Our Product Pick

A large-capacity paper holder has been presented for the SK1-41 Kiosk Series from Star Micronics America (Somerset, NJ). Accommodating rolls of up to 10"/254 mm in diameter, it enables longer intervals between changes and uninterrupted service, notes Star Micronics. It features simple, durable structure and paper-end sensor. Easy set-up ensures quick and hassle-free installation. With 4"/102 mm print width, and speed of 6"/150 mm per second at 203 dpi, the SK1-41 Thermal Kiosk Printer supports receipt, ticket, and label media.

Star's Large-Capacity Kiosk Printer Paper Holder

COMPANY BUSINESS

Un-LOC-king POS

A next-generation software for retail, browser-based, has been debuted by ISV LOC Software (Laval, QC, Canada). It builds upon the company's previous flagship product, Store Management Suite (SMS), and carries the title, "ThriVersA" (i.e., Thrive + Versatility + Applied). Addressing areas of grocery, natural food, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty retail, it furnishes benefits of modular architecture, easy third-party integration, and independence regarding both hardware and O/S. It includes POS, Back Office, Host, E-Commerce, Self-Service, and Loyalty.

"The retail industry is changing rapidly in response to evolving consumer behaviors and technological advancements," noted Stephan Mercier, Founder and CTO at LOC Software. "LOC is committed to ensuring retailers can keep pace with rapid change by providing all the tools they need at the point-of-sale and in the back office to operate competitively. An essential capability is complete control of data for meaningful reporting and deep insights into operations and consumer activity. Cloud-based ThriVersA allows retailers to access that data and manage their businesses anywhere."

"LOC Software has taken a measured approach to the cloud," added Gilles Lapierre, CEO at LOC Software. "We listened to our customers, and aligned our strategy with their needs and their roadmap for digital transformation. Launching ThriVersA is a stepping stone to our next 35 years." It appeared at the recent National Grocers Association Show.

=

LOC Software Launches New ThriVersA POS

Regarding Henry

A familiar face has emerged as the new CEO of payments player BlueSnap (Boston, MA and London, U.K.): Henry Helgeson. As many readers will recall, Helgeson was previously the Founder and CEO of payments company Cayan. Under his leadership, it grew into one of the largest merchant acquirers in the U.S. and was sold to Global Payments for $1B in 2018. He subsequently advised firms such as Billing Tree, Infinicept, and Payroc.

"With increasing frequency, companies across a wide range of industries recognize the critical link between enhanced payments capabilities, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth," observed Helgeson. "With an expansive network of financial institutions and an existing suite of innovative payments, billing, and invoicing solutions, BlueSnap is well-positioned and primed to expand the footprint of our Global Payment Orchestration Platform. I look forward to helping BlueSnap realize its growth potential and usher in a new era for the company as we seek to address growing demand among the underserved middle market addressed by ISVs."

"A true industry innovator and successful entrepreneur, Henry's industry knowledge, deep relationships, and impressive record in the payments industry make him the ideal choice to lead BlueSnap," enthused Matt Vettel, BlueSnap Chairman. As features of its Global Payment Orchestration Platform, BlueSnap enables merchants to accept payments in over 100 currencies and 100 payment types, as well as take advantage of integration capabilities via its network of software technology partners, including, most recently, Oracle NetSuite. It's backed by private equity investors Great Hill Partners and Parthenon Capital Partners (both in Boston, MA).

Henry Helgeson, CEO, BlueSnap

Worth Your While

ETA Transact
Electronic Transactions Association
April 17-19
Las Vegas, NV

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

RetailNOW
Retail Solutions Providers Association
July 28-30
Las Vegas, NV

VARTECH
BlueStar
September 16-17
Orlando, FL

FSTEC
Foodservice Tech/Winsight
September 16-18
Grapevine, TX

Pack Expo
PMMI-Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies
November 3-6
Chicago, IL

MJBizCon
MJBizDaily
December 3-6
Las Vegas, NV

ALL IN THE FAMILY

It RAINs at Janam

An all-in-one UHF RFID Reader/Writer, designated Model XR2, has been unwrapped at Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY). With Impinj E710 RAIN Chip, XR2 may scan more than 1,000 EPC Class 1 Gen 2 tags per second, from distances of up to 60 ft./18 m. It also incorporates self-jammer cancellation to ensure robust tag detection in crowded tag environments. It targets asset tracking and inventory management.

