Our Product Pick

Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY) has added Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise to its XT2. It joins Android 5 Lollipop. In addition to familiar user interface, rich functionality, and native support for barcode scanning and other peripherals, Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise supports security policies such as device management for multiple users, VPN configuration, advanced lockdown, and full device wipe capabilities, cited Janam. Debuted earlier this year, the XT2 has 5” capacitive touchscreen, Zebra’s SE4710 2D scan engine, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n, and 4G LTE WAN. It weighs 10 oz., with ratings of IP-67, MIL-STD-810G, and 5-ft./1.5-m drop resistance. “We’re thrilled to be among the first companies in our industry to bring Microsoft’s latest mobile operating system to customers who require it, and to do so with a product offering as innovative as our XT2 rugged touch computer,” relayed Harry Lerner, CEO of Janam Technologies.

Janam’s XT2 Gets Windows 10

COMPANY BUSINESS

Oracle Hears Paygistix

Payment Logistics (San Diego, CA) has launched its EMV solution for Oracle Hospitality’s Micros POS. Designated “Paygistix Micros EMV,” it supports the Micros RES 3700, 9700, and Simphony 2. It employs payment terminals from Pax Technology (Jacksonville, FL), including models such as the D210S Wi-Fi, S300 signature-capture, and S80 countertop. In view of recent data breaches, some involving Oracle, Paygistix Micros EMV stresses out-of-scope handing of cardholder data in full compliance with PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and QIR (Qualified Integrator and Reseller).

“Since we already work with so many restaurants and night clubs using Micros POS systems, we knew requiring them to dramatically change how they process payments would be met with the same type of resistance competing Micros chip card integrations are seeing today,” noted Dustin Niglio, CEO of Payment Logistics. “Instead we built our solution to allow end-users to maintain their traditional payment workflow by including best-in-class features like tip adjustment on all EMV transactions types, PIN bypass, and EMV pre-authorization. End-users can start by maintaining their traditional table service workflow and then migrate to a pay-at-the-table workflow as they deem fit.”

“We’ve worked closely with Payment Logistics for many years to customize our secure payment terminals and device estate management capabilities to deliver on a wide range of needs for the retail and hospitality marketplace,” reported Andy Chau, CEO of Pax Technology. “The Paygistix Micros EMV solution is just the type of payment integration that is made possible through this type of close collaboration with our partners and is a testament to how Pax semi-integrated EMV terminals help POS developers and payment integrators rapidly accelerate time to market.” As expected, this includes support for NFC payments such as Apple Pay and Android Pay.

Dustin Niglio, CEO of Payment Logistics

NCR’s Glass Castle

NCR Corporation has announced plans to expand its new world headquarters under construction in Midtown Atlanta, GA. A second office tower, at 14 stories, will be added under Phase II of the project, scheduled for occupancy in Q1 2019. Phase I of the project, which features an original 20-story tower, is scheduled for completion in Q1 2018. NCR, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Invest Atlanta have agreed on additional incentives that reportedly will see NCR bring in over 1,800 professionals over the next five years and invest $145 million in the second tower. (Estimated cost for Phase I: $300 million.)

“What we are building is more than just a world headquarters campus,” proclaimed Bill Nuti, NCR President, CEO, and Chairman. “This is a commitment to the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, our employees, and customers that as the omnichannel leader, we are focused on a bold, bright vision for the future. We are building a work environment that mirrors the innovative, connected experiences we create for our customers every day.”

Located in this complex will be the NCR Innovation Lab, which draws together NCR’s R&D. As areas of particular focus, it enumerates “mobile, big data, cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and predictive analytics,” drawing them together under the banner of “digital commerce.” According to Eli Rosner, CTO and SVP of Software Solutions for NCR: “The NCR Innovation Lab will accelerate our transformation to a platform-based business model. We are living in exciting times where developers and customers from various ecosystems co-create and exchange value, which is changing the way we research, innovate, and design and think about our solutions and offerings.”

