Our Product Pick

Toshiba America Business Solutions (Lake Forest, CA) has stocked its new thermal receipt printer, the 3" HSP. A Model HSP100 has print speed of 10 in./254 mm per second at 203 dpi. A Model HSP150 has print speed of 14 in./355 mm per second at 180 dpi. Measuring 5.3 in. (W) x 6.4 in. (D) x 5.4 in. (H), in weight of 2.4 lbs./1.1 kg, the HSP features splash-resistant design (with an IP-21 rating). It furnishes top load or front load configuration, paper-saving function, jam prevention, multiple paper detection sensors, plug-and-play emulation, and one-touch printhead replacement. Also, there's dual USB + Serial or Ethernet.

Toshiba's HSP Receipt Printer

COMPANY BUSINESS

Janam Delivers the Tablets

Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY) has unveiled its first rugged tablet, entitled the Model HT1. A participant in Google's Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) Program, with Google Mobile Services, it features Android 9 (upgradeable to future generations of Android O/S). Suitable for one-handed use--measuring 9.2 in. (L) x 5.7 in. (W) x 0.6 in (D), and weighing 1.4 lbs./0.6 kg--the HT1 carries 8" capacitive touchscreen as well as 14-pin pogo connector for accessories such as 1D/2D scanner.

With Qualcomm Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 CPU at 2 GHz, the HT1 has 5-MP front-facing and 13-MP rear-facing cameras. As communications, there's Bluetooth 4/BLE, 802.11 Wi-Fi, NFC, and 4G LTE WWAN. As ruggedness, the HT1 meets an IP-67 rating for water and dust and MIL-STD-810G standard for tumbles, vibration, and drops to concrete. A hot-swappable 8200-mAh Li-ion battery provides full-shift usage.

"We are thrilled to enter the rugged tablet market with a device that combines professional grade features, military grade ruggedness, and consumer styling," enthused Harry Lerner, CEO of Janam Technologies. "Our HT1 rugged tablet underscores our commitment to delivering break-through products that are better and more affordable than anything else out there." As applications in retail, Janam cites put-away and replenishment, cross-docking, shipping and receiving, inventory management, and merchandising and clienteling. A standard two-year warranty is extended by Janam, with optional service plans.

Janam's Model HT1 Rugged Tablet Computer

NAB Nabs PCI Plus

North American Bancard (Troy, MI), one of the payment processors addressing the channel for POS, has introduced its simplified program for compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). As the "PCI Plus," this exempts merchants of the company, and merchants using its proprietary POS, which is called Payanywhere, from the myriad self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs), scans, and annual check-ins for PCI DSS. In addition, some participants won't be subject to separate fees for PCI, according to North American Bancard.

As another benefit of the program, qualified merchants are covered up to $100,000 for certain breach-related costs. Also, up to three IP addresses per merchant are covered at no additional charge if vulnerability scanning is required. As tools, PCI Plus has an Intelligent PCI Wizard, an Endpoint Protection Suite for Windows and Mac, and dedicated support staff at North American Bancard. It has been developed under partnership with PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), SecureTrust, part of Trustwave (Chicago, IL).

"North American Bancard has been serving merchants for over 25 years, and we've seen firsthand how burdensome the PCI compliance process can be for small and medium-sized businesses," reflected David Greenberg, Chief Administrative Officer at North American Bancard. "These businesses aren't always able to stay vigilant about security, so PCI Plus was designed to provide them with frictionless PCI compliance measures built into the NAB merchant experience." According to the recent "Verizon 2019 Payment Security Report," the percentage of businesses meeting compliance regulations of PCI DSS has fallen to 20% in North and South America.

David Greenberg, Chief Administrative Officer, North American Bancard

Worth Your While

ISO & Agent Sales Training
Electronic Payments
February 5
Boston, MA

NGA Show
National Grocers Association
February 23-26
San Diego, CA

RC Show
Restaurants Canada
March 1-3
Toronto, Canada

Modex
Material Handling Industry (MHI)
March 9-12
Atlanta, GA

Shoptalk
Shoptalk Commerce, LLC
March 22-25
Las Vegas, NV

Transact
Electronic Transactions Association (ETA)
April 28-30
Las Vegas, NV

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 16-19
Chicago, IL

RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers
Association (RSPA)
August 2-5
Las Vegas, NV

