This Week’s Product Pick

Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL) has unwrapped its Workabout Pro 4 rugged mobile computer, capable of reading LF, HF, and UHF RFID. Additional enhancements include larger display (3.7-inch), more power (Sitara ARM Cortex CPU at 1 GHz, 512 MB RAM/4 GB Flash), and long-range scanning option (1D/2D). With positioning between the MC3000 and MC9000, Workabout Pro 4 embraces modularity, with full data collection and communication possibilities "at an aggressive price point," according to the vendor. It runs Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 with an IP-65 rating for water and dust. "As business needs change and mobile technologies evolve, Motorola Solutions remains committed to the Workabout Pro Series," stated Joe White, VP of Enterprise Mobile Computing. "With modular design principles, cost-conscious companies have the flexibility to buy the features they need today and easily add those needed in the future."

Workabout Pro 4 by Motorola

COMPANY BUSINESS

Bixolon Bets on BP3

A leader in thermal printing, Bixolon America (Torrance, CA), has sweetened its channel efforts with the launch of its Premier Partner Program. Open to all VARs, at no cost, "BP3"  has been fashioned in the three-tier structure of Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with varying levels of benefits based upon sales of the company's products. A full slate of elements has been planned, including marketing support, sales and technical training, and price incentives, RRN.Com was told by David Roberts, SVP.

As with any such effort, some details are still being worked out, but Roberts confirmed specifics such as lead generation, deal registration, automatic access to demo printers, and joint sales calls, if desired. As an additional benefit, he pointed to the strength of the company's nationwide network of Authorized Service Providers. Finally, this year Bixolon America will host an Annual Premier Partner Invitational, with location and date soon to be announced.

"Bixolon is one of the global leaders in POS, Mobile, and Auto ID printing technologies and has become the OEM manufacturer of choice, even by its own competitors," relayed Roberts. "All of our products are manufactured in our own facility, which gives us the competitive advantage in pricing and quality since nothing is outsourced. We're also extremely fortunate to have direct and complete support from our headquarters facility in South Korea for technical issues."

David Roberts, SVP, Bixolon America

SATO's Game Changer--The CL4NX

In the evolution of any channel vendor, there comes major product introductions, and the new CL4NX industrial thermal barcode printer certainly qualifies as such for SATO America (Charlotte, NC). This four-inch model addresses the needs of both end-users and resellers via advances in features, performance, and construction--at an extremely reasonable price point, RRN.Com was told. Operability is furthered with the 3.5-inch full-color display and built-in video tutorials with thirty user-selectable languages. Best-in-class processing (twin 800-MHz CPUs), throughput speed (10 inch/second at 203 dpi), and memory capacity (2 GB ROM/256 MB SDRAM) combine with the full suite of communication interfaces (up to and including WLAN) and auto-switching emulation capabilities (four in number, at present).

Measuring 10.7 in. (W) x 18 in. (D) x 12.6 in. (H), and weighing 33 lbs., the CL4NX carries metal cabinetry, aluminum front panels, and die-cast aluminum frame and base plate. A large side window makes it easy to check label and ink-ribbon levels, while the wide-angle printhead opening provides 60-degree access for easy, tool-less maintenance. A bi-fold cover design reduces the overall area required for operating in restricted places and the power button even appears on the front of the device. The CL4NX supports wound-in and wound-out media with label tension damper system, synchronized ribbon and platen rollers, and high-energy mode for hard-to-image materials such as metal tags and synthetic films.

"Undoubtedly the new CL4NX is revolutionary," enthused Gary Krause, Marketing Director of SATO America. "It is feature rich, easily surpassing today's field of competitive printers, and truly does set a new height of expectation in operation performance and customer facing technology. It's the next generation leader in barcode printers."