Rendering of New NCR HQ in Midtown Atlanta

Worth Your While

CRS Profit Booster Dealer Conference
CRS, Inc.
September 20
Columbus, OH

Money 20/20
i2i Events
October 23-26
Las Vegas, NV

Pack Expo
PMMI
November 6-9
Chicago, IL

NRF's Big Show
National Retail Federation
January 15-17, 2017
New York, NY

INSPIRE
Retail Solutions Providers
Association (RSPA)
Jan. 29-Feb.1, 2017
St. Kitts, West Indies

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Bixolon Feeling Flexible

Bixolon America (Torrance, CA) has unwrapped its newest 3” direct-thermal printer, the SRP-S300. In versions of liner-free label (SRP-S300L) and receipt (SRP-S300R), it delivers benefits such as enhanced paper-jam-free technology, automatic guillotine cutting system, paper-saving mode with “backfeed,” and built-in power supply. It features print speed of 6.7 in./170 mm per second for the SRP-S300L and 11.8 in./300 mm per second for the SRP-S300R, at 203 dpi.

Overall, the SRP-S300 measures 6.2 in. (W) x 7.8 in. (L) x 6 in. (D) and weighs 4.4 lbs., with built-in USB 2.0/Serial, Parallel, or Ethernet, and optional Bluetooth Version 2.1 or Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n. A “Melodist” voice error message notifies end-users of potential problems, and the scalable media guide offers five width choices (40 mm, 58 mm, 62 mm, 80 mm, and 83 mm) for accommodating such environments as lottery and gaming. As sensors, it carries paper end, paper near end, black mark, and cover open. An added feature of the SRP-S300 is “Easy Tracking,” or QR Code, that links to technical support.

“The SRP-S300 has exceptional technologies, user-friendly design, and easy maintenance,” enthused John Kim, Marketing Director at Bixolon America. “Versatility of the paper media options and the multiple variations make the SRP-S300 one of the most flexible printers in the market today.” A busy time at Bixolon, which recently released its 3” SRP-330II for receipts, and 2” SLP-TX220 and 4” SLP-DL410 for labels.

New SRP-S300 Liner-Free Label and Receipt Printer by Bixolon

Certifiably Wireless: xTablet

A first for MobileDemand (Cedar Rapids, IA), with certification of its xTablet T1600 rugged tablet by Verizon Wireless. Now approved for CDMA or LTE, via Verizon, the xTablet T1600 addresses the heavy industrial side of field service. It carries an Intel i5 CPU, 4/8-GB RAM, 128/256-GB HDD, Windows 10 Professional, and 12” projected-capacitive touchscreen. It weighs 2.7 lbs., with dimensions of 11.8 in. (W) x 7.6 in. (H) x 0.8 in. (D).

With an IP-65 rating, MIL-STD-810G, and 4-ft./1.2-m drop resistance, the xTablet T1600 features Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. An optional two-dimensional scanner and multiple cameras facilitate data collection. Also, the 4130-mAh battery provides seven hours of operation between charges (without extra 7880-mAh battery pack), along with USB x 4, Serial x 1, Ethernet x 1, and VGA, at an MSRP of $2,095.

“The xTablet T1600 as a standalone device has been powering through a multitude of tough jobs since its launch in November of 2014,” emphasized Matt Miller, President at MobileDemand. “Being able to now operate these rugged tablets on the nation’s most reliable wireless data network, Verizon, will extend the device’s functionality into even more industries and applications.” An LTE module can also be purchased as an add-on from MobileDemand for $345.

Verizon Approves xTablet T1600 by MobileDemand

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PARTNER PROGRAMS

Netsurion Nets CoCard

A pair of growing channel players, Netsurion (Houston, TX) and CoCard (Nashville, TN), have joined forces to tackle network security and PCI. Under this agreement, CoCard, comprised of independent payment processing resellers, will supply the managed firewall services from Netsurion (formerly Vendor Safe Technologies). Both are members of the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA); recently, Netsurion won the 2016 Vendor of Excellence Award for “Reseller Support Services.”

“Our mission is to provide a pathway for ISOs and VARs to maximize individual business strategies within the payment processing arena and to enhance the overall economic return for all members,” suggested Ray Raya, VP at CoCard. “We’re excited to offer Netsurion’s services alongside our own, giving our customers state-of-the-art essentials for merchant processing, security, and compliance, all under one roof.” Its 70 offices support 15,000 SMB merchants in the U.S.

