Our Product Pick

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) has unboxed its new corded 1D/2D imager, designated the DS4600 Series. Measuring 6.5 in. (H) x 2.6 in. (W) x 3.9 in. (D), weighing 5.7 oz., the DS4600 employs light source of circular 617-nm amber LED and illumination of 660-nm red LEDs. An 800-MHz microprocessor, high-resolution megapixel sensor (1280x800), and PRZM "Intelligent Imaging" provide instant barcode capture--at range of 28 inches for UPC (with Model DS4608-SR). A rear-engine design accommodates reading of wider barcodes, along with one-press-of-the-trigger Multi-Code Data Formatting. With out-of-the-box configuration, the DS4600 has an IP-52 rating for water and dust and 6-ft./1.8-m drop resistance. A trio of versions address retail, electronic manufacturing, and healthcare.

Zebra's DS4600 Scanner

COMPANY BUSINESS

A Revelry for Resellers

After several fits and starts, it appears that some of the cloud- and iPad-based purveyors of POS have embraced the channel of VARs/ISVs. A case in point: Revel Systems (San Francisco, CA), which has established its new Revel Solution Partner Program. Accepted candidates will be equipped to manage the end-to-end sales process for its solution Revel Essentials POS, which specifically addresses the SMB. As benefits, Revel Systems lists reseller training, discounts and performance incentives, end-user leads, and dedicated account management.

As another opportunity, partners may participate in payment processing revenue sharing through the company's Revel Advantage. "Restaurants and retailers now rely on technology more than ever to be successful, and local partner support is critical for customers to get maximum value from their technology investment," indicated Chris Lybeer, Chief Strategy Officer at Revel Systems. "We've designed our new program so our solution partners can generate healthy revenue."

In chorus, Revel Systems has reached out to potential partners with another new effort, online Revel Integrated. A new portal now holds advanced developer tools, including application programming interfaces (APIs), and go-to-market infrastructure, including onboarding, for both Revel Essentials and Revel Enterprise POS. "Our new Revel Integrated makes it easier than ever for partners to build integrations with our POS," declared Lybeer. As another sign of its commitment, Revel Systems exhibited at the recent Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) Show in San Antonio, with booth duty by Lindsey Buckley, Senior Partner Relationship Manager.

A New Solution Partner Program for Revel Systems

Honeywell Fetches BlueFletch

Honeywell has partnered with consultancy firm BlueFletch to help companies migrate their mobile devices from legacy operating systems to Android. As an authorized reseller of BlueFletch's custom app development, implementation, and training services, Honeywell will provide "specialized programs" for its customers. A deep bench of in-house designers, developers, project managers, and QA team help get the applications ported to Android--often in weeks, according to BlueFletch.

"Microsoft will stop issuing security patches and software updates for rugged environments by 2020, leaving many companies with the challenge of migrating from legacy Windows," emphasized Taylor Smith, CMO of Honeywell's Productivity Business (Charlotte, NC). "Our partnership with BlueFletch gives companies an attractive option for those requiring new applications but without the internal resources to replicate the years of business process development built into their existing applications." As part of the Google-led "Android Enterprise Recommended Managed Service Provider Program," Honeywell supports its hardware with its Mobility Edge Platform for Android.

"With the retirement of Windows CE, Android is the rugged enterprise platform of the future," vouched Richard Makerson, CEO of BlueFletch (Atlanta, GA). "For years, BlueFletch has helped our clients move fast and deliver results for mobility projects critical to the business, and we're looking forward to helping Honeywell clients measure proof-of-concept mobile solutions to allow enterprises to prepare for what's next." As of now, BlueFletch has helped to move more than 100 mobile apps and more than 100,000 devices to Android, for companies such as The Home Depot, JCPenney, Havertys, and Academy Sports.

