Our Product Pick

SpacePole (Norcross, GA) has presented its new mounting solution, SpacePole Stack. It delivers a wider body for improved cable management and greater stability for payment terminals (helping signature capture, for example). It comes with an adaptor that adds another 1.1 in./28 mm to its height, for flexibility. In addition, the company's proprietary "MultiGrip" plates accommodate terminals from major manufacturers. They may be easily changed as needed. Finally, SpacePole Stack's composite construction has glass fiber enhancements for rigidity and durability. "Mounting your payment terminal is proven to reduce call out charges, minimize repairs and replacements, and simply provide better customer experiences," counseled Ralph Lambers, Director of Product Management. "SpacePole Stack answers many of the challenges faced by retailers in mounting technology."

SpacePole Stack Terminal Mount

COMPANY BUSINESS

A Jar of Honeywell for VARs

Another evolution of the channel effort at Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions (Fort Mill, SC). As structure, Honeywell's refashioned 2017 Performance Partner Program keeps its four tiers--Silver, Gold, Platinum, and National Broadline Resellers (NBR)--with placement based on such typical factors as sales volume, technical prowess, and commitment to selling Honeywell. Now it adds another tier, Platinum Elite, described as "top-level-to-top-level access," RRN.Com was told by Kirk Heyde, VP of Sales for U.S. and Canada. "It allows them to help shape our business."

Another noteworthy enhancement is "Rising Star," continued Heyde, which opens the door for newcomers. "We want to help the smaller guys, who might not be on the scale of the top guys, but who truly add value for our customers. Once we start seeing progress, we can bump them up to the next level, with benefits immediately." (Not directly addressed in the Performance Partner Program, of course, are the thousands of "Associate Partners" buying from distributors of Honeywell.)

A number of additional changes have been made to the Performance Partner Program, which started in 2015. As one example, both Platinum and Platinum Elite will enjoy incentive rebates for growth. A new loyalty program, for channel partners at all levels, will reward sales representatives and sales teams. Some new tools include an enhanced price book, more robust partner website, and partner performance dashboards. In addition, Honeywell has revived its Top Runner Program, which sets pricing for high-volume SKUs. Going forward, Heyde identified an increased focus on ISVs, adding "We succeed if our channel succeeds."

Kirk Heyde, VP of Sales, U.S. and Canada, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions

Follow the Money With Harbortouch

Harbortouch (Allentown, PA) has partnered with Strategic Funding Source (New York, NY) to offer its merchant customers access to working capital. Such "non-bank financing options" from Strategic Funding Source will range from $10,000 to $1,000,000. This money may be used for any business purpose, from advertising to staffing to inventory, or for new equipment or expansion, according to Harbortouch. As helpful elements of the program, Strategic Funding Source cites high approval rate, funding within five days, and the lack of complicated paperwork.

Working capital programs from Strategic Funding Source have "less stringent requirements than traditional bank products," noted the two parties. In addition, for payment, merchants may utilize their business cash flows. "We look forward to providing customers of Harbortouch with access to working capital that can help their businesses grow," expressed Andrew Altschuler, VP of Business Development at Strategic Funding Source. "Building a relationship with a trusted financier is crucial for the success of small business. Through the repayment process, our best customers have continued access to more capital and unique prepayment strategies."

"At Harbortouch, we strive to be a one-stop shop for small and mid-sized businesses," remarked Brian Jones, EVP of Sales and Marketing at Harbortouch. "We are always looking for ways to provide additional value to our merchants. This partnership enables us to deliver another valuable service to our business clients." A pioneering proponent of "POS-as-a-Service," Harbortouch charges monthly for software, hardware, installation, and support--with no upfront cost--and associated payment processing.

