Our Product Pick

AML (Euless, TX) has introduced its Phoenix Mini-Kiosk. Weighing 1 lb., with 5.6" resistive touchscreen, the Phoenix carries Freescale i.MX CPU at 450 MHz, 32-Bit ARM, 128-MB RAM, 512-MB Flash, and Micro SD. Powered by Windows CE 6.0, it comes with two-dimensional scanner, user-definable keys, multiple USB ports, and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). Options include 802.11b/g/n WLAN, MSR, and HID Proximity Reader. In retail, it becomes the customer portal for price look-ups, stock checks, and gift card balances, as well as possible time-clock, according to AML. Installation includes wall bracket, pole, or tablet stand from RAM Mounts. "A follow-up to our popular KDT900 Mini-Kiosk," noted Mike Kearby, President of AML.

Phoenix Mini-Kiosk by AML

COMPANY BUSINESS

Writing Lines of Code

Scanners from Code Corporation (Salt Lake City, UT) will now be distributed by M-S Cash Drawer (Pasadena, CA). "Expanding our network of product availability and support is fundamental to exceeding the expectations of our resellers," remarked Garrett Russell, VP of Sales and Marketing for Code. "The experience and value-add that M-S Cash Drawer offers will be the perfect complement for Code." His company also distributes through BlueStar (Hebron, KY), Metropolitan Sales (Lynbrook, NY), and ScanSource POS and Barcode (Greenville, SC).

Also, Code has released its CR3600AV and CR5000AV stand-alone "age verification" systems. In this case, firmware of both readers includes age verification programming--for driver licenses and government issued identification cards--which is written in JavaScript. With real-time clock, and two-dimensional scanning, either solution can be configured to process age-restricted products in compliance with various state regulations. As stand-alone, there's no need for PC.

"It only takes one age verification error in the sale of alcohol, tobacco, and other age-restricted products for the retailer to face penalties that could threaten the reputation or even the future of their business," elaborated John Deal, Director of Product Management for Code. "Our new offerings are simpler, cost-effective ways to assure compliance with legal age requirements." All specifications of these new products match the company's handheld CR3600 and stationary CR5000.

Code Adds M-S Cash Drawer, Releases CR3600AV/CR5000AV Age-Verification Solutions

Magellan Sails With 100% Imaging

Datalogic (Eugene, OR) has launched its next generation of fixed scanner/scales under the heralded banner of Magellan. Featuring full digital imaging technology in all scanning planes, Magellan 9300i/9400i keeps the familiarity of use and installation profile of traditional laser-based bi-optic scanners. As dimensions, it has depth below counter of 4 inches, height above counter of 5.1 inches, width of 11.5 inches, and length ranging from 14 inches to 20 inches--providing both traditional bonnet height and large horizontal and vertical windows.

As optional benefits, the company's Customer Service Scanner accommodates mobile commerce programs, whether presented as on-screen or paper coupons by the customer. Added features include the company's Clear Glass with lifetime warranty, Scale Sentry shrink management/loss prevention technology, All Weighs scale platter (for handling oversized produce), and Ease-of-Care Service Plans. By way of differentiation, Magellan 9400i furnishes digital watermark reading from Digimarc Barcode (Beaverton, OR).

"Magellan 9300i and 9400i scanners reflect Datalogic's continued leadership in the fixed-position POS scanner world market as we focus on building solutions that will have a true impact on retailer's customer experiences and shoppers' checkout experiences," declared Nick Tabet, VP of Fixed Retail Scanning at Datalogic. "These newest high-speed digital bi-optic scanners are built upon years of imaging technology expertise and adapting to the evolving needs of retailers and their customers." As its top-of-the-line model, Datalogic furnishes its Magellan 9800i with highest thoughput.

