Our Product Pick

Aures Technologies (Tustin, CA) has unwrapped its new, upgraded terminal for POS: YUNO II. In general appearance of its predecessor YUNO, it now features 11th Generation Intel Processors (J6412, Elkhart Lake, i3 or i5 Tiger Lake). With 4:3 or 16:9 format (15.1" and 15.6"), YUNO II has projected-capacitive touchscreen, ultra-compact motherboard (10 cm x 10 cm), and through-the-base cable management (including USB Type-C). A number of design enhancements are cited in YUNO II, including reduced non-touchscreen borders, magnetic rear cover with safety latch, and mechanical, backlight LED On/Off Switch. Initially offered in black, other colors, including white, will follow. It ships in November, according to Aures.

YUNO II From Aures With Customer-Facing Display

COMPANY BUSINESS

Apollo Lights Up Ingenico

A fresh start for payments player Ingenico, following its acquisition by Apollo Global Management ("Apollo Funds," New York, NY). Most recently part of Worldline, Ingenico (based in Paris, France, with offices in Alpharetta, GA), will now function as an independent company. It plans to accelerate its efforts in software and cloud-based services, leveraging its recent offerings of Android O/S (AXIUM), Terminal-as-a-Service (TaaS), and Payments Platform-as-a-Service (PPaaS).

Matthieu Destot will continue leading the execution of Ingenico's strategy as CEO and Board Member. In addition, a new Supervisory Board has been established, composed of international business executives as well as partners of Apollo Funds, and headed up by Chairperson Catherine Guillouard. In the works for months, financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed at press time.

"Ingenico has an ambitious strategy and a longstanding, committed management team to execute on it," declared Destot. "During this ownership transition, we will continue to keep the highest level of customer service and satisfaction without any disruptions. The entire Ingenico team is very excited about the future, as we aim to become a better, stronger, and more agile partner for our valued customers and partners globally." Most of "carve-out" from Worldline is completed.

An Independent Ingenico Gets Backing by Apollo Funds (Shown: AXIUM DX8000)

It's AI-in-a-Box

An interesting addition to the line-card of distributor BlueStar (Hebron, KY): Zeblok Computational (Stony Brook, NY). As an entry in BlueStar's "In-a-Box" Solution Series, Zeblok's Ai-MicroCloud is a turn-key, cloud-native AI Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) that "simplifies and streamlines the development, deployment, and optimization" of AI. It can shave days, if not weeks, off application development, according to Zeblok.

Each In-a-Box AI Solution includes an Ai-AppStore, where customers can curate any ML Ops AI Tool and ISV App. It allows on-demand access to assets such as microservices and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Users may deploy on any topology from cloud to edge, including public cloud, hybrid cloud, and bare metal servers, engaging algorithms in computer vision, time-series, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X). "Edge-AI is an ecosystem play, and BlueStar's diverse offerings of hardware and software means the VAR channel can deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of businesses across industries and use cases," proposed Mouli Narayanan, Founder and CEO of Zeblok.

"It's the start of a unique AI offering available to customers of BlueStar," suggested Dean Reverman, VP of Marketing at BlueStar. "Zeblok's Ai-MicroCloud with the Ai-AppStore will enable BlueStar VARs to differentiate their business offerings by addressing deployment problems in a cost-effective and simplified manner. Bundled with world-class BlueStar OEM server, storage, and networking products, the Zeblok solution can be a game changer for our VARs."

BlueStar Draws Upon Ai-MicroCloud by Zeblok

Worth Your While

2023

NRF Big Show
National Retail Federation
January 15-17
New York, NY

RSPA Inspire
Retail Solutions Providers Association
January 23-26
Clearwater Beach, FL

ProMat
MHI (Materials)
March 20-23
Chicago, IL

Shoptalk
Shoptalk Commerce LLC
March 26-29
Las Vegas, NV

Transact
Electronic Transactions Association
April 24-26
Atlanta, GA

NRA Show
National Restaurant Association
May 20-23
Chicago, IL

ALL IN THE FAMILY

PayPal Proves Its Zettle

An "entire in-store kit" of POS, targeting Small-to-Midsized Business (SMB), has been introduced in North America by PayPal (San Jose, CA). Entitled PayPal Zettle Terminal, it bundles hardware and pre-installed software. As readers may recall, PayPal purchased iZettle--"the Square of Europe," based in Stockholm, Sweden--for $2.2 billion in 2018.

