Our Product Pick

An integration at MicroTouch (Maryville, TN) puts NFC Tap-to-Pay (EMV Level 1) into its Mach 15.6" and 21.5" All-in-Ones. A reader placed behind the glass now enables secure contactless payments without the need for an external payment device. It supports partners, including VARs and ISVs, working in Android O/S. Also, an embedded NFC Tap-to-Pay builds upon payment capabilities previously introduced on the Mach All-in-Ones, including key-less entry of PIN-on-Glass. "A platform that supports secure contactless payments without compromising design, durability, performance, or counterspace," as described by Gary Dalton, Director of Product Management, MicroTouch.

MicroTouch Embeds Tap-to-Pay

COMPANY BUSINESS

A Big Deal

A few years after the death of its legendary CEO, Steve Cuntz, comes the news that BlueStar will be purchased by TD SYNNEX. A definitive agreement has been announced, subject to customary regulatory approvals. One of the two "big" distributors in our channel (along with ScanSource), and privately held, BlueStar has not revealed terms.

"BlueStar has built an outstanding reputation through specialization, technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to its partners," cited Reyna Thompson, President of North America for TD SYNNEX (Fremont, CA and Clearwater, FL). "We're excited about the opportunity to combine BlueStar's expertise in AIDC, operational technology, mobility, RFID, point-of-sale, and related technologies with the global resources, investments, and reach of TD SYNNEX."

"Our customers and vendor partners rely on BlueStar because of our specialization, industry expertise, and personalized support," expressed Ryan Girvin, CEO of BlueStar (Hebron, KY). "The opportunity to join TD SYNNEX would allow us to maintain those strengths while expanding the resources, capabilities, and opportunities available to the partners we serve."

Until any transaction is completed, TD SYNNEX and BlueStar will continue to operate independently. Acquisition follows a fiscal quarter in which TD SYNNEX generated $21.56 billion in revenue, up 37.7% from $15.65 billion one year ago, and gross profit rose 26.2% to $1.43 billion, up from $1.13 billion.

TD SYNNEX Buys BlueStar

See SpotOn Run

A number of benefits are cited for the new Handheld POS by SpotOn (San Francisco, CA). A custom-built model for tableside service in restaurant and hospitality, Handheld POS by SpotOn furnishes improved payment processing performance (card-reading reliability of 99.9% and transaction speed boosted by 30% reported by SpotOn). An extended read range for NFC reaches 6 cm/2.4" versus more typical 4 cm/1.8".

In sleek footprint of 7.8"/198 mm (L) x 3.2"/81 mm (W) x 0.6"/15 mm (D), weighing 15 oz./408 g, Handheld POS by SpotOn carries 6.7" touchscreen and 18-hour battery life. As durability, it features an IP-67 rating for dust and liquids, 5'/1.5 m drop rating, and environmental testing to MIL-STD-810H. A redesigned manual entry keyboard, with algorithm validation, automatically identifies card brands and highlights mistyped numbers, reducing friction and human error.

"The new handhelds are amazing--everybody loves them," enthused Ian McCarthy, Private Event Coordinator at Rollertown Beerworks in Frisco, TX. "They're so much faster than the older ones, the tap-to-pay is a lot smoother, and the battery actually holds up--we pull them off the charger in the morning and they'll last all night, even through high-volume orders." As competition for its Handheld POS, and its software, SpotOn identifies Toast Go 3, Square Handheld, and Clover Flex.

New Handheld POS by SpotOn

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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

Short Takes

-Factor4 (Broomall, PA), gift card/loyalty provider, has named Shopley (Toronto, Canada) as its reseller partner in Canada.

-AML (Richland Hills, TX) has certified its StrikerX mobile computer with the Helix iQ Warehouse Management System (WMS) by Coded iQ (Leesburg, VA).

-DoorDash (San Francisco, CA) has showcased its consolidation platform for third-party solutions in restaurant loyalty/guest management, dubbed DashOS.