Next-Generation CL4NX Barcode Printer From SATO

Worth Your While

Toshiba Connect 2014
Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions
April 7-10
La Jolla, CA

ETA Annual Meeting & Expo
Electronic Transactions Association
April 8-10
Las Vegas

WERC
Warehousing Education and Research Council
April 27-30
Chicago

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 17-20
Chicago

FMI Connect
Food Marketing Institute
June 10-13
Chicago

RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
August 3-6
Orlando

NACS Show
Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing
October 7-10
Las Vegas

Pack Expo
PMMI
November 2-5
Chicago

ALL IN THE FAMILY

A Swarm of Scanners

Wasp Barcode Technologies (Plano, TX) has unveiled its new family of barcode scanners. Models WLS9600 and WLS8600 are designed for linear barcode scanning, while the WDI4600 is intended for two-dimensional barcode scanning. Each takes the company's technology to the next level in terms of basic functionality and efficiency provided for customers, according to Brian Sutter, Director of Marketing.

Addressing retail, office, and light industrial environments, WLS9600 offers an ergonomic, lightweight form factor and plug-and-play installation to the PC. It supports all common barcodes, including RSS, with read rate of 100 scans per second and depth-of-field over 19 inches. Additional benefits include patented "Green Spot" technology for good read feedback, an IP-52 rating against dust and liquids, and the ability to withstand multiple six-foot drops to concrete.

For harsher environments, such as warehouses, distribution centers, or manufacturing, WLS8600 employs fuzzy logic decoding of damaged, dirty, or poorly printed one-dimensional barcodes, including RSS. It delivers read range of 36 inches, with an IP-65 rating against dust and liquids and built-in hook for quick access and convenient storage. Dual LEDs on top and back of the cap, as well as extra loud beeper, ensure decode feedback for users.

Adding two-dimensional codes, including postal, stacked, and composite, both printed and on-screen, WDI4600 carries omni-directional reading and four-dot laser aiming guide. Read range is 25 inches for one-dimensional codes, with 15 inches for two-dimensional codes. An optional hands-free stand and motion-sensing technology facilitates auto-scanning. All three new products are shipped with six-foot USB cable, standard two-year warranty, and free lifetime technical support.

Versatile Scanner Family From Wasp

A Wide World at D-O

Datamax-O'Neil (Orlando) has extended its Performance Series of industrial thermal label printers with its seven-inch version, p1725. A number of significant benefits have been incorporated, according to the vendor. As an example, p1725 automatically adjusts parameters to maximize print quality and sustain printhead life, while the color touchscreen display improves daily operation and maintenance. A unique auto-load feature virtually eliminates label waste, and by utilizing the industry standard PCL print language and Linux O/S, the p1725 easily integrates into SAP and other ERP network environments.

As performance, p1725 delivers 10 inch/second (254 mm/second) print speed at 300 dpi for its wide-width format. It measures 13.4 in (W) x 18.7 in. (D) x 11.9 in. (H), weighs approximately 43 lbs., and carries 64 MB Flash/64 MB SDRAM. As standard communications, USB 2.0 and 10/100 Base-T Ethernet have been provided, with optional 802.11b/g, RS-232C, and Host USB. Additional features include long ribbon length of 600 meters, real-time clock, present sensor, aluminum die-cast frame, and clear side media window.

"The Performance Series printers are ideal for customers that are conscious of their total cost of ownership and realize that value is more than the price of the product, but extends through the entire life cycle of the printer," suggested Ken Colonel, Director of Product Development at Datamax-O'Neil. "The p1725 moves up the bar for wide-width printers and helps solidify the Performance Series as today's benchmark. It provides cost savings because it reduces operator set-up, integration, and maintenance requirements, and provides 'zero label waste,' all at a very competitive price point."

New Wide-Format Label Printer by Datamax-O'Neil, Designated p1725

See Me, Hear Me, Sings Honeywell

Honeywell Scanning & Mobility (Fort Mill, SC) has brought to bear scanning and voice technology in its latest offering for distribution center and cold storage environments. Specifically, an industrial-grade full-range scanner, the Granit 1280iFR, combines with an upgraded VoiceCatalyst 2.1, as well as the new Vocollect Talkman A720 device. Honeywell, of course, obtained Vocollect as part of its purchase of Intermec.

