This Week’s Product Pick

POS-X, Inc. (Bellingham, WA) has showcased its EVO TP4A TouchPC, configured to bridge the gap between its TP2 and TP4 Series. Two versions have been offered: EVO TP4A-A with Intel Atom N270 processor at 1.6 GHz and EVO TP4A-B with Intel Atom D525 Dual Core processor at 1.8 GHz. This new terminal offers enterprise-class build quality at reduced cost, the latest in fanless technology, and touchscreen capability. A sturdy aluminum frame acts as heat-sink and furnishes “bump-free” operation. Beyond its 15-inch, five-wire resistive touchscreen, benefits include built-in cable management, the vendor’s “EZHD” slot for HDD or SSD, and an IP-54 rating. EVO TP4A measures 14.2 in. (W) x 9.8 in. (D) x 13.3 in. (H), weighs 15.4 lbs., and includes the full complement of ports, including four Serial and four USB, as well as accessories such as MSR.

EVO TP4A TouchPC by POS-X

COMPANY BUSINESS

A Bundle of Smarts

IBM (Armonk, NY) has debuted its Smarter Checkout solution, which allows stores to offer third-party products to consumers at the POS, as well as add future services with close to “plug-and-play” simplicity. Powered by the IBM SurePOS 700 POS system running IBM 4690 OS, Smarter Checkout also leverages IBM System X, Lotus Expeditor, and IBM Store Integrator. The resulting bundle delivers more personalized, interactive shopping by allowing customers to buy lottery, theater, and show tickets in the checkout lane, for instance, or to use their smart-phone to redeem digital coupons, access loyalty points, and pay for their orders.

For retailers, IBM Smarter Checkout captures and reports transactional data so that stores can quickly respond to changing customer demand and supplier market conditions. By plugging in real-time basket analytics, retailers can now offer relevant promotions while the customer is passing through the checkout, according to IBM. In addition, Smarter Checkout enables more seamless cross-channel integration, giving consumers access to products on the web and in the store.

“IBM Smarter Checkout for 4690 gives IBM Business Partners unique opportunity to offer one solution that can solve their clients’ most urgent business needs,” Peggy Weavil, IBM SurePOS Offering Manager, told RRN.Com when asked about impact on the channel. “This package of IBM’s top-selling, most innovative POS hardware, operating platform, applications, and systems management tools take the confusion and guesswork out of transforming checkout to multi-channel point of service. The value of a single IBM solution sells itself. IBM Business Partners can attach auxiliary POS, web and mobile devices, as well as services and value-added solutions.”

IBM’s Smarter Checkout Gets Powered by the SurePOS 700

Mobile POS “Slated” for HP

Back in the hardware business with both feet, HP (Palo Alto, CA) has shipped its Slate 2 Tablet PC, which runs Microsoft Windows 7, versus the WebOS of the short-lived TouchPad. Of direct interest to RRN.Com’s readers, this time around, HP plans to directly address vertical business markets with the Slate 2, retail among them. To that end, the world’s largest PC manufacturer has come out of the gate with its Mobile POS Case for the Slate 2, which adds bidirectional, three-track, magnetic-stripe reader and one- and two-dimensional barcode scanner for payment and inventory functionality on the store floor.

A choice of familiar Windows 7 OS, including Windows 7 Premium and Windows 7 Embedded, should make it easy for retailers to integrate the HP Slate 2 into their existing application and hardware infrastructure, according to HP. Further, store associates may use the device’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, as well as its 8.9-inch touchscreen and rear-facing three-megapixel camera, to fulfill all customer-service needs, such as product look-up, tracking orders, sharing videos, and e-mailing customer receipts. HP also has armed Slate 2 with an onscreen keyboard for easier data entry.

“Providing customers with memorable, differentiated shopping experiences is key to building loyalty and driving repeat purchases,” declared Ray Carlin, GM and VP, Retail Solutions at HP. “This HP Slate Mobile POS solution achieves these goals by increasing the efficiency of the checkout process, engaging customers, and offering better, more personalized services.” HP’s Mobile POS Case will be handled through its partner network of VARs, Distributors, and ISVs, RRN.Com was told by Dick Arnold, Director of Worldwide Marketing, HP Retail Solutions.

HP Retail Mobile POS Case Augments Slate 2 Tablet PC

[Editor’s Note: HP has restated its commitment to its Group, the PC division. “It’s clear after our analysis that keeping PSG within HP is right for customers and partners, right for shareholders, and right for our employees,” said Meg Whitman, who recently replaced Leo Apotheker as CEO/President. Fate of WebOS has not been decided.]