Brian Jones, EVP of Sales and Marketing, Harbortouch

Worth Your While

WERC
Warehousing Education and Research Council
April 30 - May 3
Fort Worth, TX

Transact
Electronic Transactions Association
May 10-12
Las Vegas, NV

NRA
National Restaurant Association
May 20-23
Chicago, IL

RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
August 6-9
Las Vegas, NV

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Pioneer Gets Stealthy

Pioneer Solution (City of Industry, CA) has unwrapped its StealthTouch II All-in-One for POS. With 15" touchscreen (resistive or capacitive), the StealthTouch II has hot-swappable battery (5200- or 13,400-mAh) for portability and uninterruptible operation. A fanless, bezel-free design combines with dual-hinged stand allowing adjustable heights and viewing angles. StealthTouch II weighs 17.4 lbs. with stand, 10.3 lbs. for wall-mount.

As technology, the StealthTouch II furnishes Intel Quad-Core J1900 CPU at 2 GHz (or i5 at 2.2 GHz), 4-GB/8-GB RAM, SSD or HDD, and Windows 7/8/10. As communications, there's Intel 10/100/1000 Base T Ethernet and 802.11a/c Wi-Fi. As ports, there's USB x 6, Powered USB x 2 (12V and 24V), Serial x 2, and VGA x 1. Integrated peripherals include magnetic-stripe reader (MSR), smart-card reader (EMV), biometrics (fingerprint reader), and customer-facing displays (VFD and 10" LCD). Also, an external battery charger simultaneously holds four batteries.

"The StealthTouch II was designed from input directly from our customers and industry experts," relayed Gee Singgih, CEO of Pioneer Solution. "It has a sleek and modern look, and is rugged to withstand harsh and demanding environments. With its long shelf life--a minimum of five years--the StealthTouch II will help lower your total cost of ownership (TCO)." A longtime leader in channel POS, Pioneer POS rebranded in 2016 as Pioneer Solution.

StealthTouch II POS by Pioneer Solution

A "Key" Addition for ID TECH

ID TECH (Cypress, CA) has unveiled its newest family of payment devices, designated ViVOpay 4880. As expected, it handles magnetic-stripe (MSR), chip card (EMV), and contactless payments (NFC), communicates to the host via Powered USB, and features an integration Software Development Kit (SDK). It has small dimensions of 2.5 in. (L) x 1.9 in. (W) x 0.6 in. (H). An optional stand facilitates use on the front counter.

A trio of versions are offered: ViVOpay 4880 with MSR, EMV and NFC; ViVOpay 4880E with EMV and NFC; and ViVOpay 4880C with NFC. An embedded version suits the needs of OEMs. As key management there's industry standard DUKPT, with encryption for data security, as well as industry standards for ISO 18092 and 14443 and EMV Contact Level 1 and 2 Certification. It quotes 100,000 card cycles minimum for smart-card reader and 300,000 card swipes minimum for mag-stripe reader.

"The ViVOpay 4880 product family is a key addition to ID TECH's existing array of NFC-capable devices," enthused Ginger Wu, Product Manager at ID TECH. "The versatility of this product line is not only perfect in retail environments, but they also fit into markets such as the OEM and Unattended." In 2012, readers may recall, ID TECH acquired the card reader business of the former ViVOpay.

ViVOpay 4880 by ID TECH

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ALLIANCES

Oracle Moves "Qkr!"

A pact between power players Oracle (Redwood Shores, CA) and Mastercard (Purchase, NY) seeks to crystallize the digital payment experience for consumers in the U.S. It emphasizes fulfillment of three critical touch-points for retail and hospitality: in-store experience, operational efficiencies, and cross-channel consistency. In so doing, it features the payment giant's mobile "Qkr!" App in concert with its digital payment platform, Masterpass. Along with the U.S., Mastercard will expand Qkr! to Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, and South Africa.

As customer experience, Qkr! and Oracle Retail will enable consumers to seamlessly order and pay for goods and services via their smartphones without having to wait in line or for their restaurant server, according to Mastercard. A fully integrated solution, including fraud protection through Mastercard Payment Gateway Services, will boost operational efficiency. Finally, the digital payment service from Oracle and Mastercard provides checkout across the range of channels.