Model 9300i/9400i Fixed Scanner/Scale by Datalogic

Worth Your While

RetailNOW 2015
Retail Solutions Providers Association
August 2-5
Orlando

VARTECH 2015
BlueStar
September 14-18
Enchantment of the Seas - Departs Orlando

Pack Expo
PMMI
September 28-30
Las Vegas

NACS Show
Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing
October 11-14
Las Vegas

IAAPA Expo 2015
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
November 16-20
Orlando

ALL IN THE FAMILY

TEAMSable's New Player

TEAMSable POS (San Jose, CA) has unwrapped its newest touchscreen computer, designated RDT150JF. It features bezel-free, fanless design with 15" five-wire resistive touchscreen (1024x768). Additional specifications include an Intel Celeron Quad-Core J1900 CPU at 2 GHz, up to 8 GB RAM, and POS Ready 7, Windows 7 Pro, or Windows 8 Pro. A full suite of ports support necessary peripherals and networking, including Parallel, Serial x 5, USB 3.0 x 4, USB 2.0 x 2, Cash Drawer RJ-11, Ethernet RJ-45, VGA, and Audio.

Overall, RDT150JF measures 15 in. (W) x 8.5 in. (D) x 12 in. (H) and weighs 11.7 lbs. Ease of use has been addressed with an adjustable tilt angle of 0 to 90 degrees, hidden cable management, and external access to HDD. As peripherals, the company offers three-track MSR, 2x20 VFD customer display, and 7"/10" secondary displays. As with the company's other terminals, the RDT150JF comes with three-year warranty, free lifetime phone tech support, and free overnight rapid replacement with call tag for 60 days after date of purchase.

RDT150JF All-in-One From TEAMSable POS

Get Smart With Cherry

Cherry (Pleasant Prairie, WI), a registered brand of ZF Electronic Systems, has unveiled its new family of smart card readers for use in public administration, border control, transportation, education, finance, and POS. Three terminals have been offered: JT-0100WB-2 (contact), JT-0200WB-2 (contactless), and JT-0300WB-2 (dual interface). With small dimensions (3 or 4 inches long) and light weight (under 3 oz. for each), in black housing, they support Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Cherry's new Class 1 readers use bidirectional communication for both contact and contactless smart cards. All models are PC/SC smart card readers, and are compatible with CCID and CardMan 3021. The JT-0100WB-2 and the JT-0300WB-2 also have EMV 2000 Level 1 certification that enables them to work with most smart cards currently on the market. A two-year warranty has been offered.

JT Family of Smart Card Readers

Join the Party at No Charge

Subscribe Today! Email:

Do you need to reach the POS & Auto ID resellers who really drive business? With the most targeted editorial environment, and on the most cost-effective basis?

E-mail Michael Kachmar for advertising information,
or call 973-270-3284

Did you miss one of our issues and suddenly realize your competitors know more than you do?

Hurry ! Use the links below to catch up :

Week of May 11

Week of April 27

Week of April 20

PARTNER PROGRAMS

Another Feather in Data's Cap

Pivotal Payments (Plano, TX and Montreal) has called upon Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA) for simpler integration to POS. Under this agreement, Pivotal will offer its branded FlexPoint ePay and FlexPoint Tran (based on Datacap's middleware, NETePay and Tran), as part of its FlexPoint Partner Advantage Program. A division of Pivotal Payments, FlexPoint serves VARs and ISVs.

A number of benefits were cited by the two parties. First, resellers may obtain Datacap's payment solutions at no cost, and second, they may earn protected, ongoing residuals for each account they bring to the table. In addition, virtually every vertical market is covered, as well as form factor (including ECRs, PC POS, Mobile POS, and Kiosks). Finally, the joint solution makes an easy transition to EMV before the October 1, 2015 deadline.

"Datacap's partnership with Pivotal Payments parallels our focus to support our ISVs, providers of POS, VARs, and their merchant customers with enhanced technology and high levels of service management support," commented Gale Peters, VP of Sales and Marketing for Datacap Systems, which has similar strategic agreements with other leading processors. "The Datacap integrated payments ecosystem enhances merchants' overall experiences, thereby establishing long-lasting relationships with both processors and providers of POS. We are pleased to have Pivotal Payments as our partner and to bring their FlexPoint strategy and program to Datacap's POS community."

Gale Peters, VP of Sales and Marketing, Datacap Systems (At Center, Wearing White Shirt)

IM's Silver Linings Playbook

Ingram Micro's Data Capture/POS Group (Carlsbad, CA) has assembled its "Electronic Payments Playbook," with accompanying multi-vendor solution bundle, for its resellers tackling EMV Chip-and-PIN. Overall, it spans hardware, merchant services, implementation roll-outs, and network certification and testing, according to the distributor. Offered in the U.S. and Canada, this new effort will draw heavily upon Ingram Micro Professional Services.

