Our Product Pick

A new thermal receipt printer from POSBANK USA (Plainview, NY) features print speed of 15.8"/400 mm per second at resolution of 203 dpi. In cube-shaped dimensions of approximately 5"/127 mm, weighing 1.6 lbs./0.8 kg, Model A400 addresses print widths of 50 mm, 58 mm, and 80 mm, with 2" and 3" rolls of paper. It supports Android, iOS, and Windows O/S. Advanced connectivity includes Serial, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.2, and 2.4 GHz/5 GHz Wi-Fi. It furnishes high durability with 60-million-line MCBF, 150 km TPH, and 2 million auto-cutting.

POSBANK Model A400 Printer

COMPANY BUSINESS

STCR Bags OTC

Approval of so-called "Over-the-Counter" benefits in the grocery sector has been furthered at the POS VAR STCR (Endwell, NY). An effort adds seamless integration with processors such as InComm Payments (Atlanta, GA), Solutran (Minneapolis, MN), FIS (New York, NY), and Nations Benefits (Plantation, FL). It supports the third-party software packages, Toshiba ACE and LOC SMS/LOC ThriVersA, handled by STCR.

"Grocery stores are playing an increasingly critical role in community wellness," observed Farrell McKenna, President of STCR. "With our integrations to leading OTC platforms, we're helping grocers easily support government- and insurance-based benefit cards--while keeping the checkout experience fast, reliable, and intuitive." (Applicable for select health and wellness items, via discounted prepaid cards, such benefits are included in many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid Plans.)

A new top executive for STCR and its sister company, SIR Solutions POS (Montreal, QC, Canada), has been engaged: Rich Werneth, as CEO. "Our clients want a single source for solutions that streamline their businesses and create world-class customer experiences," testified Werneth, the former CEO of industrial design firm CATI/GoEngineer. (FYI: Designation as STCR stands for Southern Tier Cash Register.)

Support and Service Center at STCR

A Bluebird in the Warehouse

A new partnership between Teamwork Commerce (Clearwater, FL) and Bluebird, Inc. (Duluth, GA and Seoul, South Korea) tackles inventory management. It bundles Team Commerce's Mobile POS PRO iOS App, Bluebird's RFR901 RFID Scanner Sled, and Apple iPhone. In use, it may scan over 1,300 tags per second at distances of up to 33 ft./10 m.

"As the retail industry continues to evolve, innovation and precision are key to staying ahead," emphasized Jinoh Kim, CEO of Bluebird (recently purchased by TSC Auto ID Technology). "At Bluebird, we are proud to partner with Teamwork Commerce, a true leader in retail technology, to bring our advanced RFID solutions to the market. Together, we are empowering retailers with the tools they need to achieve unmatched inventory accuracy and operational excellence."

Also, in supply chain, Teamwork Commerce has partnered with global shipping platform, ShippyPro (Florence, Italy). Integrated with Teamwork Commerce, ShippyPro automates shipping, tracking, and returns of in-store, store-to-store, and e-commerce orders. It generates shipping labels, populates the most effective carrier, and provides retailers with visibility into critical shipping KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). "This partnership allows retailers to significantly and seamlessly enhance their fulfillment capabilities," commented Amber Hovious, VP of Marketing and Partnerships at Teamwork Commerce.

Inventory Control Via Teamwork Commerce's App and Bluebird's RFID Hardware

Worth Your While

SEAA
Southeast Acquirers Association
June 2-4
Orlando, FL

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

Hot Wheels POS

A cart for mobile checkout in retail, with space for monitor, printer, card reader, scanner, keyboard, and other equipment, has been fashioned at Newcastle Systems (Amesbury, MA). As the CheckMate 1000 Mobile POS Station, it extends sales in settings such as fitting rooms, furniture and electronics showrooms, and outdoor garden centers, promotes Newcastle Systems. As elements, it comprises heavy-duty top shelf, front push handles, solid steel sides and rear panel enclosure (with pegboard), rubber rolling casters, and secure locking drawer.