Worth Your While

2012 Events

NRF 101st Annual Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 15-18
New York

INSPIRE 2012
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
January 29-February 1
Herradura, Costa Rica

MODEX 2012
Material Handling Industry of America
February 6-9
Atlanta

2012 Annual ETA Meeting & Expo
Electronic Transactions Association
April 17-19
Las Vegas

NRA Show 2012
National Restaurant Association
May 5-8
Chicago

ALL IN THE FAMILY

New SAM4s Leaves Launch Pad

CRS (St. Paul, MN) has stocked the new SAM4s ER-900 Series of powerful, mid-priced Electronic Cash Registers (ECRs). Four models are offered: two flat keyboard units for foodservice and two raised-key units for retail shops. Either keyboard configuration comes with single receipt printer or with traditional receipt and journal printers. Drop-in paper loading simplifies changing rolls and virtually eliminates jamming, according to the company. SAM4s ER-900 measures 15.75 in. (W) x 11.8 in. (H) x 17.75 in. (D) and weighs approximately 25 lbs.

These new ECRs offer an alphanumeric LCD display (two-line, 16-character) for operator and 9-digit LED customer-facing turret display. An SD card slot hidden under the printer cover provides security from tampering, while four RS-232C ports, enclosed behind an access door, handle the full range of POS peripherals as well as PC for programming or report collection. Its full-size cash drawer includes media slots and removable five-bill, five-coin drawer tray with adjustable dividers.

“A SAM4s is truly the best-value POS bundle available today,” suggested Craig Fuss, Director of Sales at CRS. “With high-quality cash drawers, keyboards, printers, and flexible application software, SAM4s ECRs provide the best combination of security, features, and configurations of any solution in this price range.” CRS serves as the importing distributor in the Americas for SAM4s (Seoul, South Korea), supplying the network of authorized dealers. Ready Distribution (Beaverton, OR and Buena Park, CA) also has promoted the SAM4s ER-900 Series to RRN.Com’s audience.

SAM4s ER-920 With Flat Keyboard, Receipt Printer, and Card Reader

Voyager 1202g Refreshes Honeywell

Honeywell Scanning & Mobility (Fort Mill, SC) has unveiled its Voyager 1202g single-line laser scanner with Bluetooth wireless capability. Designed specifically for end-users who want superior performance, according to the vendor, this new scanner reads all standard one-dimensional barcodes, including those that are damaged or smudged. An updated replacement for the VoyagerBT 9535, it comes equipped with long-lasting battery that delivers up to 45,000 scans per charge and tool-free battery exchange. Bluetooth, RRN.Com readers know by now, ranges to 10 meters/33 feet.

Voyager 1202g automatically extends support for all popular interfaces, eliminating the need to scan programming barcodes for detection and configuration. In addition, Honeywell’s Remote MasterMind for Scanning platform allows customers to manage, update, and configure the scanners from one centralized location. Finally, paging functionality allows end-users to locate misplaced scanners through beeps and blinking lights activated with the base station. Voyager 1202g will ship in December in the U.S.

“1202g, the newest addition to the Voyager legacy of innovation, has once again exceeded our expectations and outperforms competitors’ units on various data points, including the reading of poor-quality barcodes and ease of set-up and use,” volunteered Taylor Smith, Director of Product Management for Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. “Voyager 1202g’s integration of Bluetooth wireless technology speaks directly to the key pain points our customers have experienced with restrictive cables. With this introduction, Honeywell’s family of linear scanners has now been completely refreshed, allowing us to provide the full array of solutions to meet the needs of our scanning customers.”

Voyager 1202g Single-Line Laser Scanner With Bluetooth

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CERTIFICATION

Coca-Cola Goes Better With Elf

Datalogic Mobile (Eugene, OR) has received certification for its Elf device with the RED@Global software application developed by The Coca-Cola Company for its bottlers. Delivery networks in Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago have already deployed Elf, which now becomes approved for users of RED@Global worldwide. Launched in 2010 as DM’s professional PDA, Elf carries state-of-the-art capabilities in small form factor for single-handed use, and was designed from the ground up for field service, logistics, and retail.

Elf features Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 or CE 6.0, XScale 624-MHz processor, 256-MB RAM, and Micro SD Card slot. A full range of data collection technologies has been addressed: one- and two-dimensional barcoding, three-megapixel autofocus camera, and optional HF RFID. Use of an accelerometer eliminates awkward presentation of on-screen data, and customers may choose between QWERTY or numeric keypads and between QVGA or FVGA displays.