-Lessen (Scottsdale, AZ) has released new software management platform for field service: Lessen Pro.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

In the Castle: MPoC

A validation of PCI MPoC--"Payment Card Industry Mobile Payments on Commercial Off-the-Shelf"--now extends across all SoftPOS from Castles Technology (Kennesaw, GA). A portfolio at the payments company has been established to support partners at three identified stages of development in SoftPOS. It includes MPoC Software, Attestation and Marketing (A&M) Service, and End-to-End MPoC Solution (Castles Pay).

In the case of software, an SDK (Software Development Kit) bridges existing merchant and/or business applications in MPoC. As the A&M Service, hosted and operated by Castles Technology, there's device set-up and registration and security monitoring and risk assessment. Lastly, its Castles Pay, which supports Android O/S, reduces development and integration requirements and accelerates commercial rollout.

"SoftPOS has reached the point where the question for many payment providers is no longer whether to offer it, but how," declared Jean-Philippe Niedergang, CEO of EMEA, Pacific, and LATAM at Castles Technology. "Some want to own the entire experience, while others want to get to market quickly or avoid building complex security infrastructure themselves. By validating our software, our monitoring service, and our complete solution, we can meet partners wherever they are in that journey and help them bring secure SoftPOS acceptance to market in the way that best fits their business."

Castles Technology Gets PCI MPoC Validation for SoftPOS. (Shown: Phone-to-Phone Payments)

Avery's "Visi"-ble Supply Chain

A new tag technology for supply chain, Active Bluetooth Low Energy, under the product name of "AD Visi," has been unwrapped at Avery Dennison (Mentor, OH). Available in late 2026, it leverages NanoBeacon System-on-Chips (SoCs) by InPlay (Irvine, CA), delivering ultra-low-power consumption and long-range performance. It complements the large-scale, cost-effective, Passive Bluetooth Low Energy at Avery.

At present, there's two choices in the AD Visi family. So-called AD Visi Way furnishes continuous Real-Time Location System (RTLS) tracking of items throughout the supply chain journey. So-called AD Visi Secure adds an integrated tamper-evidence loop to RTLS tracking of items, with time and location stamping for high-value goods.

"Both products are powered by thin, non-lithium printed batteries, and are wireless activated," stated Avery Dennison. "At less than 1 mm [0.04"] thickness with a flexible construction, they are designed for straightforward application across parcels, pallets, and Returnable Transport Items (RTIs). The labels operate across a temperature range of -30 to +60 Degrees C [-22 to +140 Degrees F] and offer a reading range of up to 100 meters [328"]." A wider product suite is in development and expected to launch in early 2027, according to Avery Dennison.

Active Bluetooth Low-Energy Labels for Supply Chain, Called AD Visi, Debuted by Avery Dennison

Worth Your While

2027

NRF Big Show
National Retail Federation
January 10-12
New York, NY

RSPA Inspire
Retail Solutions Providers Association
January 24-27
San Juan, PR

NGA Show
National Grocers Association
January 31 - February 2
Las Vegas, NV

ETA Transact
Electronic Transactions Association
April 19-21
Las Vegas, NV

ProMat
MHI-Material Handling Industry
April 19-21
Chicago, IL

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 22-25
Chicago, IL

SEAA
Southeast Acquirers Association
May 24-26
Louisville, KY

RSPA RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers Association
July 25-27
Las Vegas, NV

Contracts

-NCR Voyix (Atlanta, GA). Its Voyix POS, Voyix Kitchen, and Voyix Connect for convenience chain Rutter's, with 100 locations in the Mid-Atlantic U.S.

-Qu (Arlington, VA). Its POS and Kitchen Solutions for shaved ice franchise Bahama Buck's, with 120 locations in the Southwest U.S.

-Olo (New York, NY). Its Ordering and Rails for the Mobile App at Scooter's Coffee, with 900+ locations throughout the U.S.

-Tote AI (Redwood City, CA). Its AI POS for convenience chain Weigel's, with 90 stores in Eastern Tennessee.

ALLIANCES

Newland Beholds Futurex

As part of its push into North America, payment terminal supplier Newland Payment Technology (Atlanta, GA and Fuzhou City, China) has enlisted Remote Key Injection (RKI) by Futurex (Bulverde, TX). It eliminates the need for cardholder data security key-injection before device shipping. It supports the Android SmartPOS, PayExplorer EMV Application, PayExplorer SDK (Software Development Kit), and Terminal Operational Management System (TOMS) offered by Newland NPT.

