Our Product Pick

POS-X Inc. (Bellingham, WA) has unwrapped its newest receipt printer, ION Thermal 2. With direct thermal technology, ION Thermal 2 offers print speed of 8 inch/220 mm per second at 180 dpi and maximum print width of 3 inch/80 mm. As added enhancements, the vendor cited smaller footprint of 5.1" (W) x 5.5" (D) x 6" (H), front loading paper door, and top feeding design. As before, the ION Thermal 2 has jam-free auto-cutter, USB/Serial/Ethernet, ESC/POS/OPOS, and Energy Star. "The value-oriented receipt printer space has become increasingly crowded," observed Nick Melnyk, VP of Products and Services at POS-X. "We are excited to bring to market an extremely competitive product which offers class leading performance, price, and warranty." Discontinued, previous ION Thermal PT1.

POS-X ION Thermal 2

COMPANY BUSINESS

Honeywell Seeds Its Cloud

Honeywell has snapped up one of the leading cloud platforms for field service, named Movilizer (Mannheim, Germany). In addition to solutions for track and trace, direct store delivery, and field maintenance, this software enables application development in additional areas such as fleet management, asset rental, mobile order entry, and time and attendance. As one example, it allows customers to more quickly build native mobile applications inside SAP.

"Businesses that operate with a distributed workforce want software solutions that can be rapidly developed, are massively scalable, and that make their mobile teams more connected and more valuable to the enterprise," affirmed John Waldron, President of Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions (Fort Mill, SC). "Movilizer's industry-leading cloud platform technology is the perfect complement to our portfolio of productivity technology, including data collection, voice solutions, rugged mobile computers, barcode scanners, and workflow printing solutions." It currently has more than 200 customers worldwide.

"Acquiring Movilizer's cloud software platform advances our vision of the connected worker, driving growth, value through data, and new business models for our customers," commented Alex Ismail, President and CEO of parent company Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions. "Movilizer will drive greater productivity and flexibility for our customers and also helps us rapidly expand our software capabilities as a provider for the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) to enable greater safety, security, and productivity for buildings, industrials, and workers." Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Movilizer on the App Store

TSYS Has Helping Hand

A relative newcomer to North America, Handpoint, based in Iceland, with offices in Palo Alto, CA, has received endorsement from prominent payment processor, TSYS. Seeking to leverage its experience in EMV, Handpoint delivers solutions "enabling integration to a range of card readers and all payment types with P2PE (Point-to-Point Encryption) in just a few lines of code." It supports iOS, Android, and Windows, as one would expect, and accepts MSR, EMV, and NFC.

"We're pleased that TSYS is the first U.S. processor to certify Handpoint's award-winning semi-integrated solution," reflected David Gudjonsson, CEO and Co-Founder of Handpoint. "This new offering allows ISVs and VARs to address high merchant demand for both EMV and Mobility with minimized complexity--at integration, at installation, and through the entire merchant relationship." One first heard about Handpoint in 2015.

"We are excited for the EMV certification of Handpoint to TSYS platforms," relayed John Badovinac, Director of Developer Partnerships for TSYS Merchant Services (Columbus, GA). "The Handpoint software application is highly valuable in helping our VAR and ISV business partners--as well as our merchants--satisfy EMV market requirements in the U.S." Until recently, Badovinac served as Head of Integrated Payments for Discover.

John Badovinac, Director of Developer Partnerships, TSYS

Worth Your While

Transact 16
Electronic Transactions Association
April 19-21
Las Vegas

WERC 2016
Warehousing Education and Research Council
May 15-18
Providence, RI

NRA Show 2016
National Restaurant Association
May 21-24
Chicago

RetailNOW 2016
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
July 31-August 3
Grapevine, TX

ALL IN THE FAMILY

AML's Theory of Evolution

AML (Euless, TX) has unveiled its new light-to-medium-duty handheld computer, the TDX20. As technical specifications, TDX20 has Windows CE 6.0 Pro, Freescale i.MX283 CPU at 454 MHz, and 128-MB RAM. As features, it furnishes 2.8" QVGA Color TFT LCD, resistive touchscreen, 24-key Text-9 keypad, Zebra/Motorola SE-655 Linear CCD, and 3200-mAh 4.2-V Li-Ion battery. It measures 2.8 in. (W) x 7.4 in. (L) x 1.3 in. (H) and weighs 10.4 oz.

Equipped with 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, and Internet Explorer, the TDX20 suits end-users working in the cloud, according to AML. It comes preloaded with AML's DC Suite Software, designed for everyday data collection tasks. It embraces Wi-Fi with so-called DC Uplink. An IP-54 rating for water and dust and 4 ft./1.2 m drop specification address durability.

