This Week’s Product Pick

AZT POS Corporation (Irvine, CA) has debuted its POS-8020 and POS-8080 terminals. Carrying 15-inch LCD touchscreen, Intel Atom Dual Core CPU at 1.8 GHz, 1 GB memory, and 2.5-inch/300-GB SATA hard drive, these systems enable silent operation without sacrificing computing power, according to the vendor. AZT POS-8020 has 2x20 customer display, while AZT POS-8080 has larger-sized dual display for multimedia applications. These new POS terminals incorporate the full complement of input ports, magnetic-stripe reader (MSR), and sturdy, robust base. All Windows OS are supported. “AZT’s goal is to allow business owners to have the same equipment at 30% to 50% discount while not lowering performance and reliability,” proclaimed Keddy Chen, GM of AZT POS Corporation. “Time and time again, resellers and business owners told us they are looking to save money in this challenging economic climate.”

AZT POS-8080 Touchscreen Terminal

COMPANY BUSINESS

An Intuit End Run

With all the focus on fresh POS players such as Square, PayPal, and Google, it sometimes gets forgotten that Intuit has staked out one of the truly powerful claims on small retailers. It advanced further with this week’s release of QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013, which brings to bear all of the firm’s tools, including GoPayment, its mobile payment processing scheme. By leveraging capabilities for sales, payment processing, inventory, financial, and tax functions, Intuit has proposed an argument for merchants seeking an entry-level, lower-end system, probably, but also wanting some depth, flexibility, and scalability.

“With 10 years of point-of-sale experience, we understand the challenges small retailers face when trying to grow their business,” declared Chris Hylen, VP and GM of Intuit’s Payment Solutions Division (Mountain View, CA). “By integrating QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013 with GoPayment, we’re liberating retailers from their cash registers so they can better serve their customers and ring up more sales both in the store and on the go.” At present, Intuit counts eight million small business customers and $20 billion annually in processing volume.

QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013 software starts at $1,100 for the most basic purposes, with an option to add relevant retail hardware such as scanner, label or receipt printer, and cash drawer. The free GoPayment app and card reader accessory work on the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch as well as most popular Android devices, and the discount rates start as low as 1.7%. When more functionality gets added, such as multi-store capabilities, the software-hardware package will no doubt top $2,000, putting Intuit in the stream of POS players targeting mid-market, not flea markets.

QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013 Adds GoPayment Mobility

Aloha, HubWorks Tells Guests

While NCR Corporation (Duluth, GA) pursues its Silver Tablet to bring mobile POS to foodservice staff members, it has simultaneously reached out to third-party software developer HubWorks Interactive LLC (Coeur D’Alene, ID) to bring self-service menus, games, and payments to guests at the table. HubWorks has developed and tested its technology for Apple’s iPad with several major chains, Aaron Gabriel, Co-Founder and VP of Sales and Marketing, told RRN.Com, and now sees resellers as its best path to the full-service restaurant market. Under the recent strategic agreement, NCR's powerful Aloha dealer network will offer the HubWorks software package.

HubWork’s self-service system currently runs at Buffalo Wild Wings, where servers introduce the laden iPad to guests, demonstrate some of its capabilities, and hopefully answer questions. In addition to food and beverage ordering, HubWorks offers “guest engagement” opportunities such as gaming, sports scores, access to social sharing sites like Facebook and Twitter, and surveys and promotions. It fully integrates with NCR Aloha to send orders to the kitchen and table check totals to the POS, Gabriel emphasized.

“Having market-ready self-service gives them another feature they can offer to their customers,” Gabriel said of Aloha’s resellers. “Also, there are fees involved, which they share.” HubWorks loads its software on the iPad, but does not participate in sourcing peripherals, staging, or maintenance--all of which goes through NCR. With no plans for any proprietary reseller program of its own, HubWorks has extended feelers to other major POS providers in the hospitality arena.

HubWorks Brings Menus and Games to the Table for NCR

Worth Your While

HITEC 2012
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
June 25-28
Baltimore

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

VARTECH US/LATAM
BlueStar
October 5-8
Bahamas Cruise

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

ALL IN THE FAMILY

ZT200 Leads Zebra’s Herd

Building upon the legacy of its Stripe and S4M barcode printers, Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) has showcased its ZT200 tabletop series for light industrial and commercial applications. In addition to its reduced footprint of 9.5 in. (W) x 11 in. (H) x 17 in. (D), this new device addresses crowded counters with an innovative bi-fold media door which only requires four inches of operating space and which allows viewing through its large, clear window. Two models of printer have been offered: ZT230 with all-metal case, 450 m/1476 ft. ribbon capacity, and Graphical User Interface (GUI) for more advanced printer set-up and control, and ZT220 with high-impact polymer case, 300 m/984 ft. ribbon capacity, and single-use three-button panel for less sophisticated environments.