NACS
National Association
of Convenience Stores
October 11-14
Las Vegas, NV

ALL IN THE FAMILY, PART 1

Ingenico's iCON-ic Mobility

Ingenico has unwrapped its new solution for mobile checkout, dubbed iCON. A patent-pending casing with magnetic connectors, iCON combines an iOS or Android smartphone or device (e.g., handheld computer) with the Link/2500i or Moby/8500 payment readers by Ingenico. In suitable dimensions of 6.2 in. (L) x 2.8 in. (W) x 1.2 in. (D), with access from the top to magnetic stripe reader (MSR)/smart card reader (SCR), it features pairing via Bluetooth 4/BLE and Lightning USB.

Using its magnetic capability, users of iCON may easily snap on or snap off their mobile device, depending on need, from the Link/2500i or Moby/8500. At present, four combinations are noted: Link/2500i with iPhone 7/8, Moby/8500 with iPhone 7/8, Link/2500i with Zebra's TC5X, and Moby/8500 with Zebra's TC5X. A locking mechanism is included with iCON, for added security, and multi-bay charger/docking station.

"Whether you're a retailer trying to open up your space for better customer engagement or a restaurateur looking to make payments a more visible part of the dining experience, mobile technology needs to be a large part of your strategy," expounded Irfan Nasir, Head of Solutions Deployment and Development at Ingenico Group North America (Atlanta, GA). "Ingenico's iCON case helps turn staff into customer service assets capable of engaging more meaningfully with today's consumer and being ready to accept payment immediately at their point of decision. This is further validated by our relationships with companies like Zebra Technologies and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, who have helped us bring the solution to market."

Ingenico's iCON Case for Mobile POS

InVue Makes Its Stand

A family of stands for payment terminals, tablets, and mobile devices has been rolled out by InVue (Charlotte, NC). In its new NE360 Series, the company offers its NE360H (Handheld), NE360T (Tablet), and NE360C (mPOS Center). With flexible design, the NE360H and NE360T support communication via USB between devices, integrated charging, locking mechanism, full access to device features, and 4-ft/1.2-m drop protection. A kickstand and hand strap extend ease-of-use.

A subsystem for payment device/tablet combination, the NE360C features heavy-duty cast-metal construction base, which can rotate 270 degrees or may be locked down. Its holder for tablet tilts 30 to 75 degrees. If desired, its tablet or payment device can be detached from the base for mobility. An optional network hub allows for integration of peripherals such as cash drawers, scanners, and receipt printers. Also, an optional tablet case can conceal the tablet mount and data cable for the NE360C.

"Mobile POS is changing the retail experience, both in-store and within omnichannel environments," noted Jim Sankey, Founder and CEO of InVue. "InVue's unique NE360 solution not only leads the industry in terms of being the most flexible platform for Mobile POS, but it also improves the customer experience, decreases operating expenses, and helps retailers increase sales." At InVue, both the NE360H and NE360T are immediately available, with the NE360C shipping in March.

InVue's NE360 Family of Stands for Payments/POS

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ALL IN THE FAMILY, PART 2

Pax Gets Smart

Pax Technology (Jacksonville, FL) has shipped its new "smart tablet," christened the Aries8. It combines the company's payment device capability with 8" capacitive touchscreen (1280x800) in metallic, retail-hardened casing. Weighing 1.5 lbs./0.7 kg, Aries8 has Cortex Quad-Core A53 CPU at 1.4 GHz, 1-GB RAM, 8-GB ROM, and Micro-SD. Carrying magnetic stripe reader (MSR)/smart card reader (SCR), as well as front-facing 8-MP camera, it meets the Payment Card Industry's PCI-PTS 5x.

With an Adapter Plate, Aries8 fulfills either fixed-mount or mobile environments. It provides ports for POS via cable-connected Communication Box. In mobile format, its features include pistol grip, Bluetooth 4/BLE, 802.11 Wi-Fi, and 4G LTE WWAN. An extra 3300-mAh battery (in addition to the standard 3800-mAh) is housed in the pistol grip. Aries8 SmartTablets are powered by PAXBiz based on Android O/S.

"Retailers across all vertical markets are seeing a wave of transformation in the way transactions occur," relayed Tony Fernandez, VP of Product Marketing at Pax Technology. "Our Aries8 SmartTablet is a true game-changer designed to keep up with this evolution." In the case of ISVs, Pax Technology also has launched its cloud-based service for APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): PAX Commerce Sync.

