Our Product Pick

Axicon has presented its Model 15000 portable barcode verification system. Consisting of array imaging camera and application software, it can be used to verify linear barcodes with maximum length of 2 in. (52 mm) and two-dimensional symbologies with maximum size of 2 in. x 1.25 in. (52 mm x 31 mm). Powered solely by an accompanying computer's USB 2 port, Axicon 15000 falls in line with ISO/ANSI standards while supporting efforts in traceability and remote diagnostics. Based in the U.K., Axicon sells widely through third-parties in the U.S. Free software updates are provided from the company's website, ensuring compliance with changing requirements.

Axicon 15000 Portable Barcode Verifier

COMPANY BUSINESS

Ingram Micro: Powa to the People

Making its move in tablets, Ingram Micro will distribute the PowaPOS T-Series POS in North America. Introduced earlier this year, the PowaPOS T-Series supports major tablet platforms with its clean package of tilting/swiveling mount, high-speed printer, two-dimensional scanner, cash drawer, card reader, and multiple expansion ports. Significantly, it anticipates EMV with its PowaPIN payment terminal.

"The innovative PowaPOS platform is the ideal component to help us deliver a complete POS and payments solution to our channel partners, one that is also EMV-ready to meet the need for retailers and others to upgrade their store-front hardware over the next year," proposed Jeff Yelton, VP and GM for Ingram Micro's North America Data Capture/POS Division (Carlsbad, CA). "The PowaPOS solution is a key piece in ensuring our partners continue to have a competitive advantage with the businesses they serve." A former President of ScanSource POS and Barcode, and CEO of Retalix, Yelton recently joined Ingram Micro.

Based in the U.K., Powa has moved quickly to staff up and establish relations with stakeholders in POS. Additionally, the PowaPOS Software Development Kit (SDK) accommodates iOS, Android, and Windows with a single Application Programming Interface (API), thereby simplifying integration for ISVs and VARs. "Market demand for a scalable, flexible tablet-based payment solution continues to grow," noted Jeff Dumbrell, CEO of PowaPOS (and Ex-VeriFone Executive), "and with Ingram Micro's global reach, thousands of its channel partners can now meet this need." In the U.S., PowaPOS has offices in Atlanta.

Distribution for PowaPOS T-Series

An Angry Statement by ETA

RE: CVS and Rite Aid Blockage of Mobile Payments

"The decision by CVS and Rite Aid to block mobile payments services like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Softcard is anti-consumer and anti-competitive," posted the Electronic Transactions Association (Washington, DC). "This decision has nothing to do with convenience, reliability, or security. Rather, published reports indicate this is a deliberate boycott in favor of CurrentC, a mobile payments system supported by large retailers and slated for launch next year."

"Reports indicate that MCX, the organization behind CurrentC, requires all its participating merchants to block any mobile payments services that compete against CurrentC. Because MCX says its retailers represent one-fifth of total U.S. retail sales, this group boycott could negatively impact consumer choice in the mobile payments marketplace. Blocking mobile payments providers will deprive consumers of their preferred method of payment and a more innovative, secure way to pay."

"As the trade association of the payments industry, ETA works with its more than 500 technology and financial industry member companies to advance the deployment of mobile payments. With more than 300 million mobile devices and more than one billion credit and debit cards in American consumers' pockets, the future ubiquity of mobile payments is certain. We call on Rite Aid and CVS to reconsider their misguided attempt to block this innovation and urge consumers to vote with their wallet--mobile or actual--and shop at retailers that aren't restricting consumer choice."

Electronic Transactions Association Calls for Open Mobile Payment Philosophy

Worth Your While

Pack Expo
PMMI
November 2-5
Chicago

Customer Engagement Technology World
JD Events
November 5-6
New York

IAAPA
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
November 17-21
Orlando

NRF's Big Show - Annual Conference
National Retail Federation
January 11-14, 2014
New York City

TransAct 15
Electronic Transactions Association
March 31 - April 2, 2014
San Francisco

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Team Drafts RDT-150F

Team Sable POS (San Jose, CA) has unveiled its new RDT-150F All-in-One POS with 15-inch resistive touchscreen. It features an Intel Celeron Dual-Core 1037U CPU at 1.8 GHz (three times faster than an Intel Atom D525 CPU), from 2-GB to 8-GB DDR3 RAM, and 320-GB hard disk drive. Weighing 11.7 lbs., it measures only 15 in. (W) x 8.5 in. (D) x 12.2 in. (H). As O/S, it supports POS Ready 7, POS Ready 2009, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

Team Sable's RDT-150F employs fanless design, with optional bezel-free display. Additional benefits include external access to the hard disk drive, hidden cable management, wide adjustable viewing angle, and rich I/O with 2x LAN. As peripherals, Team Sable offers magnetic-stripe reader (MSR) and VFD, 7-inch, or 10-inch second display. It replaces the Team Sable RDT-150D.

