for the world’s leading software companies,” noted Joe Quaglia, SVP, U.S. Marketing, for Tech Data. “Increasing the number of reseller partners able to sell software for our vendor partners will generate incremental software sales for everyone, including Tech Data. Additionally, we believe the StreamOne Software License Selector will help Tech Data strengthen such sales among small and medium businesses.”

“Many resellers avoid pursuing lucrative, margin-rich software sales because of the complexity of software licensing,” suggested Stacy Nethercoat, VP, Software Product Marketing at Tech Data. “Now, for the first time ever, there is no need for the reseller to be an expert or invest in expensive resources or training to sell software. All they need is the StreamOne Software License Selector.”

The new methodology covers nearly 40 major vendors, representing more than 99% of the software licenses purchased through Tech Data. Participating companies include Adobe, Filemaker, Intuit, Kaspersky, McAfee, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle, Red Hat, Sage, SAP, SCO, Sybase, Symantec, Trend Micro, and VMware. The Software License Selector is the first in an anticipated series of exclusive e-business services that Tech Data will build on its new StreamOne software platform.

Joe Quaglia, SVP, U.S. Marketing, Tech Data

Off the Perch: Seagull’s BarTender V9.4

Seagull Scientific (Bellevue, WA) has published BarTender Version 9.4 of its popular label and RFID software. New features include support for two-sided label design, allowing BarTender to take full advantage of duplex-capable printers. This latest release also offers more advanced “rich text” editing, according to the developer, making it easier to satisfy complex industrial label requirements. Examples of formatting functions include different fonts, highlighting and strike-through, bulleted and numbered lists, and superscripts and subscripts.

Further, “live database” navigation allows users to see their external data merged into their labels at design time. An “embedded revision log” feature, which saves detailed history of label format changes into the document (BTW file), can be used by itself or with BarTender’s Librarian companion application. Two additional SDKs, one each for BarTender Librarian and the BarTender System Database, allow other software to directly access information about past print jobs and document versions, or even to reprint prior label runs.

“New release time is always my favorite time of the year,” shared Jeremy Seigel, CEO of Seagull Scientific. “I’m especially excited about design-time view of live data because I’ve been begging my programmers for this for 10 years! It works much faster than I thought it would and they sneaked it into the same line with the scroll bar, so it doesn’t even take up any real estate.”

New Build Carries More Advanced “Rich Text” Editing

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
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
SATO America
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic Mobile
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Pay at Table
Bellatrix Systems

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Retail Systems
Zebra/Motorola

INSTALLATIONS

Seiko Propels eCycling Kiosk

Seiko Instruments USA, Thermal Printer Division (Torrance, CA), will supply its APU-9000-C kiosk printers to ecoATM (San Diego), the award-winning manufacturer of consumer electronics recycling kiosks. Customers place discarded portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones and MP3 players, in the ecoATM eCycling Station (with acceptance of laptops, video games, and e-readers currently in test). The kiosk then inspects the device, provides an instant, real-time secondary market valuation, and prints some combination of voucher, coupon, promotion, and barcode label.

For printer qualification, ecoATM reportedly performed rigorous testing for performance, reliability, and maintenance. Broad printing flexibility was required since the kiosk must produce products with varying media thicknesses. As additional factors in selecting the APU-9000-C, ecoATM pointed to the printer’s ease of integration and simple paper loading. Seiko’s APU-9000-C comes in two- and three-inch print-width models, with 250 mm/second print speeds and heavy-duty cutter (one million or more cuts).

“Our top-of-the-line APU-9000-C kiosk printers were designed specifically for the demanding needs of unattended applications like the ecoATM eCycling Station,” stated Kaz Onishi, VP, Seiko Instruments USA. “As an ISO 14000-compliant company, we are extremely pleased to be included in this highly innovative and environmentally friendly kiosk application.”

Seiko’s APU-9000-C Kiosk Printer

Victoria Muy Grande for VeriFone

VeriFone Systems (San Jose, CA) will deliver its PAYware Merchant card payment and settlement hosted service to Arcos Dorados, the company that manages the McDonald’s brand in Latin America. Arcos Dorados represents the largest restaurant operator in Latin America and the largest McDonald’s franchisee in the world. It operates more than 1,850 McDonald’s restaurants as well as other branded outlets throughout 19 countries, and delivers field service to the other 10 markets in the region.

