This Week’s Product Pick

Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL) has touted several accessories for its ET1 enterprise tablet computer. These include the ET1 scan module, based upon the SE4500-DL imager, which captures multiple symbologies, including mobile barcodes from smartphones. An ET1 scanner/magnetic-stripe reader (MSR) expansion module adds the ability to accept credit, gift, and loyalty cards and outfits the tablet for mobile POS. An ET1 protective rubber bezel has been offered, as well as an ET1 hip holster for store associates to carry the device when not in use. Finally, with multi-slot chargers, multi-slot cradles, and extra hot-swappable batteries, retailers may ensure that associates are equipped with fully powered devices at the beginning of every shift. “Based on feedback from our customers, Motorola Solutions designed the ET1 tablet’s new business-class accessories to improve the productivity of retail store associates and enable them to provide better customer experience while also extending the applications of the tablet,” stated Girish Rishi, VP and GM of Motorola Enterprise Mobile Computing.

Scan Module for Motorola ET1

COMPANY BUSINESS

There’s POS in Syspro

Syspro (Costa Mesa, CA), best known for enterprise resource planning (ERP), has debuted its companion web-based POS system built on Microsoft .NET. Entitled Syspro Point of Sale, somewhat prosaically, this package delivers five basic modules addressing: order entry, inventory, shipping and transit, store management, and customer loyalty. Offered as part of the developer’s ERP suite, currently in use at 15,000 companies worldwide, primarily small to mid-sized, Syspro POS offers uninterrupted service via an “always on” off-line option in the event of network outage as well as links to complementary contact management module for sales and prospecting.

“One of the foundational ways for achieving success is to be smarter about targeting areas where you can deliver solutions yourself end-to-end and cut out profit-sapping, and often inferior, middle men,” suggested Brian Stein, CEO of Syspro USA. “Syspro is providing single-code, highly integrated software, versus trying to bolt on extensions like so many other ERP companies. It gives us better control of our own operations, and it gives similar advantages to our customers and partners in quality, efficiency, and margin.”

Syspro further explained that its new POS specifically benefits manufacturers, distributors, and retailers with complex pricing configurations, such as found in the electronics, machinery, food, and medical device sectors--industries in which Syspro has deep vertical market presence. “This is about empowerment from the standpoint of visibility, cost analysis, and cash-related decision making,” Stein continued. “A high percentage of Syspro customers are both suppliers and retailers, like Apple distributor, Core Computer Business. We’re simplifying the complexities involved in the entire order-through-sale cycle.”

Brian Stein, CEO, Syspro USA

All Four Agree: EMV by April 2013

American Express (New York) has published its roadmap for EMV chip-and-pin contact, contactless, and mobile payments in the U.S., and its requirements fall in line with previous announcements from Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Already processing millions of EMV transactions on its global network, American Express plans to begin issuing EMV-compliant cards in the U.S. in the second half of 2012, reversing its earlier reluctance in this area. The company hasn’t made public details of how it will provide the cards to customers.

In keeping with its peers, American Express has mandated that its merchants have EMV-equipped POS terminals in place by April 2013. Six months following, in October 2013, merchants will be eligible for relief from PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) reporting requirements if their POS acceptance locations, where at least three-quarters of their transactions occur, are enabled to process Am Ex EMV. Lastly, American Express has set October 2015 as the final date for merchants to shift to EMV, after which fraud liability applies. Petroleum merchants have an additional two years before such liability, until October 2017, because of the more complex nature of automated fuel dispensers. Again, these dates and conditions mirror those of Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

“The payments industry is continuing to evolve rapidly, and American Express recognizes the growing demand for chip-based contact and contactless payments in the U.S.,” remarked Suzan Kereere, SVP and GM of American Express Global Network Business. “We also fully appreciate the complexities involved in migrating to EMV chip-based technology, and our first priority is to provide choice and flexibility for merchants and our card-issuing partners so they can adopt the EMV solution that best meets their needs. We are committed to enhancing security at the point of sale for both merchants and card members.”

Roadmap Set for Chip-and-Pin Payments in the U.S.

Worth Your While

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

VARTECH US/LATAM
BlueStar
October 5-8
Bahamas Cruise

NACS 2012
National Association of Convenience Stores
October 7-9
Las Vegas

Pack Expo 2012
Packaging Manufacturers Machinery Institute
October 28-31
Chicago

Customer Engagement Technology World
JDEvents
November 7-8
New York

ALL IN THE FAMILY

DLI Joins PDA Sweepstakes

DLI (La Porte, IN) has showcased its DLI 7200 rugged PDA with mobile payment and cellular capabilities. Built on standard PC architecture, with Intel Atom CPU at 1.5 GHz, 2 GB memory and 64 GB storage, as well as Windows 7 OS, the DLI 7200 carries fully integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, CDMA/GPRS, and Bluetooth communications. Other key features include 4.3-inch indoor/outdoor LCD projected capacitive touchscreen, two-megapixel color camera with flash, and one and two-dimensional scanning capability.