"Security is a foundational element of our North American growth strategy," shared Heather Hatch, Head of Solutions and Business Support for Newland NPT. "This partnership enables us to bring a more complete payments ecosystem to our customers while reducing deployment complexity and improving time-to-market." In security for Newland NPT: Payment Card Industry's PCI DSS, PCI P2PE, and PCI PIN.

"Remote Key Injection removes one of the most persistent friction points in terminal deployment, but it only works if security and compliance are absolute," indicated Jason Way, VP of Payment Cryptography Services at Futurex. "Our hosted platform gives Newland and its partners a compliant, scalable way to inject and manage keys across their terminal estates--reducing field service costs and supporting their growth across North America." Over 15,000 organizations worldwide now deploy security solutions by Futurex.

Newland NPT Enlists Futurex Remote Key Injection. (Shown: Newland Model S90)

Ravyx Bags ELERA

A certification for Toshiba's ELERA Commerce Platform furthers the relationship between two major players in grocery, Ravyx (Endwell, NY and Montreal, Canada) and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions (Research Triangle Park, NC). It adds to the long embrace of Toshiba's ACE Platform on the part of Ravyx. (As readers will recall, in 2025, two well-known VARs, STCR and SIR, merged to form Ravyx.)

"We're in a unique time for our industry. There hasn't been a truly new, ground-up retail solution built on modern architecture specifically for grocers in more than 20 years," suggested Nick Sarpolis, Account Manager at Ravyx. "With Toshiba's ELERA, we can experience what's at the forefront of retail technology and the innovation that comes with it. ELERA has the potential to fundamentally change how grocers use their systems today, while blurring the lines between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail to the point where we simply think of it as 'commerce.'"

"Retail is at an inflection point where the ability to connect every aspect of commerce, from the store floor to digital engagement, is becoming a competitive differentiator," related Eugene Shvartsman, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. "Ravyx's certification demonstrates both a deep investment in ELERA expertise and a commitment to helping grocers embrace the next generation of retail technology. Together, we're helping grocers move beyond managing isolated systems and toward creating connected, adaptable commerce environments that enable innovation, operational agility, and better customer experiences."

In Grocery, Ravyx Certified for Toshiba ELERA

[Editor's Note: Also, the Clarion POS 485 phenol-free thermal paper by Domtar (Fort Mill, SC) has been approved for Toshiba's TCx S10 Printer.]

Code Corner

Across Channels

A clearer, consolidated picture of customer behavior in hospitality is provided by the new technology platform, Access Evo, according to its developer, Paytronix, now part of Access Hospitality (Waltham, MA). A rolling launch cycle, scheduled for next month, starts with the module, Paytronix Guest Intelligence. It reveals visit frequency, spend, and purchasing patterns across channels, rather than solely loyalty status.

It works in conjunction with two previously launched capabilities: Paytronix Messaging and Paytronix Rewards. When paired with Messaging, Guest Intelligence facilitates highly-personalized campaigns with measurable engagement, according to Paytronix. "Teams should be able to see what needs their attention, understand why, and get help with what happens next, while remaining in control, and without needing to move from system to system," espoused Nonita Verma, GM of Paytronix and VP of Food & Beverage at Access Hospitality.

Guest Intelligence Furthered by Paytronix

Secret Agents

A new Warehouse Management System (WMS), termed AI-Native, and styled as Phoenix, has taken flight at JASCI Software (Boston, MA). It continually evaluates orders, inventory, labor, automation, shipping, and service commitments, according to the company, then coordinates what should happen next (versus "waiting for someone to click the screen"). At the center of Phoenix: AI Studio, with specialization agents.

"Our next-generation AI WMS understands the operation, reasons about what should happen, collaborates across functions, and takes action," expounded Craig Wilensky, CEO of JASCI Software. AI-native engineering development is 50 times faster than the traditional cycle of specs, custom code, and annual releases of WMS, according to JASCI.

