This Week’s Product Pick

Datalogic Scanning (Eugene, OR) unboxed its Gryphon I GM4400 two-dimensional barcode reader/imager, carrying the company’s STAR cordless radio system at 433 MHz or 910 MHz and approximate range of 90 feet/30 meters. Intended for general-purpose applications, including retail and warehousing, this new device reads one and two-dimensional barcodes and includes “Motionix” motion-sensing technology and automatic transition between stand and handheld modes. Sharing common characteristics and compatibility with other Gryphon 4400 readers, it furnishes non-flickering deep-red illumination, patented “Green Spot” technology for good read feedback, and point-to-multipoint installation capability with up to 16 devices connected to the same base station. All common interfaces are offered, as well as an IP-52 environmental rating, 6-foot drop resistance. Lithium-Ion battery with 60,000 scans per charge, and downloadable Datalogic Aladdin configuration software. “We are very pleased to complete our Gryphon GM4400 2D reader series,” noted Giulio Berzuini, GM of Handheld Scanning for Datalogic. “Our STAR radio offers quick, efficient, and real-time scanning in previously hard-to-read areas.”

Gryphon I GM4400 by Datalogic Scanning

COMPANY BUSINESS

ParTech Pushes PixelPoint Boundaries

ParTech, Inc. (New Hartford, NY) has released PAR EverServ PixelPoint Version 11, which carries 38 new features and enhancements, 27 of which were direct requests from PAR’s Partner Advisory Board. EverServ PixelPoint V11 follows the precepts of PAR’s Boundless Hospitality theme, set forth in early 2010, seeking to provide restaurant operators with streamlined service, state-of-the-art management tools, and access to emerging technologies such as customer loyalty, web ordering, and mobility through its Software Development Kit (SDK). Sold heavily through the channel, PixelPoint addresses restaurants of all sizes and segments--quick service, fast casual, or fine dining--and complements the company’s two POS terminals dedicated to foodservice, the PAR EverServ 2000 and PAR EverServ 6000.

“Ease of use has always been one core focus of PAR’s product design principles and EverServ PixelPoint V11 is no exception,” stated Scott Langdoc, CTO for ParTech. “The latest enhancements to PixelPoint make both front of the house and back of the house operations easier and more flexible. Whether it is customizing the theme and button placement of the ordering screens, designing reports, managing back-ups, or integrating to third-party applications--everything is now easier.”

Significantly, PixelPoint’s report viewer is now available as standalone program, capable of running directly from the Windows Desktop shortcut rather than through PixelPoint BackOffice. In addition, an import utility included in V11 enables operators to more efficiently draw data from external sources, with straightforward matching of fields and automated back-up and recovery. “The flexibility of PixelPoint V11’s reporting tool gives us the information we need, when we need it, and in the format that is easy to review and identify trends and exceptions,” testified Juan Pablo, Owner of Papi Chulo’s Restaurant in Corpus Christi, TX. Communication methods for alerts include e-mail or mobile phone.

EverServ PixelPoint Version 11 With Customizable Screens

APG’s Vigilant Cash Drawer

APG Cash Drawer (Minneapolis) has offered the first public integration of its NetPro Cash Drawer with Ethernet, which brings remote monitoring down to the peripheral level. Building upon the drawer’s networking flexibility, Vigilix, LLC (Greenville, SC) has linked its Vigilix Application Support Tool (VAST), so store owners can be notified whenever the cash drawer has been manually opened or has been opened for too long. In addition, service providers get access to operational and hardware details specific to each individual drawer at their customer’s locations. This bundle now will be offered to the marketplace, RRN.Com was told by Bob Daugs, Business Development Manager for APG, and represents the first security application for the NetPro Ethernet Cash Drawer.

“Loss prevention is huge right now in any industry and we see the NetPro interface as an additional value-add service POS support organizations can provide to their customers,” relayed Andrew Kurtz, President/CEO of Vigilix. “Imagine you are a store owner and while you are out running an errand, you get a text message that someone has manually opened a cash drawer. This notification and information can be invaluable if you need to review video surveillance or reconcile a register.” According to Daugs, network camera activity may be driven by specific, programmable criteria with NetPro.

“We introduced NetPro one year ago with the primary function targeted at the mobility market,” Daugs responded when RRN.Com asked about future plans. “It can now communicate with any other network device. As everyone in the industry knows, POS software is being written to operate on popular mobile platforms. With the drawer on the network, your smart-phone or tablet can address it without having to go through the terminal or receipt printer. This could mean significant cost savings for the entire POS hardware package.”

