This Week’s Product Pick

Motorola Solutions (Schaumburg, IL) unwrapped its MC9190-Z RFID mobile computer for demanding medium-to-long-range applications of 20 to 40 ft. in industrial environments. Measuring 10.8 in. (L) x 4.7 in. (W) x 7.7 in. (H), and weighing 2.2 lbs., this new device offers multi-modal data collection (reading and encoding of EPC Gen2 RFID tags, barcode scanning, and image capture). Significant specifications include Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.1, Intel XScale PXA270 CPU at 624 MHz, and WPAN of Bluetooth V 1.2 and BT Explorer. It withstands six foot drops to concrete, meets IP-64 ratings, and carries expanded non-glare color LCD touchscreen. A unique combination of audible and visual cues quickly guide an associate to locate any desired item, with beep tone increasing in volume and sliding graphical bar increasing in size. “Whether it is used on the loading dock or in the retail back room, the MC9190-Z will help mobile workers get the job done faster and more accurately,” testified Mike Poldino, VP of Data Capture Solutions, Product Management, at Motorola.

Motorola’s MC9190-Z RFID

COMPANY BUSINESS

Land Grab by RedPrairie

In an attempt to lock down every link in the supply chain (and ward off Oracle, SAP, and even Epicor), RedPrairie (Atlanta) has agreed to purchase JDA Software (Scottsdale, AZ) for the price of $1.9 billion. Totaling revenues about half that amount, the combined entity seeks to marry JDA’s merchandising and pricing expertise with RedPrairie’s reach in warehousing, workforce management, store operations, and e-commerce. Following completion of the transaction, Hamish Brewer, CEO/President of JDA, will lead the company as its CEO, with Michael Mayoras, CEO of RedPrairie, remaining on the company’s board of directors.

“This is a strong combination of two leading companies with highly complementary product suites,” remarked Brewer. “It will give businesses the power to better manage global commerce through a new world of capabilities. The combined company will have a unique ability to address our customers’ increasingly complex needs with a full spectrum of solutions for planning and execution across the entire value chain.”

RedPrairie will pay $45 per share for JDA, representing 33% premium over the stock price on October 26, the day before rumors of the merger first surfaced. Financing comes from New Mountain Capital, the private equity firm which purchased RedPrairie in 2010, as well as Credit Suisse. JDA’s Board of Directors has approved the transaction, and Alok Singh, Chairman of the Board at RedPrairie, has added his endorsement: “We believe this combined company will deliver strong ROI and extraordinary customer value for both B2B and B2C enterprises. It will be the single best source of software products and domain expertise for manufacturers and retailers.” Stay tuned, hyper-connected consumers and resellers.

Hamish Brewer, CEO of JDA, to Lead Combined Supply Chain Powerhouse

Rent Control at Datacap

Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA) has added First Data (Atlanta) to the roster of payment processors participating in its “Rental Usage Program.” Here, Datacap supplies its hardware and software--both the Tran and ePay families of products-- at no cost to dealers, who enjoy recurring revenue from monthly billing of merchant customers by First Data. The dealer handles sales, installation, service, and support for each deployment, “without the upfront investment that often accompanies Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS),” RRN.Com was told by Justin Zeigler, Director of Marketing for Datacap Systems. 

Added Gale Peters, VP of Sales and Marketing: “Datacap’s Rental Usage Program removes sales obstacles and ensures high support levels, promoting reseller and processor cooperation by aligning stakeholders to jointly address retailers’ requirements. This significantly extends average merchant relationships with both processors and POS providers, and everyone benefits. Having First Data engaged cooperatively with POS resellers on integrated payments is significant.” In addition to First Data, participants in Datacap’s program include Mercury, Heartland Payment Systems, Chase Paymentech, and NPC, among others.

Datacap Systems also announced the release of GIFTePay for Smart Transaction Systems (Boulder, CO). “Gift and prepaid cards are proven to increase retailer traffic and average ticket and margin, all while providing new revenue and promotional opportunities for the POS reseller,” explained Zeigler. “We’re pleased to add STS gift and loyalty availability to GIFTePay for our POS integration partners.” GIFTePay for STS may be purchased via Datacap’s cloud-based customer management portal, PSCS.