Accentuating mobility, in smart-phone format (5.4" x 3" x 0.6", 7 oz.), the PayPal Zettle Terminal has touchscreen display, pre-loaded 3G/4G SIM Card, and Wi-Fi and Cellular WAN. It accepts the range of non-cash transactions, with payment accredited to the merchant's account at PayPal. As fees, PayPal charges 2.29% plus 9 cents per transaction (3.49% plus 9 cents for manual entry transactions).

As base price, PayPal has quoted $199 for Zettle Terminal. It may be upgraded, with additional fee, with an integrated 1D/2D barcode scanner, cash drawer, and dock with thermal receipt printer. "With Zettle Terminal, we will help SMBs sell seamlessly in person, bring flexibility to the checkout process, and enable businesses to offer their customers choice when it comes to how they want to pay," espoused Ed Hallett, Senior Director, SMB Solutions, at PayPal.

PayPal Brings Zettle Terminal to North America

Oracle Conjures AP for ERP

An embedded banking service for Accounts Payable (AP), in support of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), has been unveiled by Oracle NetSuite (Austin, TX). Entitled, simply, NetSuite AP Automation, it employs the virtual credit card from bank, HSBC. As elements, it includes: bill capture, bill matching and approvals, payment automation, payment reconciliation, and its "SuiteBanking Center."

"Accounts payable plays an important role in helping organizations manage cash flow, control costs, and maintain strong relationships with vendors, but all too often the process is slow, tedious, and error-prone," related Evan Goldberg, Founder and EVP at Oracle NetSuite. "By simplifying and automating the entire bill payment process--from data capture to payment and reconciliation--NetSuite AP Automation eliminates these challenges. This helps businesses streamline and improve a key operation, empowering AP teams to operate more efficiently and ultimately reduce costs."

"This is the largest fully embedded Banking-as-a-Service deployment into a globally recognized cloud ERP system," cited Barry O'Byrne, CEO, Global Commercial Banking, at HSBC. "Business customers increasingly want integrated, accessible solutions. Our embedded banking solution with NetSuite allows customers to manage payments and automate reconciliations at the point of need, without switching screens or multiple log-ins." Now through November 30, the first 1,000 customers to purchase NetSuite AP Automation will receive free implementation, no charges for bill scanning, and 50% off the subscription fee.

Oracle Debuts NetSuite AP Automation for Enterprise Resource Planning

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A Message From the Editor

As we progress through another year--our 18th!--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

Driving the QR in QSR

A mobile payment solution for the drive-thru, and Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs), has been constructed by Delphi Display Systems (Costa Mesa, CA) and Paerpay (Boston, MA). It integrates Paerpay's payment platform into Delphi's drive-thru digital menu/order confirmation boards. Customers employ their smartphones to pay (e.g., credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal) via issued QR Code.

"Joining with Delphi is a logical fit for Paerpay," enthused Derek Canton, CEO at Paerpay. "Delphi's global footprint of over 40,000 locations in more than 75 countries around the world enables operators a near-term solution to deal with labor challenges without changing their point-of-sale or merchant processor." As installation, as expected, there's an Application Programming Interface (API).

"Delphi is pleased to be partnering with Paerpay to bring an app-less mobile payment solution to the QSR drive-thru," contributed Ken Neeld, President and CEO at Delphi Display Systems. "By integrating this payment solution into our outdoor digital menu and order confirmation platforms, we can provide our customers with a mobile payment option that has been demonstrated to improve drive-thru speed of service times while reducing labor costs and increasing sales." He expects the technology to be rolled out to 1,000 locations over the next year.