Ethernet Capability in APG NetPro Tied to Vigilix

Worth Your While

Customer Engagement
Technology World
JDEvents
November 9-10
New York

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

NRA Show 2012
National Restaurant Association
May 5-8
Chicago

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Seeing Red at Honeywell

Honeywell Scanning & Mobility (Fort Mill, SC) has unveiled its new handheld scanner with color-imaging capabilities, designated Xenon 1900 Color. This nifty device, also offered in cordless version as the Xenon 1902 Color, utilizes Adaptus Imaging Technology 6.0 and Honeywell’s ColorFusion Technology in order to read difficult, high-contrast symbologies--such as red barcodes on white backgrounds--as well as the colored portions of identification cards. In addition, healthcare professionals may use it to take color photographs for improved wound management as well as visual verification of patients. (Both the Xenon 1900 and 1902 Color scanners may be ordered with disinfectant-ready housing.)

Upgrades also have been made to these new Xenon scanners in areas of extended depth of field, improved data matrix and mobile phone reading, adjustable illumination, Bluetooth HID keyboard interface, and optional laser aimers, according to the vendor. Weighing about 5 ounces, with single-board design and fewer components, the Xenon 1900 Color withstands up to 50 drops to concrete from up to 6 feet and carries an IP-41 environmental rating. Its new color-reading capability does not compromise Xenon’s “best-in-class” scanning performance on black and white codes, Honeywell emphasized.

“With the backing of our strong patent suite, we have set the standard for color data capture in the AIDC space,” declared Taylor Smith, Director of Product Management, Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. “Our extensive list of patented and patent-pending technologies, specifically around the implementation of global shutter and color-filtered sensors, will enable us to continue our track record of bringing leading solutions to the market that will open new applications for our customers. Emergence and adoption of mobile phone reading in recent years has changed the way companies interact with consumers in various industries, and Honeywell anticipates that color imaging will quickly follow suit.”

Honeywell’s Xenon 1900 With Color-Imaging Capabilities

Planar Frames Its Signage Argument

Planar Systems (Portland, OR) has introduced its new line of large-format LCD displays for digital signage usage in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and business settings, dubbed the PS Series. Engineered from the ground up for the commercial market, according to the vendor, and offered in six models, these displays feature full-metal casing, unified appearance, state-of-the-art reliability, and screen sizes ranging from 42 to 65 inches. Additional benefits include touchscreen functionality, multiple connectivity options, video wall support, and ambient backlight control.

“Digital signage integrators and end-users expect an affordable, commercial-grade digital signage display from Planar, and the PS Series delivers,” offered Becky Connors, Product Marketing Manager at Planar Systems. “Many of the current entry-level digital signage displays on the market are re-engineered televisions that lack the features required for long-life performance. The Planar PS Series is the only family of displays in this price range built to commercial grade and backed by an industry-leading warranty--Planar CustomerFirst, which covers all shipping expenses, including expedited delivery of replacement units.”

Planar PS4200 (42-inch) and PS6500 (65-inch) provide full high-definition, 1080-pixel resolution, with entry-level MSRP of $849 and $4,799, respectively. Planar PS4250 (42-inch), PS4650 (46-inch), and PS5550 (55-inch) were described as ultra-slim, energy-efficient, and lightweight, with full high-definition, 1080-pixel resolution, as well as edge LED backlighting. MSRP ranges from $1,199 to $2,799. Lastly, Planar PS4200TL (42-inch) represents the company’s professional display with integrated dual-touch capability above and beyond previous baseline benefits, at an MSRP of $1,699. All will go to market through Planar’s worldwide network of authorized resellers, distributors, and design partners.

Planar’s PS Series of Commercial LCDs

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ALLIANCES

Zinga, Goes the Sound of Sundrop

Sundrop Mobile (Orlando) has been engaged by the Zinga Frozen Yogurt Franchise Group to deploy its Sundrop Mobile Loyalty for all corporate and franchise stores. Zinga represents one of the fast-growing concerns in its category, with five open stores, four under construction, and 95 in development. Reportedly, Sundrop Mobile Loyalty delivered dramatic results during an evaluation period in Zinga’s store in Virginia, with over 8,800 new mobile registrations into their program in the first 90 days. In addition, the store’s first SMS text broadcast offering new customers 20% off their next visit resulted in an 8% redemption rate over the three days of the promotion. Additional outlets experienced similar registration and redemption rates.

Working in conjunction with POS, Sundrop Mobile Loyalty replaces plastic loyalty cards with customers’ mobile phone numbers. This works to boost participation while eliminating any need for merchant administration, since Sundrop automatically manages acquisition of additional customer demographics. Further, the scheme seamlessly integrates social media (such as Facebook and Twitter) and location-based services and tracks return-on-investment results via its closed-loop marketing process.