"We wanted to offer our resellers the best value for their money with our new entry-level RDT-150F All-in-One," commented Kathy Wu, POS Division Manager at Team Sable. "So we listened to their product needs, and we released the RDT-150F at an amazingly low price. It also comes standard with a 60 days after invoice overnight replacement with call tag warranty program."

Team Sable RDT-150F All-in-One

Infinite x 6

Infinite Peripherals, Inc. (Elk Grove Village, IL) has shipped its Linea Pro 6 card reader and scanner sled for the Apple iPhone 6. Weighing approximately 5 oz., it adds three-track bidirectional card reading and one- or two-dimensional scanning. Certifications include PCI PTS 3.x SRED, DUKPT and Fixed Key Management, and 3DES-112, AES-128, and AES-256 Encryption Algorithms. As well as Apple MFi, naturally.

Also, Linea Pro 6 will soon offer options for RFID, NFC, and Bluetooth, according to Infinite Peripherals. Bluetooth will enable connectivity to the company's portable receipt printers such as the DPP-250, DPP-350, and DPP-450, with two, three, and four-inch print widths, respectively. Accompanying peripherals for Linea Pro 6 include protective cases, holsters, and stands that can be customized with company colors and logos.

"We are thrilled to lead the market with the most cutting-edge technology for the iPhone 6, which gives enterprises across industries a valuable option to improve performance and customer service with inventory management, e-commerce integration, line-busting, price changes, loyalty programs, customer relationship management (CRM), and more," delineated Andrew Graham, President of Infinite Peripherals. "Our goal is to continue to expedite delivery of multiple devices that enable our customers to optimize efficiencies, streamline operations, and boost sales." Infinite Peripherals currently has more than 400,000 iOS mobile devices deployed.

Linea Pro 6 From Infinite Peripherals, Inc.

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ALLIANCES

Of Genius and Foodies

Merchant Warehouse (Boston, MA) has added another ISV to its Genius Customer Engagement Platform, in the form of Touch Bistro (New York City). An iPad-based POS, Touch Bistro addresses the boutique market of cafes, bars, food trucks, and individual restaurants. Via the Genius Customer Engagement Platform, it now accepts multiple payment methods--whether card, NFC, QR Codes, or mobile wallets (i.e., LevelUp, PayPal, Google Wallet, Softcard, and now Apple Pay). Users select an appropriate icon on Genius.

"When Merchant Warehouse launched the Genius Customer Engagement Platform more than two years ago, we knew that businesses would want to take advantage of new payment technologies as they became available, including those being created for mobile devices," recounted Henry Helgeson, CEO of Merchant Warehouse. "We designed the platform to enable and deploy new payment technologies rapidly and flawlessly."

"Being able to immediately activate NFC-based payment options such as Apple Pay takes the ease and security of payments to an entirely new level that restaurants and food-service providers definitely desire," remarked Alex Barrotti, CEO and Founder of Touch Bistro. His company has been ranked as the top-grossing food and beverage app in thirty countries on the Apple App Store. It allows servers to take orders at the table and instantly submit them to the kitchen.

Genius Customer Engagement Platform by Merchant Warehouse Now Supports Touch Bistro iPad POS

Kick Starting the Kiosk

A powerful partnership to further sales of kiosks has been formed between Zivelo (Scottsdale, AZ) and Panasonic System Communications Company of North America (Newark, NJ). Under this reseller agreement, displays and electronics from Panasonic will outfit the variety of kiosk form factors from Zivelo. Such fully integrated, turn-key public computing stations will be offered through resellers of Panasonic.

"After an exhaustive review of the emerging kiosk market and its players, we selected Zivelo as our preferred kiosk solutions partner," reported Richard Hsu, VP of Global Solutions and Engineering for Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. "Their design aesthetic is so attractive and the importance that they place on quality and serviceability is the best in the industry. But it was ultimately their disruptive vision for the future of public computing that solidified our decision to partner. We are already seeing many benefits from this partnership, as the Zivelo product line has further reinforced Panasonic's position as the best-in-class solutions provider."