Weighing 26 oz./678 g, the XR2 furnishes Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 Octa-Core CPU at 2.5 GHz, 4 GB/64 GB Memory, and Android 13 with Google Mobile Services (upgradeable to Android 15). Additional features include 5.7" touchscreen, Honeywell 1D/2D imager, 5 MP/13 MP front- and rear-facing cameras, and 9000 mAh battery. As wireless, it has Bluetooth 5/BLE, 802.11 Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, and GPS. As ruggedness, it meets an IP-67 rating and 4 ft./1.2 m drop standard.

"With XR2, Janam is introducing a transformative solution that will drastically improve how businesses view and manage their assets across the supply chain," commented Harry Lerner, CEO of Janam Technologies. "Now that we're part of HID [Austin, TX], a global powerhouse in the RFID industry, we're especially pleased about adding world-class UHF tag reading ability that thrills our customers in terms of performance and affordability." An optional multi-carrier SIM Card, dubbed JanamConnect, utilizes the best-performing cellular network.

All-in-One UHF RFID Reader/Writer, XR2, by Janam

A Box of AIDC

A trio of vendors has assembled the bundle of "Smart Mobile Computing and Scanning." It combines rugged DuraForce PRO 3 and DuraSport 5G Android smartphones by Kyocera (San Diego, CA), handheld long-range scanners and RFID readers by AsReader, Inc. (Portland, OR), and mobile thermal printers by Seiko Instruments USA (Torrance, CA). A custom case from AsReader offers gun-type handle, and the printers from Seiko may be in 2"/50 mm (MP-B21L), 3"/76 mm (MP-B30L), or 4"/102 mm (MP-A40) widths.

Integration into the end-users ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) employs the free AsReader SDK (Software Development Kit) plus third-party middleware software such as RFGen by DataMax (El Dorado Hills, CA). Scanned data may also be captured using keyboard-emulating Human Interface Device Mode (HID) on the smartphone. Also, AsCamera X Scanning Software, triggered by large external programmable button on the smartphone, may be downloaded at the Google Play Store. A single power source charges the combined smartphone/scanner.

"Kyocera is dedicated to helping solve business challenges, and this easy-to-use Smart Mobile Computing and Scanning solution with reliable and modular hardware will help both large enterprises and small businesses faced with constant scanning needs," recommended Vipul Dalal, Divisional VP at Kyocera's Communications Equipment Group. "These affordable packages [ranging from $649 to $1,785] offer something for every vertical: warehouse/logistics, construction, healthcare, first responders, and retail." AsReader, led by COO & VP Paul Whitney, is part of Asterisk, Inc. (Osaka, Japan).

A Bundle of Smartphone, Scanner, and Printer

Join the Party at No Charge

Subscribe Today! Email:

Do you need to reach the POS & Auto ID resellers who really drive business? With the most targeted editorial environment, and on the most cost-effective basis?

E-mail Michael Kachmar for advertising information,
or call 973-270-3284

Did you miss one of our issues and suddenly realize your competitors know more than you do?

Hurry! Use the links below to catch up:

Week of February 26

Week of January 29

Week of January 15

Top 10 States for C-Stores

1-Texas (16,018)

2-California (12,000)

3-Florida (9,596)

4-New York (7,917)

5-Georgia (6,719)

6-North Carolina (5,749)

7-Ohio (5,673)

8-Michigan (4,879)

9-Pennsylvania (4,728)

10-Illinois (4,666)

Source: Statista

ALLIANCES

NAB "Zooms" into QuickBooks

A bridge for syncing electronic payments and recurring billing for merchants directly into QuickBooks Online has been built by North American Bancard (Troy, MI) and Chargezoom (Salt Lake City, UT). Users of NAB's platform, Payanywhere, and its merchant portal, Payments Hub, may select the Chargezoom plan that works best for them--"Basic Sync" that updates at batch level daily or "Advanced Sync" that updates at the transaction level every 15 minutes. As partners, Chargezoom has many of the Top 20 merchant acquirers in the U.S.