Datacap System’s Payment Processing Software and Hardware, Long Familiar in the POS Channel

Worth Your While

IAAPA Expo 2012
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
November 12-16
Orlando

NRF 102nd Annual Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 13-16, 2013
New York City

INSPIRE 2013
Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA)
January 20-23, 2013
Curacao, Lesser Antilles

ETA 2013 Annual Meeting & Expo
Electronic Transactions Association
New Orleans
April 30 - May 1, 2013

NRA Show 2013
National Restaurant Association
May 18-21, 2013
Chicago

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Yuma 2 Leaves Trimble

Trimble (Sunnyvale, CA) has debuted its Yuma 2 rugged tablet computer for construction, public safety, field service, and other outdoor-related industries. Featuring Windows 7 Pro, Yuma 2 carries an Intel Atom Dual-Core CPU at 1.6 GHz, 4 GB of DDR3 DRAM, 64 GB Solid-State Drive, and dual battery with eight hours of typical run time. Described as “easy to hold,” and measuring 9.6 in. (L) x 6.3 in. (W) x 1.5 in. (D) with weight of 2.6 lbs., this device offers seven-inch capacitive multi-touch screen with sunlight readability, controlled zoom, and configurable accelerometer. There are six keys, including three user-programmable buttons, with five-way directional capability.

Communication encompasses Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi at 802.11b/g/n, and 3.75G GSM and CDMA dual-mode cellular. A five-megapixel camera provides video and photo capture with geo-tagging of two to four meter accuracy.Typical of Trimble, Yuma 2 meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military standards for drops, vibration, and humidity, with an IP-65 rating against water and dust. For security, the tablet provides built-in, certified Trusted Processing Module (TPM) for encryption, as well as hardware port for Kensington computer security products.

Yuma 2 Rugged Tablet Computer by Trimble

Differentiating the CK3

Intermec (Everett, WA) has unveiled its next-generation CK3 handheld mobile computer, offered in two versions, CK3X for warehousing, and CK3R for light industrial and retail. Maintaining the current CK3B form factor, these two devices utilize 1 GHz TI OMAP architecture to optimize workforce performance and add extended battery life, enhanced barcode scanning, superior device health monitoring, and compliance with emerging standards such as HTML5, according to the vendor. Specifications include Windows Embedded Handheld OS, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB Flash, and 3.5-inch transmissive QVGA touchscreen. Two keypad formats, numeric with function keys and alphanumeric, carry caps with laser-etched legends and backlight automatically controlled via ambient light sensor.

With dimensions of 8.5 in. (L) x 3.3 in. (W) x 1.4 in. (D), weighing 17.6 oz., CK3X offers the choice of integrated area imagers for standard range or near/far range scanning. CK3X supports the latest RF standards, 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth Class II, Version 2.1+EDR, as well as an optional RFID reader accessory. A more ergonomic form factor of the CK3R, totaling 14.1 oz., addresses retail store operations and contains the newly introduced EA31 imaging engine for one and two-dimensional barcodes, as well as Wireless LAN at 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth Class II. CK3X appears slightly more rugged than the CK3R, rated for five foot drops to concrete, rather than four, with an IP-54 for water and dust in each case. CK3X also has audio support for VoIP, Vocollect Voice, and Push-to-Talk.

In showcasing these new products, Intermec stressed backward compatibility with accessories and the strength of accompanying software for remote management, system configuration, and application sharing. In particular, it called attention to CloneNGo, its new peer-to-peer provisioning scheme which replicates device settings from one master unit. “Our CK3 next-generation series is an exceptional choice for customers who need to support ever-changing data capture requirements,” suggested Earl Thompson, SVP of the Mobile Solutions Business Unit at Intermec, which also recently announced the formation of Intermec Beijing Technology Co. Ltd.

Intermec’s CK3 Mobile Computer Adds Features

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INTEGRATION

CRS (and SNBC) Look to Android

Another long-standing player in the POS channel has placed its bet on tablets. CRS Inc. (St. Paul, MN) has engineered software development kits (SDKs) for Android for select SNBC receipt printers, starting with Model BTP-R880NP. CRS Inc., as many RRN.Com readers know, serves as the importing distributor for SNBC, or Shandong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., in North and South America.

“Over the past five years, SNBC printers have emerged as the best value option for merchants in retail and restaurant environments, providing exceptional reliability and significant savings,” asserted Bruce Mann, VP of Marketing at CRS. “While the use of tablet-based stationary and mobile point-of-sale applications is increasing, many customers will continue to demand printed receipts. Merchants will appreciate that the most cost-effective products for providing receipts will continue to be SNBC.”