Supporting AT&T’s network, Elf offers multiple communication schemes: UMTS HSDPA mobile radio for voice and data, embedded 802.11a/b/g radio with Cisco CCX Version 4 certification for enterprise-class security, and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR. For good-read notification, the PDA utilizes Datalogic Mobile’s patented Green Spot technology. An IP-64 environmental rating protects against water and dust, with ruggedness to withstand drops of five feet onto concrete. Lastly, Elf’s large capacity battery does not compromise its ergonomics.

Datalogic Mobile’s PDA Certified for RED@Global Software for Bottlers

Catapulting From Grocery to Pharmacy

ECR Software Corp. (Boone, NC) has linked its Catapult POS platform to the NRx Pharmacy Management System (PMS) from QS/1 (Spartanburg, SC), in order to better address grocery-pharmacy hybrid retailers. Merging business from the two departments into one centralized repository significantly boosts workflow while guaranteeing accuracy, according to the two new partners. Star Super Market and Discount Pharmacy, the four-store chain in Huntsville, AL, served as the model and pilot site for this front-running project.

“The traditional supermarket business model has evolved into one where customers expect to be able to fulfill a wide array of needs spanning many different services under one roof,” observed Pete Catoe, CEO/President of ECR Software. “Tying all of these mini-businesses together into one common retail system can really pay dividends for retailers by cutting costs, improving visibility, and providing higher levels of customer service. Progressive retailers, like Star Markets, have figured this out and we, along with QS/1, are proud to help them get there.”

“I believe the relationship between ECR Software and QS/1 will help provide the best customer experience, drive loyalty, and prevent costly errors,” testified James Ahlschlager, CIO for Star Super Market and Discount Pharmacy. “With tighter integration, and through the incorporation of new technologies, we are striving to make shopping easier.” Specific functionality of this package includes bidirectional communication between Catapult and QS/1 for prescription tracking, co-located customer data for easier retrieval, signature prompts and storage (for HIPAA, electronic payment, and counseling), and real-time will-call bin management, ECR Software noted.

ECR Software Pilots Pharmacy Link to POS for Star Super Market

Code Corner

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) has launched its Dart Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Vision Reader for long-range asset and presence tracking. Combined with patented short-pulse technology that allows Dart Tag to be detected in high-volume, multi-path, metallic environments, the Dart Vision Reader gives customers the capacity to tag assets with “high-blink” rates (typically once per second), giving truer visibility over an area of broad detection. Based upon RTLS (Real-Time Location System), Dart Vision Reader supports standard networking, Wi-Fi connectivity, and advanced tools, providing easy set-up, installation, and configuration. It features fully weatherproof design (IP-67 rated) and wide operational temperature range (-40 to +55 Degrees C) for the most difficult indoor and outdoor industrial environments. “Dart Vision Reader enables cost-effective, large-scale expansion of asset tracking and provides more robust presence detection than other RFID technologies,” stated Stephen Logue, VP of Sales at Zebra Technologies Corporation. “For example, one of the largest global aircraft manufacturers is utilizing Dart UWB technology to gain real-time visibility to thousands of high-value assets such as tools, equipment, and parts.”

INSTALLATIONS

Citizen Hears “Ole!”

Citizen Systems America (Torrance, CA) has deployed its CT-S851 thermal POS printer for Cinemex, one of the largest movie theater chains in Mexico. In total, Cinemex will roll out the CT-S851 at 39 new and 64 remodeled locations, for use at ticket counters, candy concessions, and memorabilia stores. Mexican reseller Siccob Soluciones received the contract, which introduced Citizen Systems to Cinemex and replaces POS printers from another vendor.

In making the change, Cinemex cited the CT-S851’s 300 mm/second print speed, LCD display, front-exit printing, and spill-resistance, which exceeds international IPX1 standards. Rigorous testing was conducted by Cinemex’s IT team, led by Carlos Pena, including pouring large volumes of water and soda on the device to verify that printing operation would not be affected and the inside of the printer would remain dry, according to the two parties. The CT-S851 was also evaluated at one of the busiest locations in the chain.

“Our experience with the CT-S851 has been very satisfactory,” noted Pena. “After hundreds of printers installed and several months of heavy use, we haven’t found any issue with the CT-S851.” The new printer’s unique design and durable construction, backed by three-year warranty, should significantly reduce operative failures and maintenance costs experienced by Cinemex in the past, Robin Pierce, Senior Director of Marketing for Citizen Systems, told RRN.Com. Moreover, its graphic LCD display includes an editor to customize messages, adding further value.

