Our Product Pick

A new family of kiosk stands, the "Mini," has been rolled out at SpacePole (Norcross, GA). It includes three models: Floor (SPK400), Countertop (SPK401), and Wall Mount (SPK402). Addressing applications in self-checkout, check-in, and ticketing, the SpacePole Mini Kiosk supports screens in sizes from 15" to 27" from major vendors such as Diebold Nixdorf, Elo, HP, MicroTouch, NCR Voyix, Samsung, and Toshiba. Assembled in black or white metal construction, with space for printer, the Mini Kiosk features heights of approximately 51"/130 cm (Floor SPK400), 21"/130 cm (Countertop SPK401), and 21"/130 cm (Wall Mount SPK402). As features: sleek design, rounded edges, magnetic access doors, smart cable management, and VESA 75/100.

SpacePole Mini Kiosk Stand

COMPANY BUSINESS

A Vote for Collaboration - Citizen/M-S

A new partnership combines the strengths of two longtime channel players--Citizen Systems America (Gardena, CA) and M-S Cash Drawer (Pasadena, CA). Under this agreement, M-S Cash Drawer will distribute the full line-card of receipt and label printers from Citizen Systems America in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Also, the two companies will market fully integrated bundles of their hardware.

"We are excited to partner with M-S Cash Drawer, which shares our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction," remarked Buddy Sullivan, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Citizen Systems America. "By integrating our best-in-class printing technologies with M-S Cash Drawer's flexible and robust cash drawer solutions, we can provide businesses with a seamless and dependable POS ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of today's market." Ahead of his current position, Sullivan led Channel Sales for Citizen.

"We are thrilled to welcome Citizen as a new partner to the M-S Cash Drawer line-up," expressed Jacob Hurst, National Sales Manager at M-S Cash Drawer. "This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions to our clients. By combining Citizen's cutting-edge technology with our expertise, we are poised to deliver enhanced value and superior service to our customers."

A New Distribution Agreement in the Channel

What DoorDash Wants

A Preferred Integrations Program for restaurant POS (and middleware) has been launched by DoorDash (San Francisco, CA). In order to qualify, providers must meet key performance benchmarks such as order and error rates below 1%, and offer features such as self-serve onboarding, real-time menu sync, live item availability, and order ready notifications. Initial certified members include Checkmate, Chowly, ChowNow, Deliverect, Otter, PAR, Qu, Square, Stream, Toast, and UrbanPiper.

"We created the DoorDash Preferred Integrations Program to make life easier for restaurants. Merchants have told us that choosing the right tech partner can be overwhelming, especially when trying to understand which integrations will work best for their store, team, and customers," indicated Ruth Isenstadt, Head of U.S. Restaurants at DoorDash. "Whether you're a single-store location, or a growing brand, we want every merchant to feel confident in the decisions they make and to know they're supported by a reliable, high-performing integration provider."

Elsewhere, DoorDash has announced its agreement to buy restaurant technology platform SevenRooms (New York, NY). "We're enhancing the DoorDash Commerce Platform to help merchants serve their customers across all channels," proclaimed Parisa Sadrzadeh, VP of Strategy and Operations at DoorDash. "With SevenRooms, we're delighted to give local businesses around the globe new ways to bring more guests in the door, build and grow direct relationships with their customers, access best-in-class CRM [Customer Relationship Management], and drive profitability through smarter marketing."

Rating POS Partners at DoorDash

Worth Your While

RSPA RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers Association
July 27-29
Las Vegas, NV

MWAA
Midwest Acquirers Association
July 30-31
Chicago, IL

Partner First Conference
ScanSource
September 8-10
Arlington, TX

WSAA
Western Acquirers Association
September 8-12
Scottsdale, AZ

FS/TEC
Informa -- Food Service Tech
September 14-16
Orlando, FL

VARTECH
BlueStar
September 15-16
Atlantis, Bahamas

MJBizCon
Emerald X
December 2-5
Las Vegas, NV

ALL IN THE FAMILY

In the Kitchen With Sandra

An upgrade to its kitchen display system (KDS) at Partner Tech USA (Anaheim, CA) targets high-volume environments. A pair of models, KDS A511 (15.6") and KDS A7 (21.5"), are ruggedized with an overall IP-54 environmental rating and vapor-proof covers on all ports and connectors to protect against steam, grease, and splashes. Available with Intel (Core i3/i5 or J6412) or Rockchip (ARM RK3399) CPU, the PC supports Windows 10/11, Android 14 with GMS, and Linux.