Measuring 6.4 in. (H) x 3.3 in. (W) x 1.4 in. (D), and weighing 1 lb. with battery pack, the DLI 7200 features an optional two-in-one payment module for magnetic-stripe reading (MSR) and near-field communication (NFC) contactless RFID. It has been independently tested for multiple four-foot drops to concrete and an IP-54 rating for dust and water resistance. The play here, once again, is the convergence of voice and data, eliminating the need for two devices and two data plans, as well as the blurring of the traditional border between the consumer and industrial worlds.

“The Intel Atom-based 7200 rugged PDA solidifies DLI’s market leadership position in the enterprise mobility space,” relayed Joe Alexander, who was brought onboard in May as DLI Sales Director, in large measure to revitalize the company’s reseller channel. “DLI provides the ability to run applications on the retailer’s common OS platform regardless of form factor requirements. Designed and manufactured in the U.S., the DLI 7200 rugged PDA delivers the flexibility, reliability, and return on investment that today’s retail operations demand.”

New DLI 7200 Rugged PDA

Smooth Sledding for Honeywell

Honeywell Scanning & Mobility (Ft. Mill, SC) has introduced the first in its new line of consumer digital device accessories, the Captuvo SL22 encasement, which outfits the Apple iPod Touch with scanning and magnetic-stripe reading (MSR). By allowing store associates to look up products, verify pricing, and ring up transactions on the spot, Captuvo SL22 will help retailers combat the growing problem of “showrooming,” Honeywell maintains. This refers to today’s comparison shopping, where customers browse displayed merchandise and key their smartphones to locate the lowest price across the universe of physical and virtual storefronts.

According to Lisa London, Senior Product Manager, Honeywell developed its sled before the glut of similar devices on the market. It incorporates the vendor’s Adaptus Imaging Technology 6.0, which provides fast and accurate reading of barcodes, including those found on driver’s licenses and the screens of mobile devices. In addition, Honeywell has tied the Captuvo SL22 to ISVstore.com, its online clearing house for applications, many of which are not broadly distributed. Now the device will go to market through the channel with three SKUs: sled with scanner, sled with scanner and MSR, and sled for healthcare with disinfectant housing and optimized imaging.

“I would say that 95% of the time if the reseller is talking to the customer interested in Apple, they’re really committed to it,” London told RRN.Com. “They’re not trying to decide between the Apple device and Windows-based device. A lot of our resellers haven’t had anything to offer these types of customers. There isn’t anybody else in our space--traditional Auto ID manufacturers--who offers these types of sled products. End-users are ultimately going to need help when it comes to this new territory.”

Captuvo SL22 for Apple iPod Touch

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ALLIANCES

CipherLab Cracks Nut Industry

CipherLab (Plano, TX) will supply its 8700 industrial mobile computer to Nut Software, following testing and certification by this ISV for the tree nut industry. Nut Software (Atwater, CA) automates inventory, sales, and field management functions for many major processors, hullers, and traders, allowing these companies to track products from the moment they are received to their final destination, including the pivotal packing and shipping phases. Under an exclusive partnership, CipherLab’s 8700, and previous 8500, allow customers to seamlessly run with the flagship product, Nut Manager.

CipherLab introduced its 8700 earlier this year to address the needs of extreme surroundings encountered in the manufacturing, transportation, and logistics businesses. Measuring 9 in. (H) x 3.6 in. (W) x 2.5 in. (D), and weighing 21 oz., this new terminal carries an IP-64 rating for water and dust and spans operating temperatures for environments from refrigeration to chemical plants. It furnishes 32-bit CPU, three-inch 160x160 pixel touchscreen display, two choices of backlight LED keyboard, rechargeable 4000-mAh Lithium-Ion battery, and data input through linear and two-dimensional readers--including long-range laser--as well as RFID and GPS. Communications capabilities include WAN, 3.5G WWAN, and Bluetooth.

CipherLab’s 8700 Series Industrial Mobile Computer

RuggedJet Fuels Group Mobile

Somewhat quietly, Group Mobile (Phoenix) keeps moving into distribution of products of interest to RRN.Com readers. Latest case in point: RuggedJet from Brother Mobile Solutions (Broomfield, CO). Group Mobile has taken on this portable thermal printer, which addresses receipt and label printing across vertical markets such as public safety, field service, route accounting, and logistics.