“Not only are we thrilled with the strong consumer adoption and response rates that Sundrop has been delivering, but our franchisees have all commented on the quality of Sundrop’s support and responsiveness to our special requests,” reported John Fitchett, President of Zinga. “We’re very pleased and look forward to the long-term relationship with Sundrop as our loyalty marketing partner.” On his part, Travis Priest, CEO of Sundrop Mobile, noted that Zinga’s results “are in-line with what our other quick-service and quick-casual customers experience.”

Sundrop Mobile Loyalty Replaces Plastic Cards With Phone Numbers

Retail Pro: Keeping Customers in Contact

Retail Pro International (Folsom, CA) and Seamless Receipts (New York) have partnered with Constant Contact in an effort to help retailers bridge the gap between securing e-mail addresses from their customers and transferring those e-mail addresses into marketing databases. Such integration eliminates the tedious process of manually extracting data from the POS system, and “with just one click,” delivers updated, segmented customer lists directly into Constant Contact Email Marketing campaigns. This will allow retailers to more effectively reach customers and prospects, according to Retail Pro, which has been particularly newsworthy of late.

“For small businesses, time truly is money. Tools that simplify critical business processes and get small business owners back to their customers aren’t just nice-to-haves, they are must-have’s,” observed Rick Jensen, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Constant Contact (Waltham, MA). “These integrations are just one more way we can help small businesses reduce inefficiencies and let them focus on building relationships with their customers and driving repeat business.” To date, more than 450,000 small businesses, non-profits, and associations worldwide employee Constant Contact--including, in the name of full disclosure, RRN.Com.

“It’s a win for us any time we can help our customers save time, and this integration does just that,” confirmed Kerry Lemos, CEO at Retail Pro International. “Together, we’re turning what used to be a time-consuming, manual process into an easy, automated step for our joint Constant Contact Email Marketing users.” Full customer name, address, and phone number, as well as key information such as store credit, charge balance, and user-defined fields can be exported from Retail Pro to Constant Contact, and through the participation of Seamless Receipts, retailers can deliver electronic messages to customers, engaging them with branded communications and personalized promotions beyond the purchase.

Kerry Lemos, CEO of Retail Pro International

Code Corner

ADR Software, LLC (Reston, VA) has added a new integrated safety incident management module for its self-named workforce monitoring service for the construction industry. This new build utilizes broadband-enabled handheld RFID scanners to allow general contractors to capture and record accidents in the field, whenever and wherever they occur. Through ADR's web portal, safety managers, can track the result of an incident through its entire course, according to the developer, and once the incident gets recorded in the field, it becomes instantly recognizable to all authorized users throughout the general contractor’s organization. “We believe this release constitutes meaningful evolution for field safety monitoring and reporting,” explained Bruce Labovitz, Co-Founder and President of ADR Software. “The ability to monitor multiple workforces, across a variety of jobs, and receive real-time alerts when violations and incidents occur will not only save time, it will reduce risk and improve job site safety.” Based on passive RFID technology, ADR’s methodology, dubbed the ADR Network, affixes tags to an individual’s hard hat or ID badge, to be read by dedicated readers positioned throughout commercial construction sites.

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit, Wear RFID

Xterprise (Dallas) will market an RFID item-level “display compliancy system” which allows footwear retailers to perfectly match inventory with their store-floor planograms for maximum sales. Based on the developer’s Clarity Mobile platform, featuring scan-and-view capability, this new app will furnish real-time reporting for users in the preferred terminology of the stocking catalogue and without the need for any Electronic Product Code (EPC) to Product Descriptor translation tables. As expected, it provides the capacity to search and find misplaced inventory using the “Geiger Counter” function on the mobile terminal. Moreover, its central reporting feature supports chain-wide viewing of display compliance and display inventory template configuration.

“A display compliance business case describes the perfect and simple use of RFID/item-level technology to create value for retailers by ensuring what they want on the sales floor will be in the sales floor displays,” indicated Dean Frew, CEO of Xterprise. “We continue to find processes across the retail spectrum where our light footprint and easy-to-deploy applications for Clarity can be applied to unserved business problems. This system is so intuitive and has so little to install that it is not uncommon for us to bring the customer up and running within several hours after products are tagged and on the floor.”