Each features projected-capacitive touchscreen (16:9, 1920x1080), Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), and Wireless (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi). A single cable receives both power and data, via the PoE, and each unit supports up to three connected displays. A VESA bracket allows the KDS to be easily mounted on walls, poles, or suspended from the ceiling.

"When paired with leading kitchen management software from our ISV and Reseller partners, these upgraded KDS solutions deliver a real impact--streamlining workflows, reducing errors, and improving overall guest satisfaction," identified Sandra Hsia, President of Partner Tech USA. "We've delivered reliable POS technology to restaurants for years. Now, we're extending that same innovation into the kitchen, building on our proven Audrey platform to offer a unified, enterprise-grade solution across the entire operation."

Partner Tech Upgrades Kitchen Display System (KDS)

RTO: Turning the Table

A seamless order and pay-at-the-table solution has been showcased by Real Time Ordering (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), in coordination with Platinum Relations (Delta, CO) and National Computer Cooperation (Greenville, SC). It ties to Reflection POS by NCC, with payment processing handled by Platinum Relations via NETePay Hosted by Datacap Systems (Chalfont, PA). As hardware, there's the Model A77 Handheld Payment Terminal by PAX Technology (Jacksonville, FL).

With RTO Tableside Order and Pay, when customers are ready to pay, servers can respond by table or check number. Additional features include suggested tips, split payments, and digital or printed receipts. As expected, it also communicates with the restaurant kitchen printer or kitchen display system (KDS). A monthly subscription fee applies.

"RTO Tableside Order and Pay allows restaurants to provide modern, convenient service, and protect cardholder data and privacy because payment cards never leave the customer's sight," elaborated Dave Beneteau, President of Platinum Relations. "But as much as RTO Tableside Applications enhance experiences for diners, it has even more of an impact on restaurants. It increases server productivity, which can help control labor costs, and it accelerates table turn rates."

RTO Debuts Order and Pay-at-the-Table Bundle

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A Message From the Editor

As we enjoy another year--our 20th!--our mission remains constant: to fill the need for timely, focused, non-biased news in the channel for POS & Auto ID (and now Mobility). If anything, that need grows more pressing in the face of new technologies, go-to-market strategies, business models, and consumer expectations. We look forward to continuing our mission, and welcome your suggestions and thoughts on improvements.

Michael Kachmar, Editor

ALLIANCES

DN Declares "LOC & Load"

A bundle of self-checkout has been fashioned for grocery and convenience stores by LOC Software and Diebold Nixdorf. It runs, natively, ThriVersA by LOC Software. As hardware, Diebold Nixdorf will supply its kiosks, with modular design and choice of screen sizes. A single database in ThriVersA will span POS, Mobile POS, and Kiosks.

"An 'open retailing' approach is a key element of Diebold Nixdorf's self-service solution design, ensuring a smooth interaction of both solutions," declared Ed McCabe, Head of Retail Sales for North America at Diebold Nixdorf. "This strategic alliance beings significant value to retailers as they can easily combine software from LOC with our industry-leading self-service technology." According to Yves Bourdua, VP of Product Management and Vendor Alliance for LOC Software (Laval, QC, Canada), "We will be exploring additional ways to enhance checkout processes and deliver value through our partnership."

Earlier this year, Diebold Nixdorf extended its manufacturing capacity for retail in its headquarters in North Canton, OH. It brings greater control and predictability in the U.S., according to Diebold Nixdorf. As another area of focus, Diebold Nixdorf has partnered with ISV Tillster (Los Angeles, CA) to supply kiosks for quick-service restaurants (QSR).