Mann disclosed to RRN.Com that iOS SDKs will be forthcoming sometime in the future. In the meantime, he stressed that SNBC printers are unique in that they offer true wireless Android interface capability in addition to traditional Ethernet interfaces. “That provides for a printer and cash drawer to be driven by a tablet or mobile device without a router involved,” Mann said. “We are not aware of any other printer that offers this configuration capability. We did preview this quietly to a few folks at the RSPA RetailNOW Show and had strong support to continue development.”

A Wireless Interface for Receipt Printing From Tablets

Have Finger, Will Travel

DigitalPersona, Inc. (Redwood City, CA) has stocked its new miniature biometric fingerprint sensor suited for mobile identification devices, the U.Are.U 5100. Measuring 2 in. (L) x 1.2 in. (W) x 0.6 in. (H) and weighing three-quarters of an ounce, this optical component was designed to simplify OEM integration. The hard glass surface and top case of the module carries an IP-64 rating against dust and liquids while onboard electronics automatically control calibration and data transfer over the USB 2.0 interface. Supply current for idle mode is 50 mA, and less than 110 mA for scanning

Ergonomic blue “landing lights” help guide the user for simple, accurate fingerprint scans, with red and green LEDs providing immediate feedback. U.Are.U 5100 meets or exceeds the FIPS 201 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Image Quality Specification, a key industry standard. In addition, it produces 500 and 1000 dpi fingerprint images in ANSI and ISO/IEC formats. At present, the manufacturer supplies drivers and software development kits (SDKs) for Windows CE and Linux OS.

“Countries creating national biometric databases are turning to mobile ID terminals as a way to provide fraud-free distribution of entitlements and social services,” counseled Chris Trytten, Director of Product Management at DigitalPersona. “Vendor options for integrating fingerprint biometrics have been limited because of power consumption, size, durability, and standards compliance. The U.Are.U 5100 family of fingerprint sensors enables standards-based biometric mobile ID solutions to be smaller, power friendly, longer lasting, and more affordable.” As applications for mobile ID, DigitalPersona pointed to voting, benefits-checking, and so-called micro-finance for people outside the banking system.

U.Are.U 5100 Biometric Fingerprint Reader by DigitalPersona

Code Corner

ECR Software Corporation (Boone, NC) has released Catapult Version 5.2 with more than two dozen new features and enhancements. New e-coupon functionality allows users to create special promotions that can be assigned to specific customers and set to activate automatically at the POS when qualifying requirements have been met. With V 5.2, customers may choose to receive digital e-receipts via e-mail for their purchase transactions. Such receipts are delivered to the designated e-mail address within seconds, said ECRS, and are viewable on mobile devices such as smartphones. In addition, new functionality for charitable giving allows consumers to round up any transaction to the nearest dollar in order to contribute to worthy causes. With V 5.2, the cashier has no extra work as the system automatically does the calculation and distributes funds as desired. Accompanying its new software, ECRS showcased its next-generation in-aisle price checker solution, wall mounted with VESA, which allows consumers to confirm prices and review current discounts. “There has been much excitement generated over the release of Catapult Version 5.2, and we have received very positive feedback from customers,” reported Mark Noble, VP of Development for ECRS.

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Teklynx on Tap for Labeling

Teklynx (Milwaukee, WI) has launched subscription licensing for its popular label design programs, Code Soft, Label View, and Label Matrix. Under the new program, end-users now have the choice of lower upfront cost, while benefiting from accompanying maintenance, technical support, and optional upgrades, according to the vendor. For the channel, resellers no longer need to manage potentially complex Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) renewals.

“Teklynx provides the best label design software in the industry and now we’re the only company to offer this cost-effective and convenient option,” declared Laura Henderson, Managing Director with Teklynx. “Subscription licensing offers our customers the luxury of choice, so that every business can select the option that’s right for them. It is truly a competitive differentiator and will help us and our value-added resellers build long-term relationships with our end-users.”

Teklynx also revealed successful roll out of its Teklynx Central enterprise labeling system for Freelin-Wade, one of North America’s largest independent manufacturers of plastic tubing, based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Since implementing this off-the-shelf solution, Freelin-Wade has reportedly enjoyed 50% reduction in labeling errors, which has led to an equal decrease in customer returns. This software pulls data from Freelin-Wade’s existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which has allowed the label creation process to be fully automated, in language familiar to customers.

