Our Product Pick

Toshiba America Business Solutions (Lake Forest, CA) has unboxed its newest desktop thermal label printer, Model BV400D. Measuring 6.8 in. (W) x 8.6 in. (D) x 6.8 in. (H), weighing 4.4 lbs./2 kg, the BV400D has 4 in./102 mm paper width, with single-step, top-loading. At 203 dpi, Model BVD410D-GS has maximum speed of 7 in./178 mm per second. At 300 dpi, Model BV410D-TS has maximum speed of 5 in./127 mm per second. As features, there's replaceable print-heads, refill and close cover sensors, and print status indicator. As connectivity, it has USB, Serial, Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth, and 802.11 WLAN. A starting price of $540 was quoted by Toshiba.

Toshiba's BV400D Label Printer

COMPANY BUSINESS

Lightspeed: Rendering Vend

Another assimilation by POS ISV Lightspeed (Montreal, QC, Canada), this time, Vend. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, with offices in Durango, CO, Vend posted revenue of $34 million for 2020. Acquisition will cost Lightspeed approximately $350 million split between cash and stock. In November 2020, readers will recall, Lightspeed bought ShopKeep in POS (New York, NY) for $440 million. In December 2020, it bought Upserve in POS (Providence, RI) for $430 million.

With Vend, Lightspeed will double its customer base in Asia-Pacific. It will offer its broader commerce solutions to the customer base of Vend, including Lightspeed Payments, Lightspeed E-Commerce, Lightspeed Loyalty, and access to the Lightspeed Supplier Network. A cloud-based platform, sold via resellers, Vend offers "Lite," "Pro," and "Enterprise."

"We are thrilled to partner with Vend, a team that matches Lightspeed's passion for retail," declared Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed. "That combined drive will position our global retail base of high-performing businesses for success as they emerge from a truly transformational period in the history of modern commerce." With its purchase of ShopKeep, Upserve, and Vend, Lightspeed now reports serving over 135,000 customer locations worldwide. (Who's next?)

Lightspeed Purchases Vend in POS

A New "Realm" for Payment Logistics

A certification for the Paygistix Payment Gateway by Payment Logistics (La Jolla, CA) from POS ISV Retail Realm (Napa, CA). Addressing both retail and hospitality, Retail Realm offers, among products, its MAX Pay Global to support omnichannel payments within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce (Business Platform) and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 (Enterprise Resource Planning). A combined solution supports the range of payment devices, including customer-facing multi-lane terminals with signature capture and wireless communications (802.11 WLAN or Cellular WAN).

"We chose to partner with Payment Logistics because they share our focus on providing our clients and resellers with the tools they need to succeed," expounded Afshin Alikhani, Chairman of Retail Realm. "Its proprietary Paygistix Suite provides more than just payment gateway to process secure EMV and contactless payment transactions (NFC). Features like their real-time online transaction management tools, e-mailed batch reports, and payment device estate management capabilities are things we believe will add significant value for resellers and end-users."

"Our payment device estate management feature is a game changer for multi-lane or multi-location merchants," elaborated Dustin Niglio, CEO of Payment Logistics. "Our ability to remotely monitor, diagnose, troubleshoot, and update these devices on demand significantly reduces the management and support burden that resellers and merchants typically carry with their EMV payment solution." Started in 2003, Payment Logistics sells through VARs, ISVs, Developers, and ISOs.

Dustin Niglio, CEO of Payment Logistics

Worth Your While

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 22-25
Chicago, IL
[Ed. Note: Cancelled for 2021]

SEAA Conference
Southeast Acquirers Association
May 24-26
Bonita Springs, FL

NRF Show
National Retail Federation
June 6-8
New York, NY
[Ed. Note: Virtual for 2021]

RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
July 25-28
Nashville, TN

Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Clarion Events
August 22-24
Anaheim, CA

The NGA Show
National Grocers Association
September 19-21
Las Vegas, NV

Money 20/20
Ascential
October 24-27
Las Vegas, NV

ALL IN THE FAMILY

PAX Packs IM10

PAX Technology (Jacksonville, FL) has extended its family of unattended payment devices with the new IM10. It distinguishes itself with its 1D/2D scanner (including QR Codes), ergonomically placed below the 2.8" display screen (320x240 TFT LCD), and with integrated contactless card reader (ISO and JIS NFC). It may function as stand-alone payment device--or as part of larger systems such as vending machines and kiosks--in public, low-value, high-volume transaction environments.