"The opportunity to partner with such a technology juggernaut like Panasonic is truly an honor for us," added Ziver Birg, CEO of Zivelo. "I have always had a great deal of respect for Panasonic and their extreme attention to detail when it comes to the quality and durability of their products. With a massive foot print of nearly 300,000 employees and a global support infrastructure, having the power of Panasonic and its customer base behind the Zivelo brand is exciting."

A Reseller Agreement Between Panasonic System Communications and Zivelo

Code Corner

Digimarc Corporation (Beaverton, OR) has joined the GS1 US Solution Partner Program. Its so-called Digimarc Barcode will now ensure delivery of accurate product information using the Global Trade Identifier Number, or GTIN, for use in the supply chain. Based on patented digital watermarking technology, Digimarc Barcode is an imperceptible pattern that is repeatedly encoded into the images and graphics of printed consumer packaged goods. This novel approach makes the entire package scannable--not just the traditional UPC symbol. According to Digimarc, its technology brings significant benefits for mobile shopping by consumers as well as traditional checkout at the POS. "Becoming part of the GS1 US Solution Partner Program marks an important milestone in the marketing adoption of the Digimarc Barcode," exclaimed Ed Knudson, EVP of Sales and Marketing at Digimarc. "GS1 has a global footprint with billions of transactions taking place each day through its trusted GS1 System of Standards, and we're very pleased to join the GS1 ecosystem."

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

A Beacon With Your Perka

First Data (Atlanta, GA) will supply free Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons for subscribers of its mobile loyalty program, Perka. All current subscribers will receive free beacons, and all new subscribers will receive beacons in their activation kit when they sign up. As many RRN.Com readers will recall, First Data purchased fast-rising Perka in October 2013. Both Apple iOS and Android Google are supported, as well as "rolling code" security, which provides an encrypted check-in each time the customer enters the store.

Once merchants place the beacon near the store entrance or POS, they quickly sync with their Perka mobile loyalty program, according to the payment processor. Powered by Bluetooth Low Energy, the beacon wirelessly checks customers into stores as soon as they come within range (typically about fifty feet). This means customers no longer need to launch the Perka App on their smartphones, allowing merchants to greet their customers by name and award perks for confirmed purchases.

"By connecting merchants and consumers in a seamless way at the point-of-sale, the Perka solution enables even the smallest store to design a customized marketing and loyalty program," indicated Guy Chiarello, President of First Data, thereby achieving "smooth, faster customer experiences." In making its announcement, First Data cited research showing only 3% of retailers currently have customer recognition technology in place. It plans to ship thousands of the free beacons to individual small to medium-sized businesses in the U.S.

First Data Provides Free Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons for Its Mobile Loyalty Program

Epicor Wises Up

Epicor Software Corporation (Austin, TX) will snap up QuantiSense (Atlanta, GA), one of the prominent providers of analytics for the retail industry. Of particular import, QuantiSense has moved ahead into the management of big data. It enjoys customers such as Hallmark Cards, Men's Warehouse, Restoration Hardware, Urban Outfitters, and Burlington Coat Factory.

"Mid-market retail has all of the challenges of the largest retailers and all of the IT budget and capacity for change of the smallest retailers. In order to remain competitive, it is increasingly critical for these retailers to have a strong grasp of the trends impacting their businesses," reflected Nikki Baird, Managing Partner for RSR Research (Miami, FL). "Acquisition of QuantiSense is a smart choice for Epicor. I'm looking forward to the addition of powerful analytics on top of Epicor's vast set of transactions and customer data. This combination promises to help mid-market retailers rapidly turn their big data into meaningful insights and action."

"A combination of QuantiSense's powerful, yet easy-to-use analytics applications with the advanced end-to-end Epicor Retail solutions suite will enable retailers to maximize performance across their entire operations to drive profitability and accelerate growth," projected Jeff Buck, Founder and CEO of QuantiSense. Following the closing of this purchase, Buck and QuantiSense Co-Founder and CTO Juan Periera are expected to join Epicor Retail. In their background, they list MicroStrategy.