AI-Native WMS by JASCI

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

A Stack of Toast

A new market for Toast (Boston, MA)--convenience and gas--brings Toast Fuel. A unified, cloud-native platform, it furnishes functionality--payments, marketing, inventory, and management--spanning the pump, foodservice, and retail. At present, it ties to Allied Electronics' NeXGen Prime Forecourt Controller. As VAR: Owl Services (Irving, TX).

"Foodservice and retail are blurring together, and the convenience store offers one of the clearest examples of this trend: the customer expects to buy gas, a coffee, and groceries in one stop," observed Omri Traub, COO of Retail at Toast. "Toast Fuel unifies that entire experience on a single platform. We're bringing the same innovation powering the country's best restaurants and retailers to c-store operators, giving them the modern tools they've long deserved."

In another step, Toast has called upon NoviSign Digital Signage (Wilmington, DE). "Restaurant menu data should not stop at the point-of-sale," emphasized Gil Matzliah, CEO of NoviSign. "By connecting Toast directly with NoviSign, we bring that data to customer-facing screens, helping restaurants respond faster to menu changes, reduce repetitive work, and create a more consistent guest experience."

Addressing the C-Store: Toast Fuel

[Editor's Note: Also, Toast has debuted its labor management solution, designated Toast IQ Team.]

Wanna Get Non-Physical

A solution for virtual credit-card functionality in use with mobile wallets has been launched by ConnexPay (Plano, TX). It allows eligible virtual cards to be securely provisioned directly to tap-to-pay Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. It eliminates the need to download an additional app.

"Virtual cards have traditionally given businesses tremendous control over how payments are made, but their use has largely been limited to online and remote transactions," noted Ben Peters, CEO of ConnexPay. "By enabling virtual cards for mobile wallets, we're extending the same control to in-person payments. A card that exists entirely in the digital world can now be used at the physical point-of-sale just like a physical card."

In particular, it supports in-person, pre-set, payment scenarios, according to ConnexPay. As one example, it identifies corporate travel and entertainment. In another bit of news, ConnexPay has expanded its support of the physical card by Mastercard. It includes the spend controls, configurable limits, merchant category restrictions, program management tools, and rebate opportunities of ConnexPay.

ConnexPay Brings Virtual Cards to Mobile Wallets

[Editor's Note: According to Juniper Research, virtual card transaction value will grow from $5.2 trillion in 2025 to $17.4 trillion by 2029.]

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
AnywhereCommerce
Bixolon America
Datecs
Epson America
FEC POS
HiStone
HP
MagTek
Metropolitan Sales
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Sam4s/Shin Heung Precision
Sewoo
Star Micronics
Washburn Computer Group

Barcode Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Epson America
Sewoo
Woosim Systems

Cash Drawers/Cash Handling
apg/APG Cash Drawer
Star Micronics

Data Collection
Star Micronics

Integrated Payment Solutions
AnywhereCommerce
Datacap Systems
MagTek

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Epson America
Metropolitan Sales
Sewoo
Star Micronics
Woosim Systems

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

Touchscreens
Metropolitan Sales

INSTALLATIONS

CBS NorthStar Unpacks Boxie

A handy solution for foodservice pick-up has been introduced via Boxie (Miami, FL) and VAR/ISV CBS NorthStar (Irvine, CA). It integrates the "smart lockers" from Boxie with NorthStar Order Entry. A locker in the cabinet lights up when filled, displays the customer's name on its front screen, and sends notification. A customer or driver opens it with the touchscreen, SMS link, or QR Code. An individual locker measures 17.5"/44.5 cm (W) x 17"/43.2 cm (H) x 11.75"/29.8 cm (D).

"While many efforts have been directed to optimize food prep and digital ordering, the physical hand-off remains a point of friction, often relegated to a metal rack by the door that invites theft or disrupts the valuable time and attention of the staff," relayed Pablo Cortes, Growth Director with Boxie. "Boxie's integration with NorthStar closes this gap. The locker acts as a direct extension of the POS. [As soon as] an order is marked ready, a notification is triggered and the meal is secured in a clear compartment waiting to be picked up."