In compact dimensions of 4.8 in. (W) x 2.9 in. (D) x 5.5 in. (H), the IM10 weighs 17.3 oz./0.5 kg. It carries ratings of IP-65 for water and dust ingress and IK08 for impact resistance, with an operating temperature range of -22 to +158 Degrees F/-30 to +70 Degrees C. As data security, it has Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE), with EMV Level 3 Certification.

A wide range of communication ports is provided for semi-integration or full integration with the POS. "Merchants have more power when they can control their own routing," observed Tony Fernandez, VP of Product Marketing for PAX Technology. It includes USB, Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth, and 802.11 WLAN. In announcing the IM10, PAX cited the growing preference--due to COVID-19--of touchless QR Codes and NFC.

PAX Technology's IM10 Payment Terminal

Honeywell Presents Genesis XP 7680g

Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions (Charlotte, NC) has unwrapped its new scanner for POS, designated Genesis XP 7680g. In presentation mode, and dimensions of 3.2 in. (W) x 1.6 in. (D) x 5.7 in. (H), with stand, and weight of 12 oz./340 g, the Genesis XP 7680g features 20% faster scanning speed compared to previous models, according to tests conducted by Honeywell, as well as larger scanning area (1280x800). A full 1-megapixel imager and supporting technology (the company's "XP") enables reading of 1D/2D symbologies, including poor quality or damaged codes and mobile marketing coupons and loyalty program membership cards on customer smartphone screens.

A tri-color ring LED highlights the scanning target area and provides feedback for employees and customers with the Genesis XP 7680g. A soft white light illumination turns off between scans. A top-mounted button facilitates triggered, handheld scanning. An auxiliary expansion port will support future smart accessories with the Genesis XP 7680g.

As scanning range, the Genesis XP 7680g has 0 to 10 in./0 to 260 mm, with motion tolerance of 400 cm/second for 13-mil UPC. As connections, there's USB, Serial, Keyboard Wedge, and IBM 46xx (RS-485). A combination of adjustable, pivoting, removable stand and angled attachment point provides placement flexibility for the Genesis XP 7680g, which includes wall mount, on POS, and downward facing installations. A three-year warranty is extended by Honeywell SPS.

Honeywell's New Genesis XP 7680g Scanner

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A Message From the Editor

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

Michael Kachmar, Editor

INTEGRATION

Virtual Kitchen Shaped by Epson

A timely virtual kitchen solution has been fashioned of software by Ordermark (Los Angeles, CA) and hardware by Epson America (Los Alamitos, CA). It combines Nextbite by Ordermark with the "smart" OmniLink TM-T88VI thermal receipt printer by Epson America. A marketplace of virtual restaurant brands, Nextbite allows restaurants to optimize their kitchen capacity. Its delivery-only concept highlights chef and celebrity-inspired menus, complementing online order services.

A single dashboard and central printer aggregates orders, both brick-and-mortar and virtual kitchen. With 3 in./80 mm paper width, and maximum print speed of 13.8 in/350 mm per second at 180 dpi, the OmniLink TM-T88VI furnishes multi-interface connectivity, including USB, Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth, and 802.11 WLAN. As O/S, it supports traditional PC-POS, Mobile POS, or Cloud-Based POS. End-users, including those in hospitality, may print from web-based applications using technologies such as Epson's "ePOS" or Server Direct Print.

"Ordermark's online ordering management solution and Nextbite delivery-only brands are a lifeline for restaurants during these unprecedented times, providing another revenue opportunity that kitchens so desperately need right now," noted Mauricio Chacon, Group Product Manager, System Devices Group, Epson America. "We are happy to have the OmniLink TM-T88VI supporting so many restaurants with its advanced feature set, including the versatility and efficiency restaurants need to succeed in today's market." Added Alex Canter, CEO of Ordermark, "The Epson OmniLink POS printer is reliable and robust--one we know can stand the heat in the kitchen."

Ordermark's Delivery-Only Service, Nextbite, Draws on Epson's OmniLink TM-T88VI Thermal Printer

TSC: All Together Now

TSC Printronix Auto ID (Brea, CA) has added functionality for barcode verification as well as RFID into its T6000e industrial thermal label printer. A diverse variety of label types are supported by the T6000e, including standard "smart" labels, on-metal tags, horticulture tags, and tags for Returnable Transport Item (RTI). As its firmware for RFID, the T6000e has the company's "Encode During Print." Also, it has remote printer management software by SOTI (Mississauga, ON, Canada).