At BlueFletch: Richard Makerson, CEO, and Brett Cooper, Founding Partner (L-R)

Worth Your While

Pack Expo
Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI)
September 23-25
Las Vegas, NV

NACS Show
National Association of Convenience Stores
October 2-4
Atlanta, GA

Profit Booster Dealer Conference
CRS, Inc.
October 22
Chicago, IL

NRF 2020 Vision
National Retail Federation
January 12-14, 2020
New York, NY

Inspire
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
January 26-20, 2020
Nassau, Bahamas

NGA Show
National Grocers Association
February 23-26, 2020
San Diego, CA

Modex
Material Handling Industry (MHI)
March 9-12, 2020
Atlanta, GA

Transact
Electronic Transactions Association (ETA)
April 28-30, 2020
Las Vegas, NV

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 16-19, 2020
Chicago, IL

ALL IN THE FAMILY

DT Researches Retail

DT Research (San Jose, CA), a prominent player in the government, mapping/GIS, and medical markets, has unwrapped its new family of rugged tablets addressing retail, hospitality, and warehousing/logistics. Available in 6" (DT306CR), 8" (DT318CR), and 10" (DT310CR) screen sizes, with capacitive touch and backlight LED, they offer readers for payments in MSR, EMV Chip-and-Signature, and NFC/RFID. With Intel Atom Quad-Core CPU, they run Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.

In weights of 0.71 lbs. (DT306CR), 1.7 lbs. (DT318CR), and 2.1 lbs. (DT310CR), the tablets meet MIL-STD-810 ratings for shock, random vibration, and extreme temperatures, with 4-ft./1.2-m drop protection. Additional features include 5-megapixel back camera, 1D/2D barcode scanner, 802.11 Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4 Low Energy. A hot-swappable 3.7-V Lithium-Ion battery pack eliminates downtime in the field.

"Restaurants, retailers, hospitality, and logistics companies face razor-thin margins, while consumer expectations for customer service are on the rise," noted Daw Tsai, President of DT Research. "Many businesses have tried consumer-grade tablets, but they break easily in rough environments--making the total cost of ownership (TCO) of mobile devices cost-prohibitive over time. We've used our expertise producing military-grade tablets to design this line of tablets with POS features that are tough enough to stand up in harsh environments and cost-effective for businesses."

DT Research's Family of Rugged Tablets for POS

Toshiba Makes Resolution

Toshiba America Business Solutions (Lake Forest, CA) has introduced its premium thermal-transfer barcode printer for high-resolution labels, the 4" B-EX4T3HS. In dimensions of 10.9 in. (W) x 18.1 in. (D) x 12.2 in. (H), weighing 36.7 lbs., it furnishes maximum print speed of 6 in./152 mm per second at 600 dpi. It can print labels, and the wide range of symbologies, as small as 0.51 in./13 mm Wide x 0.12 in./3 mm High.

Advanced employment of center alignment eliminates media shifts to ensure consistently accurate placement of barcode data on such small labels, according to Toshiba. As interfaces, the B-EX4T3HS has USB, Ethernet, and Serial RS-232. Options include cutter, high-precision peel-off module, real-time clock, metal casing, and maximum ribbon length of 300 m/984 ft. As MSRP, Toshiba cited $4,780.

"Toshiba's latest thermal barcode printer is the ideal product for pharmaceutical, medical device, and electronic components businesses, as well as logistics and manufacturing professionals within compliance-centric companies," elaborated Bill Melo, Chief Marketing Executive at Toshiba America Business Solutions. "Ultra-high resolution with precision accuracy labeling helps to improve supply chain efficiency and meet global quality compliance standards that our customers require." Also this month, Toshiba America Business Solutions debuted its next-generation mid-range industrial thermal barcode printer series, BA400.