"Our operators ask about lockers constantly," reported Jeremy Julian, CRO at CBS NorthStar. "Boxie was brought to us by an operator. They have solid hardware, software that's honest about what it measures, and a team that cares as much about the back-of-house loading flow as the guest-facing screen." A prominent player in our channel, CBS NorthStar.

A "Smart Locker" for Foodservice Pick-Up

Clover Scores in Stadiums

A recent contract for Clover Sport POS and Fiserv (Milwaukee, WI) supplies the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL. It entails 1,020 Clover Station Duo Terminals and 50 Clover Flex Handheld Terminals. It spans transactions, real-time reporting, and centralized management.

"Modern venue operations require technology that performs flawlessly under the most demanding conditions," remarked Robert Clarkson, CRO for SMB and Clover at Fiserv. "Working with Hard Rock Stadium will allow us to deliver a modernized, fast commerce experience for millions of fans. By bringing Clover Sport to the venue, we're helping create faster, more seamless experiences for fans while delivering the operational intelligence and reliability venue operators need to perform at scale."

"Technology plays a critical role in how fans experience sports and entertainment events," affirmed Sameer Istafa, VP and CTO of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. "Clover Sport provides a modern point-of-sale platform that helps our guests spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying the action, while giving our concessions team the technology they need to operate at peak efficiency." At present, Clover Sport has been deployed at more than 60 major entertainment venues for college and professional sports.

Clover Sport Chosen for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. (Shown: Clover Station Duo.)

Channel Factoid

Inventory Distortion

(Cost of Loss From
"Out-of-Stock/Overstock"
in Retail - By Factor)

$690.9B - Empty Shelves
$198.0B - Supplier
$165.6B - Customer Service
$148.8B - Buying and Planning
$145.2B - Product Location
$100.7B - Spoilage
$77.4B - Price and Offer
$59.5B - Personnel

Total: $1.7T or 6.2% of Sales

Source: "OnDemand: When Angels Shop, Inventory Cannot Lie," by IHL Group (Franklin, TN).

Empty Shelves Drive the Largest Loss Category

On the Line Card

-Zebra Technologies (Lincolnshire, IL) has shipped its Model KC401 mobile computer, named for "kiosk" (in addressing self-service for customers and/or employees), and featuring 10" touchscreen, Android O/S, and Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-6690 CPU.

-Kyocera (Kyoto, Japan) has stocked its new thermal printhead, the KMH Series, with more compact form-factor for greater mobile printer design flexibility and enhanced pulse durability and reliability in the cold chain.

HELLO GOODBYE

Bixolon's Strategy

A new hire at Bixolon America (Torrance, CA) has Blaise J. Collura joining as Strategic Account Manager. He brings 15 years of executive and sales experience in the retail printing industry for consumables manufacturer and distributor, the Focus Imaging Group. At Focus, he served as Shipping Manager, General Manager, and finally, President.

"We are excited to welcome Blaise to the Bixolon team," commented Gary Kim, President of Bixolon America. "Blaise brings exceptional industry insight and a proven commitment to client success. His deep expertise in retail technology will be instrumental as we scale our operations across North America."

Blaise J. Collura, Strategic Account Manager, Bixolon America

PCI's Pilot

As new Head of Business Operations and Risk Management, Ed O'Neill, payments and banking veteran, has been engaged at the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (Wakefield, MA). Before joining the PCI SSC, he held leadership roles with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Pulse, and Discover Network. Most recently, he served as VP of the Global Payment Network Risk Office at Capital One. At PCI SSC, he reports to Executive Director Gina Gobeyn.

"I'm fortunate to have been engaged with the Council since its launch in 2006, and have seen first-hand the value the Council continues to deliver," reflected O'Neill. "I look forward to continuing to evolve the Council's operations and risk management practices in support of the mission to enhance global payment data security." (Also, PCI SSC has published the first major revision to the PCI Secure Software Lifecycle Standard, or Secure SLC, part of the PCI Software Security Framework.)

Ed O'Neill, Head of Business Operations and Risk Management for the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council