To improve worker efficiency, the Granit 1280iFR has the capacity to read 100-mil reflective labels from as far away as 54 feet and 7.5-mil codes as close as 3.5 inches. It has been designed for continuous operation at temperatures of -30 degrees C, with 300,000 cable bends at 90 degrees. Feedback includes LEDs, enhanced beeper volume, and vibrating tactile response, with IP-65 ratings. "With an increased demand to read barcodes that are located off the ground as well as medium density barcodes found on cartons and documentation, we needed an industrial solution with superior scanning capabilities," testified Rad DeRose, President of L-Tron Corporation (Victor, NY), one of Intermec's VARs.

With VoiceCatalyst 2.1, customers will have access to SoundSense, which reduces speech recognition errors by 50% by eliminating unwanted background noise from forklifts, conveyors, and freezer fans, according to the vendor. Additionally, shift start-up times are expedited by using Vocollect TouchConnect for pairing of the worker's wireless SRX2 headset with the A700 solution, while RapidStart provides continuous coaching and education. Finally, the new Vocollect Talkman A720 device furnishes two ports for customers who require higher use of wired peripherals.

Honeywell's Granit 1280iFR Scanner

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ALLIANCES

Getting Their Kicks at MMF & Star

MMF POS (Wheeling, IL) has adopted the DK-AirCash modem from from Star Micronics America (Edison, NJ). Introduced in August, DK-AirCash will enable wireless control of MMF's cash drawers, including the Advantage ADV-INABOX Drawer as well as the VAL-u Line Series. "We chose Star Micronics because of their progressive M-POS technology," contributed Phil Oyos, Sales and Marketing Manager for MMF POS.

Named for "Drawer Kick," DK-AirCash accommodates either Ethernet or Bluetooth wireless communications, thereby eliminating the need for key operation or wired connection to printer or PC. It links with RJ-11 modular cable, supports portable platforms such as tablets, smartphones, and notebook PCs, and features sleek size of 6 in. (L) x 3 in. (H) x 1.1 in. (W) and weight of 8.8 oz., without AC adapter and cable. A "StarIO" Software Development Kit (SDK) has been provided.

MMF's Advantage ADV-INABOX Drawer includes Star's Interface Kwick Kable. It also comes standard with LockIt, a hidden locked compartment beneath the currency till for safe storage of larger bills. MMF's VAL-u Line Series, with 13 in. x 13 in., 13 in. x 16 in., and 16 in. x 16 in. sizes, also in 24 VDC, addresses the need for more compact, cost-effective cash management configurations. All-steel construction and high-impact ABS plastic cash till extend durability, with two-year warranty.

MMF POS Cash Drawers Outfitted With Star DK-AirCash

E-Receipts Flexed by Retail Pro

Retail Pro (Folsom, CA) has formed an exclusive partnership with FlexReceipts (Orlando) to bring digital receipts to specialty retail stores in the U.S. Rather than static PDF copies, such digital receipts are customizable, offering product-level recommendations, specific offers based on spending habits, and tie-ins to social media, according to the two parties. With FlexReceipts, consumers may use any of four ways to identify themselves--credit card, loyalty card, e-mail, or phone--with links to frequent shopper and rewards programs, as expected.

"The receipt has a love-hate relationship with the retail industry," mused Mike Bishop, VP of Business Development for Retail Pro. "It's a necessity, but one that has long been ready for an update. When e-receipts first started to emerge they covered the basics, appealing to convenience or ecology-friendliness, but their true potential was yet to be harnessed by the industry. Now, FlexReceipts is leading the charge in the e-receipts space, showing the industry how retailers can actually build loyalty and engagement beyond the sale."

"Our enhanced receipts really make a retailer's e-mail stand out in their customer's inboxes with integrated video and product-specific offers," elaborated Tomas Diaz, CEO of FlexReceipts. "But our software goes far beyond the receipt, offering retailers invaluable insight into customer behaviors and shopping trends through a proprietary analytics portal." In February, RRN.Com readers may recall, another of the leading e-receipt players, SmartReceipt, was purchased by the mobile marketing firm, Mobivity. SmartReceipt garnered publicity through its relationship with Epson America.