Teklynx Label View Design Software

A Fluffy Cloud of QuickBooks

NovelASPect (San Francisco), one of the leading business solution hosting services for accountants and their customers, will be offering QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013. Intuit, RRN.Com readers may recall, launched this new platform in June with three versions, Basic, Pro, and Multi-Store, redesigned screens, and support for iOS and Android. The new subscription package from NovelASPect, dubbed POS 2013 Plus, includes hosting, free 24/7 support, and the POS software lease for one “low monthly cost,” according to the VAR.

“We’re excited to offer our hosting services and software leases in one easy package to our clients,” stated Rick Fallahee, CEO of NovelASPect, which also distributes Peachtree and Fishbowl Inventory. “We know that Intuit software and support can be expensive, so we are thrilled to have Intuit’s direct approval and backing to begin selling hosting services and software in this subscription-based format. Here at NovelASPect, we pride ourselves on our exceptional hosting services, and are excited that our hard work is being recognized by one of the top software companies and our loyal customers.”

With all the focus on fresh POS players such as Square, PayPal, and Google, it sometimes gets forgotten that Intuit has staked out one of the truly powerful claims on small retailers. QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013 brings to bear all of the firm’s tools, including GoPayment, its own mobile payment processing scheme. By leveraging capabilities for sales, payment processing, inventory, financial, and tax functions, Intuit has proposed an argument for merchants seeking an entry-level, lower-end system, probably, but also wanting some depth, flexibility, and scalability. One more reason for traditional POS resellers to lose sleep.

QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013 From Intuit

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
Wasp Barcode Technologies

POS & Peripherals
J2 Retail Systems
Pioneer POS
Posiflex
POS-X
Touch Dynamic

POS Systems - Hospitality
PAR

POS & Processing
RedFin Network

Barcode & Transaction Printers
Datamax-O'Neil
Zebra Technologies

Cash Drawers
MMF POS

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic ADC
Janam Technologies
Trimble

Data Collection Software
Wavelink

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Merchant Warehouse

Keyboards
Cherry, ZF Electronics Corp.

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Citizen Systems America
Epson America
Star Micronics

Scanners
Bar Codes Unlimited
Code Corporation

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo TouchSystems

INSTALLATIONS

Self-Checkout En Masse

NCR (Duluth, GA) will carry its self-checkout technology deeper into the heart of mass merchandise under terms of its recent contract win with Wal-Mart. Specifically, NCR will outfit 10,000 lanes with its SelfServ Checkout stations across 1,200 locations for the retailer in the U.S. during 2013. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but self-checkout devices typically cost between $10,000 and $25,000 each. At present, Wal-Mart currently has self-checkout in approximately 1,800 of its 3,900 stores.

“Our customers are shopping differently than they ever have, and we’re using innovative technologies like self-checkouts to meet their needs,” commented Jeff McAllister, SVP of Innovation for Wal-Mart U.S. “Our multiple options at the front counter give us unique advantage to provide our customers with the quick, easy, and convenient checkout experience they tell us they want.” Above and beyond hardware, NCR will supply expertise from its Human Factors Engineering Group as well as regular service programs and maintenance to Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club outlets.

NCR SelfServ Checkout Stations for Wal-Mart

Merchant Link Fills the Breach

Merchant Link (Silver Spring, MD) has called upon Phoenix Managed Networks (Reston, VA) to furnish PCI DSS firewall service, coupled with breach insurance, for its payment gateway customers. Under this multi-year contract, cloud-based management will be coupled with an on-site security appliance from Mako Networks to lock down the POS system and segregate payment traffic from all other corporate IT data. This solution requires no technical expertise on behalf of the user, either to install or operate, making it ideal for small-to-midsized businesses or franchisees, according to the two parties.

“Cyber-attacks have more than doubled over the past three years, while the financial impact has increased by nearly 40%. It’s now essential businesses deploy the right mix of security solutions to detect and protect against evolving threats,” observed Trevor Fall, EVP of North America Sales for Phoenix Managed Networks, adding, “Merchant Link has an excellent market standing and client base of tens of thousands of retail, hotel, and restaurant businesses across the U.S. that will benefit from the added layers of security at the point-of-sale.”