"The Payanywhere product mission is to connect our merchants and their data to applications critical to their business's success," declared Jim Parkinson, Chief Experience Officer at North American Bancard. "We are excited about the partnership with Chargezoom because it allows us not only to connect but also enhance the merchants' accounting experience driven by sales activity in Payanywhere. This just the beginning of what we can do together to make our merchants the most competitive and profitable they can be."

Also North American Bancard has added "Payment Links" to its Payments Hub. Supporting outreach such as an embedded website button, e-mail or text marketing, or QR Code, these steer customers to customized pages for completing purchases, paying dues or contractors, or, in some cases, making charitable contributions. "A vital piece to not only our merchant services environment but also to our continuing mission to help small business owners succeed," according to Preet Patel, SVP of Product Management at North American Bancard.

North American Bancard Draws Upon Chargezoom for QuickBooks Integration for Its Payanywhere Payments Platform

Another Round for This Fintech

An asset acquisition of iControl (Rockville, MD), provider of alcohol-beverage invoice payments and scan-based trading, has extended the portfolio at Financial Information Technologies (Tampa, FL). It broadens adoption of Fintech's flagship product, PaymentSource, which enables suppliers and distributors to automate payments, streamline inventory management, accurately track sales, and comply with state regulations. (Financial Information Technologies abbreviates its name as "Fintech.")

Adding iControl empowers Fintech to bring scan-based trading to suppliers and retailers. With visibility into customer location-level sales, suppliers may reduce out-of-stock items and boost revenue. Invoicing upon scanned purchase minimizes discrepancies, improves timely benefits, and expedites reconciliation. It also eliminates the need for managing multiple formats for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

"This acquisition serves as another testament towards our commitment to expand Fintech's portfolio for both the retail and hospitality industries and supplier partners," expounded Tad Phelps, CEO of Fintech. It marks Fintech's fifth M&A transaction since 2019. With it, Fintech now serves over 240,000 alcohol-licensed hospitality and retail establishments via PaymentSource. This represents more than one million business-to-business connections for payment submission and collection.

Financial Information Technologies Adds iControl for Alcohol-Beverage Invoicing

Code Corner

A status as verified payments provider for business-to-business (B2B) for e-commerce leader WooCommerce has been achieved by Fortis (Novi, MI). As such, Fortis will join the WooCommerce Marketplace. It will support end-users of WooCommerce, which features shopping cart plug-ins for platforms such as WordPress, and has Credit Card (CC), Automated Clearing House (ACH), and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

"We are delighted to collaborate with Woo to deliver remarkable experiences in the B2B market," stated Greg Cohen, CEO of Fortis. "This partnership signifies our shared commitment to empowering businesses with cutting-edge solutions that drive growth and streamline operations." Added Web Griebel, Head of Payment Partnerships and Business Development at WooCommerce (San Francisco, CA), "With support for WooCommerce 'Blocks', businesses can expect seamless and flexible check-out processes, which will enhance user satisfaction and ultimately drive increased conversions."

Fortis Collaborates With WooCommerce

A Message From the Editor

As we eagerly enter another year--approaching 20!--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

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Loftware's Silver Lining

An enhanced version extends the enterprise labeling faculty for the Loftware Cloud by Loftware (Portsmouth, NH). With all the features of the company's established technology, it cites faster deployment time, lower upfront costs, extensive scalability, and flexibility to satisfy changing compliance standards. Using Loftware Cloud, suppliers and co-packers can seamlessly print labels--perhaps millions per day--using pre-approved templates and data formats (and drivers for major printer vendors). Businesses can easily regulate access to the platform.

According to its developer, Loftware Cloud enables increased visibility and transparency across the global supply chain network by supporting track-and-trace and serialization. Additional benefits are reduced rework, lower scrap rates, and decreased relabeling, resulting in significant inventory loss prevention, and, ultimately, removing the need for costly product recalls. It integrates with SAP, S/4HANA, SAP Business Suite on HANA, and SAP ECC (ERP Central Component).