Retail Pro Partners With FlexReceipts

Code Corner

Charge Anywhere (South Plainfield, NJ) has presented its turn-key, end-to-end (E2E) encryption solution for the reseller channel of VARs, ISOs, and MSPs. So-called ComsGate eCrypt consists of security services paired with SRED and EMV readiness. In particular, it extends PCI Level 1 ComsGate payment gateway, remote key management, and compatibility with PCI 3.0 EMV L1/L2 certified payment terminals. Each reseller receives his or her unique encryption key that can support merchant retention. "Merchants, developers, and integrators need this solution that will enable them to seamlessly achieve the highest level of transaction security possible regardless of their processor or payment environment," declared Paul Sabella, CEO at Charge Anywhere. "ComsGate eCrypt can equip merchants, developers, and integrators with advanced E2E encryption technology while also providing them with the flexibility of choosing the POS device that meets the customers' needs."

INTEGRATION

ISV Believes in (Mobi)Magic

One of the leading ISVs in POS, pcAmerica (Pearl River, NY), has stepped further into mobility with its purchase of MobiMagic (San Diego). A previous relationship comes into play, as MobiMagic has powered pcAmerica's Restaurant Pro Express Mobile. "A natural progression to acquire the company and add it to our product line-up," David Gosman, CEO of pcAmerica, described the transaction, terms of which were not disclosed. According to MobiMagic's website, pcAmerica appears to have been the primary customer for the platform.

"We're very excited about the evolving potential of mobile technology within the restaurant and retail environments," Gosman told RRN.Com. "Generally, we evolve our software based on reseller and end-user feedback. Our mobile technology will continue to progress, with solutions that address retail and more management features. With MobiMagic, VARs will be able to expand their portfolio, offer more advanced capabilities, while enjoying increased revenue."

Suitable for Apple's iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad Mini, pcAmerica's Restaurant Pro Express Mobile provides tableside ordering and payment. As with such schemes, processing takes place in front of the customer and the credit card never leaves the table. Used in conjunction with Epson America's Mobilink wireless printer, Restaurant Pro Express Mobile also supports various taxation rules, discounts, and happy hour pricing. For retail environments, pcAmerica offers its Cash Register Express.

Restaurant Pro Express Mobile From pcAmerica, Powered by MobiMagic

Put Your PaaS on QSR

It's called PaaS, for Payment-as-a-Service, and VeriFone (San Jose, CA) has recruited Xpient Solutions (Charlotte, NC) for its participating roster of ISVs. Integration with VeriFone Point, the platform's proper name, will allow restaurant operators to future-proof their payment capacity for EMV and NFC, according to the two parties, while enhancing data security with SRED and PCI PA-DSS. IRIS from Xpient has been deployed by 17 of the top 50 QSR brands, so the market is large.

VeriFone Point, which was customized for this application, comprises two key facets. The first, VeriShield Total Protect, represents end-to-end encryption and tokenization which removes sensitive cardholder data at the point of swipe. The second, VeriFone HQ, attempts to reduce complexity, protect POS, and reduce cost through remote diagnostics, device management, and content management. The platform is available on all VeriFone terminals, including mobile devices, and offers restaurants the flexibility to choose any processor.

"We understand the challenges facing restaurants and their service providers when it comes to protecting customer data and having the technology in place to accept future payment types," related Jennifer Miles, President of VeriFone Americas. "Through our partnership with Xpient, restaurants now have the flexible and reliable bundle of best-in-class hardware, software, and services they need to quickly and easily adapt to changing security mandates and bolster their point-of-sale to accept EMV credit cards, mobile, and other types of alternative payments." Xpient has supported terminals from VeriFone, including the multimedia-enabled MX 915 and MX 925, for some time.