Delphi Display Systems Puts Mobile Payments in the Drive-Thru

A Jump into Yumpingo

A deeper dive into customer insights for loyalty provider Paytronix (Newton, MA), now with ties to Yumpingo (Austin, TX). As part of Paytronix Order & Delivery, restaurant operators now may collect proprietary one-minute customer reviews via Yumpingo. Such data empowers restaurant owners to track and manage menu performance and service execution at the dish, shift, location, and brand levels.

Simple-to-use, Yumpingo's "smart survey" allows restaurants to capture guest feedback quickly at scale and is "sentiment-tailored" based on guest satisfaction, "so brands can pinpoint the exact reasons motivating every piece of customer feedback." It works in conjunction with Paytronix Loyalty, CRM, and Stored Value, as well as Paytronix Order & Delivery. Both Paytronix and Yumpingo play in the channel for POS--with relationships with vendors and partner programs.

"The Paytronix platform is renowned for delivering relevant, personal experiences, at scale, that help brands create amazing frictionless experiences," expressed Andrew Robbins, Co-Founder and CEO at Paytronix Systems. "Now, with the Yumpingo integration, Paytronix is enabling our clients to gather even more granular, real-time data and uncover actionable insights that can be used both to optimize the guest experience and to fine-tune overall operations." (Also, Paytronix has made available its set of digital design tools, under the moniker, Order Experience Builder. It functions as part of Paytronix Order & Delivery.)

A Partnership Between Paytronix and Yumpingo Enhances Insights into Customer Preferences

Code Corner

Loftware (Portsmouth, NH) has launched its new enterprise labeling software, Loftware Spectrum 4.6. With Loftware Spectrum 4.6, customers may drive printer device types from an all-in-one digital solution, enabling businesses to seamlessly deploy, maintain, and scale all their labeling, marking, and coding operations across multiple locations. It now supports more than 5,000 printer drivers over a broad set of devices, including Videojet, Domino, Markem-Imaje, Epson, Eltron, and Avery Dennison. An Operator Dashboard in Loftware Spectrum 4.6 enables businesses to monitor their printers, visualize their production environment, and direct job workflow. "Companies are looking for a single software solution that can replace their disparate labeling applications and drive all their print devices," advised Josh Roffman, SVP of Marketing and Product Management for Loftware. "By adopting Spectrum 4.6 as part of a cloud-first strategy, businesses gain printing flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency."

Loftware Spectrum 4.6

ENVIRONMENTS/PLATFORMS

Socket Mobile Turns "16"

Added platform support for the product family from Socket Mobile (Fremont, CA), now presenting iOS 16. With fully tested compatibility for Socket Mobile's CaptureSDK (Software Development Kit), users can optimize the performance of data readers from Socket Mobile and Bluetooth-paired devices from Apple. In its consumer-friendly line-up, Socket Mobile offers DuraScan, SocketScan, SocketCam, and Sleds.

In addition to iOS 16, CaptureSDK has been enhanced with Apple's Swift Package Manager (SPM). It allows Apple developers in iOS to manage, distribute, and integrate so-called "Swift Packages" into Xcode. As such, it allows developers to readily import libraries into their applications. It joins another package, CocoaPods, for integrating Socket's CaptureSDK.

"Socket Mobile is devoted to supporting our app developer partners and we strive to provide ultimate compatibility with best-in-class development tools," projected Dave Holmes, Chief Business Officer at Socket Mobile. "Now, with iOS 16 support added to CaptureSDK, customers can find new ways to leverage the power and versatility of our barcode scanners and reader/writers for NFC. [In addition] Swift Package Manager support allows our application partners to have all the latest tools at their fingertips and add even more value."