“RuggedJet mobile printers offer the competitive combination of value, ergonomics, and ease of use,” commented Stephanie Kreitner, Marketing Director for Group Mobile. “With their rugged designs, rapid print speeds, and the dependability users have come to expect from the company’s products, the RuggedJet is ideal for field-service professionals who need to print receipts, tickets, labels, invoices, quotes, and similar documents while they are on the go.” Earlier this year, VARs may recall, Group Mobile added rugged POS handhelds from DT Research (San Jose, CA).

RuggedJet comes in two versions--RJ-4030 with USB, Serial, and Bluetooth and RJ-4040 with USB, Serial, and Wi-Fi. Both offer an extensive selection of resident and downloadable fonts, support for major linear and two-dimensional barcodes, and optional magnetic-stripe reader (MSR) for credit card processing. Delivering print speeds of five inches/second at 203 dpi and four-inch print width, RuggedJet furnishes IP-54 certification against dust and water and six-foot drop protection.

Brother Mobile’s RuggedJet Thermal Printer

Code Corner

Retalix Ltd. (Dallas) has launched Version 6.1 of its web-based Power Net order management system, which provides support for Apple iOS and Android devices, including the iPad. Power Net gives distributors and customers maximum visibility and control over orders, purchases, and other important account information, according to its developer. Prior to this update, the portal was only accessible via web browser. Other new features include more robust guided search capabilities and new dashboard views for simplified monitoring and reporting. In addition to the Power Net updates, Retalix also has refreshed its Power Mobile Sales Force Automation (SFA), which now supports Android-based smartphones and tablets. Power Mobile SFA, as the name would suggest, empowers company sales forces with real-time information and organizational data. “As tablet computers like the iPad become the industry norm, Retalix is determined to remain ahead of the curve and offer our clients access to the latest products and innovations available in the marketplace,” asserted Tammy Weant, EVP and GM of Retalix Global Supply Chain Management.

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Revel's Route to Disruption

Revel Systems (San Francisco), hard-charging purveyor of iPad POS, has unveiled its “Revel Router,” which allows store and restaurant owners to run such systems without need of connectivity hardware or cabling. By piggybacking on Verizon’s 4G/3G wireless service, Revel Router allows end-users to create their own in-store POS network for the lowest investment in time and money, according to the vendor. One smart move, according to industry observers, since it allows iPad POS prospects in the SMB to evaluate the technology without committing to specialized wiring or separate Wi-Fi hot spot.

“The Revel Router is completely disruptive for the point-of-sale industry,” declared Lisa Falzone, CEO and Co-Founder of Revel Systems, which opened its doors in September 2010. “Many of our customers need quick, easy-to-use mobile solutions, so spending time troubleshooting an Ethernet router just isn’t an option, and the Revel Router completely solves this problem. There are no cables or cords, and you don’t have to deal with Internet connectivity issues, which allows for an entirely seamless cloud-based solution.”

Revel Systems said it embarked on its development campaign after testing of routers from leading legacy equipment makers proved unsatisfactory. Patent-pending, the Revel Router was developed as proprietary technology within the Apple Hardware program and has reportedly received “an overwhelmingly positive response” from select beta testers. Currently shipping, the Revel Router carries an expensive price tag of $3,200 per terminal, or several times the cost of an individual iPad POS system.

Revel Router Piggybacks Verizon Wireless for POS

Apple Peeled by Erply

Erply (New York) recently called upon Embarcadero Technologies (Scotts Valley, CA) to enhance the user interface on its Windows POS software and help pave the way for the Mac OS X launch. Upstart Erply addressed this cross-platform challenge with Embarcadero Delphi XE2 with FireMonkey, application development software which enables rich HD and 3D content. Its Windows POS was recently adopted by the retail chain of Elizabeth Arden Corporation, bringing total customer locations to 50,000 for the ISV.

“In retail, more and more shops want to use Mac hardware,” observed Kristjan Hiiemaa, Founder and CEO of Erply, which delivers its POS solutions in the cloud. “As Windows developers we were concerned about the time we had to spend learning another new language and platform to create Mac applications. FireMonkey gives us the ability to deploy Windows to Mac OS X using the same code base, which saves us tremendous amounts of time.”