Toshiba's Ultra-High-Resolution B-EX4T3HS Printer

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ALLIANCES

Lavu Conjures Sourcery

Lavu (Albuquerque, NM) has purchased Sourcery (San Francisco, CA), an automated accounts payable solution designed for the restaurant industry, founded in 2012. It will be offered as part of Lavu's iPad-based POS, "bringing modern restaurant technology to all aspects of the management process," in the words of Sourcery's GM, Teri Wilson. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Eliminating the need for pen and paper processes, Sourcery transfers the accounts payable process to the cloud. Invoices are processed quickly and easily and payments are automated and sent through its secure, online bill-pay platform, according to Sourcery. Information is saved, coded, and categorized for future use, in office or remotely, with improved analytics and reporting as additional benefits.

"Restaurants today still receive paper invoices from many vendors and waste precious time on cumbersome manual payment processes," referenced Saleem Khatri, Lavu's CEO. "Here at Lavu, we've listened to the painful stories of our clients, and we've responded to their pain by acquiring Sourcery's technology. We are eager to share Sourcery with our customers and see them achieve optimum operational efficiency."

Lavu Adds Automated Accounts Payable Capability Via Purchase of Sourcery

ControlScan Fits FIS

ControlScan (Alpharetta, GA) has been chosen by Worldpay from FIS to help streamline compliance for PCI-DSS (the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). As part of the FIS Merchant Services Division, Worldpay from FIS includes, among its capabilities, the former Mercury Payment Systems (Durango, CO). As readers may recall, Mercury was bought by Vantiv in 2014, which subsequently merged with Worldpay in 2017. At the top of the food chain, FIS, or Fidelity National Information Services, which supplies underlying software and services for banking functions, acquired Worldpay in July 2019.

Under this new partnership, payment facilitators using Worldpay from FIS can leverage the customized platform by ControlScan to put their sub-merchants on the path to compliance with PCI-DSS. Payment facilitators can also take advantage of ControlScan's Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) to conduct a formal IT risk assessment as well as to become certified by ControlScan as a PCI-DSS Level 1 Service Provider. As readers will recall, the term "sub-merchant" describes merchants who choose to process via third-party payment service providers (i.e., payment facilitators). A single merchant account is used to process the transactions of many sub-merchants, reducing cost and set-up time.

"In recent years we've seen aggressive growth in the payment facilitation segment of the payments industry," observed Matt Loos, EVP of Business Development for ControlScan. "We are excited to partner with FIS and are looking forward to guiding payment facilitators through a best practices approach for maintaining their own compliance and security, as well as that of their sub-merchants." A member of the Retail Solutions Providers Association, or RSPA (Charlotte, NC), ControlScan solicits VARs, ISVs, and MSPs in payments/POS.

FIS Embraces ControlScan for PCI Compliance

Code Corner

A leading payment processor, Global Payments/TSYS (Columbus, GA), has announced strengthened verification of customer identities from its new Authentication Platform. It relies on customer experience data collected from direct cardholder touchpoints, and utilizes advanced technology, including machine learning, to provide more informed, real-time opinions about any type of remote customer interaction or transaction with any consumer or commercial financial institution. Examples include originating an account, updating a customer profile, changing a password, or making a purchase. A person is verified to be who he or she claims to be, reducing application, transaction, and account take-over fraud, with no disruption to the customer experience. "At Global Payments/TSYS, we understand how various transactions are connected because we work with a global network of card issuers representing millions of individual accounts," suggested Justin Griggs, SVP of Product Strategy and Commercialization, Issuer Solutions, at Global Payments/TSYS. "If a device has been compromised in Ireland, for example, we can use that information to flag a remote log-in attempt in North America." Available in Europe, the Authentication Platform will be launched in North America in 2020.

An Authentication Platform for Global Payments/TSYS

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

CitiXsys Goes Native

CitiXsys (New York, New York) has certified its iVend Retail with another major system for enterprise resource planning (ERP): Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Available on Microsoft's AppSource, an out-of-the-box integration links the iVend POS and Microsoft ERP for deeper visibility into sales, customers, inventory, and operations, according to CitiXsys. It offers an omnichannel platform, reduces manual data management, and strengthens customer loyalty efforts.