“Businesses of all sizes, especially those who lack their own IT resources, should have access to, and benefit from, enterprise-level network security,” projected Mark Cline, VP of Channel Sales at Netsurion, which also has signed VAR Resource Point of Sale (Clearwater, FL). “Our partnership will make this a reality for merchants nationwide. We look forward to working with all of the CoCard offices to keep customers’ brands protected from both internal and external threats, at a fraction of the cost of a self-managed solution.”

Mark Cline, VP of Channel Sales, Netsurion

A Second Step for One Step

A leading retail IT VAR, One Step Retail Solutions (Phoenix, AZ), has introduced its new Managed IT Services Division. A new facility, it continues the company’s evolution from selling point-of-sale, customer loyalty, loss prevention, omnichannel, and business intelligence. As part and parcel of its charter, it will emphasize strategic planning, best practices, proactive support, and hosting in the cloud for customers. A dedicated team has been formed at One Step Retail, consisting of Cheryl Blasnek, “vCIO,” Trystan Hayden, Network Administrator, Brett Reed, IT Support, and Paul Pecullan, Centralized Services.

“Over the past 20 years, we’ve been asked frequently by our clients to assist with the management of their entire technology infrastructure, well beyond just point-of-sale software and hardware,” observed Scott Kreisberg, Founder and CEO at One Step Retail. “We’re finally in a position to deliver these services successfully and affordably. When One Step arrives on the first day, you can almost see the weight come off their shoulders knowing someone with our extensive retail and technology expertise is helping make sure everything works.”

In another move, One Step Retail Solutions has become the first reseller for cloud-based retail management software from Springboard Retail (Boston, MA). “We investigated the product and were pleased with the design, feature set, and product roadmap,” disclosed Kreisberg. “Springboard Retail is an excellent end-to-end, cloud-based retail management solution that we look forward to offering to the multi-channel SMB.” Since launching in 2014, Springboard has grown to process over $250 million annually in specialty retail.

Scott Kreisberg, Founder and CEO, One Step Retail Solutions

Code Corner

Epicor Software Corporation (Austin, TX) has released Epicor Scheduling+, its new workforce management platform for independent retailers. Accessible from any web browser or web-enabled mobile device, and cloud-based, this software spans scheduling, time clock, and task management functionality. Also available through an advanced integration to the Epicor Eagle retail management suite, it draws in historical and real-time data from the POS. “Prior to implementing Epicor Scheduling+, our scheduling methods were completely manual: we would take an Excel grid with a list of employees and try to appropriately fill in the needed labor time slots,” reported Johil Parbtani, GM of Miami Home Centers. “This was laborious and there were many mistakes with our staff schedules, including employees not being paid for the hours they worked. With Epicor Scheduling+, schedules are accurate, staff is being paid accordingly, and our management team now has the extra time to focus on other key business needs.”

INTEGRATION

ISVs Encircled by Square

A pair of point-of-sale stars on the Apple App Store, TouchBistro (Toronto, Canada) and Square (San Francisco, CA), have linked up for hospitality. With this integration, restaurants using software of TouchBistro can expand their capabilities to include all of the services offered by Square, whether payment processing, accepting Apple Pay, depositing their funds, or accessing loans via Square Capital. This continues the trend whereby Square has moved past simple payments, and has partnered with seeming competitors; earlier, for example, it allied with Vend (San Francisco, CA).

Initially offered in the U.S., this linkage allows venues to sign-up from within TouchBistro, with bill totals transferred directly to Square. “This partnership has been many years in the making,” mentioned Alex Barrotti, CEO and Founder of TouchBistro. “Together, TouchBistro and Square deliver a great combination for hospitality venues of any size.” Of note to ISVs, Francoise Brougher is Business Lead at Square.

Founded in 2011, TouchBistro addresses mobility via iPads. It has been ranked as the top-grossing food and beverage app in 37 countries on the Apple App Store. A full suite of cloud-based tools adds seating, inventory, scheduling, and payroll. It has both referral and reseller programs. As hardware, it draws upon familiar names such as APG Cash Drawer, BlueStar, MMF POS, POS Portal, and Star Micronics America.