"With close to 80% of consumers using technology at some point along their shopping journey, Mastercard is committed to unlocking omnichannel commerce for every device and delivering convenient experiences to users at-home, in-stores, and on-the-go," declared Chris Fendley, SVP for Merchant Development at Mastercard. "Building on the success of our joint initiatives with Oracle in the U.K., we can help retailers and hospitality providers connect with their customers in more engaging ways while enabling them to grow their businesses with scale, speed, and security." With Oracle on-board with Qkr!, and Masterpass, can JDA, NetSuite, and SAP be far behind?

A Combined Digital Payment Platform

In High Gear at Shift4

Payment services and gateway provider Shift4 (Las Vegas, NV) has brought EMV to leading resort ISV, Clubessential (Cincinnati, OH). Founded in 1998, Clubessential has 1,400 customers. Currently, Shift4 supports more than a dozen EMV-capable terminals from Ingenico (Atlanta, GA) and Verifone (San Francisco, CA) with options for USB, Serial, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Also, it's certified for EMV with eight major processors--making it easy for businesses to adopt EMV.

"We're proud to partner with Clubessential to offer a solution that fits EMV within club and resort owners' current operations," shared David Oder, CEO of Shift4. "In addition to the improved card verification that EMV offers at physical points of sale, these merchants can truly secure their enterprise with Shift4's True Tokenization and True P2PE (Point-to-Point Encryption) technologies, which are included in every EMV-certified integration we offer." In going to market, Shift4 solicits VARs and ISVs.

A busy time at Shift4, which calls its system "Dollars On The Net." Since January, it has announced EMV for three prominent hotel ISVs: SkyTouch Technology (Phoenix, AZ), Skyware (Frederick, MD), and WebRezPro (Calgary, AB, Canada). A chain of functionality includes reservations, property management, and point-of-sale. In the area of distribution, Shift4 has announced its new relationship with POS Portal (Sacramento, CA). "We're excited POS Portal is helping us simplify the final step for our clients--actually getting properly configured devices into their stores," indicated Daniel Montellano, VP of Strategic Business Development at Shift4.

Shift4 on Ingenico's iSC 250 Payment Terminal

Code Corner

Loftware, Inc. (Portsmouth, NH) has released its Spectrum 3.0 Enterprise Labeling Solution. It includes new features and enhancements. A new Business Rules Configurator, in one example, has easy drag-and-drop capabilities. A variety of pre-built "blocks" enable end-users to create common logic sequences, in support of its shareable Reusable Rules Library. Application creation in Spectrum 3.0 has been strengthened within the Application Architect. It now includes dynamic data entry, end-user wizard, and expanded table/grid functionality. Additional benefits of 3.0 include cross-reference table support, improved printing of documents in PDF, more choices for integration for SAP, and so-called "versioning capabilities" for business rules, processes, and workflows (which provides greater control over, and traceability for, production environments). "Loftware continues to set the standard for labeling with the release of Spectrum 3.0," enthused Robert O'Connor, President and CEO. "We work closely with our customers to understand their evolving business needs and continue to deliver innovative capabilities that further Spectrum's position as the market's most powerful Enterprise Labeling Solution."

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

"Alexa, Ask DineTime for the Wait at Red Robin"

QSR Automations (Louisville, KY) has called upon Amazon's Alexa to support its reservation system, DineTime. It now allows consumers to use voice commands in order to contact restaurants, ask their wait times, and put themselves on their reservation lists. The DineTime Skill for Alexa may be downloaded for free through the Alexa Amazon App. Or end-users may start by saying "Alexa, Enable the DineTime Skill."

"Our first launch of the DineTime Skill [for Alexa] gave diners the benefit of using voice commands to hear restaurant wait times and now the updated version of the Skill [for Alexa] allows diners to make actionable, on-demand decisions," related Lee Leet, Founder and CEO of QSR Automations. "Now diners can not only hear the wait times, but put themselves on the wait list. The clock for waiting starts at the point of interacting with Alexa, not when you arrive at the restaurant."

Available for iOS and Android, the DineTime App supports the family of Alexa, including Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV, and Fire Tablets. Several years ago, it extended its existing guest management software, DineTime, into an online reservation system. A long-lived player in restaurant IT, QSR Automations is also well known in our channel for its Kitchen Display Systems (KDS).