“Zebra’s ZT200 series highlights our commitment to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers by providing solutions that will increase productivity and drive efficiency. From design to features, these latest offerings address the pain points of our customers while providing them with reliable platforms that can be updated in the field,” relayed Keith LeFebvre, VP of Product Management with Zebra. “We are extremely pleased to offer this series of industrial printers as they are fast, easy to use, and compatible in any multitude of environments, including those with existing printers and systems.”

With direct thermal technology, the ZT200 series accommodates four-inch print width and delivers speed of six inches/second at 203 dpi (thermal transfer may be ordered at 300 dpi). Benefits include multiple connectivity options (USB, Serial, Parallel, 802.11a/b/g/n wireless), 128 MB DRAM/128 MB Flash, Energy Star certification, device-guided media loading, and tool-less platen and print-head removal. Additional physical and software features may be installed at the factory or in the field to meet specific end-user needs, from passive peeler and guillotine cutter to ZebraLink Software and ZebraNet Print Server.

ZT200 Series of Industrial Label Printers by Zebra

Panasonic Displays Its Hospitality

Panasonic of North America (Secaucus, NJ) has unveiled two new lines of high-definition LCD displays for digital signage, the LRU50 series and the LRU5 series. Both products feature faster boot time mode (three seconds versus conventional seven seconds) and come in 32, 37, and 42-inch models. The LRU50 series also furnishes the company’s first professional 55-inch LED LCD panel. Overall, the LRU family offers exceptional image quality, low maintenance, and general manageability that will appeal to customers, system integrators, and IT staff, according to the vendor, which markets exclusively through resellers and distributors.

Significantly, LRU displays have been equipped with essential functions for hospitality installations, luxury boxes, and sports bars. These include initial input/channel/volume, maximum volume, locks for controls, and customizable welcome screen. They also carry an SD Memory Card slot, which permits system-wide cloning of settings for large numbers of screens, resulting in significant cost savings during installation.

Lightweight, with built-in bottom speakers, the LRU family has been designed with black matte bezel to suit common surroundings. They may be equipped with security-mount pedestal stand that rotates up to 90 degrees in both directions. Additionally, these displays feature an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel with an ultra-wide viewing angle of 178 degrees, allowing sighting from virtually anywhere in the room. “Our new displays experience an out-of-the-box failure rate of less than 0.5%,” stated Rick Albert, VP of Hospitality and Professional Displays at Panasonic, “and with introduction of the 55-inch LRU50, we offer customers one of the broadest scopes of LCD, Plasma, and LED displays.”

LRU50 Series of Professional Digital Signage

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INTEGRATION

PCI 3.0, PIN Pads, and UIC

Uniform Industrial Corporation (Fremont, CA), which goes by UIC, has received PCI 3.0 approval for its second-generation PIN Pad with signature capture, the PP795. Such an advanced security specification signifies more stringent protection of the magnetic stripe and smart card reader as well as the casing and keyboard, according to the vendor. Other benefits of the PIN Pad include the capacity to support remote key downloading, another major advantage for retailers during roll out and maintenance, as most RRN.Com readers well know.

“UIC is committed to adapt to the ever-changing requirements of the payments industry by providing high value and quality at an affordable price,” indicated Winston Fong, VP of Sales and Marketing for UIC. “U.S. migration to the Europay, MasterCard, and Visa global standard (EMV) represents considerable investment for retailers, and we are pleased to offer this feature-rich solution that complies with the latest security regulations, as well as bringing great return on investment for our customers.”

Designed with the multi-lane and specialty retail sectors in mind, the platform for the PP795 PIN Pad with signature capture easily integrates with “virtually any point-of-sale system in the market today.” In addition, UIC provides VARs and system integrators with its Software Development Kit (SDK) using standard C development tools and Linux environment. Finally, with security of uppermost concern these days, UIC has built support for end-to-end data encryption and tokenization for the PP795, which adds the designation of “SE” in the case of signature capture.

