This Week’s Product Pick

Bixolon America (Torrance, CA) has extended its SRP-350 direct thermal receipt printer family with the SRP-350IIOBEi. Carrying Bluetooth, with iOS and Android SDKs, and MFi Validation, this new device delivers print speed of 7.9 inches/200 mm per second at three-inch print width and 180 dpi. It measures 5.7 in. (W) x 8 in. (L) x 5.7 in. (D), weighs about 3.6 lbs., and accommodates media roll diameter of 3.3 inches/83 mm. Technical specifications include 64 MB SDRAM, 16 MB ROM, and triple interface (USB 2.0, Ethernet, and Bluetooth V2.1+EDR). Additional benefits include Energy Star Certification, drop-in paper loading, two drawer ports, and sensors for paper end, paper near end, and cover open. All members of SRP-350 support user-defined fonts, graphics, barcodes, and logos for use in retail, hospitality, and ticketing.

Bixolon SRP-350IIOBEi

COMPANY BUSINESS

Mercury Plays the StoreCard

Mercury StoreCard has debuted at Mercury Payment Systems (Durango, CO), one of the payment processors most vested in the POS channel. Designed with the SMB in mind, Mercury StoreCard draws together gifts, rewards, mobile payments, and promotions, all in one package, accessed by the consumer via physical card or smartphone. In addition to making purchases, consumers may track balances, manually or automatically reload their accounts, send custom-printed gift cards to family and friends, and share promotional materials via social media. Mercury StoreCard will be made available for select customers in February 2014, with broader rollout planned for mid-year.

"StoreCard is built on MercuryGift processing, which remains free for merchants who maintain payment processing accounts with Mercury," Travis Priest, VP of Value-Added Services, told RRN.Com. "There is a monthly fee for access to the StoreCard program plus additional fees for certain StoreCard functionality, which amounts are both competitively priced in comparison to other gift/prepaid programs available in the market. StoreCard will be offered to all Mercury dealers to resell as an upgrade to MercuryGift with additional residual opportunities."

"Gift--really, prepaid--is a great base upon which to innovate because the payment platform offers tremendous flexibility on Mercury's existing infrastructure," continued Priest. "We believe that the Mercury StoreCard is unique in combining mobile payment, rewards, social gifting, and consumer-customization. These features and others like offers and loyalty marketing services are seen individually in various industry offerings, but the StoreCard brings all these features together into one cohesive, consumer-focused package seamlessly integrated with the merchant's existing POS."

Travis Priest, VP of Value-Added Services, Mercury

A Moveable Feast for ISVs

One of the preeminent developers of restaurant POS, Digital Dining (Springfield, VA), has unveiled its Go Mobile App for iOS. Available on the Apple App Store, Go Mobile mirrors Digital Dining, eliminating the need for extra training, according to the developer. It provides the full range of necessary functionality, including tableside order taking, pull up menu items and photos, inventory reporting, and credit card transactions.

As stated on Digital Dining's iPad and iPod page, "The Go Mobile App accesses the same database as your standard POS registers and updates transaction data in real time." It allows for a "robust and dynamic interface without a cumbersome third-party program" (which also means you can set it up quickly without new files). A secure, PCI Wi-Fi network and Digital Dining POS license are required, as well as activation by one of Digital Dining's dealers.

"The current generation of Digital Dining is the most technologically advanced complete POS product available on the market," suggested Andre Nataf, Senior Business Development Manager for Digital Dining. "Our Go Mobile solution for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and iPad Mini will increase the restaurant's performance, streamline its efficiencies, and thus increase profits." Since 1984, Digital Dining, the brand name of Menusoft Corporation, has served more than 50,000 customers.

Digital Dining's Go Mobile App on iPad

Worth Your While

NRF 103rd Annual Conference & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 12-15
New York City

INSPIRE 2014
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
February 2-5
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

ETA Annual Meeting & Expo
Electronic Transactions Association
April 8-10
Las Vegas

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 17-20
Chicago

RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
August 3-6
Orlando

ALL IN THE FAMILY

XT Unfolds at Posiflex

Posiflex Business Machines (Hayward, CA) has delivered its XT Series of touchscreen POS with handy foldable base. First previewed at the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) Show in August, this new design offers height and viewing angle flexibility while reducing shipping size and weight by 40%. A pair of terminals has been stocked with 15-inch touchscreens for the XT: Posiflex XT4015 with three Intel CPU choices, or the more cost-effective, "workhorse" Posiflex XT3215.