In standard dimensions of 38"/96 cm (H) x 24"/60 cm (W) x 24"/60 cm (L), with shelf unfolded, it weighs 115 lbs./52 kg. As options, there's secondary shelves, slide-out tray, and waste basket. A choice of battery power includes swappable Li-Ion Phosphate or higher-capacity fixed Li-Ion Phosphate. An opportunity for branding exists on the cart's surfaces.

"Retailers are constantly navigating the challenge of serving more customers without sacrificing space or experience," referenced Kevin Ledversis, VP of Sales at Newcastle Systems. "With the new CheckMate 1000, we're giving them the power to rethink how they deploy POS stations--taking into consideration factors like location, volume, seasonality, and more--and without the need for permanent build-outs." (FYI: In April, Newcastle Systems was purchased by TouchPoint.)

CheckMate 1000 Mobile POS Station by Newcastle

Flying With KDS

A new mobile app for its Kitchen Display System (KDS), called "On the Fly," has been posted by Fresh Technology (Nashville, TN). Available on the App Store and Google Play (at no charge under the subscription of Fresh KDS), it determines and displays the restaurant's so-called Kitchen Score based on three key parameters: KDS Utilization, Speed of Service, and Performance Consistency. It segments by Day, Week, and Month.

On the Fly for Fresh KDS provides instant clarity for small operators of restaurants, who frequently lack the time for careful data analysis, according to Fresh Technology. At the same time, larger restaurant groups may use the app to push performance visibility and accountability down to the store level, bridging the gap between their analytics teams and front-line managers. A drill-down offers: Breakdown of Score, Summary of Business Impact, and Improvement Suggestions.

"Most kitchen data today is locked away in dashboards or buried in spreadsheets," suggested Shaun Shankel, CEO of Fresh Technology. "On the Fly puts the most important insights in the palm of your hand, where operators actually need them. It's about turning complex data into immediate action. Our goal is to move beyond the basics of ticket handling and help restaurants actually improve how they operate."

Mobile App for Kitchen Display System by Fresh Technology

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Week of April 21

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Week of January 20

A Message From the Editor

As we enter 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

Trucking at KwickPOS

An integration between the ISV KwickPOS (Spring, TX) and MagTek (Seal Beach, CA) addresses omnichannel payments for restaurant environments, including food trucks. As hardware, it incorporates the latest DynaFlex II Go Card Reader from MagTek. In addition, it runs through the MagTek Gateway, with Magensa TokenExchange Connect.

With Payment Card Industry (PCI) PTS SCR 6.x SRED, MagTek's DynaFlex II Go delivers tap, dip, swipe, and scan with NFC (Apple Pay and Google Pay), EMV (Contactless/Contact Chip), MSR (Magnetic-Stripe Reader), and Barcodes (QR Code, Linear, Aztec). It works across Android, iOS, and Windows and connects through USB HID, USB iAP2, or Bluetooth/BLE. A small profile measures 2.8"/70 mm (W) x 2.6"/65 mm (L) x 0.8"/20 mm (H). It fits counter, mobile, and kiosk, with OtterBox Universe Adaptor.

"MagTek's tDynamo II [which was previously employed] has been a game-changer for our mobile solutions, and the DynaFlex II Go elevates this further with expanded capabilities and seamless integration," projected Ming Ye, COO and Co-Founder of KwickPOS. "As online sales continue to grow rapidly, integrating Magensa TokenExchange Connect and its advanced e-commerce features, including user-friendly iFrames [for embedded documents or web pages], strengthens our offering, and helps us stay ahead in the industry." (Another note: John Arato has rejoined MagTek as Chief Sales Officer.)

KwickPOS Adopts MagTek DynaFlex II Go for Payments

Cin7 Earns Its Stripes

A call upon the infrastructure of Stripe (San Francisco, CA) has brought payments capability into the inventory and order management platforms of Cin7 (Denver, CO). Addressing customers in the SMB, and designated as Cin7 Pay, it works with both Cin7 Core and Cin7 Omni. As features, the ISV cites one-click payment links, support for multiple currencies and payment methods, and built-in fraud protection.