Socket Mobile Achieves Compatibility for iOS 16

Planting the Kernel

A new specification to support the evolution of contactless and mobile payments has been published by industry group, EMVCo (Foster City, CA). A kernel, as readers will recognize, represents software that enables payment acceptance devices (i.e., POS and ATMs) to process transactions. As "EMV Contactless Kernel Specification" Version 1, this new standard employs existing terminal architecture, co-exists with legacy kernels, and may be licensed under the same royalty-free conditions as the previously published EMV Contact Chip Specification.

Its development follows extensive input from independent consulting research firms, vendors, channel players, and end-users in payments, according to EMVCo. As key features, EMV Contactless Kernel Specification Version 1 has: secure channel for privacy, eavesdropping prevention, and protection of sensitive data; Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) for card authentication; support for biometric and mobile card verification; optimization for cloud operation; and optional on-card data storage with privacy and integrity protection. Approval testing for the EMV Contactless Kernel Specification will follow.

"The EMV Contactless Kernel Specification is the latest example of the payments industry collaborating to deliver a specification that supports marketplace needs, and advances seamless and secure payments globally," expounded Alisa Ellis, EMVCo Executive Committee Chair. "EMVCo stakeholders identified an opportunity to standardize and simplify the contactless environment with an EMV specification that over time can help reduce the number of contactless kernels that stakeholders need to support and maintain, creating opportunities for merchants, solution providers, and payment systems to reduce costs, and improve rollout speed and time to market." (EMVCo is collectively owned by AmEx, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, UnionPay, and Visa.)

An EMVCo Contactless Kernel Specification for Contactless and Mobile Payments

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Peripherals
Aldelo
Electronic Payments
Elo
Epson America
FEC USA
HP
Ingenico
National Retail Solutions
Pioneer Solution
POSBANK USA
Posiflex
Revel Systems
Sam4s
Shift4
Star Micronics
Sunmi
Toshiba
Tri-Tech Retail

Barcode Printers
Bixolon America
Brother Mobile
GoDEX Americas
Woosim Systems

Cash Drawers
apg/APG Cash Drawer
Star Micronics

Cash Handling Systems
apg/APG Cash Drawer
CIMA America

Data Collection
CipherLab
Code Corporation
Janam Technologies
MobileDemand
Unitech America

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems
Electronic Payments
Ingenico
North American Bancard
Payment Logistics
Shift4
Sound Payments

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

Stands, Mounts, Cradles
Gamber-Johnson

Touchscreens & Monitors
Elo

INSTALLATIONS

A "Stack" of Chips

An integrated software package for casino operations has been fashioned by Signature Systems, Inc. (Warminster, PA) and Casino Cash Trac (Tulsa, OK). It combines the PDQ POS from Signature Systems with Casino Insight from Casino Cash Trac. A suite of dedicated tools, Casino Insight, with 200 installations, helps "streamline and automate cage operations, audit processes, and operations analysis."

"We're thrilled to seamlessly integrate with Casino Insight, as the end result measurably and meaningfully enhances our comprehensive service offering within the gaming industry," relayed John White, EVP and CTO for Signature Systems. A solution for food and beverage, PDQ POS includes mobile app, online ordering, and menu management. Additional qualifications: compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) and, for third-party add-ons, RESTful APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).

"At Live! Casinos & Hotels, efficiency and accuracy are critical. We are always looking for solutions that could be deployed across our entire organization," indicated one recent client, Frank Bonini, SVP and CIO for the Cordish Gaming Group. "CCT and SSI have allowed us to better concentrate our efforts on our core goals as an organization by eliminating several manual processes and spreadsheets across our operations." As its three locations, At Live! Casinos & Hotels has Hanover, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and Pittsburgh, PA.

Integration for Signature Systems PDQ POS and Casino Insight by Casino Cash Trac

Givex' Pub Crawl

A further deployment of Givex (Toronto, ON, Canada) for Canada's restaurant franchisor Foodtastic. In this latest stage, GivexPOS has been rolled out for 21 locations of Prime Pubs in Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland, and Alberta. In 2021, Foodtastic began installing GivexPOS, Customer WebSuite, and Gift Card across its 650-plus locations, which includes Pita Pit, Milestones, and Second Cup.