QSR Automations Calls Upon Alexa for DineTime

Of App Optionality and Hospitality

About four months ago, an upstart launched its "Universal" Application Programming Interface (API) for POS, dubbed, like the company itself, Omnivore (Hayward, CA). It was designed as the bridge between the rising numbers of third-party apps and established vendors of POS, including prominent names such as Oracle-Micros, NCR Aloha, POSitouch, Agilysys-InfoGenesis, and Heartland-Dinerware. Now, as its next step, Omnivore has touted its associated App Marketplace.

As an open, online exchange, Omnivore's App Marketplace "provides locations what they truly want: app optionality," in the phrasing of Mike Coppola, Chief Business Officer of Omnivore. So far, two dozen app developers have come onboard, spanning capacities such as gifting, seating, analytics, and payroll. This includes prominent players such as DoorDash, EZ-Chow, ItsOnMe, MenuPad, Resy, Rooam, SeatNinja, TABu, and Zapper. [Editor's Note: Gotta love these names!]

"By taking advantage of our proven Universal API and new Marketplace together, restaurants will be able to respond quickly to new industry trends and opportunities, minimize resources to test and deploy these technologies, and build new lines of revenue they have not previously had access to," suggested Mike Wior, Co-Founder and CEO of Omnivore. "Our revolutionary API is already shifting the entire restaurant technology landscape. Now, through our Marketplace, restaurants and hospitality brands around the world will be able to take that momentum to the next level."

Screen Capture of the Omnivore POS App Console

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Aures
Bematech
Harbortouch
Hewlett-Packard
Pioneer POS
Poindus
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Tailwind Solutions

POS Software
Action Systems Inc.

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
CognitiveTPG
Godex Americas
Honeywell

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection
AML
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Denso ADC
Honeywell
Janam Technologies

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
iPayment
Moneris
Sterling Payment

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry Americas, LLC
TG3 Electronics

Mounts for POS
SpacePole

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
CognitiveTPG
Epson America
Star Micronics

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

SC-ID: Hardware? Call Barcoding, Inc.

A nice piece of business for Barcoding, Inc., in the form of VAR SC-ID. With the shift to its software practice, entitled SCLogic, SC-ID has assigned selection, procurement, deployment, and support of hardware to Barcoding, Inc. Both companies are based in Maryland (Baltimore and Annapolis, respectively), with many years of previous collaboration.

"We made the decision to focus exclusively on our growing software business, SCLogic," disclosed Mike Saldi, President and CEO of parent company, SCL Holdings, Inc. "Because of our longstanding customer relationships, it was important to partner our SC-ID clients with the company that will give them the level of service and knowledge that they are accustomed to receiving. We are 100% comfortable placing our SC-ID clients in Barcoding, Inc.'s hands."

"Barcoding has demonstrated expertise in end-to-end implementations, including assisting clients with selecting the right hardware platforms and providing ongoing service and support for that hardware," volunteered Shane Snyder, President of Barcoding, Inc. "With this partnership, we will provide our comprehensive support and service to SC-ID's clients, ensuring they are maximizing their efficiency, accuracy, and connectivity." Started in 1996, SC-ID focused on wireless, barcoding, and RFID for supply chain.

Mike Saldi, President, SCL Holdings

NRS at the Bodega

A newcomer in independent merchant POS, National Retail Solutions (Newark, NJ), has signed up over 1,700 customers in its first year. A subsidiary of IDT Corporation, which provides telecommunications, National Retail Solutions offers the full slate of merchant services, payment processing, and POS. On its website, it addresses partners. (It also sells direct through entities such as wholesale grocery supplier, Jetro.) It expects sales to accelerate in 2017.

"NRS is off to an extremely strong start," reported Elie Katz, President of National Retail Solutions. "Bodegas and other independent retailers are hungry for our tools to help them compete against retail chains and big box stores. The NRS platform helps them to boost sales and drive customer traffic by enabling them to utilize special offers and coupons from suppliers of consumer packaged goods (CPG). From the CPG perspective, our platform provides unprecedented access and reach into the large, dynamic, ethnically focused consumer markets that these largely urban retailers serve."