Interestingly, Clarity Mobile leverages Microsoft’s Azure cloud-platform, meaning customers only need wireless connectivity for the RFID terminals within the store, and no servers, while still enjoying the full benefit of reporting delivered through their inventory web portal. In addition to Azure, Xterprise utilizes Microsoft .Net, SQL, and Windows Mobile, as well as its own Clarity ST (for “Source Tagging”). In making its announcement, Xterprise quoted extremely strong return on investment for its new system--more than $3 million per year in increased sales for the footwear retailer with 400 stores and products in the $50/pair average price range, based on additional movement of just three or four pairs of shoes per week.

New Display Compliancy System for Footwear Retailers Sewn Together by Xterprise

Ever More Cognizant of Retail

Cognizant (Teaneck, NJ), the massive IT solution provider, has acquired substantially all of the assets of Zaffera, LLC (Princeton, NJ), one of the leading strategic SAP retail consulting and software development firms. Like Cognizant, Zaffera helps the world’s top retail brands navigate the rapid changes brought about by new technology and demographic shifts, in its case with more than 100 professionals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed by the two parties.

To provide retailers with “real-time visibility into what products are on their shelves, the rate at which they are selling, and who is buying them,” Zaffera offers its portfolio of SAP retail solutions and accelerators in areas such as business analytics, enterprise planning, POS integration, and store operations. Not coincidentally, Cognizant’s retail practice is among the company’s fastest-growing industry segments. This purchase should add to previous investment by Cognizant in building IP to create the “future of shopping” across disciplines such as supply chain, merchandising, brick and mortar, and e-commerce.

“The retail industry is facing intense economic and competitive pressures. The advent of new technologies like social media, mobility, and cloud computing have created more empowered, savvy consumers, with retailers working harder than ever to attract and retain customers in the face of thin margins,” postulated Francisco D’Souza, CEO/President of Cognizant. “This acquisition will strengthen our ability to help retailers address these challenges and seize new opportunities created by multi-channel retailing. Zaffera’s outstanding consulting expertise and software solutions will enhance Cognizant’s rapidly growing SAP retail practice and our ability to deliver complex, large-scale, global business transformations.”

Francisco D’Souza, CEO/President of Cognizant

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
CognitiveTPG
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

INSTALLATIONS

Venues Savor Agilysys

Agilysys, Inc. (Cleveland) will deploy its Agilysys Eatec inventory and procurement platform for SAVOR, the food concessions arm of SMG, one the largest venue management companies in the world, as part of an effort to streamline operations and enhance guest service. Facilities to be outfitted first include Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK; Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu; Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in Long Beach, CA; and Savannah International Trade & Convention Center in Savannah, GA. SAVOR’s retail food program includes kiosks, concessions, portable arts, restaurants, and cafes.

Agilysys Eatec, built upon Microsoft Windows, was designed specifically for the foodservice and hospitality industries. Along with its core purchasing, inventory, recipe, forecasting, production, and sales analysis functions, the system also offers modules for buffet management, catering, nutrition, retail management, and cycle planning. In addition to flexibility and scalability, it delivers more than 400 standard reports, which will allow SAVOR customers to make more informed business decisions, according to the two parties.

“When selecting the solution to control our inventory and catering operations, we determined that the Agilysys Eatec system provided the best value and has the functionality to handle our diversified business model,” acknowledged T.J. Heininger, Corporate Finance Director at SAVOR. “We use standardized systems in concessions and accounting, and we wanted to close the loop on all critical information pathways. Eatec’s core inventory system, along with its add-on modules, will enable us to do that while strengthening our competitive advantage. We believe implementation of this system will materially demonstrate additional SAVOR value in the eyes of our current clients and will also help us attract new business opportunities.”

Concessions To Be Provisioned by Agilysys Eatec

Hat Trick for Loss Prevention Player

Pretty good week for Sysrepublic (Los Angeles), which announced three new customers for its loss prevention technology: 7-Eleven and Stein Mart in the U.S. and IKEA in the U.K. 7-Eleven and Stein Mart join the developer’s growing U.S. roster of retailers such as Safeway, WinCo Foods, and Wegman’s. Not surprisingly, 7-Eleven comprises the largest installation, with 6,800 locations nationwide. By comparison, Stein Mart, which markets fashion at discount prices, will roll out the solution in over 260 outlets. For its part, IKEA has 19 stores across the U.K.

“Adding customers of this caliber to our portfolio reaffirms our position as the leading solution provider in our space, and to be chosen by such respected organizations is something we’re truly proud of,” shared Nathan Smith, North American CEO for Sysrepublic. “With more than half of our business in retail integration, we’re in a unique position to handle customer requests to link various data sources rapidly and easily, providing a clear window into employee theft. We’re very excited in bringing these customers onto our platform and look forward to providing years of business value.”