Jeff Buck, Founder and CEO, QuantiSense, Recently Purchased by Epicor

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
Wasp Barcode Technologies

POS & Peripherals
Harbortouch
Hewlett-Packard
Pioneer POS
POS BANK USA
Posiflex
POS-X
PowaPOS
TEAMSable

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
Citizen Systems America
CognitiveTPG
Intermec by Honeywell
Printronix
SATO America
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

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

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Discover
Merchant Warehouse
Mercury Payment Systems

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp

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

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

Weigh Scales
Detecto

INSTALLATIONS

PAR Rolls Strike

ParTech (New Hartford, NY), a subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation, has deployed its PixelPoint software and EverServ 500 hardware for Bowlmor AMF, one of the largest operators of bowling centers in the world with 340 sites. Targeted at food service, in line with PixelPoint, the EverServ 500 furnishes fanless design, 15-inch resistive touchscreen, Intel Atom D2550 CPU at 1.8 GHz, 2-GB DDR3 RAM, MSR, and 2x20 LCD. With base of 9.5 in. (W) x 8.2 in. (D) and 13.4 in. (H), it saves counter space.

"Having the business running on a single enterprise point-of-sale from PAR allows us to get far better visibility into our operating metrics and control over pricing and processes," enthused Paul Williams, CIO at Bowlmor AMF. "It also sets us up for better inventory and margin management in the future when we deploy such options within PAR PixelPoint. Overall, PixelPoint is more restaurant focused than our prior POS and better fits our business model to update our centers for a broader entertainment and dining experience." He also cited the system's flexibility.

"A perfect fit for Bowlmor AMF," Karen Sammon, President of ParTech, described PixelPoint and EverServ 500. "Each client environment is unique and leverages the robust capabilities of our solutions. With Bowlmor AMF, this was no exception. Bowlmor AMF's business and distinct needs are aligned with our strategy to leverage our technology in non-traditional markets and we look forward to growing our partnership and supporting them as they continue to grow and improve their business operations."

Hundreds of Bowling Alleys for the EverServ 500 and PixelPoint Under Bowlmor AMF Contract

Dough Rises for Quest

Leading VAR Quest Solution (Eugene, OR) has secured an order totaling more than $1 million for its route accounting solution from Alpha Baking Company. Based in Chicago, with production plants in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, Alpha Baking has 1,400 employees and 300 trucks in its delivery fleet. It's been recognized as Top Sysco Supplier, Top Burger King Supplier, and Kroger Bakeries Supplier of the Year. Of the top thirty bakers in the industry, Alpha becomes the fifth to choose Quest Solution.

"We are tremendously pleased to provide our technology to a market leader like Alpha Baking," shared Kurt Thomet, President of Quest Solution. "This significant deal adds to our penetration in the bakery vertical and expresses the strong utility of our technology in an array of supply chain companies. Moreover, it also shows clearly that a large market leader with many choices for potential technology partners has selected us to be the integrator of hardware, strategic software from MiT Systems, and professional services."

"In addition to their impressive technology, we truly appreciate Quest Solution's dedication to our project, being engaged from the start with route rides and taking the time to truly understand our business. Working with Quest Solution made us realize how good vendor partnerships can be," testified William Houston, Director of IT at Alpha Baking Company. As hardware, Quest Solution calls upon suppliers such as Brother, Datalogic, Datamax-O'Neil, Honeywell, Intermec, Motorola, and Zebra.

Quest Provides Route Accounting for Alpha Baking Company

Channel Factoid

Expect to see a new wave of retail chiefs, according to new research by Women's Wear Daily and Berglass & Associates. Only 22% of respondents believe their board of directors today is very effective. In fact, 60% believe the make-up of the board (including experience and skill-sets) will change by 2020, with 72% of these respondents expecting the board to add leaders with technology backgrounds, and 64% expecting to see leaders with global expertise. Survey participants recognized merchandising among the top three most important skill-sets for retail CEOs both today and in the future, complemented by digital/technology and global expertise. The biggest change to the C-suite will be the addition of the so-called Chief Customer Officer (CCO). While only 5% of the companies surveyed have such CCOs today, nearly 25% expect to fill this role by 2020. Finally, nearly 70% of respondents believe that C-suite leadership coming from outside of the retail industry will increase by 2020, specifically from technology (57%), pure-play e-retailers (51%), and consumer packaged goods (43%). "There are changes happening so fast in our industry that the present feels like the future," observed Les Berglass, Founder and CEO of Berglass & Associates, an executive search firm. "The need for leadership talent that aligns with an increasingly savvy consumer will drive a virtual redefinition of both the C-suite and boardroom."