"The TDX20 is another example of evolutionary product development efforts here at AML," reported Mike Kearby, President of AML. "It's based on our very popular LDX10 batch data collection computer, but with the added convenience of wireless functionality. But like the LDX10, the TDX20 is very affordable, comes with free application software, and is made and serviced in America." An MSRP of $895.

AML's TDX20 Handheld Computer

A Wasp in Your Pocket

Wasp Barcode Technologies (Plano, TX) has presented its new wireless pocket scanner, the WWS150i. With dimensions of 1.7 in. (W) x 4 in. (L) x 0.85 in. (H), and weight of 2.5 oz., the WWS150i has Bluetooth 2.1+EDR for communication range of 33 ft./10 m. With CCD, it reads one-dimensional barcodes at distance of 12 inches, and at speed of 240 scans per second. It handles print contrast ratio as low as 30%.

Designed, of course, for compatibility with mobile devices running iOS, Android, and Windows, the WWS150i stores 20,000 pieces of barcode data with 2-MB RAM. Its 1000-mAh, 3.7-V Li-Ion battery provides 10,000 scans on single charge. A strong ambient light feature allows work in bright sunlight, and for indicators, there's haptic feedback, LED, and beep tone, keying the end-user to power status, wireless connection, and barcode detection.

In terms of ruggedness, the WWS150i carries an IP-55 rating for water and dust. Its polycarbonate plastic housing withstands multiple 5 ft./1.5 m drops to concrete. "By easily pairing with mobile devices, this pocket scanner eliminates possible productivity challenges such as slow-to-focus camera," suggested David Bower, Product Marketing Associate at Wasp Barcode Technologies. An MSRP of $195.

Wasp Barcode's WWS150i Scanner

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ALLIANCES

Elo E-Nabled by ISV

Another key ISV has certified Elo's All-in-One, Tablet-Based PayPoint POS. Offering its e-MobilePOS Software, e-Nabler Corp. (San Juan, PR) offers full functionality, including point-of-sale, payment processing, inventory management, gift card, customer loyalty, and back-office capability. It supports iOS, Android, and Windows. As target markets, the new partners cited specialty stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and venue-based merchants.

In 2014, Elo entered the fray in POS for the SMB with PayPoint, which sits between an iPad and traditional POS. It integrates flip-to-sign 13" touchscreen, receipt printer, cash drawer, credit card reader, and barcode scanner--all in one sleek footprint filling counter-space of only 13.5 x 15.7 inches. Both EMV Chip-and-PIN and NFC may be added. It ships under one SKU.

According to Craig Witsoe, CEO of Elo, "Both Elo and eMobilePOS are great examples of how POS can be simple, fully functional, and affordable. "By providing a hardware platform for software partners like eMobilePOS, we ensure that merchants have access to turnkey, tablet-based POS solutions that are reliable, easy to use, and cost-efficient." Already this year, Elo has enlisted ISVs iMobile 3 (Jacksonville, FL) and Talech (Palo Alto, CA).

Elo's PayPoint Certified by eMobilePOS

Datacap Minds Its PDQ's

A longstanding player in hospitality IT, PDQ Signature Systems (Warminster, PA), now supports EMV for major payment processors in the U.S. through NETePay by Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA). A popular middleware solution, NETePay allows VARs to offer integrated payments via Software-as-a-Service. (It also may be purchased.) In addition to its PDQ POS, PDQ Signature Systems now markets its networking capability, and in particular payment security, to the channel.

"A key component of our all-inclusive 'PCI-in-a-Box' solution for PCI-DSS compliance and data security for a merchant's entire environment is the isolation of our POS from all EMV transaction flow," explained Larry Fiel, Marketing Director at PDQ Signature Systems. "By harnessing the POS-isolating power of NETePay, our acclaimed PDQ POS is insulated from all exposure to card data. Because we previously supported Datacap's pre-EMV out-of-scope payments solution, we were able to instantly take advantage of their Level 3 EMV certifications for EMV, MSR, PIN, and NFC."

"Datacap's 'one-to-many' payments integration allows partners like PDQ Signature Systems to hit the ground running when industry-wide shifts, like the U.S. transition to EMV, catch many of their competitors on their heels," remarked Justin Zeigler, Marketing Director at Datacap Systems. "NETePay functionality evolves without integration changes at the POS App." An inclusive list of payment processors has been certified for Level 3 EMV by Datacap Systems, including First Data, Global Payments, Paymentech, Sterling Payment, TSYS, Vantiv, and WorldPay.