"iVend for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central opens up a world of new possibilities for retailers," proclaimed Kamal Karmakar, CEO of CitiXsys. "Prior to our certification with Microsoft, there were limited options for point-of-sale and retail management solutions with a native connector. We've invested in this integration to ensure it truly benefits the business and provides a seamless user experience."

"It's a new era for our channel partners that work with Microsoft's ERP," projected Paula Da Silva, EVP of Global Partners and Alliances at CitiXsys. "Up until now, they've been piecing together systems that created siloed data and didn't offer a true integration with real-time visibility into operations. Now that is a thing of the past with iVend for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central." As additional integrations with ERP, CitiXsys has Sage 300 and X3, SAP Business One, S/4 HANA, ECC 6.0 and IS-Retail. iVend addresses both retail and hospitality.

CitiXsys Links With Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP

#GetUnified, Tweets Qu

Qu (Bethesda, MD) has launched its next-generation enterprise POS, with the slogan "Get Unified." Instead of "arbitrary templates created by vendors," it addresses flexibility and customization via its data-centric "enterprise management hub." A so-called Dynamic Store provides granular control and data governance with six ways to configure store groups: by menu, store location, employees, tax, discounts, and service charges. A so-called Dynamic Items allows operators to categorize items, layer multiple dimensions, and add attributes based on context, including dayparts, order channels, pricing, promotions, and imagery.

Other attributes of this new platform include its single-dashboard Qu-1MENU Management System, integrated Direct Third-Party Delivery, and omnichannel Integrated Digital Suite. As "unified food experience," encompassing everything from food ordering and production to brand experience, in the phrasing of Qu, this technology employs one consistent codebase and set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). As hardware, it supports countertop terminals, tablets, kiosks, and handheld devices.

"We're on a mission to end the menu management madness that's causing massive amounts of fragmentation and inefficiency and holding back enterprise operators today," related Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu. "Fast-casual and quick-service restaurants have been constrained for too long by POS solutions that fail to offer the flexibility, control, and dynamic features they desperately need to create brand and revenue-boosting guest experiences." Earlier known as Gusto POS, Qu has funding from investors of Google, Salesforce, Uber, and Dropbox.

Qu Launches Next-Generation Enterprise POS

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Aures
Bematech
CRS, Inc.
Electronic Payments
Equinox
Harbortouch
HP
Ingenico
Pioneer Solution
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Protech Technologies
Toshiba
WooPOS

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
CognitiveTPG
Godex Americas

Cash Drawers
APG Cash Drawer
MMF POS

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Janam Technologies

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Electronic Payments
Equinox
EVO Payments/Sterling
Ingenico

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
CognitiveTPG
Epson America
Seiko Instruments
Star Micronics

Video Surveillance
Envysion

INSTALLATIONS

ParTech the Greek

ParTech, a wholly owned subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation (New Hartford, NY), will retrofit the POS for fast-casual chain, Gyroville. It includes PAR's cloud-based Brink POS software and EverServ 600 workstations in all of Gyroville's 10 current locations (primarily in Florida). It will be directed by VAR Retail Data Systems (Omaha, NE).

"We are pleased to work with a company that offers strong customer service and adheres to timelines," relayed Lambros Kokkinelis, CEO of the Gyroville Franchising Company. "Our partners at PAR aggressively search for solutions to any of our issues and the use of the 'Corporate Lab' set up within the system has also made the process much easier. We foresee growing our emerging franchise brand with PAR."

In making its choice, Gyroville cited the flexibility, reliability, and reporting features of Brink/EverServ. A busy season for PAR. In response to industry trends, it has debuted its family of EverServ Kiosks. In addition, it will acquire 3M's Drive-Thru Communications Systems Business, based on wireless headsets such as the XT-1 and G5. "A strong cash flow and much larger share of the restaurant stack," were predicted as the result by Savneet Singh, CEO and President of PAR.