Aries8 SmartTablet by Pax Technology

SATO "Displays" CT4-LX

SATO America (Charlotte, NC) has unboxed its new desktop thermal label printer, the 4" CT4-LX. In footprint of 7 in. (W) x 9.4 in. (D) x 8.4 in. (H), weighing 7.5 lbs./3.4 kg, the CT4-LX has maximum print speed of 8 in./203 mm per second at 203 dpi and 6 in./152 mm per second at 305 dpi. A 4.3" color resistive touch display (480x272), angled for easy viewing, has multi-language capability. A clear media window lets users know when media runs low, with one-touch printhead replacement.

As computing, the CT4-LX carries Arm Cortex A9 CPU at 1 GHz, 1-GB RAM, and 4-GB ROM. As sensors, there's I-Mark (reflective) and Label Gap (transmissive). As communications, USB, NFC, and Ethernet are standard, with optional Serial RS-232, Bluetooth 4/BLE, and 802.11 Wi-Fi. A CT4-LX RFID Model reads/writes in HF and UHF RFID. Along with RFID, the company offers its SATO RF Analyze (SRA).

In keeping with the trend among printer vendors to add value, SATO has offered its Application Enabled Printing, or AEP, now in Version 3.0, which enables customization of functions and standalone operation. Another benefit, the company's web-based interface, enables remote maintenance and error detection, under SATO Online Services, or SOS. Also in keeping with the times, there's so-called SATO App Storage.

SATO's CT4-LX Desktop "Mini" Label Printer

Code Corner

Radpay (Phoenix, AZ) has published its first patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its blockchain-based secure payment system. It includes two dozen novel claims detailing ways in which blockchain, banking systems, digital wallets, and merchant services work together in the company's Digital Payment Guardian (DPG). Use of DPG reduces the risk of fraudulent transactions while dramatically reducing processing costs, according to Radpay. Also, by removing friction from the purchase process, its DPG lowers cart abandonment for online purchases while also enhancing analytics and rewards capabilities for merchants, continued Radpay. The patent is viewable in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database under application 16/503,177. "We see an opportunity to serve merchants given their needs are shifting faster than existing industry solutions can keep pace," projected Dana Love, Co-Founder and CEO at Radpay. "A radical reinvention of payment ecosystems is due. Radpay brings that reinvention."

A Solution for Crypto Payments

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Honeywell: Look Who's Talking

As its unified communications partner, Honeywell (Charlotte, NC) has called upon CounterPath (Vancouver, BC, Canada). Offered as Honeywell Smart Talk, available later this year on the Honeywell Marketplace, this solution empowers mobile device users with communication capabilities via voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP), push-to-talk (PTT), instant messaging, and launch of video. Offered on the cloud, suitable for the enterprise, it supports common call servers and major private branch exchange (PBX) business telephone systems.

Agnostic in hardware and O/S--accommodating iOS, Android, and Windows--Smart Talk will first come pre-loaded and optimized for select voice-enabled mobile computers with Honeywell Mobility Edge, including the Models CT40 and CT60. It employs secure messaging and voice encryption to ensure worker communications are protected. Eventually, it will accompany all voice-enabled devices from Honeywell.

"Workers today are being challenged with knowing more at a moment's notice than ever before," acknowledged Kevin Dehoff, President of Honeywell's Productivity Products Business. "Honeywell's Smart Talk software, combined with our powerful mobile devices, enables these mobile workers to use a single device to access critical information, make calls, and send messages to other employees, getting answers in an instant." A leader in VoIP, in business for 20 years, CounterPath has more than 20 million activations worldwide.

Honeywell Offers Smart Talk Communications

Oracle Foretells of RFID

Infinite Peripherals (Irvine, CA) has supplied its compact, dual-purpose UHF RFID and 1D/2D barcode scanner, named MaglinQ, for Oracle's Xstore POS. With MaglinQ, retailers with Oracle Xstore can extend the sales and returns processes to include RFID data and pass this upstream through services to supporting inventory systems enabled with RFID. A Gold Member of the Oracle Partner Network, Infinite Peripherals cites Oracle Xstore Suite System Release 18.0 for use with the MaglinQ.