Cinemex Deploys Citizen's CT-S851 POS Printer for Movie Theaters in Mexico

Hot Bowl of Zoup for NEXTEP

NEXTEP Systems (Troy, MI) will supply its Foundation5 POS suite for Zoup! Fresh Soup Company for its 40 stores in the Central and Northeastern U.S. and all future locations. Debuted in October, NEXTEP’s Foundation5 pulls together all ingredients of restaurant IT--POS, kiosks and drive-thru, digital menu boards and signage, kitchen management, and online ordering. Zoup also will use NEXTEP for back-of-the-house, including inventory and labor management, to be followed in short order by smart-phone app and self-order stations.

“Zoup selected NEXTEP because they offer this complete, integrated solution,” reported Eric Ersher, Founder and CEO of Zoup. “NEXTEP’s enterprise web management tools were also important, as our stores change soup offerings daily, and with NEXTEP we only have to make the change once, and that change is instantly made in our POS, menu boards, and online.” With its new capability, Zoup will now individually label each soup, salad, and sandwich.

Foundation5 features scalability and security through Payment Card Industry (PCI) approval. It supports multiple payment options, including cash, credit, gift cards, and soon mobile payments, and may be managed from NEXTEP’s cloud-based command center. Founded in 2005, NEXTEP has stepped sprightly from the self-service world into general POS, and beyond. It partners with vendors such as MICROS, Agilysys, ParTech, POSitouch, Olea, and Meridian

Foundation5 by NEXTEP Integrates Restaurant IT Systems

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
ScanSource

POS & Peripherals
Casio America
Logic Controls
Pioneer POS
Posiflex
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
TSC America
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic Mobile
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse
WorldPay US

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Mobile Marketing & Loyalty
Sundrop Mobile

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

STARTS & STOPS

Store Clerk’s Name--ShelfX

ShelfX, an NFC and RFID system for total store automation, has been launched by its creator, Ran Margalit, who serves as CEO. Consisting of Smart Shelves, Cards, Kiosks, Software, Servers, and App--all branded under the ShelfX designation--this scheme hopes to do away with the traditional checkout and inventory process altogether. The company is based in Boulder, CO, and promotes all the operational benefits of Near-Field Communication and RFID familiar to RRN.Com readers. Margalit envisioned ShelfX after being frustrated by frequent long waits while shopping, reportedly.

“ShelfX will revolutionize the way we shop, and it’s about time,” Margalit relayed. “But in the same respect, we are taking the shopper back to a time when shopping was simple. The customer walked into a store, was greeted by name, told about the specials, paid without hassle, and left. The twenty-first century store clerk’s name is ShelfX. It’s making shopping simple but doing so much more.”

In ShelfX’s world, the Smart Shelf knows the exact quantity of the item being stocked through sensitive scale technology and built-in RFID. Shelf sizes have been matched to four categories: dry goods, soft goods, bulk items, and prepared food. When the shopper approaches with an NFC-enabled ShelfX Card, and removes an item, the accompanying ShelfX Kiosk greets them by name, tells them what they have purchased, offers discounts and suggestions, and eventually, processes their payment. For the retailer, of course, pricing and inventory may be updated in real-time, with all the savings that implies. An accompanying ShelfX App for smart-phone or tablet helps shoppers keep track of their buying history. Sounds good so far . . . .

ShelfX Smart Shelf and ShelfX Kiosk Leverage NFC and RFID to Fully Automate the Store

MICROS-Retail Sings of “miStore”

Just in time for the peak holiday shopping season, MICROS-Retail (Boston) has promoted its new mobile POS software, dubbed “miStore.” Built on the company’s flagship Xstore platform, this package communicates from devices such as iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad directly into the retailer’s POS system, allowing real-time exchange of product and customer information. Several leading retailers have begun the implementation process of miStore, according to the developer.

MICROS-Retail’s miStore works in conjunction with multiple MSR and one- and two-dimensional scanners to support all sales and inventory capabilities, thereby allowing store associates to better serve customers on the sales floor. Integration with back-end systems also means that business rules and security parameters are identical. Changes to the logic or configuration are reflected across both systems.