Gyroville Deploys Brink and EverServ POS

Sionic Pumps It Up

A "no-app" mobile pay-at-the-pump scheme has been offered by Sionic Mobile (Atlanta, GA). It employs Sionic's "ULink" in conjunction with the popular Passport POS by Gilbarco Veeder-Root (Greensboro, NC). An online ordering, reservation, and payment service connecting mobile consumers and brick-and-mortar merchants, Sionic's ULink leverages digital wallets and payment processing through Visa's CyberSource (Foster City, CA). It operates in Google Cloud.

In this solution, consumers are notified on their mobile device upon arriving at participating gas stations, tap the message, and select their pump. If the consumer is not enrolled in the fuel retailer's loyalty program, they may join with another tap. No plastic cards, key fobs, or mobile apps are required. "A small marketing fee" is charged to the retailer when the consumer shops and pays through ULink.

"Integrating Sionic Mobile's ULink service into Passport eliminates steps in the payment process to create an entirely seamless fueling experience," expressed Matthew Packer, Marketing Manager for Passport Partnerships at Gilbarco Veeder-Root. "Our products and solutions are designed to help people do business better. With Sionic Mobile, we'll break down the technological barriers to simplify and enhance the retail fueling process for all."

Sionic Mobile Supports Gilbarco's Passport

FreedomPay: Come Fly With Me

One of the leading players in retail and dining services in the travel segment, Paradies Lagardere, has joined the DecisionPoint Network of FreedomPay (Philadelphia, PA). A proprietary marketing service which delivers content and promotions at the terminal for payments/POS, DecisionPoint is part of the commerce platform of FreedomPay. It has exposure of 10 to 15 seconds per message, according to FreedomPay.

"We are very pleased to be working together with FreedomPay and utilizing their state-of-the-art technology which enables our transactions to run smoothly and efficiently," enthused Shawn Lauria, Senior Director of Procurement at Paradies Lagardere. "With the latest addition of their DecisionPoint Network, we will create and deliver increased value and opportunity for our discerning customer base." In 100 airports, Paradies Lagardere runs 1,000 locations for brands such as CNBC Store, NBC Today Show Store, and Brooks Brothers.

"Paradies Lagardere continues to be an innovative leader in the travel retail and dining sector," remarked Nate Ware, VP of Digital Development at FreedomPay. "By joining FreedomPay's DecisionPoint Network, Paradies Lagardere is able to provide travelers with an enhanced experience at the point-of-sale by providing added value through targeted brand advertising." In other news of interest to readers, FreedomPay has entered into a long-term co-operative partnership with the prestigious Center for Hospitality Research at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY).

Airport Retailer Paradies Lagardere Joins FreedomPay's DecisionPoint Network

Channel Factoid

-Only 18% of c-store retailers say they have the exact POS infrastructure to serve their business now and in the future.

-25% are uncertain of the future of customer checkout behavior, but know they need to make POS investments now to adjust to evolving behaviors.

-23% acknowledge that their current POS infrastructure requires change to meet the demands of the future.

-21% seek a solution to keep their legacy POS running with minimal cost to buy their c-store estates' time as they analyze how checkout behavior evolves.

-As top challenges, c-store retailers identify: 43%, cost of sending out IT teams; 42%, inconsistency of offline/online components; 37%, overall budget limits; 32%, lack of consistency across store sites.

-As the technologies desired by c-store retailers: home delivery capabilities, mobile pay-at-the-pump, self-checkout, order online/pick-up in store, mobile payment apps, and order-at-the-pump.

Source: "C-Store Technology Insight Report," Conducted Among C-Store Directors and IT Managers by Zynstra (Seattle, WA).