XT4015 extends three powerful processors--the G540 at 2.5 GHz, the Core i3-3220 at 3.3 GHz, or the Core i5-3550s at 3.7 GHz. A bezel-free projective capacitive or resistive touchscreen terminal comes standard with 4 GB DDR3 RAM, upgraded to 16 GB. In order to secure valuable data, the XT4015 optionally offers RAID 1 (disk mirroring).

XT3215 features an Intel D525 Dual-Core CPU at 1.8 GHz, 2 GB DDR3 RAM, upgraded to 4 GB, and 15-inch resistive TFT LCD touchscreen. A range of additional benefits are included in the XT Series: five USB ports, dual LAN ports, VESA wall mount capability, control of two cash drawers, mini PCI-e slot for Wi-Fi, along with three DB9 and one RJ-45 ports. Options for the XT Series are SSD, secondary display, and parallel port with extension cable.

XT Series Touchscreen Terminal From Posiflex

Motion's Missing LINC

Motion Computing (Austin, TX) has taken networking into its own hands with the debut of its LINCWorks. These devices encompass wireless hardware, proprietary six-antenna array, automated configuration software, and waterproof NEMA case. Two configurations are offered: the personal LINCWorks RDA (Rugged Deploy Anywhere) and the mountable LINCWorks VAN (Vehicle Area Network). As communications, they run Ethernet 10/100/1000, Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/n, and 3G/4G LTE, with powering via solar, AC Power, and Power over Ethernet (PoE).

"Motion's focus and leadership in rugged computing has shown us that infrastructure connectivity across harsh, remote, and other non-traditional environments that is essential for productivity has been lacking," indicated Dave Mackie, Head of Wireless Networking Products for Motion Computing. "This concept takes a 'network in a box' approach that lets users instantly establish a WAN/LAN, cell, and/or mesh infrastructure for the reliable exchange of mission-critical information anytime, anywhere." One early adopter, Tim Smith, Project Coordinator for Rogers-O'Brien Construction Company, pointed to scalability as the job site changes as an especially important benefit.

Motion Computing rounds out the LINCWorks RDA line with easy-to-add accessories such as solar power supply for sites lacking reliable electricity, and fixed or rotating cameras for use in security conditions. An expandable mast increases such security camera viewing areas. Wireless coverage may also be widened by mounting antennas on the expandable mast.

LINCWorks Wireless Device for Remote Field Environments From Motion Computing

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ALLIANCES

An eXpress to Motorola's TC55

Barcoding, Inc. (Baltimore) has released its CaptureSoft eXpress data-capture platform for Android O/S. Developed and supported by Barcoding's Software Services Division, CaptureSoft eXpress was first introduced in 2008 for devices running Windows Mobile O/S, RRN.Com readers may recall, and has since been employed for rapid application development in route accounting, fixed asset tracking, and inventory management. In addition, the new CaptureSoft eXpress for Android has been validated by Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL) and will be used as one of the demo applications on the new TC55 touch computer.

Unboxed in October 2013, and beta tested by Barcoding, Motorola's TC55 combines the features of an enterprise-class mobile computer with the form factor and functionality typically found in smartphones, and runs Android Jelly Bean. Specifically, this includes four-inch touchscreen, electronic signature capture, barcoding, eight-megapixel camera, and an IP-67 rating for water and dust protection. It also carries "Extensions by Motorola," or "Mx," which enhances security, device management, and performance, and works in conjunction with third-party schemes such as SOTI, AirWatch, and Wavelink.

"With the increasing adoption of the Android operating system in the enterprise, Barcoding recognized the need and opportunity to develop a version of our CaptureSoft eXpress software for this growing platform," explained Jack Nosek, Barcoding's lead software developer and winner of the 2012 Motorola Solutions' App Forum Code-A-Thon. "It offers the same cutting-edge, rapid application creation capacity as its Windows counterpart, allowing users to expand their data capture capabilities to gain new efficiencies." In winning his previous award, Nosek linked Barcoding's XPO Tradeshow Catalog Manager with the Motorola ET1 Enterprise Tablet.