A Push in Self-Checkout by LOC Software and Diebold Nixdorf

PayBright: Go Figure

A further push into POS for payments provider PayBright (Raleigh, NC) with its investment in the ISV Figure, Inc. (New York, NY). It follows the creation of PayBright's in-house POS Desk, along with more than two dozen integrated software partnerships, including, in April, the bar and nightclub platform of Union (Austin, TX). It makes PayBright the largest investor and exclusive payment processing partner for Figure, Inc.

"After years of working together, we are pleased to announce PayBright's official investment in Figure," relayed Dustin Magaziner, Founder and CEO of PayBright. "Our partnership aligns directly with our focus on supporting quick- and full-service restaurants, as well as small business owners, by giving our agents this [full-featured] POS solution. Figure is already one of our team's best-selling POS products, and we couldn't be more excited to take our partnership to the next level."

Also, PayBright has engaged Sharon Nosar, former SVP of Operations at Platinum Relations, as its new Tech Manager. "Sharon Nosar's experience and leadership will be instrumental as we remain hyper-focused on delivering the best customer experience in the business," stated Dustin Magaziner. Established in 2012, PayBright was recently ranked on the Inc. 5000 List for companies in the Mid-Atlantic U.S.

Advancing in POS at PayBright

Code Corner

Spot the Profits

A new tool for automating analysis of profit and loss (P&L) in restaurants, and thereby identifying opportunities for improvement, has been unveiled by payments provider SpotOn (San Francisco, CA). Named SpotOn Profit Assist, with AI, it connects with popular accounting platforms such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Restaurant365. In the case of multi-unit operators, this tool will benchmark performance across locations. For independents, it will compare financials against similar restaurants. It follows introduction of the SpotOn AI Marketing Assist. "Profit Assist pulls together the numbers that matter--not just the dollars coming in, but the dollars going out--and turns them into clear, actionable insights so restaurants can make smarter decisions with confidence," submitted Bryan Solar, SpotOn's Chief Product Officer.

SpotOn Profit Assist With AI

Bulking Up at C-Stores

A further enhancement, so-called "bulk pricing reset," has been added to the convenience-store payment solution from Sound Payments (Jacksonville, FL). It allows merchants to provide discounts on products beyond an established threshold (i.e., quantity). As an example, five six-packs may be charged at the four-six-pack case pricing. Earlier improvement to the c-store payment solution by Sound Payments featured "breakdown/packaging" functionality, which allows merchants to set individual and packaged product prices for the same item (e.g., singles and six-packs). As another earlier enhancement, "bottle deposit/modifier" allows merchants to choose whether the customer should incur a bottle deposit charge automatically and/or to include items (modifiers) with the purchased product, and inventory updated.

Sound Refines C-Store Checkout

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

A Ticket to Ride at Janam

A new rugged mobile computer, with advanced functionality in ticketing and access control, has been unboxed at Janam Technologies (Bethpage, NY). In smartphone-like format, with day-time readable 6" capacitive touchscreen (1080x2160), weighing 10 oz./300 g, Janam's Model XT4 features Qualcomm (Octa-Core 6490) CPU and Android 14. As data collection, it carries an integrated Honeywell 1D/2D barcode scanner and 16 MP/8 MP front- and rear-facing cameras.

It also has Janam's "HaloSense" technology, with dual-activated NFC antennas on the front and back of the device for faster, longer range, more reliable "tap-and-go," in support of Apple and Google Wallets. In addition, it supports the growing use of biometric authentication technologies such as facial recognition. An embedded architecture, "Omnikey Secure Element" by HID (which now owns Janam Technologies), safeguards identity, authentication, and mobile access.

As wireless, the XT4 delivers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6E, and 5G LTE. An "intelligent," hot-swappable, 5200 mAh, Li-Ion battery powers long shifts and back-to-back events. As ruggedness, the XT4 features an IP-67 environmental rating, 5 ft./1.2 m drop resistance, and extended operating range (-4 to 140 Degrees F/-20 to 60 Degrees C). "With XT4, Janam has redefined what rugged mobile computers can do--not just in ticketing and access control, but across every corner of the enterprise," projected Harry Lerner, CEO of Janam Technologies.