“We are thrilled to launch miStore,” remarked Jane Cannon, CTO of MICROS-Retail. “This truly extends an already rich MICROS-Retail platform, which not only offers POS, but also Customer Relationship Management (CRM), order management, and e-commerce. Adding mobile POS rounds out our integrated commerce solutions, and we are excited to be able to offer this full suite of products to our clients.”

Store Associates Will Be Armed With Smart-Phones and Tablets for Mobile POS

Channel Factoid

Our upcoming 2011 holiday season can be summed up in one word: average. So says the National Retail Federation in its annual forecast, which predicts retail sales to increase 2.8% to $465.6 billion this year. While that figure is far lower than the 5.2% rise in 2010, it’s slightly higher than the 10-year average holiday sales increase of 2.6%. (Included in NRF’s projections are most traditional retail categories, including grocery, but not automotive dealers, gas stations, and restaurants.) Although several economic indicators appear solid--including 14 consecutive months of retail sales growth and substantial reduction in household debt--continued consumer uncertainty over the stock market, higher gas and food prices, fiscal policy, and unsteady job growth will combine to restrict spending this holiday season. Also, for the first time this year, NRF has computed seasonal hiring in retail, projecting that retailers will add between 480,000 and 500,000 workers in November and December, which is comparable to the 495,000 seasonal employees they contracted last year. In one sign of optimism, the retail industry has added nearly 100,000 full-time jobs since August. “Retailers are optimistic that the combination of strong promotions and lean inventory levels will help them address consumer caution this holiday season,” shared Matthew Shay, CEO/President of NRF. “While businesses remain concerned over the viability of the economic recovery, there is no doubt that the retail industry is in better position this year to handle consumer uncertainty than it was in 2008 and 2009.”

HELLO GOODBYE

VP of Product Climbs Zenith

Zenith RMM (Warrendale, PA), which supplies remote monitoring and management solutions, has tapped Dee Zepf as its VP of Product Management and Technical Services. In this newly created executive position, Zepf will supervise all aspects of expanding the company’s managed services platform, from defining the product roadmap to engineering specific enhancements. Zepf brings 15 years of software development experience from companies such as IBM, Bowstreet, IdeaLab, and Lotus. Her most recent post was Senior Director, Product, at Care.com.

“Adding Dee Zepf to our management team firmly demonstrates Zenith RMM’s commitment to bring a dedicated focus on accelerating product development and meeting customers' needs for a broader set of capabilities,” commented Steve Ricketts, VP of Marketing at Zenith RMM. “Dee will be instrumental in helping us raise the bar in the managed services space by extending our leading-edge platform and delivering improvements to our remote monitoring and management services in several important areas, such as increased automation, expanded end-point coverage (including mobile devices), Mac OS support, customer reporting, and more complete visualization.”

Zenith RMM spun out of Zenith Infotech in October, with equity funding from Summit Partners. It intends to leverage Zenith’s Network Operations Center (NOC), SaaS-based management portal, and physical and intellectual property to become “the dominant player in MSP,” RRN.Com was told in an exclusive interview with Michael George, CEO. George formerly led RFID software leader, OATSystems, which is now part of Checkpoint Systems. Zenith RMM is jointly owned by Summit Partners and Zenith Infotech.

Dee Zepf, VP of Product Management and Technical Services, Zenith RMM

EnVista Envisions Supply Chain Growth

EnVista (Indianapolis, IN) has enlisted Davison Schopmeyer as Managing Partner for its Supply Chain Solutions team. Schopmeyer brings over 20 years of experience in managing and implementing complex supply chain solutions to the consulting services firm. Most recently, he served as VP at Manhattan Associates, where he led multi-product installations for some of the company’s largest customers, many Top 100 Specialty Retailers among them.

“EnVista’s Supply Chain Solutions practice has been growing at an incredible rate,” indicated Ken Mullen, Senior Managing Partner for EnVista. “Davison brings extensive, hands-on experience that will benefit our clients. He has experience with over one hundred warehouse management implementations, and has expertise across all facets of the supply chain, including labor management, inventory management, and order management. We are extremely excited to have him join the EnVista leadership team.”

“EnVista is an industry-leading company that combines an experienced team with exceptional supply chain solutions to provide proven results and significant return on investment to customers,” Schopmeyer said. “I’m very pleased to bring my experience to the team and apply it to EnVista’s clients to help achieve their business goals.” Prior to Manhattan Associates, Schopmeyer was VP and National Supply Chain Director at CIBER, which purchased his company, The Summit Group, in 1998.

Davison Schopmeyer, Managing Partner, Supply Chain Solutions, EnVista