"The global EMV payment standard is a call to action businesses can't afford to ignore and channel partners should embrace," suggested Jeff Yelton, Executive Director and General Manager at Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS. "Our technology portfolio and professional services extend well beyond data capture and point-of-sale, making it possible to offer this comprehensive Electronics Payments Playbook and targeted, multi-vendor EMV solution. This key differentiator uniquely positions Ingram Micro to help channel partners take the lead and solve one of the bigger business risks and challenges facing retailers and businesses of all types that accept credit cards."

Appointed to his post last year, Yelton has an extensive resume as the former President of ScanSource POS and Barcode, CEO of Retalix, and EVP of Kyrus (now Agilysys). In early interviews with RRN.Com, he identified payments as one of four particular areas of focus for Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS (along with mobility, networking, and SaaS/HaaS). At Ingram Micro, DC/POS now falls under the Advanced Technology Division.

Jeff Yelton, Executive Director and General Manager, Ingram Micro Data Capture/POS

Code Corner

HighJump (Minneapolis, MN), part of Accellos, has added new functionality to its direct store delivery suite of solutions for wine and spirits distributors, RouteCenter and OmniTech Sales. With over 70 enhancements, this latest release brings upsell tools, advanced discount functionality, capacity to reserve product by route or salesperson, and purchase order automation. In the case of discount alerts for HighJump OmniTech, distributors may set percent or unit thresholds with salespeople notified in advance of approaching customer eligibility. In addition, distributors may indicate when discounts or break quantities should be applied to cases, units, or both. Finally, salespeople are empowered to select free reward products for their customers. In HighJump RouteCenter, distributors now may generate, send, and track purchase orders for their vendors. A tool calculates suggested purchase quantity and future out-of-stock dates based on sales history and pallet configuration. With improved product reservation, HighJump RouteCenter ensures key customers get the products they need on the most timely basis, according to the ISV. Each salesperson is assigned reserved stock, which he or she can then allocate based on market demands and customer relationships. "Our business has grown dramatically over the past few years, adding over 180 suppliers and 3,500 SKUs to our portfolio," relayed Kurt Leinauer, VP and GM at Lohr Distributing Company (St. Louis, MO). "In addition, we've had to meet industry-specific requirements such as split-case deliveries, the need to inventory both bottles and cases, revised credit terms, and numerous discounting plans. Throughout these challenges, HighJump has addressed all concerns."

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

A Wild Card for Payments

A growing consultant in IT and MSP, eMazzanti Technologies (Hoboken, NJ), now supplies prototype credit cards for testing and training purposes. These cards, which look and feel the same as regular Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express, help employees to become familiar and comfortable with handling transactions. In most retail systems, for example, specific amounts may be entered to simulate various results under categories such as "authorized, insufficient funds, expired, or declined," according to the company.

Additional steps in the credit card handling process include checking the card's features and security elements (e.g., making sure the card is valid and has not been altered in any way), receiving authorization and, if required, obtaining the cardholder signature and comparing the name, number, and signature on the card to those on the transaction receipt. If fraud is suspected, employees are advised to adhere to their merchant's store procedures and respond accordingly.

"In retail deployments you want to make sure that everything is perfect prior to store openings without involving the customer or using employee cards," maintained Carl Mazzanti, CEO of the eponymously entitled eMazzanti Technologies. "Using the test cards will help merchants to improve the customer experience and streamline operations, particularly in the face of EMV Chip-and-PIN," he added. With deployments for customers such as Pandora Jewelry and Timothy Oulton Furniture Galleries, and its strategic partnership with KWI POS (Greenvale, NY), eMazzanti has reported considerable growth of late.

Test Credit Card From eMazzanti

IoT That's Tiny From Cloud4Wi

As IoT (Internet of Things) continues to evolve, expect the normal refinement of technology. Case in point, the small-factor device, dedicated to location-based services and "presence" analytics via Wi-Fi, and dubbed "Fogsense," from Cloud4Wi (San Francisco, CA). Based on Broadcom's WICED Platform, Fogsense, which is conveniently USB-Powered, has tight dimensions of approximately 3 inches long and 2 inches wide at its top and bottom. Configured as plug-and-play, it requires no calibration or complicated set-up, and may be powered by POS.