"We set out to simplify barcode scanning and RFID data capture for retailers," declared Nick Schwarz, Director of Retail for Infinite Peripherals. "MaglinQ, built on the OtterBox Universe Case system, is not limited to a specific form factor and can be used with most consumer smartphones or tablets. This enables retailers to consolidate devices, reduce costs, and simplify workflows."

In pocket-size of 4.7 in. (L) x 2.8 in. (W) x 1 in. (D), weighing 4.7 oz./118 g, the MaglinQ supports ISO 180006C/EPC Gen2, Version 2 RFID. A full charge of its 2000-mAh battery delivers 16,850 scans over 26 hours. As communications, there's Bluetooth 4/BLE. As readers know, OtterBox (Fort Collins, CO) furnishes its Universe Case--technically "uniVERSE"--for smartphones in releases of Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy.

Infinite Peripherals Supplies Its MaglinQ Dual-Purpose Barcode/RFID Reader for Oracle Xstore POS

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Aures
Bematech
CRS, Inc.
Electronic Payments
Harbortouch
HP
Ingenico
Pioneer Solution
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
WooPOS

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Godex Americas

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Janam Technologies

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Electronic Payments
EVO Payments/Sterling
Ingenico
International Bancard
North American Bancard

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Epson America
Seiko Instruments
Star Micronics

Stands, Mounts, Cradles
Gamber-Johnson

INSTALLATIONS

PAR: Howdy, PARtners

A run of technology for PAR, and its ParTech Brink POS. A fast-casual brand and mutual customer of Agilence (Mt. Laurel, NJ) and PAR (New Hartford, NY), MOD Pizza, in the latest example, was able to integrate Brink POS with Agilence's 20/20 Data Analytics Platform. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, MOD Pizza has 400 locations in the U.S. and UK. It runs Brink POS on the PAR EverServ 500.

"I'm pleased to welcome Agilence as a strategic PARtner," shared Stephen Lee, Manager of Strategic Partnerships at PAR. "Agilence is a recognized leader in its space, serving many large enterprise brands in restaurants, retail, and many other verticals. Through the use of the Brink API (Application Programming Interface), Agilence will be able to provide our restaurant partners with powerful data analytics and operational reporting. Another welcomed edition to our ecosystem."

Earlier, ParTech released its Brink POS Cloud Kitchen Edition. Here, ParTech has partnered with ItsaCheckmate (New York, NY), which integrates multiple online ordering services such as UberEats, GrubHub, Caviar, DoorDash, Delivery.com, and Ritual. "Our partnership addresses the need for a combined solution that can accurately and quickly funnel orders into the kitchen, but still allow them to be separated for pick-up by different delivery platforms," explained Vishal Agarwal, CEO of ItsaCheckmate. "All of this ensures that even the most diverse or complex orders are fulfilled accurately and then efficiently staged for pick-up, so restaurants can continue delighting their guests."

[Editor's Note: Also new to the ecosystem for ParTech's Brink POS by PAR: video surveillance provider March Networks (Ottawa, ON, Canada) and marketing/loyalty solutions provider Spendgo (San Francisco, CA).]

PAR's EverServ 500 at MOD Pizza

A Slice of Yumpingo

A successful pilot program will bring instant guest feedback to California Pizza Kitchen. Earlier, in August 2019, an intelligence platform for restaurants by Yumpingo was deployed at three flagship restaurants of California Pizza Kitchen in Los Angeles, CA. It delivered over 93,000 responses, 500 total reviews, and will now be extended to all 181 U.S. CPKs in the first half of 2020. Yumpingo is based in the UK.

A set-up by Yumpingo engages guests in its voluntary one-minute digital conversation at check presentation using its dedicated electronic folio. Guests may rate each menu item they ordered as well as their overall experience while providing additional comments on their visit. It integrates seamlessly with the restaurant's POS (via Omnivore).

"Yumpingo gives our guests the ability to provide feedback in real time so we can best celebrate what's working well while also quickly addressing where we have opportunities to improve the guest's experience," reported Mike Mader, SVP of Global Strategy, Planning, and Transformation at California Pizza Kitchen. "This is providing real-time insights at scale and unparalleled speed that's allowing us to up our game in delivering best-in-class hospitality." A new Yumpingo Everywhere addresses delivery, to-go, and catering with QR Codes.