XT4 Mobile Computer From Janam Technologies

Upon This Payroc

An online platform designed to help non-profits, churches, and charities streamline their fund-raising has been offered by payment processor Payroc (Tinley Park, IL). Entitled "Roc Giving," it has functions such as customizable campaigns, tiers of giving (one-time, recurring, future), and simplified management. A one-stop shop in this area, by Payroc.

In supporting the range of payment options--credit card, debit card, and ACH--the customer-facing display at Roc Giving features Donation Links, No-Code Website Buttons, and QR Codes. Advanced analytics track and report campaign performance and donor engagement, two problem areas. In addition, Payroc cited dedicated support for the non-profits.

"Non-profits and religious organizations are at the heart of our communities," observed Daniel McGugin, Payroc's Executive Director. "With Roc Giving, we're equipping them with the tools they need to maximize their reach, engage donors deeply, and achieve their mission-driven goals." Earlier, Payroc expanded its line of Roc Terminals+ with the countertop Newland N950-S and dual-screen Newland X800 payment devices by China's Fujian Newland Payment Technologies.

A Platform for Non-Profit Fund-Raising From Payroc

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Advantech-Aures
Bixolon America
Electronic Payments
Epson America
FEC POS
HiStone
HP
Ingenico
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Sam4s/Shin Heung Precision
Star Micronics
Touch Dynamic
Washburn Computer Group

Barcode Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Epson America
Woosim Systems

Cash Drawers/Cash Handling
apg/APG Cash Drawer

Data Collection
Star Micronics

Integrated Payment Solutions
Aurora Payments
Charge Anywhere
Datacap Systems
Electronic Payments
Ingenico

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Epson America
Star Micronics
Woosim Systems

Remote Device Management
42Gears
Canopy

Stands, Mounts, Cradles
apg/APG Cash Drawer
Star Micronics

INSTALLATIONS

HiStone Clicks in San Juan

A deployment of integrated self-service technology has been demonstrated in Puerto Rico by HiStone (San Jose, CA, and Qingdao, China). A channel team of distributor Girboy Technologies (Westin, FL) and ISV/VAR Multi Business Systems (San Juan, PR) worked to field the HiStone HS520U Self-Checkout System--with automated cash management via PayPod by Crane Payment Innovations (Malvern, PA)--at Ralph's Supermercado Montehiedra in San Juan. It represents the first installment of HS520U and PayPod in the Americas.

A modular design for HiStone's HS520U furnishes necessary peripherals of 27" true-flat capacitive touchscreen, built-in 3"/80 mm thermal printer, 1D/2D scanner platform with scale, and card reader for MSR+RFID. With Intel 11th Gen Core i3 or Core i5, 4 GB/16 GB RAM, and up to 512 GB Storage, it runs Windows 10/11 and Linux. A full range of brackets, shelves, and I/O ports are included for installation flexibility.

"HiStone's self-checkout solutions have helped us run leaner and smarter," testified Jose Soto, President of Ralph's Supermercado. "We're seeing shorter lines, more efficient teams, and more satisfied customers." All 13 locations of the supermarket chain will deploy the self-service from HiStone, in Models HS520U, HS610M, and HS710. "This project highlights how HiStone's retail solutions combine innovation, reliability, and adaptability--enabling retailers to improve performance at scale," contributed Joao Jardim, Business Manager Americas at HiStone.

HiStone's Self-Service Kiosk in Ralph's Supermercado

Very Cognizant of AI

A milestone for AI, and the ISV ECRS (Boone, NC), sees its solution, Catapult Cognition, now running at more than 600 stores. It includes independent retailers in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, with 62% of such stores utilizing at least one of its advanced features: AI Demand Forecasting with DemandFill 3.0 and Artemis Shopper Personalization. A leader--with its Catapult POS, and Unified Transaction Logic--ECRS addresses grocery, convenience, pharmacy, and health-food markets.