Menu Screens for Xpient IRIS POS

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
Wasp Barcode Technologies

POS & Peripherals
Harbortouch
Pioneer POS
POS BANK USA
Posiflex
POStablets
POS-X
TEAMSable

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
CognitiveTPG
Intermec by Honeywell
Printronix
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Datalogic
Honeywell Scanning
Intermec by Honeywell
Trimble MCS

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse
Mercury Payment Systems

Inventory Systems
New West Technologies

Keyboards
PrehKeyTec USA

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
CognitiveTPG
Epson America
Fujitsu Components
Star Micronics

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Its Own Reward for Merchant Warehouse

A major move for Merchant Warehouse (Boston), as the payment provider, very active in our channel, purchases gift card and loyalty firm, Opticard. In business for twenty years, Opticard processes more than 15 million transactions annually at over 50,000 POS, according to the company's website. "We excel in providing the right type of loyalty program or prepaid cards for businesses to attract, engage, and retain customers," proposed Troy Smith, GM of Opticard. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"Prepaid offerings shouldn't be complicated for the merchant or the consumer. It's really about delivering experience and value, and when done right, driving customer retention and business growth. That's why the next step in mobile innovation is transitioning the traditional gift, loyalty, and prepaid options into digital formats," explained Henry Helgeson, CEO of Merchant Warehouse. "Bringing these capabilities to mobile devices ensures consumers never have to worry about leaving coupons, gift cards, or even their loyalty cards at home; they'll always be easily accessible and usable through their phones. This has significant potential for merchants to generate greater revenue and more effectively compete with big-box stores."

Opticard will continue to operate independently, with fifteen employees, and will remain in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition, Merchant Warehouse said it plans to invest in future solutions, offerings, and infrastructure. Recent research by Merchant Warehouse indicates that 40% of small and mid-sized businesses have loyalty programs, with 21% planning to start one in the coming year. Further, 69% of consumers contend that their choice of retailer is influenced by where they can earn customer loyalty program points or rewards.

Merchant Warehouse Buys Gift and Loyalty Provider, Opticard

Very Deep Pockets for Vend

One of the upstarts in iPad POS, Vend, has attracted an additional $20 million in new capital. This round was led in part by Peter Thiel, Co-Founder of PayPal and the first outside investor in Facebook.  (In the U.S., Thiel invests through Valar Ventures.) Reportedly, Vend will use these funds to expand its presence in North America through new partnerships, resellers, and staff, with particular emphasis on the SMB.

"2014 is going to be a very big year for Vend," predicted Vaughan Rowsell, CEO. "The last few years have seen a resurgence of independent retailers who have become more competitive against big chain stores by adopting cloud-based POS. Vend is proud to be helping to drive that movement, by offering brick and mortar retailers the kind of tools and business intelligence previously available only to chain stores and online businesses."

Launched in late 2010 in New Zealand, Vend now powers over 10,000 stores in more than 100 countries. Over the past year, the U.S. and Canada have been front and center in its efforts, indicated by the hiring of Anton Commissaris, former Intuit Director of Revenue and Business Development, as President of Vend U.S., as well as the growth of its operations in San Francisco and establishment of its support office in Toronto. "The best tech companies are those that enable you to do more with less," espoused Thiel. "Vend's powerful software is poised to enable millions of small and medium-sized businesses to focus less on paperwork and more on bringing better products and services to their customers."

Vend POS Bundle Attracts Big Name Support

Channel Factoid

You're not mistaken. Adoption of Mobile POS is exploding worldwide, with acceptance by both retailers and consumers, confirms the IHL Group (Franklin, TN). As reported in IHL's "Mobile POS Vendor Database," such shipments should rise more than 95% worldwide and more than 108% in North America in 2014. In terms of technologies, 47% of total Mobile POS shipments in 2013 worldwide were iOS devices, with Android at 33% and Windows 8 at 12%. However, iOS is expected to grow slower than the overall market for 2014 (due to tough comparisons), while Android (+105%) and Windows 8 (+129%) are expected to grow much more rapidly. Further, in North America, Windows 8 devices are projected to leap +184%. In terms of vendors, Apple has a dominant share in Mobile POS today at 40%. but Motorola Solutions, HP, and Micros are showing the greatest shipment growth potential for 2014, in some cases tripling their results over the previous year. Almost two-thirds of current Mobile POS devices (64%) employ form factors of less than five inches in screen (thus, phones). The move in 2014 will shift much more to the "phablet" and tablet size; in North America, 65% of all new Mobile POS will encompass such larger screens. Both consumer-grade and rugged devices are seeing strong growth worldwide, but price and device lifetime expectations vary widely by retail segments. "The move to Mobile POS in certain segments is radically changing the face of retail and hospitality, particularly in mall-based retailers," observed Greg Buzek, President of IHL Group. "The number of devices used by department, apparel, and shoe stores, in particular, will nearly triple this year."