TouchBistro Endorses Square Payment Services

Brady: Paint It Black

Brady Corporation (Milwaukee, WI) has fashioned new ultra-durable black polyester labels, under the classification of B-8117. As opposed to traditional fabrication, these achieve their black color through the adhesive layer rather than the topcoat, which results in more robust color performance (i.e., since the color is sealed inside the label construction, color durability is dramatically increased). As another benefit of this process, the label resists abrasions and harsh fluids, while consistently achieving Barcode Grade “B.”

“Brady’s new durable black polyester labels are ideal for regulatory notices on electrical components, for finished goods, for auto manufacturing, for general identification, and for asset-tracking,” elaborated Jennifer Smith, Regional Product Manager for Brady. “They provide the resilience to stand up to industrial electrical environments and keep labels readable for improved efficiency and safety.” Sizes range from 0.25” to 3” in width, in quantities from 1,000 to 10,000, and price of $200 to $500.

Also of interest, Brady’s new “reversible temperature indicating labels,” dubbed VisAlert B-7518. Carrying heavy-duty adhesive, these fulfill environments such as cold chains, hot spaces, and equipment monitoring for safety. “When it comes to temperature checks during maintenance, or spotting trouble during research and development, these labels are the most cost-effective solution,” stated Smith. A variety of sizes, shapes, and temperature sensitivities are provided.

Brady’s Ultra-Durable Black Polyester Labels

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
AnywhereCommerce
Bematech
CRS, Inc.
Harbortouch
Hewlett-Packard
Pioneer POS
Poindus America
POSBANK USA
Posiflex

POS Software
Action Systems Inc.

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Brother Mobile
Citizen
CognitiveTPG
Godex Americas
Honeywell

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection
AML
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Honeywell
Janam Technologies
Unitech America

Distributors
Ingram Micro

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Moneris
Vantiv IP

Keyboards & Mobile POS
Cherry Americas, LLC
TG3 Electronics

Mounts for POS
Tailwind Solutions

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
CognitiveTPG
Epson America
Star Micronics

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

INSTALLATIONS

Zebra’s Nice Catch

Attention fans: every football used by the NFL in the preseason carried an RFID tag from Zebra Technologies (Lincolnshire, IL). This completes the Zebra Sports Solution, debuted two years ago, which placed RFID tags in player equipment and RFID sensors installed in stadiums. All support so-called “Next Gen Stats,” which gathers extensive data on player performance (including factors such as speed, distance traveled, alignment, acceleration, and deceleration) and ultimately, coaching strategy.

“Zebra’s focus on innovation has led to advancements in the whole system, from improved software to smaller devices,” relayed Vishal Shah, VP of Digital Media for the NFL. “For example, these improvements now enable us to track objects beyond players, such as the ball, which we are currently testing.” Added Jill Stelfox, VP and GM for Location Solutions at Zebra Technologies, “As the official on-field player-tracking provider of the NFL, we are committed to supporting the league’s ongoing initiative to improve the way fans, teams, and networks watch, coach, play, and analyze the game.”

Zebra developed the high-tech football with Wilson Sporting Goods. Overall, Zebra Sports Solution leverages the same tracking and location technology employed for retail and the supply chain (and familiar to readers of RRN.Com). In addition to the NFL, Zebra Sports Solution has been deployed in Wembley and Twickenham Stadiums in London and Estadio Aztech in Mexico City (for the NFL’s International Series), as well as Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL (for the NFL’s Pro Bowl).

NFL Deploys RFID Technology by Zebra

Revel on the Half-Shell

As rumors continue to swirl that it will be purchased by IBM, Revel Systems (San Francisco, CA), purveyor of iPad POS, has taken another significant step into the world of enterprise retail. A proof of concept phase, now being completed, will be followed by rollout at selected fuel sites of Shell Retail. As one of the largest single branded retailers, Shell has approximately 43,000 sites in 70 countries, annually selling 43 billion gallons of fuel and $6 billion in goods. In its associated tweet, Revel predicted it will be in “a large number of them next year.” (Previously, Revel, with roots in the SMB, won bakery chain, Cinnabon.)

“We are confident that this technology, and method of delivering through ‘site systems as a service,’ will be adopted throughout the fuel industry and beyond,” declared Chris Ciabarra, Co-Founder and CTO of Revel Systems. In replacing “thirty-year-old software,” Revel will bring to bear its cloud platform, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and off-the-shelf hardware. A new system for Shell Retail will address the full range of functionality: secure card payments, pumps and fuel management, loyalty programs, convenience-store inventory, and consolidated reporting capability (onsite and remote).