PP795 Signature Capture PIN Pad by UIC

Time for Reflection in Connecticut

New Haven Cash Register (New Haven, CT) has adopted Reflection POS from NCC (Greenville, SC). A fully integrated solution, Reflection POS combines feature-rich software, an embedded OS that reduces virus, malware, and spyware threats, and an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI). New Haven Cash Register cited the system’s extremely high reliability, application flexibility, and attractive cost of ownership in making its selection.

“As part of our continuing, 60-plus year commitment to provide the Connecticut restaurant and hospitality industries with the utmost in POS and ECR service, product selection, and support, we are very pleased to add the NCC Reflection solution to our line card,” noted Arthur Rosenbaum, CEO/President of New Haven Cash Register. “The always-connected, highly-secure performance profile of the product dovetails with our ‘smart growth’ strategy of providing Connecticut-based foodservice businesses with superior, cost-effective technology that delivers real and lasting bottom-line results and operational efficiencies.” New Haven Cash Register served as one of the founding members of the Independent Cash Register Dealers Association (ICRDA), which has evolved into today’s Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA).

Specifically designed to handle all types of transactions, with PCI DSS approval, Reflection POS features an innovative, no single point of failure architecture that eliminates the need for a single “master” server or terminal. If a workstation fails, any other terminal can retrieve the order, since all orders are distributed to all stations at the end of each transaction. Likewise, if a kitchen printer fails, all orders automatically get transmitted to the designated ‘back-up’ printer, allowing the operation to continue without interruption or downtime.

NCC Reflection POS for Foodservice

Code Corner

A newcomer, Restaurant Revolution Technologies, Inc. (San Diego), has launched its first order management platform with integrated call center, online, and mobile capabilities. In keeping with the push to cross-channelization, and linked to the POS, RRT’s package allows operators to receive take-out or delivery orders via any customer touch point. RRT makes the ordering experience for repeat customers faster and easier by saving their credit card, billing, and payment information. With “intelligent upselling,” it predicts customer buying preferences based on previous and current menu choices. Further, “order memory” enables repeat customers to simply reply, “I’ll take the usual.” Plus, specific food customizations are saved for future visits, once again streamlining and personalizing the ordering experience. Finally, customers receive automatic and immediate e-mail confirmation of their order, ensuring greater accuracy and satisfaction. “Providing restaurant operators with this completely integrated call center, online, and mobile order management capability is unique in the restaurant industry,” suggested Brian Krakower, former VP of IT at California Pizza Kitchen, and RRT’s CTO. “Our focus at RRT with this new software release is all about giving restaurant operators all of the tools they need to more successfully forge that all important relationship with their take-out and delivery customers.”

PARTNER PROGRAMS

Wanted Alive (Not Dead): Your Oldest Printer

CognitiveTPG (Lincolnshire, IL) has kicked off two summer promotions for its desktop thermal label printers. In the first, the vendor has asked owners of its forerunner Blaster and Advantage LX devices to send video of their oldest working installations. “We are calling the promotion ‘Wanted Alive’ and challenging current and former customers to show us the oldest operational unit in the field,” explained Angela Mansfield-Swanson, Marketing Director for CognitiveTPG. “We know what true workhorses these printers are and we know there are still many printers in the field after ten years or more, working.” Under terms of the contest, the customer with the oldest operational unit will win $500 through Visa gift card.

In the second program, CognitiveTPG will attempt to entice customers for its newest desktop thermal label printer line, the DLXi. In this case, CognitiveTPG has offered $25 off the first order of any model in this family. Resellers may take advantage of this promotion through one of the manufacturer’s distributors--BlueStar, Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS, ScanSource, and Synnex. Both promotions run from June 1 through August 31, and more information appears on the company’s website.

Shipped in March, the DLXi brings advanced communications, better performance, and improved code processing, according to CognitiveTPG. Two versions are offered--two-inch and four-inch direct thermal or thermal transfer--with five inches/second print speed, 203-dpi resolution, and 16 MB RAM/8 MB Flash. All versions employ standard connectors such as USB-A host port, with USB-B, Ethernet, Serial, and Parallel configurations. In addition, DLXi printers are loaded with the Cognitive Programming Language as well as common emulations