Support Center at PDQ Signature Systems

Code Corner

TransCard (Chattanooga, TN) has launched its new fund disbursement and management platform for SaaS, dubbed Paynuver. Under this scheme, characterized as "Reverse PayPal," payers establish their virtual account on behalf of multiple recipients for any payment transaction. After depositing funds, they manage payments, receive verifications, and view transaction histories. To receive their funds, recipients log-in and self-select from the menu of options on how they receive their money. This includes ACH, check, virtual prepaid account, and prepaid cards. As additional benefits, Paynuver offers automatic regulatory compliance, digital signatures, and retrieval mechanisms. "Paynuver was launched in response to the flaws in the traditional model, which most of the payments industry is still operating under," relayed Greg Bloh, President of TransCard, which was founded in 2005 to supply fuel payment networks with prepaid cards. "With that model, money is moved from Point A to Point B in a very linear, non-value-added fashion. Paynuver's user-friendly enhancements tackle the needs of both the payer and the payee, enriching this entire experience."

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

When You Wish Upon Food Safety

A new food safety solution has been tested and brought to market, courtesy of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Appropriately entitled "Disney CHEFs," for "Computerized HACCP Enhanced Food Safety," it employs wireless temperature probes and the MC40 mobile computer from Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL), powered by software by iCertainty (Bethesda, MD). It now has been offered for license by hospitality establishments.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has deployed Disney CHEFs in more than 700 food and beverage locations throughout its parks and resorts in the U.S., France, and China. It provides one-touch access--via the MC40--to all checklists and procedures of HACCP (Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point). It monitors every aspect of preparation--from hand washing to cooking and storage temperatures. It also eliminates manual, time-intensive paper records for food safety audits and regulatory compliance.

"Safety should always be an organization's number one focus," maintained Greg Hale, Chief Safety Officer and VP of Worldwide Safety for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "At Walt Disney, we believe it is our responsibility to share our safety technologies and best practices to increase the safety awareness of companies and agencies around the world." In his remarks, Pat Glennon, VP of North America Retail and Hospitality for Zebra Technologies Corporation, noted "new food safety regulations are requiring restaurants to document the safe handling of food more accurately and timely."

A Mobile Food Safety System From Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, iCertainty, and Zebra Technologies Corporation

Bulk Up With Checkpoint

Checkpoint Systems (Thorofare, NJ) has fashioned two new solutions for the distribution center--RFID Box Tunnel and RFID Hanging Garment Tunnel. Any packing errors of tagged soft goods can be identified and corrected before the shipment leaves, according to the firm. Both products are constructed of durable, fabricated metal, with insulation for sound and shielding for emission of RF. They bolt directly to the floor.

The RFID Box Tunnel offers read rate of 200 items per box, with maximum conveyor speed of 240 ft./73 m per second and minimum distance of 3 ft./1 m between boxes. One version accommodates conveyor width of 19.7 inch/50 cm and box heights of 23.6 inch/60 cm. A second version accommodates conveyor width of 31.5 inch/80 cm and box heights of 19.7 inch/50 cm. Overall length of the system reaches 8.2 ft./2.5 m.

The RFID Hanging Garment Tunnel offers read rate of 450 items per bundle at maximum conveyor speed of 90 ft./27.4 m per second, and at minimum distance of 2 ft./0.6 m between bundles. Several versions are offered, with an example of dimensions at 4.7 ft./1.4 m wide, 7.8 ft./2.4 m high, and 3.6 ft./1.1 m long. Accuracy of read is given as 99.9%, when combined with Checkpoint's OAT Foundation Suite. (FYI: At press time, CCL (Toronto, Canada) announced its intention to buy Checkpoint Systems for more than $400 million.)

Checkpoint's Box Tunnel for RFID in the DC

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
AnywhereCommerce
Bematech
ECR Software
Elo Touch Solutions
Harbortouch
Hewlett-Packard
Partner Tech
Pioneer POS
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
PowaPOS

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
Citizen
CognitiveTPG
Godex Americas

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Cyber Security for POS
Signature Systems/PDQ

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation

Integrated Payment Solutions
Cayan
Datacap Systems
Discover
iPayment Inc.
Vantiv IP

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry Americas, LLC

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
CognitiveTPG
Star Micronics

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo Touch Solutions

INSTALLATIONS

An Accessory for American Apparel

An upstart named Index (San Francisco, CA) has deployed its cloud-based payment infrastructure for American Apparel. Its turnkey, hosted gateway supplies point-to-point encryption, processing flexibility, and value-added services such as business analytics and personalized marketing. It supports Chip-and-Signature and Chip-and-PIN EMV, as well as Apple Pay and Android Pay via NFC.

Saying that "PIN Pads are one of the most under-utilized devices in-store," Index has custom fonts, colors, and seasonal branding opportunities. It also features e-mail capture and digital receipts and ties to the clothing chain's Retail Pro POS and Ingenico PIN Pads. In addition to specialty retail, Index addresses grocery and quick-service. As widely reported, American Apparel, with approximately 200 stores, has restructured following Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

"Our integrated solution provides tremendous flexibility, reliability, and enhanced security for American Apparel's in-store environments," elaborated Jonathan Wall, Co-Founder and CTO of Index. Added Marc Freed-Finnegan, Co-Founder and CEO of Index, "American Apparel is an iconic brand and our technology enables them to accelerate innovation across customer experience, cross-channel personalization and performance-based marketing." A bit of pedigree, as both Wall and Freed-Finnegan were executives at Google Wallet.