California Pizza Kitchen Adopts Yumpingo Surveys

Channel Factoid

-81% are satisfied with in-store product variety

-59% are satisfied with in-store returns/exchanges

-66% are satisfied with in-store level of assistance

-56% are satisfied with in-store coupons/discounts

-57% are satisfied with in-store personalized service

-62% would use electronic shelf labels

-61% would use smart carts with video touchscreens

-58% would use location-based coupons

-55% would use shopping list/map apps

-54% would use auto checkout/payment

-58% favor the use of mobile technology by associates

-65% favor the use of handheld computers by associates

-49% favor the use of rugged tablets by associates

-50% favor the use of wearable computers by associates

Source: "2020 Shopper Study" by Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL)

Expecting Digital Experiences

A Message From the Editor

As we enter another year, our mission stays constant: to fill the need for timely, focused, non-biased news in the channel for POS & Auto ID. If anything, that need grows more pressing in the face of changes in technology, go-to-market strategies, and business models. We look forward to continuing that mission and welcome your suggestions and thoughts on improvements.

Michael Kachmar, Editor

HELLO GOODBYE

Putting the Touch on Noller

InfoTouch Corporation (San Antonio, TX) has enlisted industry veteran Neil Noller as its National Channel Sales Manager. He joins the ISV from Gas POS, where he served as VP of Sales (2018 to 2019). Previously, he held positions of U.S. Dealer Manager of Logivision (2010 to 2017), President of ANsquared (2008 to 2010), President of SmartEcho (2002 to 2008) and COO of family-owned Noller's Grocery (1997 to 2007).

"Neil Noller is the consummate pro for anyone wishing to have hands-on knowledge of what it takes to best service retailers while also supporting the needs of resellers who help build their businesses, and we're proud to have him join InfoTouch," commented Harry Nass, President and CEO of InfoTouch. One of the early proponents of touch-based POS, InfoTouch was founded in 1986 by Keith Neerman. As its software platforms, it offers Store Keeper POS and Store Manager ES.

Neil Noller, National Channel Sales Manager, InfoTouch

GS1 in Chains

GS1 US (Ewing, NJ) has appointed Kraig Adams to the newly created role of VP of Blockchain. Adams joins the supply chain standards setter one year after the launch of its cross-industry US Blockchain Discussion Group. A long career in IT at the Coca-Cola Company, from 1988 to 2019, culminated in the role of VP of National Foodservice Distribution, Foodservice Operations and Customer Service. With expertise in data synchronization, product identification, and barcode technology, he also served on the Executive Leadership Committee for the Foodservice GS1 US Standards effort in 2018 and 2019.

"As a transformative technology that could potentially improve trading partner relationships and business processes, blockchain has become top-of-mind for GS1 US members," remarked Siobhan O'Bara, SVP of Community Engagement at GS1 US. "After collaborating with Kraig for many years over the course of his tenure with Coca-Cola, we have confidence that he is the right leader to help industry understand the complexities of blockchain implementation and achieve alignment on GS1 Standards." It is estimated that 300,000 businesses in 25 industries rely on GS1 US for trading partner collaboration guidelines.

Kraig Adams, VP for Blockchain, GS1 US

C. Harry Knowles 1928 -- 2020

A well-lived life, by anybody's standards, was celebrated at the recent funeral of C. Harry Knowles in New Jersey. In 1968, following time at Bell Laboratories, Motorola, and Westinghouse, and building on the promise of the transistor, Knowles started Metrologic Instruments (Blackwood, NJ), one of the driving firms for decades in barcode scanning. An engineer with degrees from Auburn and Vanderbilt, he eventually held 400 patents.

At one time employing 1,500 people, Metrologic Instruments was acquired by Honeywell in 2008. Earlier, in 1999, Knowles increased his efforts in philanthropy with the establishment of the Knowles Teacher Initiative, in support of math and science education. He and his wife, Dr. Lucy Rorke-Adams, have donated millions of dollars to KTI.

"Dr. Knowles was the recipient of many honors," reads his obituary, "including induction into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame, inventor and entrepreneur of the year awards, and two presidential "E" and "E Star" awards for export success. In 2006, the College of Sciences and Mathematics of Auburn University conferred a Distinguished Alumnus Award, followed by a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, and in 2008, its highest recognition, an Honorary Doctorate." A true giant in our industry, RIP.

In Memoriam: C. Harry Knowles, Founder of Metrologic Instruments