A label or RFID tag judged sub-standard by the T6000e, via optical scanner for barcodes or reader for RFID, will be overstricken and reprinted without operator intervention. (As standards, as expected, there's ISO.) In addition, reporting on compliance comes in XML and CSV, or the free version of TSC's "PrintNet Enterprise." Available in versions with print widths of 4 in./102 mm or 6 in./152 mm, the T6000e has print resolutions of 203 dpi, 300 dpi, or 600 dpi.

"Users are increasingly facing requirements to both encode RFID labels and verify their barcodes," relayed Chris Brown, RFID Subject Matter Expert at TSC Printronix Auto ID. "Traditionally, these have been separate functions, even in people's minds, but when users realize that they can have both in a single printer, driven by a single print-job, they quickly realize the cost and time savings that the T6000e offers. We see many breakthrough moments when speaking with end-users, service bureaus, and resellers about this new solution."

Model T6000e ODV-2D Industrial Printer With Barcode Verification and RFID by TSC Printronix Auto ID

[Ed. Note: A recent upgrade for the MH Series, MX Series, and PEX Series of industrial label printers from TSC Printronix Auto ID included wireless via Bluetooth and 802.11 WLAN.]

Code Corner

SpeedLine Solutions (Abbotsford, BC, Canada), one of the leading pizza ISVs, has debuted its card-present mobile payment solution, SpeedLine Pay. An iOS App, for use with tablet or handhelds with Windows, it employs the "Chipper" card reader for EMV by bbPOS (Roseville, CA and Hong Kong). It allows restaurateurs to accept payment at the table, curbside, and upon delivery. "Last year saw a massive increase in restaurants offering online payments through their websites," related Brad Brooks, Sales and Marketing Director at Speedline Solutions. "The problem is that the dramatic increase means restaurants are experiencing higher instances of chargebacks and higher transaction fees, and customers are demanding more payment options. We're getting reports of restaurants seeing losses in the thousands of dollars due to fraudulent and card-not-present transactions. SpeedLine Pay solves that by using card-present EMV."

SpeedLine Debuts SpeedLine Pay

Compeat (Austin, TX) has completed integration of its software for accounting, back-office, workforce, and business intelligence with six more restaurant POS ISVs: UNION. Square, Qu, NEXTEP, ITWERCS, and Silverware. It brings the total of such integrations to nearly 85. "Our partnership with top providers of POS ensures our customers benefit from data integrity and have the reporting analytics they need to make the smartest business decisions," stated Brendan Reidy, CEO of Compeat. "As such, we have recently created a new team at Compeat: Integration Center of Excellence."

Compeat Adds POS Partners

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Goin' Mobile With Mi9

A leading software provider to retail, particularly in tier-one, Mi9 Retail (Miami, FL) has launched its mobile Merchandise Management App, dubbed MMA. In iOS and Android O/S, it supports employee comfort with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). An extension of Mi9 Retail's Merchandise Management Platform, the MMA App furnishes full functionality for in-store inventory management, including purchasing, receiving, transfers, stock movements, pricing, and location information.

"Mi9 is committed to extending our market-leading Merchandise Management Platform with modern, mobile capabilities," expressed Neil Moses, CEO at Mi9 Retail. "Our new mobile MMA App makes it even easier to retailers to ensure that their real-time inventory is accurate, which is critical for every omnichannel retailer that needs the right amount of inventory in the right place to sell their customers." As one of its core benefits, Mi9 Merchandise Management centralizes all inventory data in one repository, notes the ISV, including endless aisle, curbside pick-up, and BOPIS (Buy Online/Pick-Up In-Store).

In recent weeks, long-time Mi9 customers such as Aubuchon Hardware, with 100 locations in New England, have upgraded to the latest version of Mi9 Merchandise Management. As the broader Mi9 Merchandise Optimization Platform, there's five components: Merchandise Management; Merchandise Financial Planning; Allocation; Demand Forecasting & Replenishment; and Promotion Management, Price & Markdown. At the front-end, Mi9 Retail has its Mosaic POS Software.