An Upgrade for American Apparel's PIN Pads Via Software Vendor, Index

Pizza ISV Adds Toppings

One of the longtime restaurant ISVs, SpeedLine Solutions (Vancouver, BC, Canada), has teamed with one of the video surveillance leaders, March Networks (Ottawa, Canada). Installed by an unidentified pizza chain in the Midwest U.S., this solution, integrated to SpeedLine's POS, runs March Networks' "Searchlight for Retail" on March 8000 Series Hybrid Network Video Recorders (NVRs). As IP camera, it employs the MegaPX Indoor Analytics Dome from March Networks.

Advanced features include: search across multiple locations by transaction type, amount, or card number; identification and visual verification of suspect transactions; and gathering of evidence with synchronized video and receipt information. "This new integration allows SpeedLine POS users to protect their restaurants with the same intelligent IP video solutions used by some of the world's largest retail chains for loss prevention and service analytics," exclaimed Jennifer Wiebe, Marketing Manager at SpeedLine. "We are pleased to welcome March Networks to the SpeedLine Technology Network."

Another partnership for SpeedLine Solutions, in the form of Chowly (Chicago, IL), which enables acceptance of customer orders from popular restaurant aggregator sites such as GrubHub and Eat 24. Bypassing the need for rekeying of orders, or constant checking of e-mails, Chowly ties directly to the POS. Orders are routed directly to the kitchen for print-out or display. "Nothing gets missed or delayed," proposed Wiebe. "Customers get their deliveries faster, and labor costs drop."

SpeedLine Solutions Enables IP Video Surveillance From March Networks

Channel Factoid

Top 10 Factors for Optimizing Mobile Checkout:

1. Time to Checkout
2. Total Clicks to Checkout
3. Product Reviews and Recommendations
4. Shipping Same as Billing Address
5. Free Shipping
6. Coupons
7. Security Logos
8. Live Site Help
9. Required Profile
10. Total Payment Methods

--According to the Checkout Conversion Index by BlueSnap. It currently finds 48% of merchants score well below average. Overall, time to checkout has gotten worse, not better, as has total clicks needed from start to checkout. Curiously, some of the worst performers are larger merchants.

HELLO GOODBYE

A Prime Minister for Paper

An emerging Consumables Business Unit for the combined entity of TSC Auto ID Technology America and Printronix Auto ID Technology has its new GM: John Otott. With two decades of experience in this area, he most recently served as VP and GM of Eden Label Solutions. Before that, he was VP of the Printer Supplies Group at O'Neil Product Development (bought by Datamax) and VP and GM of the Printer Supplies Group at Datamax-O'Neil (now part of Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions).

"The company has much to offer its customers, especially with the acquisition of the Printronix line of thermal printers," volunteered Otott. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to play an important role in supporting our 'full solution' approach and to spearhead this division focused on the ongoing needs of our partners and customers." Added David Lundeen, VP of Sales and Marketing, "John has a great track record building label and ribbon business dedicated to premier customer service. His addition to the team is another important step in our continuing growth."

In addition, the twin parent company has moved to new, more spacious headquarters in Brea, CA. It will house customer service, technical support, accounting, sales, media, and engineering functions. "This new office is our first step to both companies working together to continue to provide innovative thermal printing solutions across all markets," declared Kevin Aie, CEO of TSC Auto ID Technology America.

John Otott, GM, Consumables Business Unit, TSC Auto ID Technology/Printronix Auto ID

Mr. Carr Goes to Washington

President Barack Obama will name Robert Carr, Chairman and CEO of Heartland Payment Systems (Princeton, NJ), to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. This group, working through the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, advises the President on the power grid, transportation system, cyber security, and other critical matters. It's composed of members who work in private industry, academia, and state and local governments.

"I'm beyond honored to receive this appointment," shared Carr. "Protecting the privacy of our customers and advancing the security of the payments industry has been our number one priority. I'm looking forward to assisting in advising the President on issues involving the security of our nation."

Heartland Payment, of course, successfully weathered its own massive data breach in 2008. In his book, "Through the Fires: An American Story of Turbulence, Business Triumph and Giving Back," Carr described his hardscrabble childhood in rural Illinois. A $250 scholarship he earned in high school inspired him decades later to establish the Give Something Back Foundation, with contributions of more than $20 million in college scholarships for economically challenged students.

Robert Carr, Chairman and CEO, Heartland Payment Systems, Named to National Infrastructure Advisory Council