"Givex has been an incredible support to Foodtastic during a period of rapid growth, and we are excited to continue our partnership," reported Andrea Schlingmann, VP of Operations at Milestones. "Givex's suite of services and hands-on customer service have enabled us to understand our customers and move our business forward. We look forward to continued collaboration as we grow and expand the Foodtastic system." Givex has worked with Second Cup for 15 years.

"The Prime Pubs installation marks the next phase of what has become an incredible partnership with Foodtastic amid its rapid, strategic growth," commented Mo Chaar, Chief Commercial Officer of Givex. "Our team was able to implement GivexPOS in 21 Prime Pubs locations in just five weeks, which illustrates our ability to quickly and efficiently support multi-unit, multi-brand franchise systems." Also, to the south, GivexPOS has been rolled out at the Holiday Inn Trade Center, Crowne Plaza Lancaster, and Crowne Plaza Tlalnepantla in Mexico City.

Givex POS Deployed at 21 Prime Pubs Locations in Canada

Channel Factoid

On the Menu

% of Independent Restaurants
Planning to Invest in Each
Area of Technology in 2023:

68% - Payroll Management

66% - Employee Scheduling

64% - Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

63% - Online Reservations/Waitlist

63% - Loyalty Program

63% - Accounting

63% - QR Codes (Menu, Ordering, Payment)

59% - Kitchen Display System (KDS)

58% - Staff Communications

57% - Online Ordering

54% - Cloud-Based POS

Source: "State of Restaurant Tech Report," by SpotOn (San Francisco, CA).

75% of Independent Restaurants Plan to Adopt New Technologies in 2023

HELLO GOODBYE

A New Marker at Bixolon

An expansion of its label printer team for Bixolon America (Torrance, CA) with the hiring of Ralph Valente as Senior North American Channel Business Manager - Thermal Printing Solutions. In three decades of extensive experience in Auto ID, he has held roles of Channel Account Manager - Western Region with SATO America, Account Manager with American Barcode and RFID, and Account Manager with Lowry Computer Products.

"We are fortunate to have Ralph join our Bixolon America team," remarked Paul Kim, President of Bixolon America. "Ralph's knowledge base, network, and wealth of experience will support our initiative to expand our channel partner base in North America."

At Bixolon, Valente will complement Ryan Persaud, who also serves as Senior North American Channel Business Manager - Thermal Printing Solutions. As territories, Valente will focus on the Western U.S., and Persaud will focus on the Eastern U.S., according to Bixolon America.

Ralph Valente, Senior North American Channel Business Manager - Thermal Printing Solutions

Lightspeed's Google Guru

A former executive of Google has joined Lightspeed Commerce (Montreal, QC, Canada) as its Chief Product and Technology Officer: Ryan Tabone. In his nearly 15 years at Google, Tabone served as VP of G Suite, Technical Assistant to the CEO, and GM and VP of Google Pay and Google Finance. Previously, he was Co-Founder and Group Product Manager for Chrome OS and Chromebooks. In recent years, Lightspeed has broadened its focus beyond POS into payments, inventory management, loyalty, and e-commerce.

"Ryan brings an impressive track record of tackling large-scale technology challenges while empowering product and technology teams to keep creativity and innovation at the heart of everything they do," shared JP Chauvet, CEO of Lightspeed. "The solutions Lightspeed provides are pivotal to the success of retailers and restaurateurs worldwide--and in today's dynamic environment, they have never needed us more. Ryan will play a central role in ensuring the solutions we bring to market not only power their continued success but provide new resources to enable them to adapt to the unexpected."

"I've spent my career focused on solving problems to create fundamental shifts in industries for the benefit of businesses and consumers," noted Tabone. "Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, spend a significant amount of time focused on the infrastructure of running their business, which pulls them away from doing what they love--bringing unique value to their customers. Lightspeed, with its portfolio of products, is uniquely positioned to dramatically simplify the commerce stack for these merchants."

Ryan Tabone, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Lightspeed Commerce