"2024 marks a pivotal point for global supply chains as automation becomes increasingly prevalent. Many organizations have historically struggled to keep up with this pace of change, risking lost opportunities and revenue," cautioned Michelle Northey, EVP of Product at Loftware. "However, for companies looking to transform their digital supply chain, Loftware Cloud offers a powerful, versatile, and cutting-edge solution that adheres to critical regulatory and customer standards while saving companies time, money, and resources."

An Enhancement for Enterprise Labeling Platform

SpotOn Tools Up

An automated marketing tool for restaurants has been presented by SpotOn (San Francisco, CA). Addressing both e-mail and social media campaigns, SpotOn Marketing Assist supports independent operators, in particular, who often lack necessary time and/or resources. It syncs with data from SpotOn POS, SpotOn Order, and SpotOn Reserve.

Operators are prompted to answer brief questions about their business category, marketing objectives, and deal preferences. As objectives, they may select an increase of online orders, in-person visits, phone calls, reservations, or some combination--or all of the above. In addition, operators specify limits for discounting and specific timing and duration, and choose their fonts, colors, and graphics in concert with their branding. From there, SpotOn Marketing Assist takes over the campaign, with links to the restaurant's Facebook and Google.

"SpotOn Marketing Assist is democratizing AI and automation technology for the independent restaurants who need it the most," suggested Bryan Solar, Chief Product Officer at SpotOn. "Beyond empowering operators to set up automated campaigns, SpotOn is helping to drive repeat business while providing operators with data-driven insights they need to keep the momentum going and drive revenue all year long." Available now with a "three months free" special, SpotOn Marketing Assist will be $95/month or included in the price of software bundles from SpotOn.

SpotOn Marketing Assist for Restaurants

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Bixolon America
Electronic Payments
Epson America
FEC POS
HiStone
HP
Ingenico
Optima Systems
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Sam4s/Shin Heung Precision
Star Micronics
Toshiba

Barcode Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
Epson America
GoDEX Americas
Woosim Systems

Cash Drawers/Cash Handling
apg/APG Cash Drawer

Data Collection
MobileDemand
Star Micronics
Unitech America

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Electronic Payments
Ingenico
Miura Systems
North American Bancard

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

Stands, Mounts, Cradles
Star Micronics

Acquisitions

Retail: Elevate Software (North Tonawanda, NY) buys Mi9 Retail (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Store operations.

Auto ID: RMS Omega Technologies (Baltimore, MD) buys ScanOnline (Charlotte, NC). Managed Service Provider in Data Capture.

Restaurant: PAR Technology (New Hartford, NY) buys Stuzo (Philadelphia, PA). Fuel and convenience market.

INSTALLATIONS

Apple: Right for REISS

A successful deployment of the Mobile POS by Teamwork Commerce (Clearwater, FL) for the high-end British fashion brand, REISS. It has gone live in the current 9 brick-and-mortar locations in the U.S. Utilizing iOS with Apple UI/UX, and tablets and/or smartphones, the Teamwork Commerce Mobile POS delivers the robust features of an enterprise POS and Centralized Database, according to Team Commerce. At present, Team Commerce serves 5,000+ stores and 20,000+ terminals.

"We have been impressed by Teamwork Commerce's technology, both in its ability to streamline in-store operations and deliver top-tier customer experiences," reported Claire Joel, IT Director of REISS. "The ease-of-use of the solution, alongside the functionality it offers, meant the decision to roll the POS solution out to our U.S. stores was an easy one to make. Teamwork Commerce provides us with scalable technology, both in volume and wider capability. We look forward to expanding our use of the Teamwork Commerce solution in 2024."

"With evolving consumer demands and expectations, customer experience in today's retail landscape should be a top priority for any brand," related Michael Mauerer, CEO of Teamwork Commerce. "REISS's dedication to delivering these experiences is testament to the organization's forward-thinking approach. With its exciting growth plans for the U.S. market, we are confident in our ability to help REISS continue to utilize the most advanced technologies available in the market starting at the POS."

Fashion Brand REISS Chooses Teamwork Commerce Mobile POS

A Soap Opera for NFC

An unattended payment solution for environments such as car washes and laundromats, comprising software and hardware, has been fashioned by Genesys Technologies (Colorado Springs, CO) and MagTek (Seal Beach, CA). As "CryptoTap Plus," utilizing MagTek's DynaProx BCR, this system incorporates contactless payment technology (including cards, mobile wallets, and wearables) as well as barcode reading of QR Codes. It has compact format of 2.1"/53 mm (L) x 2.5"/64 mm (W) x 0.7"/18 mm (D), weighing 2 oz./58 g.

