This Week’s Product Pick

ViewSonic (Walnut, CA) debuted its ViewPad line of Android-based tablet devices, featuring the ViewPad 7 with pocket-sized form factor and 7-inch screen and the ViewPad 10 dual-boot Wi-Fi device with 10-inch screen. With high-performance, high-speed Intel Atom 1.66-GHz processor, integrated 1 GB of memory, 16-GB SSD hard drive, and expandable Micro-SD slot, the ViewPad 10 is ideally suited for viewing Flash-based content and business programs with Windows 7, and for an optimized mobile browsing experience with Android 1.6, according to the vendor. Additionally, its 1024x600 LED backlight panel includes G-sensor and capacitive multi-touch for intuitive navigation across multiple applications. Teamed with 1.3-megapixel webcam with built-in microphone, the ViewPad 10 supports videoconferencing as well. ViewPad 7 features Android 2.2, 3.5G WAN, 802.11b/g WLAN, and Bluetooth and supports instant messaging, VoIP, and all the web and connectivity functions of any advanced capacitive multi-touch device. Further benefits include two built-in cameras, 512 MB of memory, 32 GB of storage capacity via Micro-SD card slot, and battery life of 10 hours. Think of it as easier to carry than your notebook, and with better media performance than your smart phone. ViewPad 10 will be priced at $629, with ViewPad 7 at $479.

ViewPad 10 From ViewSonic

COMPANY BUSINESS

A Bundle of WaveSoft for POS-X

WaveSoft Technologies (Vancouver, BC, Canada) has published its new build, WavePOS 2.0, and announced its bundling agreement with new Fuzion mobile POS hardware from POS-X, Inc. (Bellingham, WA). Back in July, as RRN.Com readers will remember, POS-X purchased the WavePOS Division of WaveSoft, which developed the POS-234 handheld for hospitality. Now POS-X has readied its re-engineered Fuzion product line for this segment, which will be premiered in next week’s edition of RRN.Com. An integrated POS-X/WaveSoft bundled solution of hardware and software will go to the channel through ScanSource.

“It is important for us to work closely with our hardware partners to develop the best possible mobile solutions,” observed Wilson Chao, CEO of WaveSoft Technologies. “Our latest release, WavePOS 2.0, constitutes true native Windows CE software that is fully optimized to run on the POS-X Fuzion handheld platform. This integrated mobile solution delivers unparalleled system reliability and performance.”

WavePOS 2.0 brings enhanced usability features for table service or line-busting environments. Notably, it handles 4.3-inch screen displays with the ability to dynamically adjust to portrait or landscape screen orientation. Additional benefits include offline buffering to prevent lost orders, custom restaurant menu design, and XML and Text File based interfacing. WavePOS 2.0 supports leading POS software packages, with particularly strong ties with Aldelo and Dinerware. Both are involved in the bundled package.

“Mobile ordering and pay-at-the-table capabilities are a growing trend for restaurants looking to run efficiently,” said Dan Moseley, CEO/President of POS-X, Inc. “The Fuzion mobile POS hardware line by POS-X, combined with WaveSoft’s WavePOS 2.0, present the perfect solution by offering our customers a product that is affordable, dependable, and simple to implement.”

WavePOS 2.0 Boosts Mobile POS Performance

Fresh Breezes Blow at Touch Dynamic

Busy times for Touch Dynamic (Irvington, NJ). First, Touch has introduced its TP3000 direct thermal receipt printer with dual interface I/O and jam-free auto-cutter. Priced at $155, this new printer features 200 mm/second speed, drop-in paper loading, logo/barcode capability, and adjustable paper width. “All TP3000 printers include USB cable along with Serial or Parallel cable at no charge,” noted Craig Paritz, President of Touch Dynamic. “Our customers will now get this USB printer for the price of our Serial or Parallel models.”

Even further, Touch has offered discount pricing on the TP3000. Through the end of this year, customers who buy the company’s Breeze All-in-One POS touch terminal will get an accompanying printer for $100. Recently, Touch outfitted its Breeze--designed for easy upgrade with rackable motherboard and detachable base--with two new options. To meet the needs of customers requiring increased processing power, the Breeze’s Intel Atom 1.6-GHz CPU may be upgraded to the Atom Dual Core 1.66-GHz or Core 2 Duo 1.66-GHz. In addition, Breeze is now available with encrypted MSR card reader.