New DLXi Desktop Thermal Label Printers by CognitiveTPG

Cup of Joe for Granbury

Granbury Restaurant Solutions (Grapevine, TX) has bought POS Core Technologies (Redmond, WA), makers of the popular Coffee Shop Manager POS package. GRS, RRN.Com readers may know, was formed in 2010 through the combination of five hospitality IT providers: DiamondTouch, FireFly Technologies, Let’s Get.net, Pizzeria Sales Builder, and Vital Link. It offers the expected range of store systems for pizza, quick-service, and casual dining in addition to coffee--spanning POS, back-office, and mobile commerce--with financial banking from private investment firms Granbury Technologies and Corcovado Advisors Ltd. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very excited to add POS Core Technologies to our organization and to welcome the users of Coffee Shop Manager to Granbury Restaurant Solutions,” remarked Tom Bronson, CEO at Granbury Restaurant and former President of DiamondTouch. “Their products offer an excellent opportunity to expand our market offerings, and GRS will be able to offer Coffee Shop Manager users more advanced solutions, including online ordering, self-serve kiosks, and our automated customer loyalty system. The addition of Coffee Shop Manager to our portfolio demonstrates our commitment to the specialty coffee market.”

“Joining forces with Granbury Restaurant Solutions brings great opportunities for growth to our organization,” added Lee Alexander, Principal at POS Core Technologies. “We are confident that this acquisition will be only positive for our customers and our team. We’re thrilled to be part of GRS--especially as it relates to their world-class customer service and product development efforts.” Along with everyone else in POS these days, it seems, GRS recently introduced its own app for Apple’s iPad.

Coffee Shop Manager Purchased by Granbury Restaurant Solutions

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
FEC/Acrelec
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
WorldPay US

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

A Framework for Customer Loyalty

Long before social networking, just about the time Mark Zuckerberg was learning to walk, POS developers pioneered customer loyalty programs for retail and hospitality. Many of those efforts have been subjugated into larger systems and bigger players, but roll outs proceed by RRN.Com readers. A case in point: POSitive Technology (Germantown, MD) and Retail Hero (Surrey, BC, Canada), which combine forces to bring “Hero Points” to the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and POS 2009.

Most recently deployed by Pictures Plus, one of Hawaii’s custom framing specialists, this customer loyalty program allows store owners to define both collection and redemption schedules and assign additional points for specific purchases (as bonus points), for new customers (as welcome points), and for special promotions (as accelerator points). At the POS, the cashier will be prompted to reward the customer whenever redeemable limits have been reached. This system’s functionality mirrors popular customer loyalty programs in the airline and gasoline industries, according to the two parties, and runs internally without service charges and fees.

“When we created our loyalty points program, we wanted to offer our valued clients the best rewards possible,” recounted Charissa Wong, Network Operations Manager for Pictures Plus. “We wanted to give them unprecedented rate of return on their spending. Since implementing Hero Points, the basis of our Fanatic Card, we have seen marked increase in repeat customer activity.”

Loyalty Points Collection Screen for Microsoft Dynamics RMS

Holy Guacamole at CDC Software

CDC Software (Atlanta) has deployed its Ross Enterprise for Food and Beverage for Ramona’s Mexican Food Products, the Southern California supplier of fresh and frozen burritos, chile rellenos, tamales, and enchiladas. Ross ERP 7.0, just released, offers advancements in enterprise visibility, collaboration, reporting, and mobility, according to its developer. Utilizing “subscribe and follow” techniques, Enterprise Viewer allows sales reps to track activities of their customers on their dashboards. Similarly, Event Management Framework delivers real-time alerts to sales reps whenever one of their customers exceeds established credit limits. Other benefits include self-explanatory New Document Connect, Product TraceExpress, and Microsoft SQL-based Ross Reporting Services.

“We are looking forward to the implementation of Ross ERP, which we expect will improve our ability to track all inventory and manufacturing processes on a real-time basis, and help Ramona’s expand our sales of authentic Mexican food to retail outlets throughout the U.S.,” shared Bob Trelford, COO of Ramona’s. “In addition, we look forward to improving our lot traceability program with Ross ERP’s TraceExpress, as well as running Ross ERP’s Enterprise Viewer.” In addition to its prepackaged product line, Ramona’s operates restaurant kitchen locations in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

“We’re delighted to add Ramona’s to our growing customer list of specialty food manufacturers,” noted Sherri Rodriguez, President of Ross Systems. “Ross specifically addresses key challenges in the food industry such as yield management, quality control, regulatory compliance, and end-to-end traceability. We look forward to our long-term partnership with Ramona’s and helping them meet their future growth objectives with Ross 7.0, our next-generation of ERP solutions that address the evolving business requirements in the food industry.”