"In the next few years, we will see huge growth of location-based services in retail. According to ABI Research, there will be over one million indoor location retail deployments by 2020," observed Andrea Calcagno, CEO and Co-Founder of Cloud4Wi. "Using Fogsense, retailers can empower their legacy Wi-Fi network with very significant reduction of TCO."

Leveraging the customer's location data collected for Fogsense, the Cloud4Wi platform provides businesses with real-time and historical trends through its personalized dashboard. It logs the number of first-time and repeat visitors, their activity and duration of their stay, at specific times of day or on the selected daily, weekly, or monthly basis. As expected, it also enables end-users to push targeted, localized marketing messages. Finally, it extends an accompanying Software Development Kit (SDK) and full-set of real-time, cloud-based Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for feeding data into existing system such as business intelligence.

An IoT Location Device Dubbed "Fogsense"

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Bematech
Elo Touch Solutions
Harbortouch
Hewlett-Packard
Partner Tech
Pioneer POS
POS BANK USA
Posiflex
PowaPOS
TEAMSable

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
CognitiveTPG

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Datalogic

Integrated Payment Solutions
Cayan
Datacap Systems
Discover
Mercury/Vantiv
Shift4

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp
PrehKeyTec

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
CognitiveTPG
Epson America
Star Micronics

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo Touch Solutions

INSTALLATIONS

NCR Books OpenTable

A natural fit it would seem--NCR Corporation (Duluth, GA) and OpenTable (San Francisco, CA), the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations (and part of The Priceline Group). These two firms have paired the "Pay with OpenTable" app with NCR's Aloha POS via the NCR Hosted Application Protocol Interface (API). As its name suggests, this cloud-based gateway allows third parties to integrate, deploy, and maintain their services across NCR's widely installed base of POS.

"We want restaurant patrons to have the best experience possible while dining. Using NCR's Hosted APIs to integrate the NCR Aloha point-of-sale solution with the OpenTable app is the newest way we do that," professed Paul Langenbahn, President of NCR Hospitality. "Consumers can take action and pay when they want instead of waiting, while restaurants can drive loyalty and engagement."

To pay with OpenTable, diners who book at participating restaurants add their credit card in the OpenTable app, then, after eating, view and pay their check on their smartphones. There's no separate app to download, no codes to enter, and no scanning or barcodes involved, promotes OpenTable (now seating more than 16 million diners per month). A restaurant in San Francisco, coyly dubbed District, has been piloting the integrated NCR Aloha/OpenTable solution since April. "We are extremely encouraged by the initial benefits," reported Co-Owner Jon D'Angelica.

"Pay with OpenTable" Tied to NCR Aloha

A Suite Candy Store

Dylan's Candy Bar, the uber-trendy store founded by Dylan Lauren (daughter of Ralph Lauren), has turned to SuiteRetail (Kemblesville, PA) for its POS. An independent VAR specializing in cloud-based platforms such as NetSuite, NetSuite SuiteCommerce, and Salesforce 1, SuiteRetail has two partner levels--Referral (with 10% commission) and Solution (with 20% commission)--and calls its platform, SuitePOS. Founded in New York City, Dylan's Candy Bar has expanded to Los Angeles, CA; East Hampton, NY; and Miami, FL. It stocks over 7,000 candies.

"The combination of SuitePOS and its integration with NetSuite is allowing us to see the benefits of multi-channel customer support, point-of-sale tax checking, enhanced customer relationship management (CRM), and real-time sales and profitability metrics," testified David Reid, CFO of Dylan's Candy Bar. "Most importantly for us, this is facilitating enhanced insight into our business and customers. SuiteRetail has also been a great partner to work with. Throughout the recent roll-out, the team's responsiveness has been second to none."

"SuitePOS, our iPad and iPhone POS, uses unique offline/online technology that offers the best of all worlds," volunteered Jeff Schneider, Co-Founder of SuiteRetail. "SuitePOS runs much faster and with better uptime than any other in-store, web-based POS solution ever could--it is not web dependent--yet it still communicates with cloud services such as NetSuite and Salesforce 1 in real-time. This provides serious omni-channel retailers like Dylan's with the benefits of a cloud service to run their entire business, while providing the local speed and reliability they need from their in-store POS."