CaptureSoft eXpress for Android O/S by Barcoding, Inc.

No Expiration Date for ReposiTrak

ReposiTrak, the food and drug safety solution backed by Leavitt Partners and the Park City Group (Salt Lake City), has been chosen by the leading supermarket industry trade association, the Food Marketing Institute (Arlington, VA). Under this agreement, ReposiTrak will be the exclusive solution provider endorsed by FMI in connection with the food and drug safety traceability of goods and related services, including document management. At present, members of FMI operate nearly 40,000 stores and 25,000 pharmacies, so Park City Group especially enjoyed the holidays this season. In addition to store locations, ReposiTrak encompasses players such as warehouses, food processing facilities, growers, drug manufacturers, and logistics providers.

"At FMI, we are working to help our members protect their customers and employees, meet all federal and state regulatory mandates, safeguard their brands, and reduce financial risk," related Hilary Thesmar, VP for Food Safety Programs at FMI. "ReposiTrak is appealing because it is interoperable and can work with any system retailers have in place now for tracing products and can 'talk' with other software systems. ReposiTrak augments our existing food and drug safety efforts, such as Rapid Recall Exchange and SQFI (Safe Quality Foods Institute) with a proven, comprehensive, and easy to implement solution that doesn't require systems change and is extremely cost-effective."

"We are proud to be partnering with FMI to offer our food and drug safety track and trace platform to the retail food industry," declared Randy Fields, Chairman and CEO of the Park City Group. "Given its reputation and scale, this partnership clearly makes us the industry standard. We believe that our comprehensive track and trace across food, supplements, and drugs--coupled with very low cost and extraordinary ease of use--will allow for even faster adoption of ReposiTrak."

ReposiTrak Food and Drug Safety System

Code Corner

Lavu, Inc. (Albuquerque, NM) has fashioned its Pizza Creator module, which displays the pie along with topping possibilities, either selected for the entire pizza, left half, or right half. An unlimited number of toppings may be added, unlike many competing systems, according to the purveyor of iPad POS, and additional customizable modifiers may be set, such as pizza size, crust type, and sauces. Another new module, Customer Management, supplies the order taker with relevant demographic information. It creates new customer profiles or accesses existing customer profiles via name or phone number. Employees may call up the customer's address for delivery, as well as see previous transaction history. Storage on cloud servers at Lavu allows management to distribute this data across multiple locations. Finally, customer profiles can be customized to meet the needs of an individual business, with data fields set to print directly on receipts for delivery or carry-out options. Other fields include birthday, place of employment, and "how did you hear about our business?" Interesting to see how quickly the suppliers of tablet systems have moved beyond simple transactions.

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

WIC-ked Times for ECRS

ECR Software (Boone, NC) has announced that Catapult POS has been certified to process electronic WIC transactions in West Virginia through Custom Data Processing (Romeoville, IL). CDP's processing system, dubbed "WIC Direct," along with Catapult POS, has been installed in that state's multi-store chain, Sparkle Market. "It was a very smooth transition [to eWIC]," recounted Cristina Fish, Director of IT for Sparkle Markets. "We are successfully processing transactions and it has cut the transaction time in half for our WIC customers."

It should be noted that federal regulations require all states move to electronic processing of WIC--which stands for Women, Infants, and Children--by October 1, 2020. Other states have already adopted, or in the process of adopting, an electronic WIC processing system, including Texas, Kentucky, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, Wisconsin, and Virginia. Catapult has already been integrated with the Texas SMARTCARD processing model, an off-line EBT system, and was certified in July 2011.

"Now that ECRS has completed the integration to Texas' SMARTCARD for WIC and West Virginia's eWIC system, we are able to accommodate the two dominant electronic WIC processing models in the grocery industry," emphasized Burt Aycock, Director of Design for ECR Software. "The eWIC integration and certification serves as a testament of ECRS' commitment to its customers to remain compliant with all governmental policies and regulations." CDP currently processes eWIC in Kentucky and West Virginia, with statewide rollout underway in Florida.