Mako Security Appliance Locks Down the POS

Channel Factoid

Retailers in the U.S. appear somewhat confident heading into the holiday season. According to the recent survey of Chief Marketing Officers conducted by BDO USA, respondents expect an increase of 3.7% in comparable stores sales this year. This marks the survey’s most optimistic forecast since 2007, when CMOs projected 5%. Here’s the breakdown: 2007, +5%; 2008, -2.7%; 2009, +1.6%; 2010, +2.8%; 2011, +2.1%; 2012, +3.7%. Overall, more than half of respondents (56%) foresee an increase in holiday sales, up from 41% in 2011. Amid the flurry of new tablet announcements from Apple, Microsoft, and Google, the majority of CMOs, 62%, feel consumer electronics will be the strongest selling category in 2012. Of retailers who sell gift cards, another majority, 58%, expect an increase in this category. Despite optimism for consumer spending, most CMOs, 61%, expect holiday season inventory purchases will stay at about the same levels as last year. Survey respondents were more divided about whether SKUs will increase (40%) or remain consistent (46%) with what consumers saw in 2011. On average CMOs expect SKUs to increase 1.2% during the holidays, meaning shoppers may see slightly more variety on the shelves this year. “While we haven’t returned to pre-recession levels of optimism, retailers are gearing up for what looks to be a promising holiday season,” commented Doug Hart, Partner in the Retail and Consumer Product Practice at BDO USA. “Still, consumers have more choices than ever, and retailers are looking to avoid 'showrooming' by curating the mix of exclusive and top-selling products to get consumers in their door or on their site.”

HELLO GOODBYE

Karl, the King of POS-X

POS-X (Bellingham, WA) has promoted Karl Schoessler to the position of President. Schoessler has served as VP of POS-X for the past eight years. He previously worked as Marketing Director for one of the industry’s largest POS & Auto ID VARs. Under the new executive management structure for POS-X, Dan Moseley will continue his role as CEO/Owner, with focus on the “big picture.” In addition, POS-X has appointed Nick Melnyk, previously Operations Director, to VP of Sales.

“Karl posses a rare combination of industry knowledge, marketing, and technology experience, which has played an integral role in the rapid success POS-X has experienced,” Moseley told RRN.Com. “By promoting from within, we feel we can achieve continued success as well as keep our unique service-centered company culture, which has been at the core of POS-X from the beginning.”

Most recently, POS-X debuted its heavy duty cash draw, designated EVO-C16H, for high volumes and long shifts. This 16x16-inch drawer has full-sized till with five adjustable bill and coin slots, springless bill weights, and steel ball-bearing slides. Its thick gauge cold-rolled steel case comes in black powder-coat finish. As expected, EVO-C16H cash drawer interfaces with receipt printers from major suppliers, including POS-X, Epson, Citizen, Star, and TransAct/Ithaca, and offers optional USB.

Karl Schoessler, President, POS-X

New COO “Nabbed” by PayAnywhere

North American Bancard (Troy, MI), which supplies the PayAnywhere mobile POS solution, has enlisted Terri Harwood as its COO. Harwood brings over 20 years of experience in the payments industry, most recently as SVP of Service Operations for Global Payments. She spent the prior decade at First Data Merchant Services, culminating in her position as Director of Workforce Management. Honors include the Global Payments Chairman’s Achievement Award in 2008 for outstanding accomplishments and exceptional contributions.

“With the positive growth North American Bancard has experienced over the past two years, it was critical that we add a COO with a firm grasp of the mobile payments industry and the business acumen required to help push us through our period of aggressive expansion,” relayed Marc Gardner, CEO/President of North American Bancard, which sometimes goes by NAB. “We saw the need to expand our senior team by adding a seasoned executive with first-class managerial and communications skills whose responsibility would span product management and development, professional services, client services, and customer support. Terri is a perfect fit for our needs, and we wholeheartedly welcome her to the NAB team.”

Speaking of PayAnywhere, the Multi-Level Marketing International Association (Irvine, CA) recently endorsed the platform and free credit card reader for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry. “PayAnywhere is the ideal solution for anyone selling on-the-go, and we are delighted to be able to offer our direct channel to add this cutting-edge technology for their business operations,” said Doris Wood, Chairman of MLMIA, the non-profit trade organization focusing on the distribution of consumer products, such as cosmetics and related party planning, through branded representatives. PayAnywhere will process the first month’s swiped transactions for free (up to $1,000) for those who sign up for the service through the MLMIA website.

Terri Harwood, COO, North American Bancard