CDC Deploys Ross ERP for Ramona’s Mexican Food Products

Channel Factoid

When it comes to mobile wallets, banks run the risk of losing market share to the cadre of emerging competitors, according to the new study of U.S. consumers conducted by the Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group. Almost half (48%) of respondents expressed interest in mobile wallet technology, driven by young consumers and by affluent consumers, in particular. This near majority may be divided into two groups: “techno shoppers” (27%), who are attracted to the merchandizing and social features of mobile wallets, and “payment optimizers” (21%), who want to make the best decision based upon their financial considerations. Perhaps most shocking, eight in ten consumers would consider using PayPal if it offered mobile wallet technology, as well as banking, and six in ten would consider using Google or Apple for either of these two services. According to the study, consumers place significant value on the benefits of various offers and incentives, from lower interest rates and cash-back rewards, to discounts and special offers coordinated with loyalty programs. However, they are frustrated with the number of offers they receive and with their inability to track terms and conditions. Thus the interest in mobile wallets, which consolidate payment cards, vouchers, and loyalty programs on the consumer’s smartphone or tablet. “People have already slowed their use of cash and checks in favor of credit and debit cards,” observed Peter Olynick, CG’s Card & Payments Practice Leader. “Within five years, half of today’s smartphone users will be using their devices and mobile wallets as their preferred method for payments. These customers will be using better tools to help them optimize transaction choices. Banks need to proactively consider how their products will stay ‘top of wallet’ in this new world.”

HELLO GOODBYE

Sales Are Cooking at Sato

Sato America, Inc. (Charlotte, NC) has engaged industry veteran Tim Cook as its new VP of North American Sales. Cook brings his 15-year track record at leading Auto ID vendors, with tenures as VP of Global Sales for OEM at Honeywell Scanning & Mobility, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Lowry Computer Products, and VP of North American Sales at Zebra Technologies. “I am energized to have recently joined this remarkable Sato team and look forward to leveraging my AIDC experience to develop and lead this world-class, professional sales organization for Sato America,” Cook said.

“Having supreme skill in leadership and sales management along with his great deal of experience and industry knowledge, Tim Cook brings to Sato America exactly the right combination,” stated Bob Linse, President of Sato America, Inc. “As our new VP of North American Sales, Tim will drive revenue and sales development processes that ensure growth and customer satisfaction throughout the channel.” In particular, Cook’s ability to address enterprise accounts, as well as channel partners, was cited by Sato as an exceptional advantage.

Earlier, in March, Sato announced that it purchased Achernar, one of Argentina’s leading label converters, based out of Buenos Aires. “This acquisition of Achernar further illustrates our on-going commitment to the South Cone region of South America with best-in-breed for labeling and identification solutions,” commented Linse. “Achernar, when added to our buy of Nodos in 2010, strengthens our business model for data collection services and labeling in the region. We are extremely pleased with this acquisition and welcome Achernar to the Sato team.”

Tim Cook, VP of North American Sales, Sato America

Baranera Rises at BlueStar

BlueStar (Hebron, KY) has elevated Albert Baranera, former VP of Distribution for Latin America and Southern Europe, to President and Managing Director of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Operations. In his new position, Baranera will oversee all existing business and development across the distributor’s facilities in the Nordics, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, and the U.K. BlueStar Latin America will now be headed by Luis Fernando Proano, VP and GM, RRN.Com was told.

“Mr. Baranera has demonstrated his ability to manage the consolidation of BlueStar’s Latin America and Southern European operating units,” observed Steve Cuntz, President of BlueStar. “I strongly believe that his management skills and leadership will accelerate BlueStar’s EMEA efforts to provide resellers with significant channel programs that will increase sales, marketing opportunities, and value-added services.” Baranera joined BlueStar when it took over Impuls ID Distribution (Sabadell, Spain) at the start of 2010, continuing its global expansion after pushes into Scandinavia and Germany. At that time, he served as CEO of Impuls ID and was appointed to President of BlueStar Latin America.

This year, BlueStar has carried its successful trade show model to three venues in Europe. The first, the Copenhagen Technology Summit, took place on May 24, to be followed by the Madrid Technology Summit on June 19, and the Lisbon Technology Summit on September 25. BlueStar’s VARTECH US/LATAM, one of the most noteworthy POS and Auto ID channel gatherings, will take place this year on October 5 to 8 onboard cruise ship in the Bahamas, so bring your bathing suit.

Albert Baranera, President and Managing Director, BlueStar EMEA Operations