"Our customers have told us they need a simpler, more flexible way to manage payments without the friction of disconnected systems," reported Ajoy Krishnamoorthy, CEO of Cin7. "We're delivering exactly that: an embedded solution that helps them get paid faster, save time, and ultimately grow with confidence. We believe every business, no matter its size, should have access to powerful, easy-to-use solutions, and we're pleased to partner with Stripe to help make that a reality."

"Cin7 Pay is a valuable addition to Cin7, especially because it allows payments directly from the invoice page," explained Tony Stewart, Director at Boss Air Suspension. "This feature significantly streamlines our sales team's workflow, as they frequently take orders over the phone. Previously, the process of generating each individual invoice and clicking the payment link was quite cumbersome."

Stripe Payments Added to SMB Inventory and Order Management Platform by Cin7

Code Corner

Getting in Gear

A new feature has been incorporated into the Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform by 42Gears Mobility Systems (Milpitas, CA). Included in the enterprise-level version of its core product, SureMDM, this new capability, dubbed InLocate, provides real-time device tracking within the four walls of the facility (for handhelds, tablets, and printers). It requires no additional infrastructure by integrating with existing Wi-Fi, notes 42Gears, and as part of SureMDM, it supports Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS. A number of highlights for InLocate include: audible alarm, geo-fencing, visual heatmaps, multi-floor coverage, and historical data reporting. As markets, 42Gears identifies construction, warehousing and logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.

42Gears Debuts InLocate for SureMDM

Declaring Genius

A "command center for POS," based on its payment solution, Genius, has been envisioned at Global Payments (Atlanta, GA). It brings to market the company's consolidated capabilities--spanning checkout, loyalty, marketing, inventory, reporting, etc.--in payments and POS. A Genius for Restaurants was introduced in May, with Genius for Retail scheduled for June in the U.S. As readers may recall, Genius was first developed by Merchant Warehouse (which was rebranded as Cayan) in 2013. Cayan was acquired in 2017 by TSYS, which itself was purchased by Global Payments in 2019. "Going to market with a single, enhanced POS platform enables customers to enjoy the full range of features and commerce enablement solutions that we offer," stressed Cameron Bready, CEO of Global Payments. "A stronger, more recognizable brand," he added.

Global Payments Rolls Out Genius Strategy

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

A Pocketful of CaaS

An embedded financing solution for software providers and their merchants, called Xplor Capital, has been launched by Clearent by Xplor (Atlanta, GA). It flows through the strategic partnership with Parafin (San Francisco, CA), as so-called "Capital-as-a-Service," or CaaS, specializing in capital solutions for the SMB. A program is designed to be "low lift," with minimal development required for providers of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), according to the fintech Clearent by Xplor.

A number of benefits are cited for Xplor Capital. First, merchants receive pre-approved funding offers based on their sales volume. Second, software providers may integrate with an API (Application Programming Interface) or Branded Widget. Third, merchants repay their funding through one-time fixed fee, and automated deductions from the fixed percentage of sales, with no hidden interest or late fees, per Xplor.

"Xplor Capital eliminates the hurdles of lengthy submission forms and extended waiting periods--if approved, funds are available in as little as one business day," related Michelle Van Horn, VP of Product Partnerships at Xplor. "With up to two-thirds of small business owners saying that they now rely on their personal savings to finance their business, it's more important than ever to have access to fast, flexible capital." (All loans and offers are subject to credit approval, identity verification, and are subject to periodic review, notes Parafin.)

Clearent by Xplor and Parafin Offer Financing Via Capital-as-a-Service

Toast's IQ Test

A path to intelligent, automated workflows in restaurants has been proposed by Toast (Boston, MA). As the new ToastIQ, it draws on insights from millions of transactions and interactions across 140,000+ restaurant locations, states the ISV. As functionality, it encompasses: Menu Upsells (staff prompts), Shift at a Glance (communication between managers and staff), Digital Chits (guest details), AI-Marketing Assistant (with customizable templates), and Advertising (social media).