Busy days at Erply, which recently announced integration with PayPal for payment and with Perkville for customer loyalty, as well as the debut of its POS for Microsoft Windows 8 and the Surface Tablet. “Over 86% of retail companies are currently running Windows as OS for POS,” Hiiemaa noted. “It’s of great interest to establish another tablet solution that can compete with the likes of the iPad in the retail world.” Erply was founded in 2009 in Estonia, of all places, and was selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top ten European start-ups of the year for 2010.

User Screen From Cloud-Based POS Developer Erply

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
Synnex Corporation
Wasp Barcode Technologies
Yellowfin Distribution

POS & Peripherals
J2 Retail Systems
Pioneer POS
Posiflex
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic ADC
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Repair & Refurbishment
AMCOR Tech Solutions

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

INSTALLATIONS

FleetPride Cruises With JDA Toolkit

MEB Consulting (Wyomissing, PA) has developed its MEBC Toolkit, designed to streamline implementation of the JDA Software Group. Recently, FleetPride, one of the largest suppliers of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, based out of Texas, utilized this new supply chain planning guide to roll out three modules--JDA Demand, JDA Fulfillment, and JDA Order Optimization--in only 20 weeks, reportedly saving four months of effort while delivering more predictable results along the way. MEBC, the 2012 JDA Partner Award Winner for Global Innovation Excellence, leveraged the resources of the JDA Cloud Services Implementation Lab for this project.

“Traditional waterfall implementations are notorious for failing to deliver the intended scope of work, taking too much time, delivering an array of critical and non-critical product features, all at much higher price tag than presented at the project kickoff,” indicated Russ King, Principal at MEBC. “FleetPride required specific JDA functionality within an exact period of time that was delivered on budget, and without compromising any aspect of quality. Long ERP-based planning projects that fail to deliver quick ROI are no longer acceptable.”

“The MEBC Tookit provided an outline that was structured and detailed and that kept us focused,” recounted Steve Fogolini, Director of Supply Chain at FleetPride. “We are now processing 800 to 1,000 optimized P.O.’s automatically where this was very manual before. Further, our internal distribution methodology has been automated and the time to process internal transfers has been reduced by 60%. This is true, measurable, savings and confirmation we are working with the right set of tools to support our growth and business initiatives going forward.”

FleetPride Retail Location for Truck and Trailer Parts

Big Red Micros Machine

Micros Systems (Columbia, MD) has expanded its relationship with Delaware North Companies Sport Service by implementing its Micros 9700 Hospitality Management System (HMS) throughout the Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds. This POS installation spans 28 concession stands, two restaurants, 65 suites, seven retail stores, including the Reds Team Shop, and mobile service for the 42,000-seat stadium. One of the largest privately-held hospitality providers, Delaware North Companies, which also owns Boston’s TD Garden, has revenue exceeding $2.6 billion annually and overall serves hundreds of millions of customers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

Micros will supply its Keyboard Workstation 270 POS terminals for fixed and portable concessions, Workstation 5A touchscreen computers for fine-dining areas, suites, and retail stores, Mobile Micros with Motorola MC55A handheld devices for traditional in-seat ordering and the Reds Team Shop, and ViVOpay 4500m readers for MasterCard PayPass and consumer-facing credit card swiping. To extend cost savings, existing components of the previous Micros Tangent POS were recycled. Software implemented by Micros includes its 9700 HMS Version 3.6 with Perpetual Inventory and Vending solutions, 9700 Suites Management, iCare CRM and Loyalty, and mymicros.net business intelligence for enterprise reporting.

“The new Micros solutions have been very well received by our team at Great American Ball Park and the fans that attend the stadium’s events,” shared Kevin Quinlivan, CIO for Delaware North Companies. “We are excited about the Mobile Micros system for the Reds Team Shop, where we are using handheld terminals with Bluetooth printers to improve our operational processes. Our associates can reduce long lines during peak periods by moving from behind the counter and out in front of the customers to ring transactions.”

Micros Keyboard Workstation 270

[Editor’s Note:  Micros announced contract wins with two additional venues over the past few weeks, the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, part of the Trump Hotel Collection, and Toyota Park, home of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. In both cases, Micros 9700 HMS POS will be deployed.]