Mi9 Launches Mobile Merchandise Management App for iOS and Android O/S

Tales From the Crypt

An advanced solution for payments security--consisting of out-of-the-box DUKPT (key management) and TR-31 (key block)--has been presented by WhiteCryption (Sunnyvale, CA). Incorporated into its "Secure Key Box," or SKB, such capabilities will decrease development time for mobile and "Tap-to-Phone" payment schemes, according to WhiteCryption. Another recent enhancement to its Secure Key Box allows developers to link multiple white-box libraries into one application, making it easy to separate card and PIN data as required by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council (SSC).

"Innovative software-based payment terminal solutions can't fully rely on the security of the underlying hardware platform," observed Tim Hartog, Director of Mobile Payment for the Riscure Security Lab (San Francisco, CA). "We have seen first-hand that developing secure Tap-to-Phone with PIN solutions is a challenging task for solution developers. Initiative of WhiteCryption to include specific security measures like DUKPT and TR-31 as an integral part of SKB greatly furthers Tap-to-Phone with PIN and CPoC (Contactless Payments on COTS)."

As many readers know, DUKPT, designating Derived Unique Key Per Transaction, assigns dedicated keys, derived from the fixed key, for each and every transaction. If an individual transaction is compromised, therefore, future and past transactions remain unbreached. A format defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), likewise, the TR-31 key block binds keys with unique identifying information to prevent unauthorized substitution, key replacement, or misuse, per the PCI SSC

An Advanced "Secure Key Box" by WhiteCryption

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Electronic Payments
Epson America
Harbortouch
HP
Ingenico
Pioneer Solution
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Revel Systems

Barcode Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Godex Americas

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Janam Technologies
Unitech America

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Electronic Payments
Ingenico
International Bancard
North American Bancard
PAX Technology

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Epson America
Star Micronics
Woosim Systems

Stands, Mounts, Cradles
Gamber-Johnson

INSTALLATIONS

An RRT on Rye

An enhancement to its off-premise order management solution at Restaurant Revolution Technologies now allows customers, and specifically multi-unit chains, to accept orders directly from Google Search and Google Maps. As another function of Order One by Restaurant Revolution Technologies (officially, RRT Holdings LLC), its supported restaurants will soon see an "Order Online" button on their Business Profile on Google. A unified web, mobile, and voice ordering digital solution, Order One integrates directly into the restaurant's POS.

A first adopter of "Order Online" via Google and Restaurant Revolution Technologies is the fast-casual sandwich chain, Jason's Deli. With headquarters in Beaumont, TX, Jason's Deli has 300 locations in 29 Southern states in the U.S. As further functionality, orders on Google will trigger Order One's Ground Control Delivery, fulfilled by DoorDash.

"Digital food ordering is virtually all about convenience. With Google, the ordering process is simplified, and together we provide greater convenience for customers and additional ordering opportunities for our restaurant partners," indicated Robert Taylor, CRO at Restaurant Revolution Technologies (Bellevue, WA). "With restaurant partners being able to accept orders easily on Google, restaurants can extend their reach with customers and give users alternatives to engage directly with the restaurants."

Restaurant Revolution Technologies Adds "Order Online" Button to Google Search and Google Maps

[Ed. Note: RRT recently received U.S. Patent #9,805,351 for its integration to POS. This focuses on creation, import, and display of menu information in RRT's Order One.]

Paytronix's Dutch Treat

Paytronix Systems (Newton, MA) has reported that Dutch Bros. Coffee has recruited 1.4 million users for its digital customer loyalty program, called Dutch Rewards, in only its first month. An app for the Paytronix Platform, and Dutch Rewards, was built by website developer, Hathway (San Luis Obispo, CA). It appears on Apple App Store and Google Play.

As the largest privately-held drive-thru coffee company in the U.S., based in Grants Pass, OR, Dutch Bros. has 400 locations in 10 Western states in the U.S. Members of Dutch Rewards earn 5 points for each dollar spent and special deals to celebrate birthdays. Customers may load funds and pay directly from their account with Dutch Rewards. "It not only uses wallets and app stickers, but also has a level of gamification that shows the type of creativity we love to see from our customers and partners," enthused Andrew Robbins, CEO of Paytronix.