"Building ToastIQ required foundational advances in data architecture, AI, and on-device intelligence--purpose-built for the fast, complex nature of restaurant operations," indicated Steve Fredette, President and Co-Founder at Toast. "From using AI models to streamline marketing plans, to syncing guest insights from reservations to handhelds in real-time, to powering ROI-driven ad performance, ToastIQ brings intelligence into the flow of hospitality, service, and growth. This marks the beginning of a new stage of innovation where software evolves beyond a tool restaurant professionals use, into a partner that helps them elevate their craft."

Additionally, Toast has presented its new Menu Price Monitor. With monthly updates, it tracks price fluctuations for "key food and beverage items, including beer, burgers, burritos, chicken wings, cold brew coffee, and regular coffee." It displays data by Median, 25th Percentile, and 75th Percentile, along with year-over-year percentage increases from restaurants in the U.S. It joins Toast's Restaurant Trends Reports.

Toast Seeks to Streamline Workflows

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
Tri-Tech
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

Mobile Device Management
42Gears

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

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

INSTALLATIONS

The Buzz at Applebee's: Ziosk

A major deployment of self-order and pay-at-the-table technology has taken place for one of the world's largest franchise operators, the Flynn Group (San Francisco, CA). It puts zMini Tablets with DigiSite Smart Table from Ziosk (Dallas, TX) in more than 460 locations of Applebee's across the U.S. Overall, the Flynn Group owns and runs more than 2,700 consumer-facing businesses across Applebee's, Arby's, Taco Bell, Panera, Pizza Hut, and Wendy's. In numbers, it trails only Starbucks and Chipotle.

"Ziosk's technology seamlessly complements the handheld tablets we currently have in place, creating comprehensive digital hospitality," relayed Dan Krebsbach, President of Flynn Applebee's. "Giving guests control over when to order more items or pay their bill, all while our servers remain at the ready and equipped with handhelds for additional service, allows us to simultaneously meet guests' expectation for elevated convenience while ensuring every team member feels supported. In today's labor environment, this is game-changing."

A spatial location solution, DigiSite Smart Table by Ziosk seeks optimization of server tablets based on factors such as traffic volume and patterns. As further benefits from its self-order and pay-at-the-table technology, Ziosk identifies gaming, guest engagement, guest feedback, and advanced data collection of consumer behavior. It currently processes over $17B annually. Another recent rollout for Ziosk's zMini Tablet: Miller's Ale House, with 100+ locations in 10 U.S. States.

Applebee's Embraces Ziosk Technology

Aptos Chases Road Runner

A move into mobility at footwear retailer Road Runner Sports, with adoption of Aptos ONE. Installation will take place for the chain's 50 stores in 12 U.S. States. It joins the retailer's existing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) by Aptos: Merchandising, Order Management System (OMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Sales Audit. In addition to in-store benefits, Road Runner Sports intends to leverage the mobility of Aptos ONE for pop-up shops at events, expos, fairs.

"At Road Runner Sports, we've redefined the traditional shoe buying experience--from our shoe-fitting technology, to our comprehensive membership program, to our curated assortment of top brands," declared Tom Compogiannis, CFO at Road Runner Sports (San Diego, CA). "We're always looking for ways to elevate our customers' journey with us, which led to our interest in Aptos ONE. Our team members will have everything they need to serve shoppers--whether that's mobile checkout, real-time inventory, customer profile and loyalty information, processing returns, and checking order status--all on one device."

"As Tom mentioned, there are significant benefits to retailers in adopting mobile POS solutions, yet we've heard from many retailers that they weren't willing to sacrifice robust POS functionality for the sake of mobile," confirmed Jeremy Grunzweig, GM of Aptos (Alpharetta, GA). "That is why we developed Aptos ONE with the best of both worlds--advanced enterprise-grade, omnichannel POS functionality with mobile-first design. We will be there every step of the way as Road Runner Sports explores the benefits of Aptos ONE to drive business growth, customer loyalty, and associate satisfaction."