Beginning with 220 McDonald’s restaurants in Argentina and Uruguay, PAYware Merchant will be integrated with proprietary POS to accommodate card payment processing at the front counter. Arcos Dorados has also contracted to lease VeriFone card acceptance systems and will offer individual restaurants either the VX 810 PIN Pad or MX 870 multimedia payment system. The agreement provides the opportunity for broader roll out to other countries, and beyond.

“We were looking for payments and security expertise, and VeriFone provided the knowledge and technology to support our efforts,” reported Pablo Corona, Arcos Dorados Systems Director, South Division of Latin America. “We found the perfect match for PCI DSS compliant hardware and software while increasing transaction reliability.” Notably, this solution also supports EMV Chip and PIN

Arcos Dorados McDonald’s in Puerto Rico

Channel Factoid

After several years of struggling, the worldwide PC-based POS market swelled 6.9%, according to new research from IHL Group (Franklin, TN). Shipments grew in all four major worldwide regions: North America, EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. In terms of technology, the share of shipped POS terminals with embedded operating systems from Microsoft increased to 34.1%. Overall, 87.4% of POS terminals shipped were on DOS or Microsoft Windows platforms. Meanwhile, the share of new Linux terminals dropped from 10.1% in 2009 to 8.4% in 2010 worldwide, but this remains an attractive choice in China, Russia, and several other countries. “It was a strong year overall, but several threats appear on the horizon for this market,” cautioned Greg Buzek, President of IHL Group. “New mobile devices, inspired by the Apple iPad price point of $500, are a significant threat to the traditional POS market, particularly for specialty stores and hospitality establishments. Our recent research found that upwards of 50% of specialty retailers are looking to deploy handheld POS devices to replace many of their standard POS systems. In addition, increasing oil prices due to unrest in the Middle East will sap consumers’ wallets, which will challenge retail sales in other segments beyond fuel.”

HELLO GOODBYE

Aldelo Adds Snyder

Aldelo (Modesto, CA) has hired Joel Snyder as its Director of National Business Development. In this role, he will be “primarily responsible for the planning, implementation, and execution of business plans and strategies to grow channel business relating to the XERA line of products on a national scale,” the company has posted on its website. “This includes soliciting, building, and maintaining relationships with vendors and dealers to grow new dealer sales.”

In so-called “soft launch,” XERA POS software has been publicized so far through social media outreach. In his mailings to RRN.Com, Snyder has noted that XERA was: “designed specifically for Table Service and Quick Service restaurants to manage efficient order input, intuitive operation, integrated payment processing, and comprehensive reporting. Built on .NET platform from the ground up and powered by SQL Server 2008 R2, XERA POS is the latest, most reliable, and most popular relational database management system available.”

Snyder is well-known in the POS industry. Prior to joining Aldelo, he worked at RMS Solutions and SSP North America. Earlier, he served for many years in sales and management positions for major POS vendors such as Posiflex, Squirrel, Datasym, and MICROS.

Joel Snyder, Director of National Business Development, Aldelo

Phillips Signs on the M-Dotted Line

M-Dot Network (Erie, PA), which provides an enterprise platform for retailers to manage their digital couponing programs, has recruited Steve Phillips as its EVP of Business Development. With three decades of sales and management experience, Phillips has worked at Catalina Marketing and Blackhawk Network. Most recently, he served as SVP of Business Development at PromoWorks LLC, where he reportedly grew the contracted store count by 5,000.

“Joining M-Dot Network is an opportunity to set strategy for moving coupons and customer incentives to the digital world,” Phillips volunteered. “With communication now moving ever so fast into the digital era, M-Dot can provide the marketing, technology, and communication process to bring the CPG brand, the retailer, and the customer together in a more efficient and targeted relationship. The brand and retailer now have the opportunity to invite the customer to purchase their product and incent them to continue using their brand through digital engagement.”

M-Dot Network also announced two more penetrations into the retail world. First, M-Dot and Alliance Marketing have partnered to make digital coupon technology more widely available to independent grocery stores. Alliance Marketing represents 350 grocery stores in 16 states with $2.3 billion in annualized sales. Secondly, M-Dot has forged similar relations with Market Basket Rewards--now MBR Intentional Marketing--in order to allow independent and mid-size grocers to implement the same advanced marketing tools as larger chains, according to the two parties.