Our Product Pick

POS-X, Inc. (Bellingham, WA) has unwrapped its new All-in-One, the ION TP5 Pro. An upgrade to the ION TP5, it carries an Intel Celeron J1900 Quad-Core CPU at 2.4 GHz, 4-GB RAM, and 64-GB SSD, and supports Windows 7, 8.1, and 10. It features 14" widescreen LCD (1366x768) with "TruFlat" projected-capacitive (PCAP) touch. In silver and black coloring, the ION TP5 Pro has sturdy aluminum frame and an IP-54 rating for water and dust. With size of 14.3 in. (W) x 13.4 in. (H) x 7.8 in. (D) and 13.2 lbs. (both with stand), the ION TP5 Pro has USB x 5, Serial x 3, LAN, and RJ-11 Cash Drawer Port. An optional, integrated 3" thermal receipt printer is offered. (ION TP5 has Intel Atom Z3735F Quad-Core CPU at 1.8 GHz.)

POS-X ION TP5 Pro

COMPANY BUSINESS

A Wider Net at Netsurion

Add ransomware to malware as threats to the POS, warns Netsurion (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). As an answer, the provider of managed data and network security services, and notable player in our channel, has offered its "POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment." With this web-based resource "companies can immediately see just how at-risk they are against potential ransomware threats, and what specifically they need to do to ensure they are protected," relayed John Christly, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Netsurion and its subsidiary EventTracker.

A full slate of capabilities is promoted by POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment. It includes an estimate of how long the business may be down due to encountered ransomware, or malware, along with associated revenue loss. Customized POS ransomware protection recommendations are generated, along with guidance on ROI. POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment can be accessed at no charge from both Netsurion and EventTracker (which focuses on security information and event management, or SIEM).

Of interest to VARs, ISVs, and OEMs in POS, Netsurion also has updated its Netsurion Partner Program. A new web portal will feature deal registration, order submission, marketing collateral, and training resources, RRN.Com was told. In addition, Netsurion has introduced new products such as "SIEM-at-the-Edge" and Endpoint Monitoring. It contends that few merchant organizations, barely coping with malware, are prepared for the possibility of ransomware at the POS.

Netsurion Launches "POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment"

Sterling ROAMs Further in EMV

Sterling Payment Technologies (Tampa, FL), one of the payment processors vested in our channel, has embraced mobility, and EMV, with its support of ROAMpay X5 by Ingenico (Alpharetta, GA). A native app for smartphones and tablets running iOS or Android, presented in 2014, ROAMpay X5 supports all electronic transaction types, including MSR, EMV Chip & PIN, EMV Chip & Sign, and NFC/Contactless. "As more and more businesses turn to the convenience and flexibility provided by mobile point-of-sale, it's smart business for Sterling to offer secure solutions such as ROAMpay X5," emphasized Jim Raftice, President of U.S. and Canada at EVO Payments International, parent company of Sterling Technologies.

Sterling offers two compatible card readers from Ingenico for ROAMPay X5. Utilizing Bluetooth 4.0, the pocket-sized, lightweight (2.8 oz.) Moby/3000 accepts MSR and EMV. It's priced similar to readers of MSR, according to Sterling. In dongle format, weighing 2.3 oz., the RP450c accepts MSR, EMV, and NFC/Contactless. It has two connection options, audio jack and Bluetooth 4.0. Significantly, for security, both card readers feature point-to-point encryption (P2PE).

"We're proud that Sterling is offering our ROAMpay X5 mobile application and compatible card readers," declared Russell Harty, SVP of U.S. Indirect Sales for Ingenico Group. "Our mobile card readers provide smaller businesses with a secure, low-cost, convenient way to access EMV technology using the most popular smartphones and tablets." A close partner of Ingenico, Sterling Payment Technologies also has relationships with payment terminal vendors Verifone (San Jose, CA), PAX Technology (Jacksonville, FL), and ExaDigm (Santa Ana, CA).