HELLO GOODBYE

Oracle's Call Heard by Carlin

Ray Carlin has left his position as VP & GM of Retail Solutions for Hewlett-Packard, one of our industry's most visible roles. Carlin has joined Oracle Corporation as VP of Hospitality Strategy & Solutions Management. This, of course, follows on the heels of Oracle's acquisition of Micros. Further, it reunites Carlin with Mark Hurd, Oracle's President. They previously worked together at both Hewlett-Packard and NCR Corporation--Hurd as CEO and Carlin as VP. Carlin also served as CEO and President of StoreNext and EVP of Retalix USA.

Speaking of Hewlett-Packard, RRN.Com caught up with Cory McElroy, Director of Product Management & Marketing for Retail Solutions. "It was a very well-kept secret--no one had any idea, internally or externally," McElroy noted of the recent HP split into two separate companies. Now part of HP Inc.--the printing and personal systems side, versus Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, the networking and services side--Retail Solutions has very strong momentum, according to McElroy. He predicted very little impact on go-to-market strategy or product portfolio as it pertains to our channel, saying, "if anything we become a bigger slice of a smaller pie." In June, HP debuted its RP2 small-footprint POS terminal for hospitality and specialty retail, as first reported in RRN.Com.

Ray Carlin, VP, Hospitality Strategy & Solutions Management, Oracle Corporation

A Pasha for POS

Vivonet (Burnaby, BC, Canada), and its cloud-based POS, has enlisted Alaa Pasha as its President and CEO. He takes over from Ryan Volberg, who will remain involved as shareholder and advisor. "With record growth at Vivonet, we felt it was time to bring in a CEO with the proven ability to successfully scale software businesses in the restaurant industry," commented Volberg. "After meeting with a number of exceptional candidates, we believe Alaa has the perfect blend of energy, vision, customer focus, and deep industry experience to drive the business forward."

Many RRN.Com readers will remember Pasha from his time at Compris Technologies, now part of NCR Corporation, where he served as President and CEO from 2004 to 2008 and VP of Sales and Marketing from 2000 to 2004. Most recently, he was SVP with Red Book Connect, the cloud-based restaurant management software supplier, where he had responsibility for the global alliance and channel business. Before Red Book Connect, he was President and CEO of Macromatix, which provides cloud-based back-office solutions for the restaurant industry (now part of Red Book Connect).

"Vivonet is well positioned to play a key role in the growth and success of independent, national, and global restaurant companies," volunteered Pasha. "This is a tremendous opportunity for the exceptional Vivonet team to delight customers with our innovative cloud solutions and provide them with substantial, measurable value. I am excited to join Vivonet at this important stage in its evolution." Most recently, Vivonet expanded into the stadium segment with its go-live at TD Garden in Boston.

Alaa Pasha, CEO/President, Vivonet

[Editor's Note: Elsewhere, Red Book Connect, and its Hot Schedules, has partnered with Revention POS (Stockbridge, GA) to further the cause of employee scheduling and labor management in the restaurant industry. Laura Gaudin, Revention's Product Manager, highly praised Hot Schedules.]

Avery Counts Its Beans

Avery Dennison Corporation (Glendale, CA) has promoted Mitchell Butier, its SVP and CFO, to President and COO. All business unit leaders will report to Butier, who will also have direct oversight of the Materials Group following the departure of Donald Nolan, Materials Group's President. Avery Dennison, of course, has long been one of the leaders in labeling and packaging, with sales of $6 billion in 2013. R. Shawn Neville is President of its Retail Branding and Information Solutions.

"Mitch is highly respected throughout the organization for his exemplary leadership and ability to make things happen," relayed Dean Scarborough, Chairman and CEO. "He has worked in both of our core businesses, and played an instrumental role in developing their strategies for profitable growth. We've worked together for more than a decade, and I look forward to our new partnership in building this great company."

Butier joined Avery Dennison from PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2000. Prior to his post as SVP and CFO, he served from 2007 to 2010 as Corporate VP, Global Finance, and Chief Accounting Officer. Other roles have included VP of Finance for Retail and Branding Information Solutions, GM of the Americas for the Information Brand Management Division, and Group Director of Finance in Label and Packaging Materials for Europe.

Mitchell Butier, President/COO, Avery Dennison Corporation