With no moving parts, it has certification of IP-66 and IK08. In low-lit areas, the device stands out with color LEDs. An external button, customizable for red or green illumination, adds credits or stops the count-up cycle. Under the MagneSafe Security Architecture, the DynaProx BCR meets the requirements for EMV 3.0, Payment Card Industry (PCI) PTS POI 6.1, and AES 256 Encryption with DUKPT.

"A big part of the beauty of our solution is that it uses the MagTek DynaProx BCR," explained Dave Richards, VP of Genesys Technologies. "DynaProx is rugged, easy to integrate with, and its barcode scanner lens is ingeniously positioned to prevent water, lint, and dirt from collecting. This is our third product we have developed with MagTek and I believe it will be even more successful than past solutions."

A CryptoTap Plus by Genesys and MagTek Addresses Car Washes and Laundromats

Channel Factoid

Fast Casual & QSR
Executives Dish on IT

"New Ordering Channels
We're Adding in 2024"

-Kiosk: 44%

-Mobile App: 25%

-Delivery Partners: 25%

-Phone AI: 20%

-Voice Drive-Thru: 16%

"Order Accuracy
At Our Brand"

-Strong: 38%

-Mediocre: 55%

Weak: 7%

"We're Moving to
Unified Commerce"

-Already Did: 30%

-Yes, We Will: 15%

-No Plans: 35%

-In 2025 or Later: 20%

Source: "5th Annual State of Digital Report" by Qu

A Comeback for Self-Service

HELLO GOODBYE

Storming the Castle

An emphasis on growth and expansion for payment solutions provider Castles Technology (Atlanta, GA) will be led by its new CEO, Joe Mach. In his last role, he served as CEO and President of ENS, which supplies mobile and POS mounts, with 85 of the top 100 U.S. retailers as customers. Prior to that, Mach was President of Verifone Americas.

"I am honored to join Castles Technology and lead its North American region," expressed Mach. "My foremost goal is to cultivate and fortify strategic partnerships that drive collaborative success, paving the way for innovation and growth together. Castles is poised to be the partner of choice in the payments space, and I am committed to leading our team towards that vision."

"With Joe on board, Castles Technology is poised to elevate and further localize its presence in North America's dynamic payments sector," remarked Kevin Hsin, Global Chairman of Castles Technology (Taipei City, Taiwan). "His deep understanding of the payments industry and U.S. market, coupled with his partner-first approach, will enable us to capitalize on emerging opportunities and deliver unparalleled value to our customers." In particular, Castles emphasized its capacity in white-labeling and product customization (OEM/ODM).

Joe Mach, CEO, North America, Castles Technology

Welcome Back, Dax

A return of Dax Dasilva, who will serve as Interim CEO at ISV Lightspeed Commerce (Montreal, QC, Canada). As readers may recall, Dasilva served as the company's CEO from its inception in 2005 until February 2022. Most recently, he was Lightspeed's Executive Chair. His appointment comes as JP Chauvet, previous CEO, has stepped down.

"I founded this company and am delighted to be named Interim CEO to lead this next stage of profitable growth," shared Dasilva. "The achievements of our last quarter serve as a testament to our potential, and we must continue to build upon this momentum." In its Q3 2024, Lightspeed reported revenue of $239.7M, up 27% year-over-year, and improved Net Loss of $40.2M and Adjusted EBITDA of $3.6M.

"We welcome back Dax Dasilva as Lightspeed's Interim CEO," contributed Patrick Pichette, Lead Independent Director of the Board. "His exceptional track record as the founder of this company speaks volumes about his visionary leadership and dedication to success over the years. Under his guidance, we have witnessed remarkable growth, propelling Lightspeed to the category leader it is today."

Dax Dasilva, Founder and Interim CEO, Lightspeed

[Editor's Note: In March, Lightspeed announced integration with Springbig (Boca Raton, FL) to provide marketing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for the cannabis and retail industries.]