Moby/3000 Payment Terminal by Ingenico

Worth Your While

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

VARTECH
BlueStar
September 18-19
Orlando, FL

Pack Expo
PMMI
September 25-27
Las Vegas, NV

RFID in Retail and Apparel
RFID Journal
September 26
New York, NY

NRF's Big Show
National Retail Federation
January 14-16, 2018
New York, NY

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Zebra Shows Stripes (With ZT600)

Zebra Technology Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) has unveiled its new industrial thermal barcode printer series, designated as ZT600. Offered in two models--4" ZT610 and 6.6" ZT620--these also debut the firm's browser-based remote printer management solution, dubbed "Printer Profile Manager Enterprise," as part of its Zebra Link-OS. A successor to the Xi series, next-generation ZT610/620 also furnishes simplified media and ribbon loading, enhanced color display of printer status, and guided multimedia help for end-users, emphasized Zebra.

In dimensions of 10.6 in. (W) x 15.6 in. (H) x 19.9 in. (D), and weighing 50 lbs., the ZT610 has print speed of 14 ips at 203 dpi, 12 ips at 300 dpi, and 6 ips at 600 dpi. Slightly wider, and weighing 57 lbs., the ZT620 has print speed of 12 ips at 203 dpi and 8 ips at 300 dpi. Both carry 1-GB RAM and 2-GB Flash, with ribbon length of 450 m. An all-metal heavy gauge construction, with no vents or fans, has side-loading of media.

"The ZT600 series printers provide unrivaled quality, durability, and performance that can withstand any environment," suggested Keith LeFebvre, VP of Product and Solutions Development and Management in Zebra's Specialty Printing Group. "With the introduction of Link-OS in our industrial printer line and the Printer Profile Manager Enterprise, Zebra is providing customers with printers that are easy to network, use, deploy, maintain, and troubleshoot, which improves productivity and operational efficiency." Zebra also announced its "cost-effective" ZT510, which will be covered in another edition of RRN.Com.

Zebra's New ZT610 Industrial Barcode Printer

Keeping 4:3 Time at Elo

Elo (Milpitas, CA) has rolled out its new 15" E-Series 15E3 All-in-One for POS. With standard aspect ratio of 4:3, significantly, the E-Series 15E3 offers choice of touch technologies: "TouchPro" Pro G (for Glass) projected-capacitive (PCAP) or "AccuTouch" five-wire resistive. It features fanless design, measuring 14.1 in. (W) x 14.1 in. (H) x 6.3 in. (D), and weighing 11.1 lbs. (both with stand), with seamless, edge-to-edge, anti-glare glass front.

Powered by an Intel Celeron J1900 Quad-Core CPU at 2 GHz, 4-GB RAM, 128-GB SSD, and Intel HD Graphics, the new E-Series 15E3 comes with Windows POSReady 7 or Windows 10 (or no O/S). Screen specs are 1024x768 resolution, 800:1 contrast ratio, and 8-ms response time. In addition to USB x 4, Serial x 2, and VGA x 1, E-Series 15E3 adds an RJ-12 Cash Drawer Port. All of the 15E3's connections are enclosed in the I/O bay, offering clean, modern styling while avoiding accidental disconnect. A three-year warranty is extended.

"Our E-Series All-in-One has proven itself to be an affordable, compact, and commercial-grade point-of-sale touchscreen computer," reflected John Lamb, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Elo. "Customers request the 4:3 aspect ratio for many point-of-sale applications. With this launch, the E-Series family now offers both standard aspect 4:3 (15E3) and widescreen aspect 16:9 (15E2) to retailers, enabling them to optimize our solutions for their existing software."

Elo's New 15" E-Series 15E3 Carries Standard Aspect Ratio of 4:3

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ALLIANCES

"Opting" for Gift Cards at iPayment

Expanding into stored value, gift, and loyalty, payment processor iPayment (Westlake Village, CA) has partnered with Opticard (Scottsdale, AZ). A new offering will go to market through its resellers, as well as its direct channels. In support, iPayment has established its "starter kit" and dedicated web portal. Its new gift program may be purchased individually or as part of bundled package.

"We understand the pressing need for new, value-based solutions for our SMB customers," expounded Wimbish Potter, VP of Product Delivery at iPayment. "We chose to white label Opticard's gift solutions because of the simplicity of the offering and ease of use, two things that our SMB customers and our sales channels demand in today's competitive marketplace." Aggressive in our channel, iPayment has 140,000 customers in the SMB.

"Since our founding, gift has been at the core of our offerings," expressed Troy Smith, GM of Opticard. "While we have solutions for any size or type of business, we have intentionally designed a suite of gift card packages specifically for SMB customers, making the process as easy as possible to get up and running quickly and seamlessly." Established in 1995, Opticard logs 20 million transactions per year.