Significantly, National Retail Solutions sells PC-on-a-Cash Drawer. Its terminals, which include customer- and retailer-facing displays, scanners, and beacon technologies, enable retailers to issue and accept coupons and special offers from the leading providers of CPG. At present, National Retail Solutions claims to have 3.2 million members of its popular rewards program, named BR Club (for "Boss Revolution").

National Retail Solutions' POS Package

Channel Factoid

Six years after it was enacted into law, as part of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Durbin Amendment has fallen out of favor with consumers, postulates new survey data released by Morning Consult and the Electronic Payments Coalition. This survey finds that 58% of Independents, 52% of Republicans, and 44% of Democrats said the government should not be involved with setting interchange rates on credit cards. A majority of voters also think that the Durbin Amendment represents price control: 60% of Republicans, 55% of Independents, and 53% of Democrats. According to estimates, Durbin saves big box retailers between $6 billion to $8 billion each year, totaling approximately $42 billion. However, in this survey, voters feel they have not received any resulting discount at the register since 2011. "Big box retailers have clearly broken their promises to consumers when it comes to the Durbin Amendment," editorialized Molly Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Electronic Payments Coalition. "It's a failed policy of government mandated price controls that hurts consumers first and foremost, but also small businesses, community banks, and credit unions." Electronic Payments Coalition urges repeal of Durbin.

HELLO GOODBYE

Digimarc Wraps Up New VP

Digimarc Corporation (Beaverton, OR) has enlisted product packaging veteran Scott Wilcox as its VP of Client Services. He brings 25 years of experience with SGS Co., supplier of design-to-print services for consumer packaged goods, culminating in the role of VP and Business Manager. As we've all seen demonstrated, the Digimarc Barcode, based on patented digital watermarking technology, comprises an imperceptible pattern that gets repeatedly encoded into the images and graphics on consumer packaged goods (CPG). This novel approach makes an entire package scannable--not just the traditional UPC.

"The proliferation of connected packaging is going to be much quicker than people realize and there is great potential for Digimarc to help revolutionize the industry," commented Wilcox. "I've spent a lot of time with brand owners and their suppliers. They know they can be doing more with their packaging as it relates to consumer engagement and manufacturing and logistical efficiencies. Plus, there are also huge benefits for retailers. I look forward to leveraging my experience to help brands successfully navigate the rapidly changing business environment of connected packaging."

"Scott joins Digimarc with a robust understanding of the unique packaging needs and opportunities for brands, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from his many years at SGS Co.," contributed Bruce Davis, CEO of Digimarc. "He will be a strong asset for Digimarc thanks to his client-centric mindset and approach, and will create great value for both clients and the entire team at Digimarc." Since its introduction, Digimarc Barcode has seen widespread acceptance by vendors and standards organizations in Auto ID.

Scott Wilcox, VP of Client Services, Digimarc

A Miles-Stone for Ingenico

In announcing its reorganization into two global business units--Retail and Banks & Acquirers--the Ingenico Group (Paris, France) has revealed that payments heavyweight Jennifer Miles will join the firm as EVP of North America in July 2017, "once she has honored her contractual obligations to her former employer." That would be Verifone Systems (San Francisco, CA), where she serves as President of the Americas. Since joining Verifone in 2000, Miles has progressed from VP and GM for Integrated Systems, to SVP of Vertical and Security Solutions, to EVP of North America, and, in 2013, to President of the Americas.

"Jennifer is one of the most renowned executives in the payment space," proposed Ingenico. "With a nearly five-fold growth of revenues in the U.S. over the past five years and over 80% market share in terminals in Canada, Ingenico has demonstrated that it is uniquely positioned to serve North American bank card and retail customers, leveraging both business units as well as its mobile payment solution, ROAM. Jennifer's unmatched knowledge of the complex U.S. market will be of tremendous value as Ingenico pursues its expansion."

Jennifer Miles Will Join Ingenico as EVP of North America