Channel Factoid

A new survey from the National Retail Federation’s Association for Retail Technology Standards (ARTS) and NCR Corporation finds that ARTS offers retailers cost-saving opportunities and significant benefits in time management. For instance, 67% of retailers felt that using ARTS standards resulted in smoother integration efforts. Another 57% reported ARTS standards helped with implementation of best practices and 56% cited reduced integration costs. Fully 70% of survey respondents said they experienced cost savings of 20% or more compared to their use of standards from other organizations. Two in 10 (22%) said they saw more than 40% in cost savings. ARTS request for proposal (RFP) templates and educational white papers were also highly valued by the retail community. Nine in 10 ARTS members surveyed (90%) rated such materials as good, excellent, or outstanding. Overall, 88% of retailers surveyed reported that ARTS far exceeded, exceeded, or met expectations. “ARTS was founded with the goal of reducing technology costs for retailers by easing the integration of disparate systems with standards data models and XML schemes,” commented Richard Mader, ARTS Executive Director. “The survey results show that we have come a long way in satisfying not only our original goal, but are providing value to the retail business through our RFPs, whitepapers, and Unified POS. Equal to the praise, we appreciate the enhancement suggestions that will propel ARTS to even greater benefit to the retail industry.”

[Editor’s Note: As reported in RRN.Com, Richard Mader has announced his retirement as Executive Director of NRF’s ARTS. Tom Litchford, known from his work at Microsoft and NCR, has been appointed VP of Retail Technologies for NRF, with responsibility for ARTS.]

HELLO GOODBYE

DigitalPersona Fingers New CEO

DigitalPersona (Redwood City, CA), one of the leaders in biometric identity authentication and access management, has recruited Richard Agostinelli as its President and CEO. Agostinelli has been specifically chartered with guiding the organization through its next phase of growth and joins the board of directors. Fabio Righi, the company’s previous CEO, will serve as an advisor to the board.

“DigitalPersona was founded with the vision to make biometrics secure, affordable, and convenient for individuals and businesses.” stated Vance Bjorn, Co-Founder and CTO at DigitalPersona. “Passwords have become the weakest link in digital security and identity, so the need for an alternative has never been greater, especially in markets such as healthcare, retail, and banking. With several years of solid growth and profits, we have laid the foundation for our products to lead this next generation of user authentication and identity.”

Agostinelli joins DigitalPersona from L-1 Identity Solutions, where he served as President of the Biometrics Division until its purchase by Sagem Morpho in 2011. During his tenure at L-1, Agostinelli was given credit for integrating the products and people from several acquired businesses specializing in biometric technologies such as face, fingerprint, and iris, for expanding into diverse markets for physical access, enterprise networks, and mobile data collection, and for assembling an end-to-end portfolio of hardware, software, and services. Before L-1, he was CFO for Identix and COO for SecuriMetrics, two more companies involved in the early stages of the biometrics industry.

Richard Agostinelli, CEO, DigitalPersona

Apple Hardware Turnover

Apple (Cupertino, CA) has announced that Bob Mansfield, its celebrated SVP of Hardware Engineering, will retire and the role will be transitioned to Dan Riccio, VP of iPad Hardware Engineering, over the next several months. Mansfield has led engineering of the Mac since 2005, iPhone and iPod since 2010, and iPad since its inception. He joined Apple in 1999 when it bought Raycer Graphics, where he was VP of Engineering.

“Bob has been an instrumental part of our executive team, leading the hardware engineering organization and overseeing the team that has delivered dozens of breakthrough products over the years,” observed Tom Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are very sad to have him leave and hope he enjoys every day of his retirement.” The hardware engineering team will continue to report to Mansfield until his departure, according to Apple.

“Dan has been one of Bob’s key lieutenants for a very long time and is very well respected within Apple and by the industry,” Cook said of Riccio. “Our hardware engineering team is the best engineering team on earth and will not miss a beat during the transition.” Riccio came to Apple in 1998 as VP of Product Design.

Retirement of Bob Mansfield, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering

PayPal Takes the Hill

PayPal President David Marcus has turned to the familiar to fill the new position of Head of Global Product--Hill Ferguson, who worked as VP of Marketing and Product for Marcus at Zong (which PayPal purchased in 2010). Ferguson moves up from his current position as Head of Mobile for PayPal, the office previously held by Marcus before his own elevation to President in March. “We looked at both internal and external candidates and I’m thrilled to announce we’ve found the ideal candidate within our own PayPal family,” Marcus wrote in his memo to the payment provider’s employees.

“I’ve known Hill for a long time, having worked at Zong and most recently as leaders of the PayPal Mobile team,” Marcus noted. “Hill is obsessed with consumer and merchant experiences, and he’s the kind of guy who loses sleep if we put our customers through bad experiences. Hill has a strong track record of delivering all of the following: the ability to develop and drive a global product vision; a deep knowledge and understanding of the customer experience; an entrepreneurial spirit; an innate capability to cut through the clutter and simplify things; and finally, an extensive experience in payments and financial services products.”

Hill Ferguson, Head of Global Product, PayPal