A Gift Card Solution From iPayment

A Next Step for Nextep

A new partnership has been fashioned between two interesting players, Nextep Systems (Troy, MI) and LevelUp Systems (Boston, MA). With three self-order patents granted, and four more pending, Nextep offers its so-called "360 Degree" integrated foodservice platform to more than 1,500 managed quick-service and fast-casual businesses. It supports kiosks, dynamic menu displays, drive-thru stations, and countertop terminals. Started in 2011, LevelUp employs the QR Code on the consumer's smartphone for payment and loyalty.

"Nextep's self-order point-of-sale creates fast and personalized experiences for every restaurant guest," cited Seann Moriarty, Head of Partnerships at LevelUp. "The LevelUp/Nextep integration makes each transaction seconds faster. With self-order kiosk and mobile ordering on the rise, seamlessness is sure to be a critical point of differentiation." In addition to increased speed, the two parties pointed to bigger check totals. (Integration with most POS ISVs for LevelUp.)

"Our new partnership adds even more value to our revenue generating point-of-sale by giving our clients access to a top-notch user engagement tool," commented Tommy Woycik, President of Nextep Systems. In June, Woycik was named to the Kiosk Industry Association's Hall of Fame. In his remarks, he predicted, "In much the same way that mobile ordering began with pizza and spread throughout restaurants of every category, self-order has started with quick-service restaurant and fast-casual pilots, but will soon become standard industry-wide."

Nextep Self-Order Station at Dharma Sushi in Boise, Idaho

Code Corner

A new provider of enterprise mobility management (EMM), 42Gears Mobility Systems (Fremont, CA) has joined the ScanSource S3 program as an Independent Software Vendor (ISV). As some readers may know, S3 by ScanSource (Greenville, SC), which stands for "Software, Services, and Solutions," connects resellers directly to strategic partners to improve the reseller's skill set and add new revenue streams. Recently cited for the Gartner Enterprise Mobility Management Magic Quadrant - 2017, 42Gears Mobility Systems offers SaaS and on-premise EMM. It has approximately 7,000 customers globally. "ScanSource is a boon for us as an outreach partner," remarked Ralf Schmidt, EMM Head of Sales at 42Gears. "We are glad to join the S3 program and connect with VARs to enhance their solution offering with our nimble EMM."

42Gears Joins ScanSource's S3 Program

INTEGRATION

Sato's Manhattan Transfer

Label ISV Cybra Corporation (Yonkers, NY) has tied thermal label printers from Sato America (Charlotte, NC) into the Warehouse Management for Open Systems (WMOS) by Manhattan Associates (Atlanta, GA). To mark the occasion, Sato also has joined the Manhattan Associates' MVP Program as Silver Hardware Partner. A longtime supplier to our channel, Cybra provides popular software for barcodes, electronic forms, and RFID.

In this instance, Sato sought an innovative Linux-based solution to design and print barcode and RFID labels with mixed UTF-8 character sets (Kanji and English) in both text and symbology fields--including QR Code. It adopted Cybra's MarkMagic PI (Platform Independent) Edition, with native support for the Sato Barcode Program Language (SBPL). A new solution supports the following thermal printer models by Sato: PW208, PT408e, L'Esprit V-ex, CL4NX, and CL6NX.

"Sato is a track and trace leader with labeling solutions that meet the needs of companies with complex global supply chains," indicated Kaz Matsuyama, President and CEO of Sato Holdings Corporation (Tokyo, Japan). "Thanks to Cybra's MarkMagic, such companies can now enjoy Sato and Manhattan Associates' WMOS--which delivers tangible labor savings and streamlines operations. We will continue to pursue all partnerships to provide maximum value to our customers."

Sato's Printers, Such as the CL4NX, Gain Compatibility with Manhattan Associates' Warehouse Management for Open Systems (WMOS)

Word From the Big Boys

-Of adoption: Samsung Pay has added PayPal--in app, online, and in-store. "This partnership furthers our commitment to providing customers with a more convenient payment experience that is simple, secure, and available almost anywhere," volunteered Injong Rhee, CTO and Head of R&D, Software and Services, in the Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. Additionally, Samsung Pay will be offered via Braintree Direct from PayPal. (Another announcement: Discover now supports Samsung Pay.)