Road Runner Sports Deploys Aptos ONE Mobile

Channel Factoid

A Fistful of Dollars

-Cash ranks third as the preferred payment instrument among consumers, the position it has held for the past five years.

-In 2024, it accounted for 14% of consumer payments by number, while credit and debit cards accounted for 35% and 30% of payments, respectively.

-Of all cash payments in 2024, nearly two-thirds were made by consumers who prefer other payment methods, such as credit or debit cards or mobile phone.

-Nearly 80% of consumers have held cash in their pockets, purses, or wallets for at least one day of the month, going back to 2018.

-More than 90% of consumers intend to use cash for either the means of payment or store of value going forward.

Source: "2025 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice" by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

A Continued Need for Cash

Short Takes

-Verifone (San Jose, CA) has received $235M in equity investment led by Francisco Partners and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation.

-Square (San Francisco, CA) has unboxed its new smartphone-sized Square Handheld POS Terminal. With 6.2" touchscreen, it weighs 11 oz./312 g with approximately 1"/25 mm thickness, and cost of $399.

-Fiserv (Milwaukee, WI) has showcased its Clover Hospitality by BentoBox (which it owns). It offers hardware, software, and payment processing for "upper market restaurants."

Square Handheld POS

HELLO GOODBYE

A Dean's List at Aurora

A c-change at Aurora Payments (Tempe, AZ) sees Derek Dean, former CRO, elevated to CEO. He succeeds Brian Goudie (since 2017 CEO), who has transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman. Prior to joining Aurora in December 2024 as CRO, Dean served as President and CRO at data management software developer, Syndigo, and SVP of Sales and Customer Success at service-commerce platform, EverCommerce.

"Handing the CEO reins to Derek is the natural next step in a leadership transition we put into motion a year ago," expressed Goudie. "Derek's energy, customer focus, and ability to scale high-performance teams have already advanced our mission, and as CEO, he will propel Aurora even faster while I concentrate on long-term strategy and strategic partnerships--including targeted M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions)."

"Aurora combines a powerful technology platform with an unwavering commitment to merchant and partner success," enthused Dean. "Brian built an exceptional foundation. My focus now is to unlock the next wave of growth by deepening our fintech capabilities and delivering even more value to our partners and customers." As its platform, Aurora has ARISE.

Also, recently, Aurora Payments enlisted Avin Arumugam as its new Chief Product Officer. His experience includes First Data, PayPal, JP Morgan Chase, and Visa. As new SVP of Embedded Commerce, Aurora Payments has recruited John Badovinac. His experience includes Fortis, International Bancard, Cayan, and TSYS.

Aurora's C-Suite: CEO Derek Dean (At Left), Chief Product Officer Avin Arumugam (Center), and SVP of Embedded Commerce John Badovinac (At Right)

A New Chain of Command at StayLinked

A set of new postings at StayLinked (Irvine, CA), provider of Mobile Device Management (MDM), most recently puts Brett Koren as VP of Channel Sales. He previously served as Director of Global Channel Sales at its competitor, Ivanti/Wavelink. Earlier stops have included channel roles at Panasonic and Datamax-O'Neil (now part of Honeywell).

"Joining StayLinked is an exciting step for me," shared Koren. "I'm genuinely energized by the opportunity to be part of an organization that possesses such a clear strategic vision, sustained growth trajectory, and a deep commitment to innovation within our industry. It's inspiring to be part of a team dedicated to making meaningful impacts on our customers and partners. I'm looking forward to contributing to StayLinked's ongoing success."

"His comprehensive expertise and passion for channel strategy and partner growth are precisely what we need as we continue to accelerate our market expansion and deliver innovative, industry-leading solutions," reflected Brandon Black, CEO of StayLinked. A former SVP and GM at Ivanti/Wavelink, Black came to StayLinked as COO in March 2024 and was promoted to CEO in August 2024. Another former executive at Ivanti/Wavelink, Joe Wilson, its Global VP of Sales, came to StayLinked as CRO in October 2024.

Brett Koren, VP of Channel Sales, StayLinked