Finally, Touch Dynamic has also shipped its Saturn PC PLUS with the Intel Atom 1.6-GHz CPU, which provides more energy savings through less power consumption, according to the vendor. This booksize, fanless PC carries four Serial ports, four USB ports, one Parallel port, Dual Gigabit LAN, and optional Wireless LAN to work in a variety of applications. It also includes VGA and DVI/HDMI (selectable by switch) for Dual Video and may be wall-mounted to overcome space limitations.

Saturn PC PLUS Also Released by Touch Dynamic

Worth Your While - 2011

NRF 100th Annual
Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 9-12
New York

RSPA Inspire 2011
Retail Solutions Providers Association
January 23-26
Maui, Hawaii

Supply Chain Conference
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)
January 30-February 1
Orlando

ProMat 2011
Material Handling Industry of America
March 21-24
Chicago

NRA Show 2011
National Restaurant Association
May 21-24
Chicago

UConnect 2011
Voluntary Inter-Industry Commerce Solutions (VICS)
May 31-June 3
Orlando

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Z Version of Motorola’s MC3190

Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL) has previewed the MC3190-Z, purported to be the smallest and lightest business-class RFID terminal to date. Based on the widely-deployed MC3190 mobile computer, the new terminal should hit North America in Q2 2011, following Europe in Q1. It weighs just 1.4 lbs., features Motorola’s new RFID reader engine for improved performance, and ships with Motorola’s RFID locating engine that will guide an associate to specific items by audible and visual clues, according to the manufacturer. Barcode as well as RFID reading has been incorporated, with WLAN and Bluetooth, and with an orientation-sensitive antenna that helps reduce the number of manual sweeps and overall complexity typically associated with RFID handhelds.

“We are delighted to be bringing to market the next-generation RFID reader, which will deliver significant benefits to retailers and businesses around the world,” remarked Chris Schaefer, Director, Global RFID Market Development for Motorola Solutions. “The size, functionality, and ergonomics of the MC3190-Z already make it a winner as far as our customers are concerned. We believe that this innovative device will play a significant role in showing that RFID is available to all global businesses which require inventory management technology, and can help simplify the process and enhance the accuracy of stock control and asset management for companies large and small.”

Motorola Solutions also unveiled its Mobility Services Platform 3 (MSP3) Control Edition, which supports Motorola and non-Motorola mobile devices, as well as peripherals such as printers, debit and credit card readers, and biometric fingerprint readers for comprehensive, company-wide oversight. Three core capabilities have been addressed: staging, provisioning, and day-to-day management functions. Further, MSP3 Control Edition serves up metrics about device, network, software, and battery utilization, allowing administrators to monitor key performance indicators, while on-screen reports ensure staff is immediately alerted when devices fall out of compliance, can’t be located, or need service.

MC3190-Z RFID Handheld Coming Soon

Tech Giant Calls for SMB-Sized Signage

Hewlett-Packard Co. (Palo Alto, CA) launched its digital signage player for independent retailers and other small business owners, offered in two models, HP SignagePlayer mp8000s and mp8000r. For locations with space limitations, the HP SignagePlayer mp8000s supports content up to 720p (HDTV with resolution of 1280x720 and progressive scan) in its small form factor for mounting behind the display itself. The HP SignagePlayer mp8000r features discrete graphics from Nvidia (Santa Clara, CA) for more demanding 1080p (HDTV with resolution of 1920x1080 and progressive scan) requirements, according to the company. List pricing in the U.S. will be $1,119 for the mp8000s and $1,079 for the mp8000r. Significantly, the new SignagePlayers will be sold exclusively through resellers, RRN.Com has learned, with target markets of single locations or limited roll outs.

Both models come pre-installed with Scala QuickStart software, which furnishes an easy-to-use visual interface for creating, managing, and scheduling content, as well as built-in professionally designed templates. Beyond simple slideshows and video looping, the new players can be used to produce sophisticated layouts with images, text, animation, RSS feeds, and interactive messaging. HP’s relationship with Scala (Exton, PA) precedes an upcoming announcement of an official HP ISV program in this area, expected in the next few months.