-Of symbology: MasterCard has furthered its efforts in use of QR Codes. (Launched in 2016, Masterpass QR.) "We look forward to adoption of the EMVCo global QR standards," shared Ajay Bhalla, President of Global Enterprise Risk and Security at MasterCard. "In the meantime, we'll continue to work with our customers and partners." (It leverages M/Chip.)

-Of e-commerce: Vantiv has developed extensions for Magento (1 and 2). As Select Technology Partner in Magento's Commerce Xcelerate Program, Vantiv now appears in the Magento Marketplace. "We are delighted to welcome a payments processor with the prestige of Vantiv into our ever-expanding ecosystem," contributed Mark Lenhard, SVP of Strategy and Growth at Magento. (It encompasses the value-added services of Vantiv.)

Samsung Pay Adds PayPal (For Starters)

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
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Tailwind Solutions

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
CognitiveTPG
Godex Americas
Honeywell

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer
MMF POS

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Denso ADC
Honeywell
Janam Technologies

Distribution
Ingram Micro

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
iPayment
Sterling Payment

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry Americas, LLC
TG3 Electronics

Mounts for POS
Innovative
SpacePole

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
CognitiveTPG
Epson America
Star Micronics

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

INSTALLATIONS

Janam Throws Shade (With XT1)

Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY) has deployed its XT1 rugged mini-tablet with Android for one of the largest privately held remodeling groups, Four Seasons Building Products. Headquartered in Buena Park, CA, with 14 service centers, Four Seasons serves more than 1,500 factory-authorized dealers and installers of outdoor products such as patio covers, pool enclosures, and car ports. It has fielded Janam's XT1 with the Factory Track Warehouse Mobility App from Infor Global Solutions (New York, NY).

"With a sizeable investment in inventory, it is critical that we have a system in place that allows us to track materials in real-time," noted Bob Lohsen, VP of Four Seasons Building Products. "Janam's XT1 has significantly improved the speed of our processes." Added Jeff West, Hardware and Sales Support at Infor Global Solutions, "We worked closely with Four Seasons Building Products to conduct a review of several rugged mobile computers from leading vendors and collectively felt that Janam's XT1 was the standout device."

Debuted in 2014, Janam's XT1 weighs 13 oz. with battery, measures 7.8 in. (L) x 3.9 in. (W) x 0.5 in. (D), and, significantly, features 5.9" display. It carries Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU at 1.5 GHz, 1-GB RAM, and 16-GB ROM. As standard offerings, Janam has added Honeywell's N5600 2D Adaptus Imaging Technology, Bluetooth 4.0, Dual Band 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN, and RFID/NFC. Additional features include capacitive touchscreen, five-megapixel camera, 3000-mAh Li-Ion battery, GPS, and optional 3G/4G WWAN. As ruggedness, XT1 withstands 3-ft./1-m drops to concrete with an IP-54 rating for water and dust. And, further, as street price: $700 to $900.

Four Seasons Building Products Deploys Janam's XT1 Rugged Mini Tablet in Its Service Centers

APG Tees Off With PGA

For the third time, APG Cash Drawer (Minneapolis, MN) has supplied its all-white Vasario cash drawers and Square iPad stands for the PGA Memorial Tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH. A prestigious event, hosted by Jack Nicklaus at the course he designed, it drew thousands of spectators from May 29 through June 4, 2017. Equipment for the POS, including APG's Vasario cash drawers, was supplied by the distributor BlueStar (Hebron, KY).

"Working with the Memorial Tournament is always an enjoyable experience and this year was no exception," recounted Stephen Bergeron, VP of Global Marketing at APG Cash Drawer. "Our experience at the Memorial validates that the global usage of hard cash is at the highest since the 1950's. As consumer behavior and expectations continuously change, creating the right products and services to meet these needs are pertinent to our industry. APG's solutions are created to be leveraged across all landscapes and environments, simplifying transactions at POS terminals regardless of venue or location."

"The product, quality, and service provided by APG Cash Drawer and BlueStar exceeded our expectations," affirmed Nick Ailabouni, Controller of Muirfield Village Golf Club and the Memorial Tournament. An entry-level cash drawer, APG's Vasario features roller bearings, four-function locking, and drawer status reporting. In his remarks, APG's Bergeron emphasized suitability of all-white coloring for specialty environments such as PGA Tours.