Since introduction of Cognition to Catapult in September 2023, ECRS has performed 23 updates with new functionality. It now features: 16,000 Unique Data Links, 25 Out-of-Box Role-Based Dashboards, and 210 Pre-Built Retail Data Visualizations. "We designed Cognition to be affordable and fully deployed within 24 hours," cited Pete Catoe, ECRS Founder and CEO, "highly performant and future-proof, providing the bedrock foundation to meet the growing demands of AI."

Using Catapult Cognition, Richard Cashion, COO of independent merchant Curby's Express Market (with locations in Lubbock, TX and Amarillo, TX), reports significant time-savings and data-driven insights. "I spend three minutes a day with Cognition, when I would have spent eight hours trying to find just one answer out of my old systems," he notes. "I'm excited to see what Cognition will do for me going forward."

A Milestone at ECRS: 600 AI Deployments

Channel Factoid

Store Scores

(Of North American Retail
Banners With 50+ Locations)

Restaurants
2016: 191,133
2020: 193,403
2024: 198,736
Change Since 2016: +7,603

General Merchandise
2016: 164,974
2020: 150,800
2024: 146,948
Change Since 2016: -18,026

Food, Drug, C-Store, Mass Merch.
2016: 140,107
2020: 144,362
2024: 147,302
Change Since 2016: +7,195

Source: IHL Group

Brick-and-Mortar Holds Its Own

Sealed the Deal

-Oracle (Austin, TX) for its Micros Simphony POS for Innovative Food Brands' Chopped Leaf, with 125 restaurants in Canada and U.S. Includes Oracle Workstation 6 and Kitchen Display Systems (KDS).

-Cantaloupe (Malvern, PA) for self-service POS for Carnival Cruise's Celebration Key in the Grand Bahamas. Includes "Sail & Sign" Cards.

-Agilysys (Alpharetta, GA) for full-featured InfoGenesis POS for the Boyd Gaming Corporation, with 28 properties in the U.S.

HELLO GOODBYE

Pay Day at Paytronix

Among changes to the executive structure at Paytronix, now an Access Group Company (Newton, MA), there's Nonita Verma as GM. Prior to joining Paytronix, one of the leaders in customer loyalty and guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, Verma served as Chief Strategy Officer for wealth management firm, Keenai Global. Other roles have included B2B GM and Global Head of Hotels for TripAdvisor and GM for Credit Suisse.

"Nonita brings a plethora of skillsets to the table that will be essential during a pivotal time in Paytronix's history," commented Jonah Paransky, Access North America President. "Her leadership qualities and experience are a great complement to our seasoned executive team and are sure to enhance our industry guest engagement offerings."

"The hospitality industry is under pressure from uncertain market conditions and Paytronix is poised to help equip brands with the solutions they need to meet evolving customer expectations," related Verma. "We're accelerating investment in our platform while infusing it with advanced technologies like AI and new unique functionalities from Access [with its portfolio of business management software] to turbocharge our clients' growth through greater customer engagement."

Additionally, other members of the executive team have taken on new roles: Charles Gray to VP of Product Management at Paytronix; Digger McElligott to VP of Sales at Paytronix; Pamela Robertson to VP of Marketing, Hospitality, the Americas at Access; and Philippe Mestritz to VP of Customer Success, Hospitality, the Americas at Access.

Nonita Verma, GM, Paytronix

A Promotion With Focus

A promotion at Merchant Focus (Portland, ME), which emphasizes its stance in embedded payments, and thus ISVs, puts Travis Jordan as President. He previously served as VP, and before that, Business Development Manager. He has been named as one of the 2025 "Forty Under 40" by the Electronic Transactions Association (Washington, DC).

"Travis will be instrumental in driving innovation and growth at Merchant Focus," enthused John Waldron, CEO of Merchant Focus. "His deep expertise and client-first mindset make him the ideal leader to guide our next phase of expansion." [Note: Mr. Waldron should not be confused with John Waldron, former executive at Honeywell Scanning and Mobility.]

"I'm honored to take on this role," reflected Jordan. "Our mission is to empower businesses through innovative, easy-to-integrate payment solutions that help them grow and adapt in a fast-paced, tech-driven world." Started in 2004, Merchant Focus also has offices in Dublin, OH.

Travis Jordan, President, Merchant Focus