“The new HP SignagePlayer mp8000s and HP SignagePlayer mp8000r, featuring Scala QuickStart software, enable businesses to quickly and affordably deploy full-featured digital signage solutions,” stated Bob Rosenberry, Manager, Visual Solutions, Retail Solutions Global Business Unit, HP. “Professional digital signage is now within reach for businesses large and small.” Rosenberry joined HP in February, following tenures at digital signage solution developers AGN Professional, Exhibio, and WebMedia Services.

HP SignagePlayer mp8000s, Shown Mounted Behind Display (Top, Right)

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ALLIANCES

Good Citizenship at BlueStar

BlueStar (Hebron, KY) has stocked the mid-range CT-S651 thermal receipt printer from Citizen Systems America (Torrance, CA). A smaller brother of the CT-S851, the CT-S651 offers front-exit receipt printing and features full compatibility with previous Citizen models, as well as those from competing vendors. It also comes equipped with an internal memory large enough to store logos, custom fonts, keywords, and downloaded applications.

In terms of performance, the CT-S651 features print speed of 200 mm/second, cut speed of 0.5 seconds, and print widths of two inches and three inches. Printer status and errors are indicated by three LEDs and buzzer, an innovative self-retracting cutter handles paper jams, and USB and Serial ports allow external devices to be connected. Finally, Citizen’s SpillShield prevents liquid spills or foreign materials from damaging the internal mechanism. For this reason, the CT-S651 is particularly well-suited for use in hospitality, as well as areas of retail in which higher levels of contamination occur, such as bakeries, garden centers, and do-it-yourself stores, according to the manufacturer.

“There is an extensive list of features on Citizen’s CT-S651, making this printer one we are pleased to distribute at BlueStar,” relayed Rob Dorsey, BlueStar’s VP of Sales. “It’s user and customer friendly, with its quick printing, versatile design, customizable attributes, and variable interfaces. Adding the CT-S651 to our printing solutions inventory enables us to provide an even wider array of printing options for our value-added resellers.” Last month, Citizen Systems America and BlueStar Latin America reaffirmed their strategic partnership in the region with the official launch of the “Citizen Club Membership,” intended to guarantee high-quality sales and service experiences for customers.

Citizen Systems’ CT-S651 Receipt Printer

Taking Back the Charge Back

GlobeRanger (Richardson, TX) and CommerceWorx (Mississauga, ON, Canada) have joined forces to tackle the charge-back dilemma in the retail supply chain. Their joint offering, dubbed GR-Shipping Validation Solution, or GR-VSS, reportedly ensures accurate ship count to the Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) as expected by Wal-Mart and other large retailers. It combines CWX-Runway, the modular approach to RFID and EDI compliance from CommerceWorx, with the iMotion infrastructure management platform from GlobeRanger. Goodbye lost dollars, according to the two parties.

Utilizing GlobeRanger’s iMotion, the GR-SVS marries and verifies, through the use of RFID-enabled packages, the actual ship quantity to the expected ASN. When discrepancies occur between the ship quantity and ASN, GR-SVS automatically flags and stops the package, allowing reconciliation by the supplier. CWX-Runway contains not only ASN required data such as the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC), but also the entire Electronic Product Code (EPC) data requirements, according to its developer.

“GlobeRanger is pleased to partner with CommerceWorx in the development and release of GR-SVS,” shared Michael Becker, Director of Marketing for GlobeRanger. “The elimination of charge backs provides immediate ROI results for vendors. Not only will vendors avoid charge backs for ASN discrepancies, but also charge backs on carton or pallet barcode labels with increased real-time operational efficiency.”