At the POS: APG Cash Drawer and Square

Channel Factoid

For 2017, total "back to school" spending is projected to reach $83.6 billion, up more than 10% over $75.8 billion in 2016, according to the National Retail Federation. Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $687.72, totaling $29.5 billion, an 8% increase from last year's $27.3 billion. Total spending for this age group is the second highest in the history of the NRF's Survey, following $30.3 billion in 2012. It includes $10.2 billion on clothing (planned for purchase by 95% of respondents), $8.8 billion on electronics such as computers or calculators (60%), $5.6 billion on shoes (93%) , and $4.9 billion on school supplies (97%). In this segment, 57% will shop at department stores, 54% at discount stores, 46% each at clothing stores and online, and 36% at office supply stores. In comparison, college students and their families plan to spend an average of $969.88, up from last year's $888.71. Total spending is expected to be $54.1 billion, up from $48.5 billion in 2016 and surpassing 2012's record of $53.5 billion. This increase in spending is driven, in part, by growing college enrollment. Here, consumers plan to spend $12.8 billion on electronics (planned for purchase by 51% of respondents), $8 billion on clothing (78%), $7.5 billion on food items (75%), $5.9 billion on dorm/apartment furnishings (51%), $4.5 billion on shoes (72%), $4.5 billion on personal care items (78%), $3.9 billion on school supplies (88%), $3.9 billion on gift cards (40%), and $3.2 billion on branded college gear (56%). When it comes to where to shop, 44% will go online, 40% to discount stores, 39% to department stores, 34% to college bookstores, and 29% to office supply stores. "With stronger employment levels, and continued increase in wages, consumers are spending more," observed Matthew Shay, NRF President and CEO.

HELLO GOODBYE

Macy's Day at NRF

At the National Retail Federation (Washington, DC), Terry Lundgren, Executive Chairman of Macy's, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors. He replaces former HSNi CEO Mindy Grossman, who resigned, after leaving retail to head Weight Watchers. (Hello, Oprah!) In addition, four new members have been elected: John Furner, President and CEO of Sam's Club; Mike George, President and CEO of QVC; Adam Orvos, CEO of Total Wine and More; and Brad Weston, CEO of Petco.

"These new directors represent the breadth of this diverse industry," enthused Matthew Shay, President and CEO of NRF. "They will provide invaluable insight and leadership not only on the future of retail but also NRF's role in advocating for retailers of all sizes. Terry is an industry veteran who will provide sound guidance in all aspects of our mission." As our readers know, one of the world's largest, and most influential, trade groups, NRF.

Terry Lundgren of Macy's Named Chairman of the Board of Directors at NRF

Analyze This, Says Agilence

Agilence (Mount Laurel, NJ), one of the leaders in cloud-based data analytics for store operations and loss prevention, has enlisted two experienced executives--Jeffrey Freedman as VP of Technology and David Pettit, VP of Food and Beverage Sales. Prior to joining Agilence, Freedman was CTO for ESM Solutions Corporation (2014 to 2016) and CIO/VP of Technology for TPG TeleManagement (2001 to 2014). On his part, Pettit served as Enterprise Sales Director for Alchemy Systems (2016 to 2017) and National Sales Director for Paycor (2015 to 2016).

"Agilence's customer community contains some of the best-known brands in the world," stated Freedman. "I am excited to join the company at a time of such rapid growth and look forward to building software solutions that help our customers improve store performance and increase margin."

"Agilence is still new to the restaurant world, but has already made a big impact," stated Pettit. "We have the right tools, and we have the right people, now it's just a matter of connecting the dots for decision makers across the restaurant space. It's exciting to be on the ground floor as we revolutionize what data can do within the food and beverage industry."

At Agilence: Jeffrey Freedman, VP of Technology, and David Pettit, VP of Food and Beverage Sales

[Editor's Note: In June, Agilence entered into strategic partnership with Heartland Commerce. Integration now takes place between ordering platforms at Heartland Commerce and the 20/20 Data Analytics by Agilence. "A flexible analytics solution allows us to deliver added value through our partner ecosystem," remarked Mike Todd, VP of Sales for Heartland Commerce (Atlanta, GA), which encompasses four key hospitality software providers: Dinerware, Digital Dining, PC America, and Xpient Solutions.]