Founded in 2002 in London, Sysrepublic already handles many major retailers in the U.K., such as Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s. Just recently it made major upgrades to its flagship product, entitled “Secure.” These include better query performance on data, simplified and faster application navigation, reduced implementation time for SaaS deployments, and customizable, role-based user portals. Overall, Secure has been constructed with the goal of integrating traditional POS data with additional sources from supply/delivery, inventory, cash office/finance, human resources, and CCTV, according to this solution provider.

7-Eleven Fights Shrink With Sysrepublic

Channel Factoid

Context-aware technologies will affect $96 billion of annual consumer spending worldwide by 2015, according to Gartner. By that time, more than 15% of all payment card transactions will be validated using context information. “Context-aware computing is the method by which new experiences are constructed that blend information from mobile, social, digital, and physical world sources,” summarized William Clark, Research VP at Gartner. “The disruptions caused by context-aware computing will include major user, technology, and business shifts, including model-driven security in fraud detection and prevention, convergence in television, game, web, and mobile advertising, and new styles of application programming. This advanced use of personal information will draw the interest of governments in regulating contextual information access and control.” Gartner estimates that by 2015, 40% of the world’s smart-phone users will opt-in to context service providers that track their activities. At that time, smart-phone adoption of iOS, Android, and Windows will stand at more than 1.8 billion people. Participating vendors already possess vast amounts of information about so-called “digital habits,” and thus, content providers will be able to exploit three-dimensional mapping as the foundation for how consumers search and pay for products and services. This will present new opportunities--and challenges--in the positioning of financial service providers, consumer packaged goods manufacturers, and retailers.

HELLO GOODBYE

Thoughts of Flynn at Kitchen Brains

Kitchen Brains (Stratford, CT) has named Tracy Flynn as its new VP of Global Sales and Services. Flynn is well-known in the hospitality arena, having spent over 20 years at NCR Corporation in various leadership positions, including marketing, product management, and sales, culminating in VP of Hospitality and Gaming. Before joining his new employer, he also served as VP and GM of Hospitality Solutions for Infor. Kitchen Brains spun out of Food Automation-Service Techniques (FAST), one of the leading manufacturers of timers, temperature controls, and process controllers. It seeks to automate and link all components of food preparation for commercial kitchens through wireless networking and its SaaS-based Quality Production Management, or QPM. Think of it as ERP for its target audience.

“We are delighted to welcome Tracy Flynn to the Kitchen Brains leadership team,” remarked Ben Koether, Kitchen Brains’ Chairman. “His innovative sales and marketing vision combined with our industry-leading technology solutions will strategically position Kitchen Brains to build upon its recent global contract initiatives with Yum Restaurants International and beyond.”  A family operation, Kitchen Brains counts George Koether as President and Christian Koether as VP, and, incidentally, was previously known as SCK Direct.

“Kitchen Brains’ QPM promises to revolutionize commercial kitchen operations for the 21st Century,” suggested Flynn. “It streamlines processes and links appliance controls to provide the smart kitchen of the future. I am truly excited to be able to bring this product and other innovative Kitchen Brains solutions such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), set point management, and energy management to restaurants worldwide.”

Tracy Flynn, VP of Global Sales and Services, Kitchen Brains

“I Shall Return,” Monie Tells Ingram Micro

Alain Monie will rejoin Ingram Micro (Santa Ana, CA) as President/COO, the position he held from 2007 to 2010 before leaving to become CEO of APRIL Management Pte., an industrial concern based in Asia. Effective November 1, Monie will assume responsibility for the distributor’s global operations, reporting to Gregory M. Spierkel, CEO. Monie joined Ingram Micro as EVP in January 2003 and was appointed President of the Asia-Pacific region the next year. Prior to Ingram Micro, he headed Latin American efforts for Honeywell International and Asia-Pacific for Allied Signal, where he spearheaded that company’s expansion into China and India.

“I’m pleased to welcome Alain back to Ingram Micro,” Spierkel stated. “He is an outstanding and worldly leader, fluent in three languages with first-hand business experience in many corners of the globe. He played a critical role in the development of our Asia-Pacific business, including the acquisition of Tech Pacific in 2004, and later led operational improvements that enhanced performance throughout the organization. He has proven to be a strong executive partner, with good strategic thinking and excellent attention to detail. I look forward to working with him again.”

Alain Monie, President/COO, Ingram Micro

[Editor’s Note:  Somewhat closer to the ground, Ingram Micro has also announced that Kaseya (San Jose, CA) has signed onto distribution for its automated IT systems management software. “Our new services distribution agreement with Ingram Micro will make it easier for managed services partners (MSPs) to capture new business opportunities and grow their business,” said Tim McMullen, COO at Kaseya.]