RFID and and EDI Combine to Reconcile the Advanced Shipping Notice

Code Corner

ServerCentral (Chicago) presented its Dedicated Private Cloud solution, designated ServerCentral DPC. Unlike traditional public cloud offerings in which each customer is kept on virtual slice of a large, shared infrastructure, the ServerCentral DPC is a single-tenant solution, according to the company--in other words, one truly private cloud built to meet the needs of each individual client. Applications and data are kept in an exclusive, secure, and cost-effective environment as part of this new architecture. Key features of the ServerCentral DPC include: control plane interface, virtual machine hosting supporting VMware and the popular open-source hypervisors, dedicated SAN and NAS, and highly scalable content storage (up to multiple petabytes of private object storage, or thousands of terabytes). Building blocks of ServerCentral DPC can be deployed in any ServerCentral market across the U.S., Amsterdam, and Tokyo supported by ServerCentral’s managed services, including dedicated firewalls, load balancers, and highly scalable IP transit and transport. Solutions are available immediately starting under $10,000. “Many businesses look to take advantage of cloud technology but are unable or unwilling to use public cloud platforms,” noted Avi Freedman, ServerCentral Chief Technology Officer and architect of cloud services. “They just don’t feel the multi-tenant shared infrastructures provide comfortable levels of security for their entire application suite, and find they pay more for lower performance as compared to their own dedicated environment. We’ll be introducing our shared cloud products early next year, but the demand from our customers today led us to bring the Dedicated Private Cloud to market first.”

For Paul McCartney, the Private Cloud Comes Courtesy of Hewlett-Packard and Distributes His Life’s Work

MILESTONES

Leave the Loading to Datacap

Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA) has been awarded U.S. Patent 7,814,013 pertaining to AutoLoad technology used in its Tran (DialTran, IPTran, TwinTran) product line. The patent applies to the method in which Datacap’s Tran products, used for integrated electronic payments, obtain and load their merchant files remotely in the field. Each Tran unit is equipped with unique Device ID that is attached to the merchant file previously created on Datacap’s Payment Systems Configuration Server, or PSCS. Once the Device ID is entered into the appropriate field in the merchant file, the blank Tran will automatically load its merchant parameter file during its first transaction, making the process completely transparent to the user/installer.

Datacap Systems’ PSCS is currently used by POS/ECR dealers and their ISO/Acquirer partners to create, store, edit, and maintain merchant parameter files for Tran and soon to be released NETePay 5.0. The patent covers the AutoLoad operation at the system level (Tran/ePay and PSCS), the merchant level (Tran/ePay), and the server level (PSCS). Datacap’s payment interfaces allow virtually any POS/ECR configuration, regardless of operating system or hardware platform, to get easy access to payment processing networks for credit, debit, check, EBT, FSA, gift/prepaid card, and loyalty program acceptance.

“Centralized merchant file creation and storage allows Datacap to offer true plug-and-play solutions to our dealer channel, further simplifying integrated payment implementation,” commented Terry Zeigler, President/CEO of Datacap Systems. “Authorized dealers can log onto their PSCS account to create, edit, and activate merchant files. Or, they can rely on one of Datacap’s dealer-friendly acquirer partners to build the merchant file for them, so they can do what they do best--install the POS/ECR system, create a long-term customer with a low service/support burden, and move on to the next sale.”

Datacap’s Tran Receives U.S. Patent for Merchant AutoLoad

ParTech Takes SUBWAY, Visits PCI

ParTech, Inc. (New Hartford, NY) has been recognized by SUBWAY restaurants and the Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC) with the organizations’ annual Rookie of the Year award in the technology category. Since 2009, ParTech has supplied SUBWAY with its PAR EverServ 6000 POS terminals and all required peripherals. PAR also provides SUBWAY franchisees with optional on-site service and professional equipment installation for the SUBWAY POS solution. IPC comprises an independent SUBWAY franchisee-owned and operated purchasing group.

“In its first full year as a hardware supplier for SUBWAY POS, PAR has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in all major award criteria including customer service, continuous improvement, operational execution, and feedback from SUBWAY franchise owners,” stated Marina O’Rourke, Director of Retail Technology at SUBWAY. “As a new technology vendor, PAR worked diligently to become a true partner to SUBWAY and we are pleased to recognize the company’s important contributions to our success.” Added Brian Wheeler, Director of Services at IPC, “PAR has excelled at every level, from round-the-clock support and outstanding field service to best-in-class installation, technical assistance, inventory management, product quality, and responsiveness.”