Electronic WIC Benefits Handled by ECR Software's Catapult

Hey, You, Here's NCR's Cloud

NCR Corporation (Duluth, GA) has updated the status of NCR Cloud Connect, its methodology for delivery of digital services for retailers. Via an "advanced integration layer," NCR's consumer-facing touch points--including POS--can be linked to NCR Cloud Connect, which was first revealed in 2013. It allows technology companies to seamlessly introduce services such as mobile payments, digital coupons, big data analytics, and augmented reality shopping. Thus, an ecosystem shall be born.

"Today, retailers around the world using NCR technology conduct 125,000 transactions per minute and many are an opportunity to further engage shoppers," elaborated Eli Rosner, Chief Technology Officer for NCR Retail. "These digital services, which can take many forms, will be created by NCR or any of the numerous technology providers participating in the NCR Cloud Connect ecosystem. All of them can be easily delivered to retailers because they will be readily available and already integrated into our existing POS solutions."

NCR's existing range of cloud-based offerings, including NCR Connected Payments and NCR Connected Cashier Analyzer, will be offered through NCR Cloud Connect. As importantly, several leading-edge technology providers have now been recruited. These include PayPal (San Jose, CA) for online and mobile payments, Inmar (Winston-Salem, NC) for digital promotion and analytics, Cimagine (Yokneam, Israel) for augmented reality solutions, Emcien (Atlanta) for big data analytics, and ACTV8 (Beverly Hills, CA) for multi-screen consumer engagement. All those strange names!

NCR Mobile Payment Scheme

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
Synnex
Wasp Barcode Technologies

POS & Peripherals
Pioneer POS
POS BANK USA
Posiflex
POS-X
TEAMSable

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
CognitiveTPG
Brother Mobile
Printronix
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic ADC

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse
Mercury Payment Systems

Inventory Systems
New West Technologies

Keyboards
PrehKeyTec USA

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Fujitsu Components
Star Micronics

Scanners
Code Corporation
Ingenico

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Trust, But Verify, Says Microscan

On the shop floor, Microscan (Renton, VA) has assembled three new bundled barcode verification systems. Each includes necessary, proprietary components, namely Vision Hawk smart cameras, "Nerlite" Smart Series industrial lighting, and AutoVision machine vision software. And each has been expressly designed with "lens and lighting configurations required to meet the most common barcode verification needs," according to this industrial manufacturer.

"Several industry standards, such as the GS1 General Specification and the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), specify minimum code quality," counseled Microscan. "In addition, many large retailers require their suppliers to adhere to strict traceability specifications. Ideally, this is achieved by monitoring the quality of the barcode close to the point of printing or marking in order to detect problems as soon as possible. Real-time assessment of barcode quality provides immediate feedback for process control."

Both in-line and off-line verification are addressed to quality standards such as ISO 15416, ISO 15415, and AIM Direct Part Marking (DPM). Individual versions are offered for specific purposes: the 1D/2D Label Verification Kit for one-dimensional barcodes or two-dimensional Data Matrix codes on flat labels; the Large Linear Verification Kit for one-dimensional barcodes greater than two inches (5 cm) length on flat labels; and the Dot Peen Verification Kit for such two-dimensional Data Matrix DPM codes on flat surfaces. Packaged with mounting components, these kits carry single part numbers from the vendor.

Microscan Barcode Verification Kit

More Glue in MAXStick X2

MAXStick Products Ltd. (Lancaster, PA) has rolled out its newest direct thermal paper stock, designated MAXStick X2 Colors. Building off the success of its previous 55-gram center and double-side edge adhesive color products, MAXStick X2 Colors employs an 80-gram base material with fully adhesive pattern that reportedly increases the long-term durability and water resistance of the label in harsh environments. It works in conjunction with most major thermal printer product lines.

Similar to the first MAXStick Colors, these labels offer flexibility with several different sizes and shades. As target applications, the company lists departmental inventory, building and safety inspections, barcoding, and daily classification systems for quick identification. At present, six different products are offered in MAXStick X2 Colors--pink, canary, orange, violet, green, and blue.

"MAXStick X2 Colors retains the same silicone-free liner and release coating as our other MAXStick products to ensure there will be no harmful effects to the printer or print head," stated the company. "It is also environmentally friendly and meets several green standards in that it is recyclable, biodegradable, and BPA-Free. This new product has gone through the same extensive testing as all of our other MAXStick products and the results have been exceptional."