Dylan's Candy Bar Adopts SuitePOS

Channel Factoid

We hear everywhere of imminent EMV Chip-and-PIN, but according to one recent survey, significant numbers of retailers remain relatively unprepared. The second annual "Retail Technology Adoption Report," conducted by Lightspeed POS, finds only 18% of retailers in the U.S. have already implemented EMV payment technology, and fully 45% are poised to miss the October 15, 2015 deadline. Of those lagging, 25% do not understand the new rules, 18% do not want to deal with the hassle or cost of switching payments hardware, and 17% have never even heard of EMV or Chip-and-PIN. As for new mobile-based schemes, similar reluctance appears on the part of retailers. Only 9% currently accept Apple Pay, and fully 40% have no plans to ever accept Apple Pay, citing lack of interest on the part of their customers. Overall, by the end of 2016, 34% plan to support Apple Pay, 25% plan to support Android Pay, and 23% plan to support Samsung Pay. "Retailers seem to be waiting to upgrade their POS systems until they find one that can accept both EMV as well as mobile payments," concluded Dax Dasilva, CEO of Lightspeed POS. "If you look at the numbers, the amount of retailers that plan to accept Apple Pay by the end of 2016 is close to the number that expect to be EMV ready. Retailers with modest budgets demand technology that does double duty--they're willing to delay upgrades."

Dax Dasilva, CEO, Lightspeed POS

HELLO GOODBYE

In the Mix at POS-X

A bit of reorganization at POS-X (Bellingham, WA), as Mark Dunlop moves to VP of Sales and Nick Melnyk moves to VP of Services and Support. Dunlop joined the company in 2014 as Regional Channel Manager for Canada. Previous employers include Code Corporation and Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. On his part, Melnyk served as Director of Operations and Sales Manager from February 2005 to June 2012, followed by VP of Sales and Support from June 2012 to May 2015.

"Mark has a track record of successfully building channel-focused sales teams and growing revenue for emerging leaders in our industry," related Karl Schoessler, President of POS-X. Of Melnyk, Dan Moseley, CEO of POS-X, added, "As the new VP of Services and Support, Nick will focus on ensuring POS-X continues to deliver industry-leading efforts in these areas. He will also lead the expansion of POS-X's new Service Division--helping to implement several new, soon to be announced, service-related products designed to deliver more simplified point-of-sale experience for our customers."

In concert, POS-X has announced that it will replace all of its Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs with Intel Haswell Pro CPUs for its EVO TP4 Pro POS Terminal. This encompasses Celeron, Pentium, and Core i3, i5, and i7. The new models are in stock now and ready for purchase. As our readers will surely recognize, this means higher processing power as well as lower energy consumption.

For POS-X, Mark Dunlop, VP of Sales, and Nick Melnyk, VP of Services and Support

It's the Solution, Stupid

Barcodes, Inc. (Chicago, IL), which addresses barcoding, mobile computing, and RFID, as well as POS, has enlisted David Hilbish as its VP of Solution Sales for the U.S. Hilbish brings previous experience from computer resellers such as Augmentity Systems, where he served as President, and Innovativ, where he served as VP and GM of the Central Region. He also worked for StorageTek, Sun Microsystems, and Silicon Graphics.

"I am very excited to join Barcodes, Inc.," stated Hilbish. "Creating a dedicated field presence will only enhance our ability to drive business value for our customers with more robust design, integration, management, and solutions support capabilities." According to Dan Nettesheim, CEO of Barcodes, Inc., "David is a tremendous sales leader, and his proven commitment to meeting customers' needs is second to none."

In December 2014, Barcodes, Inc. purchased OCR Canada Ltd., expanding its footprint into that country and beefing up its field service capacity. It now offers wireless site surveys, feasibility studies for RFID, and mobility consulting. A team of certified installation technicians provides onsite management of network cable runs, device image creation and staging, and deployment of equipment such as touchscreens, vehicle mount computers, and Wi-Fi access points. "This is one step of many to leverage our combined strength," commented Nettesheim.

David Hilbish, VP of Solution Sales for the U.S., Barcodes, Inc.