ParTech also announced that it has joined the PCI Security Standards Council, where it will participate in setting and disseminating the latest payment card data protection guidelines, including PCI DSS. “Our customers need secure systems to process and transmit payment card transactions and PAR takes credit card security very seriously,” said Scott Langdoc, Chief Technology Officer, ParTech, Inc. “The PCI Security Standards Council is instrumental in driving improved cardholder data security across all industries and we are committed to taking an active role in helping shape the future of payment card data protection standards.”

ParTech EverServ 6000 Pleases World’s Largest Sandwich Chain

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
Logic Controls
Pioneer POS
Posiflex Business Machines
POS-X

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Mobile Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Godex International

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
Datalogic Mobile
Janam Technologies

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Touch Displays & Monitors
3M Touch Systems

Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Aldata Raises Its Voice

Aldata (Atlanta) will resell ToughTalk voice-recognition technology from LXE (Norcross, GA) as part of its Aldata Voice Directed Warehousing solution. This new relationship falls under LXE’s PartnerPass Program and extends the European ties the two companies forged in 2008. LXE’s ToughTalk features ruggedized system design, advanced audio circuitry, and noise-cancelling techniques to support voice-directed and voice-enabled mobile computing in the harsh and loud conditions commonly found in logistics.

“We look forward to replicating the success of our partnership with Aldata in Europe here in the United States,” related Tom Riecke, VP of Sales, Americas at LXE. “As supply chains become more complex, they often require multi-modal input--there may be areas where voice works best, and others where scanning or typing is preferred. A solution that brings together Aldata with LXE ToughTalk-enabled mobile computers makes that type of process seamless.”

Just this week, Aldata Solutions also introduced “Dollars for Dinosaurs,” its cleverly-named promotion that allows Vocollect T2 customers in North America to implement the Voice Directed Warehousing solution at discounted pricing. Under the program, Vocollect customers can receive up to $750 cash back for every traded terminal, as well as 68% off the VDW licenses, 20% off WMS integration services, and one year of free maintenance with the purchase of two-year maintenance contract. Aldata has joined with leading hardware providers such as LXE and Motorola Solutions in this effort.

Tom Riecke, VP of Sales, Americas, LXE

[Editor’s Note: For its part, LXE announced certification of its new Marathon field computer with AirWatch Mobile Device Management (MDM) software. “AirWatch further improves LXE’s already impressive ROI by ensuring each and every Marathon field computer is ‘out-of-the-box’ ready and secure, and has immediate access to remote support and maintenance,” said Alan Dabbiere, Chairman of AirWatch, which is also based in the Atlanta area.]

Kaseya: Money Changes Everything

Kaseya (San Francisco), one of the leading providers of IT system management software, has acquired ObjAcct, Inc. (Bowling Green, OH), makers of the ObjAcct XML Accounting Suite, perhaps the world’s first XML web service-based numbers platform. IT professionals, including the VARs courted by Kaseya, will now be able to analyze and report combined technical and financial data to assist in the alignment of IT with overall business goals, according to the two parties. Kaseya will integrate the ObjAcct XML Accounting Suite into its system and service management platform, creating an easy way to capture and monetize the costs associated with such delivery of IT services.

Specifically, the suite will become Kaseya Financials for IT Services, an integral new element of Kaseya’s core framework. When combined with the Billing for IT Services application derived from the 2009 purchase of the assets of Datatune, Inc., Kaseya now has all the elements needed to manage “money, people, and IT assets.” ObjAcct was founded by Lee Mellinger in 2003 to supply vertical market and SaaS software companies with full-featured SMB accounting functionality, and wields its vast API of over 3,000 XML web services.

“I am very excited to have the ObjAcct team join Kaseya on this quest to fill in the blanks in the next generation of IT systems,” remarked Gerald Blackie, Chairman and CEO of Kaseya. “Lee and his team are stars, and credits to their profession, having worked on and written some of the best financial systems in the world. We think the ObjAcct XML Accounting Suite will help us greatly in reshaping IT for decades to come.”