MAXStick X2 Color Thermal Paper Rolls

Channel Factoid

Retailers estimate holiday return fraud will cost them $3.4 billion, according to the NRF's 2013 Return Fraud Survey, increasing to $8.8 billion over the entire year. Overall, 5.8% of holiday returns are fraudulent, up slightly from 4.6% last year. According to this survey, nearly all retailers polled (94.8%) said they have experienced the return of stolen merchandise in the last year, while 69% reported they have experienced the return of merchandise purchased on fraudulent or stolen tender. Using counterfeit receipts to return merchandise has been suffered by 29.3%, and employee return fraud or collusion with external sources represents an especially big problem, at 93.1%. Retailers estimate that 14% of the returns made throughout the year without receipts are fraudulent, so nearly three-quarters (73.7%) now require such customers to show an ID. By comparison, one in ten (12.3%) require customers making returns with receipts to show an ID. When asked about return fraud and the various types of tender, almost half of retailers (49.1%) said they have witnessed an increase in gift cards/store merchandise credit fraud in the past year. One in five (19.6%) said they have seen decreasing cash fraud, with one-quarter (26.8%) noting an increase, and half reporting no change (48.2%). Additionally three in ten (29.1%) cited an increase in credit card fraud, 18.2% feel those incidents have decreased, and more than half (52.5%) noticed no change from last year. "Recent efforts to combat fraudulent activity are slowly starting to work, but criminals are becoming more savvy and technologically advanced in their methods, making it more difficult for retailers and law enforcement to keep up with the growing problem," reflected Rich Mellor, VP of Loss Prevention at NRF.

HELLO GOODBYE

Olé for Yvette

ScanSource, Inc. (Greenville, SC) has elevated Yvette McKenzie to President of ScanSource Latin America and Mexico. In this position, she will oversee the operations, sales, and merchandising functions of ScanSource POS and Barcode, ScanSource Communications, and ScanSource Security for these regions. ScanSource Brazil will remain under the leadership of Alex Conde, who has served as President of ScanSource Brazil since 2011.

Well-known to RRN.Com readers, McKenzie brings nearly three decades of channel experience to her new office. She joined ScanSource in 2000 and has filled various management roles, including VP of Merchandising for ScanSource POS and Barcode and ScanSource Communications. Most recently, she demonstrated success as VP of Business Operations for Latin America and Mexico.

Yvette McKenzie, President, Latin America and Mexico, for ScanSource

BlueStar: Oh, Mexico!

South of the border, things also heat up for BlueStar Mexico (Miramar, FL). First, Veronica Escamilla, BlueStar Mexico's former Business Development Manager for Datalogic, has been chosen to play the new role of Marketing Coordinator. Simultaneously, two new team members have been added: Felix Rojas, as Business Development Manager for Zebra Technologies, and Gloria Tobon, as Business Development Manager for Honeywell Scanning & Mobility and Intermec.

Here in the U.S., BlueStar recently received the 2013 AIM North America Business of the Year Award. AIM, as the majority of RRN.Com readers know, serves as the industry standards association for barcode, RFID, Real-Time Location System (RTLS), and mobile computing. Its North America Business of the Year Award recognizes "outstanding contribution to AIM and the AIDC industry over a significant period of time."

BlueStar Bolsters Its Team South of the Border

The Science Guy at Brady

Brady Corporation (Milwaukee) has enlisted John Miller as its SVP and Chief Technology Officer. Miller will report to Brady Interim President and CEO Thomas Felmer, and will lead new product development activities and direct the company's global R&D functions. His area of focus includes proprietary products such as high-performance materials and identification printing systems and software.

Miller comes to Brady from 3M Company, where he started his career in 1985. His most recent position was Technical Director for the Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division, the largest business unit. He received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

"John Miller brings a wealth of applicable experience and a track record of developing industry leading new products and technologies as Brady looks to increase its focus on innovation," shared Felmer. "We are delighted to have John join the Brady team. His technology leadership skills, passion for discovery, and focus on serving our customers will be great additions to our organization."

John Miller, SVP and CTO, Brady Corporation