HELLO GOODBYE

RSPA: "We've Got the Funk"

The Retail Solutions Providers Association (Charlotte, NC) has introduced its new CEO/President, Kelly Funk. Joining RSPA from the Alzheimer's Association, where she served as Senior Associate Director, Financial Industry, Funk holds her Master's Degree of Leadership from Georgetown University. Prior to the Alzheimer's Association, she worked at Genworth Financial, GE Financial Assurance, and Prudential Insurance.

"The RSPA is very pleased to have Kelly on board," commented Lynn Skurla, Madam Chair of the RSPA Board of Directors. "The RSPA is dedicated to the success of resellers and vendors in the retail technology marketplace. Her demonstrated leadership experience and commitment to our association will continue to drive membership and certification."

In making its announcement, RSPA pointed to the growth in membership and financial stability achieved over the past few years. Joe Finizio, who headed the association during that period, and deserves much of the credit for those improvements, has recently assumed the new title of Executive Director of Industry Strategies and Relations. Going forward, he will continue to build partnerships with other associations, participate in overall strategy development, and work more closely with the broader membership, according to the RSPA.

Kelly Funk, CEO/President, Retail Solutions Providers Association

A Dufault Position

UP Solution (Hackensack, NJ) has enlisted Dan Dufault as its VP of Sales and Marketing. Dufault brings over two decades of experience in partner marketing and business development in IT. Most recently, he served as EVP of Marketing and Solution Innovation for Merchant Warehouse. Other channel roles have been fulfilled at Novell, Panda Security, and Kaspersky Lab.

"I am very pleased to join UP Solution," shared Dufault. "UP Solution has all the tools that an ISO or VAR needs to become successful in the payments solutions industry. I believe that our state-of-the-art solutions, such as UP TAB, our tablet POS, will help us to become one of the leaders in the industry. I look forward to a great future with UP Solution."

UP Solution, founded in 2007 by CEO/President Jay Yoon, provides self-branded hardware and software for hospitality and retail. It debuted its UP TAB last month, with the typical supporting bundle of stand, receipt printer, card reader, and cash drawer, and "no cost" offer for merchants based upon payment processing commitment. As software, UP TAB Restaurant will be followed with UP TAB Salon, scheduled for release in Q3, as well as UP TAB Retail in Q4.

Dan Dufault, VP of Sales and Marketing, UP Solution

New Sheriff in Durango

With data breaches everywhere in the news, and PCI still evolving, Mercury Payment Systems (Durango, CO) has commissioned Pamela Galligan as its Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, she will lead security efforts with both internal and external policies and regulations. She will also serve as head of industry relations, which involves the company's partner network of 3,000 POS VARs and ISVs, as well as merchants.

"The payments industry is an exciting and dynamic sector," reflected Galligan. "Technology changes quickly and so do regulations and guidelines. Compliance is a full-time job and I look forward to lending my expertise to Mercury."

Galligan brings more than thirty years of significant experience, having worked with both issuers and acquirers in credit, debit, and prepaid payment products. She previously spent twelve years at Visa, which culminated in her position as SVP of Global Strategy and Planning. Other postings have included President of Real3 Payments Technologies, CEO of Pacific Payment Solutions, and Director of Strategic Alliances for Barclaycard.

Pamela Galligan, Chief Compliance Officer, Mercury Payment Systems