ObjAcct XML Accounting Suite Added to IT System and Service Management Platform

Channel Factoid

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) for the SMB, according to “Diversity Reigns: The Second Annual Industry Study of Level 4 Merchant PCI Compliance Trends,” conducted by ControlScan and Merchant Warehouse. For instance, 45% of micro-merchants (businesses that have 1 to 10 employees) reported familiarity with PCI DSS. In contrast, 91% of large Level 4 merchants (those with 51 or more employees) confirmed such awareness. Merchant spending to achieve PCI compliance also correlates with company size. Somewhat less than half of micro-merchants who responded spend nothing on PCI compliance, while the majority of larger Level 4 merchants spend between $500 and $20,000. In fact, nearly half of the micro-merchant respondents also said “completing the paperwork” for PCI DSS was the extent of their compliance efforts, suggesting that they lack any comprehensive approach whatsoever. Taken together, only 41% of brick-and-mortar retailers in this category place high priority on PCI DSS, versus 61% of their counterparts in e-commerce. Perhaps the single unifying factor among all of the Level 4 merchant respondents is that they don’t understand what they need to do to become PCI compliant and that they want and need help in this area. According to the survey respondents, small merchants tend to look to their merchant banks and then to vendors of POS software, payment equipment, and hosting as their “go to” resources for PCI compliance and security information. “Based on the results of this survey, we as an industry have an opportunity to create better educational tools that can help the small to mid-sized merchants understand the importance and process of protecting cardholder data from the start,” stated Henry Helgeson, Co-CEO of Merchant Warehouse.

HELLO GOODBYE

Usyk Powers Zonal’s U.S. Push

Zonal Hospitality Systems (Maitland, FL) has enlisted POS industry veteran Jay Usyk as its SVP. Usyk will be responsible for sales and marketing efforts as well as the strategic business development of the organization with an immediate focus on the reseller channel. Based in New York City, he joins the executive management committee, working closely with senior personnel at both Zonal Hospitality and its parent company, Zonal Retail Data Systems, located in the U.K. Zonal specializes in technology for restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Usyk has devoted more than 30 years to the retail technology industry. During this time, he has held posts such as EVP for Managed Data Group LLC, Director of Education at the Retail Solutions Providers Association, VP of Sales for Sharp Electronics POS & Computer Division, President/COO for MICROS of South Florida, and Managing Director for the U.S. Distribution Channel at MICROS Systems. Additionally, Usyk has written and contributed to various publications and has taught many sales and training classes within the industry.

“Zonal’s proven track record goes back to our parent company in the U.K., which has been an innovator in hospitality for over 25 years and enjoys significant, industry-leading market share,” Usyk told RRN.Com. “Our POS terminals are designed by us and manufactured for the rigors of the hospitality industry, and our POS applications are also written by us and are available both for the front and back of the house. We sincerely believe that our offerings will reduce downtime and improve efficiency for business owners.”

Jay Usyk, SVP of Zonal Hospitality Systems

A New Deal for Chip Cards

The Smart Card Alliance Payments Council (Princeton Junction, NJ), formerly the Contactless and Mobile Payments Council, has expanded its charter to include all chip-enabled payments and payment applications in the U.S., spanning EMV, contactless, NFC, mobility, and e-commerce formats. The Council also announced its new officers and steering committee, including new Co-Chairs Simon Hurry from Visa and Oliver Manahan from MasterCard. In total, 150 individuals from over 50 organizations participate in its activities, including card issuers, payment brands, merchants, financial payment processors, terminal vendors, card manufacturers, and systems integrators/consultants.

“With most of the world moving to EMV chip payments and experimenting with other chip-based applications, the big question within the U.S. payments industry is, ‘How would chip affect the United States?’” indicated Randy Vanderhoof, Executive Director of the Smart Card Alliance. “The Payments Council has worked tirelessly this year examining this very question, providing extensive educational material on chip-enabled payments, which enable innovation and help address counterfeit fraud.”

“The Smart Card Alliance Payments Council is an organization that brings together industry players that may have divergent disciplines but are still focused on commerce,” added Oliver Manahan, who serves as VP of MasterCard Worldwide. “We are in store for an exciting year in the payments industry, with many contactless transit payment products in development, and buzz continuing to grow for mobile payment. It will be valuable to discuss and debate the economic impacts related to chip-based payments and applications in other areas, and create resources based on those findings.”

Oliver Manahan, VP of MasterCard Worldwide and Co-Chair of Smart Card Alliance Payments Council

[Editor’s Note:  The Smart Card Alliance Payments Council offers its educational resources through its website at www.smartcardalliance.org.]