Along such lines, Revel Systems also announced its partnership with one of the leading players in mobile customer engagement for restaurants, cleverly tagged Punchh (Mountain View, CA). “With one of the largest and most powerful loyalty and customer relationship management platforms, we’re able to expand our reach into the enterprise market,” indicated Bobby Marhamat, Chief Revenue Officer of Revel Systems. To date, Revel Systems has installed some 25,000 POS. As readers may recall, IBM has worked with Apple since 2014 to develop so-called enterprise apps for the iPad, so there’s congeniality.

Shell Adopts iPad POS by Revel, Subject of IBM Purchase Rumors

Channel Factoid

Expect to answer these questions from your customers on data security and POS:

#1: Can I set my own user name and password?

#2: How often do you require credentials to be changed?

#3: How often do you conduct routine maintenance?

#4: Do you use unique remote access credentials for each POS system?

#5: Do you maintain our anti-virus?

#6: Will you set me up with a hardware firewall?

#7: Do you set the POS system up as an application on my back-office computer?

-Courtesy of Brand Barney, Security Analyst, SecurityMetrics

Channel Correction

In our last edition, we introduced Tailwind Solutions, provider of mounting systems for POS, and its new distribution agreement with BlueStar. As part of our coverage, we included a photo of a product unavailable in the U.S. By way of correction, we present their mount for the Verifone MX 925.

Tailwind Mount for Verifone MX 925

HELLO GOODBYE

Wear the Label With TSC

TSC Auto ID/Printronix Auto ID has engaged Lorena Del Rosario as its Supplies Sales Specialist for its Consumables Business Unit. Her experience includes six years in paper and ribbon sales at Zebra Technologies in Dubai, and one year with Rethink Label Systems (part of Labeltronix) in the U.S. She will support customers, partners, and an internal sales team, according to the vendor.

Simultaneously, TSC Auto ID/Printronix Auto ID has launched an expanded family of “Genuine TSC Supplies.” In support of its mobile, desktop, and industrial printers, about 110 specific products have been stocked. It includes labels, receipt rolls, thermal transfer ribbons, and printer and printhead cleaning accessories. It also has extensive custom manufacturing capabilities, according to TSC Auto ID/Printronix Auto ID. So far, North America and Latin America will have this “full solution.”

“We’re all very excited to have Lorena onboard,” expressed John Otott, GM of TSC Auto ID/Printronix Auto ID. “She comes to us with a wealth of printer supplies product and application experience and will no doubt be a key resource to everyone at TSC/Printronix, and most importantly, to our partners.” Del Rosario will be based at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Brea, CA.

Lorena Del Rosario, Supplies Sales Specialist, TSC Auto ID/Printronix Auto ID

Making Her Digimarc

Digimarc Corporation (Beaverton, OR) has enlisted Heidi Dethloff as its VP of Marketing. A 25-year veteran of technology, Dethloff served in ascending marketing roles for IBM, culminating in her position as VP of Global Midmarket Marketing. In addition to her corporate background, Dethloff has worked at several digital media agencies, most recently, Babcock & Jenkins. (At IBM, “midmarket” focuses on companies with less than 1,000 employees.)

“Heidi is a strong leader who generates results and shares a passion for modern marketing and communications approaches,” remarked Larry Logan, CMO at Digimarc. “With proven success leading global and cross-functional marketing teams in driving growth and innovation, she will energize our teams to lead the marketing transformation that reaches informed and digitally savvy customers.”

“I’m delighted to join Digimarc, as I believe the company has transformative technology and the dedication to enhance the overall customer experience,” volunteered Dethloff. “I look forward to working with the team and with our clients and partners to help them drive demand and create customer advocacy.” An interesting player, Digimarc touts its intellectual property portfolio, with patents in digital watermarking, symbology encoding, and content identification. Its Digimarc Barcode embeds an imperceptible pattern into the images and graphics of printed consumer packaged goods, rather than using the traditional UPC. It has partnered with many vendors and associations in Auto ID and POS.

Heidi Dethloff, VP of Marketing, Digimarc