"For a brand like Dutch Bros. with an amazing stamp card loyalty program, the move to digital loyalty and contactless mobile payments has incredibly high stakes," emphasized Jesse Dundon, CEO at Hathway. "Creating the loyalty strategy and developing the app couldn't have been done without the great folks at Dutch Bros. and their loyalty, payment, and POS partners. In particular, the Paytronix platform has capabilities that we were able to tap into to power custom features like app stickers and hook-ups, making the digital experience truly 'Dutch.'"

1.4 Million Members for New Rewards Program at Dutch Bros. Coffee, Powered by Paytronix

Channel Factoid

In the Year 2025

Retail Executives Predict Use of Technologies:

-Workforce Software: 83%

-Smart/Cashierless Checkout: 82%

-Prescriptive Analytics: 81%

-Employee Engagement: 80%

-Order Fulfillment/Mgmt.: 80%

-Real-Time IoT Platforms: 80%

-UHF RFID: 79%

-Live-Streaming Commerce: 78%

-Unified Commerce: 76%

Source: "13th Annual Zebra Global Shopper Study - Volume 2," by Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL).

Happy Trails

At 74, retirement for Dr. Robert J. Shillman, Founder, Chairman, Chief Cultural Officer, and Former CEO at Cognex Corporation (Natick, MA). He will continue to serve as Advisor to Cognex's CEO, Robert J. Willett. "Doctor Bob's contributions to Cognex's ongoing success over these past 40 years are truly remarkable," reflected Willett. "Doctor Bob's brilliance and enthusiasm shaped the unique 'Work Hard, Play Hard, Move Fast' culture at Cognex." Since its founding in 1981, Cognex has shipped more than 3 million image-based products, for barcoding and machine vision, representing over $8 billion in cumulative revenue.

Dr. Robert J. Shillman Retires From Cognex

HELLO GOODBYE

A Pair of Hungry Omnivores

A new c-suite at Omnivore (Clearwater, FL), middleware software provider for restaurants, with Dan Singer as CEO and Shane Whitlatch as CRO. Singer joined Omnivore in December 2019 as COO. Prior to Omnivore, he served as VP of Finance for cybersecurity company, FairWarning. Also, he brings experience from Deloitte and KPMG.

A new hire, Whitlatch most recently served as VP of Sales at cybersecurity company, CynergisTek. Not coincidentally, he also served at FairWarning, starting in 2008 as SVP, Global Alliances and Sales Operations, and leaving in 2020 as VP/GM, Healthcare. Now reporting 24,000 active locations, Omnivore raised $13 million in Series A funding in 2018 from notable investors such as The Coca-Cola Company, Performance Food Group, and Tampa Bay Lightning Owner, Jeff Vinik.

"We're pleased to appoint two proven leaders to guide Omnivore through a period of high growth," remarked Chris Sullivan, Chair of Omnivore's Board of Directors. "Promoting Dan and adding Shane will accelerate the growth of our new Menu Management System and signature API (Application Programming Interface) and focus on the development of new technology over the coming years." A current partner in MVP Holdings, Inc,. Sullivan co-founded, and led as CEO, Outback Steakhouse, and served as Director of Bloomin' Brands, Inc.

In the C-Suite at Omnivore: Dan Singer, CEO, and Shane Whitlatch, CRO

Helping Hands at Handheld

An expanded salesforce at Handheld U.S. (Corvallis, OR) now includes Rob Bollweg as Regional Sales Manager-Midwest and John Townsend, Regional Sales Manager-Northeast. Each brings experience in reselling the rugged mobile computers and tablets by Handheld: Bollweg most recently served as Senior Account Executive for Barcodes Inc. (Chicago, IL) and Townsend most recently served as Sales Engineer for Glacier Computer (Amherst, NH). Addressing field workers in heavy industries, the Handheld Group (Lidkoping, Sweden) offers its Nautiz Series (Mobile Computers), Algiz Series (Tablets), and MaxGo Software Suite.

"We're delighted to have Rob and John join our team," commented Jim Rimay, President and CEO of Handheld U.S. "We especially appreciate their experience and dedication in building partner relationships at the local level. I look forward to their contributions to Handheld as our expansion continues now and into the future." As previous employers, Rimay lists Motion Computing, Getac, DRS, and Walkabout Computers.

In the Field at Handheld U.S.: Rob Bollweg, Regional Sales Manager-Midwest, and John Townsend, Regional Sales Manager-Northeast