A Message From the Editor

As we enjoy another year, our mission stays constant: to fill the need for timely, focused, non-biased news in the channel for POS & Auto ID. If anything, that need grows more pressing in the face of changes in technology, go-to-market strategies, and business models. We look forward to continuing that mission and welcome your suggestions and thoughts on improvements.

Michael Kachmar, Editor

HELLO GOODBYE

Compeat: Foos Ball

A change at the top for Compeat (Austin, TX), supplier of restaurant management software, with Jeff Stone moving from CEO to the Board of Directors, and Craig Foos now Acting CEO. Foos most recently worked as VP of Growth for Serent Capital (2017 to 2019), the majority owner of Compeat. Earlier, he served as COO of Integra Partners (2014 to 2017) and VP of Corporate Strategy and Omnichannel Operations at American Eagle Outfitters (2012 to 2014).

"I want to thank Jeff for leading the company over the last four-and-a-half years," commented Kevin Frick, Compeat's Chairman of the Board. "During his time as CEO the company nearly quadrupled in size. More importantly, the company debuted many market-leading products that now represent the most comprehensive and technologically advanced product suite serving the restaurant industry."

"This is a tremendous opportunity to lead a great organization," contributed Foos. "I've been lucky to have the privilege of working with the Compeat team for the past two years on key growth initiatives such as creating Compeat Pay, establishing key partnerships, and enhancing our Vendor Management Solutions (VMS) product. My focus will be on driving initiatives that deliver value and delight our customers."

Craig Foos, Acting CEO, Compeat

A Canadian in Charge

A succession at Panasonic Corporation of North America (Newark, NJ), with Michael Moskowitz, former President of Panasonic Canada and Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, named Chairman and CEO. He replaces Tom Gebhardt, who is leaving after more than three decades with Panasonic, including two years as Chairman and CEO (2017 to 2019). Prior to Panasonic, Moskowitz served as President and CEO of satellite radio operator XM Canada (2007 to 2011) and President Americas/Canada for Palm (2001 to 2007).

"I am humbled and excited to take on this new role," shared Moskowitz. "Panasonic Corporation of North America has successfully undergone an incredible transformation, redefining the relationships we enjoy with our business-to-business (B2B) customers through innovation and customer centricity--cornerstones of our future success. That transformation was made possible by leaders like Tom Gebhardt, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude."

"It is with a heavy heart that I leave a place that has been my home for most of my life as well as the team who made every day and every professional challenge a thrilling opportunity," reflected Gebhardt. "I leave confident that the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the technology trends that will help our customers compete and succeed in today's every-changing marketplace. My confidence is strengthened by Michael's business acumen and vision as well as his steady and inspiring leadership."

Michael Moskowitz, Chairman and CEO, Panasonic Corporation of North America

A Wide Net in Miami

A push in payments for Net Element (Miami, FL) with the hiring of executive/entrepreneur Tom Lineen as its VP of Strategic Initiatives. A long resume includes, as highlights, President of US Merchant Services (2014 to 2016); Founder and President of Parallel Solutions, now Payvana (2007 to 2013); CEO of Cynergy Data, now Priority Payment Systems (2004 to 2007); and Director of Sales for Authorize.net, now Visa's CyberSource (2000 to 2003). Among its offerings, Net Element has its cloud-based solution for restaurants and retail, Aptito POS.

"Tom is a highly sought after and proven strategic leader in the payment space. I look forward to the unique perspective and energy he will bring to the company," affirmed Oleg Firer, Executive Chairman of Net Element. "Tom brings extensive experience in business development, growth, and monetization strategy with deep knowledge in innovation at the intersection of technology and payment solutions."

"I am thrilled to be joining Net Element's innovative team to help contribute to its strong culture, enhance operations, and drive scalability to support product diversification and growth," reported Lineen. "I plan on contributing to the company in a meaningful way, as we work to simplify and streamline payment processes for merchants through further penetration of the company's value-added solutions." In 2018, Net Element was recognized as one of the companies on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 for North America.

Tom Lineen, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Net Element