This Week’s Product Pick

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Lincolnshire, IL) debuted its Xi4 Tabletop Printer Series, an all-metal, thermal product line that offers faster print speeds, easier integration into network management and ERP schemes, and enhanced early warning systems for reduced downtime. Designed to improve upon Zebra’s XiIIIPlus Series, and to fulfill applications for high duty cycles in harsh environments, the Xi4 Series encompasses four models: 110Xi4, 140Xi4, 170Xi4, and 220Xi4. Models 110Xi4 and 140Xi4 feature print speed of 14 ips (inches per second) and print widths of four inches and five inches, respectively. Model 170Xi4 satisfies compliance-labeling requirements for AIAG, ODETTE, and UCC/EAN-128, while the 220Xi4 targets chemical drum, banner-size, and other wide-label applications. All offer 10/100 Ethernet data transfer and upgrades have been made to the customizable, multilingual LCD screen, intelligent printhead system, and media/ribbon sensors. The Xi4 Series also offers versatile connectivity options, simultaneous Parallel/Ethernet capability, and remote printer management via ZebraLink Solutions. “As one of the mainstays in Zebra’s product portfolio, the Xi Series printers are known for their reliability in even the most rigorous environments,” declared Ed Migut, Senior Product Manager for Zebra Technologies. “Because manufacturing is at the core of Zebra’s own business, it was vital for the company to bring new levels of print speed and performance to the market that should drive even greater efficiency to this sector.”

Zebra’s 110Xi4 Label Printer

Worth Your While

2009 IFDA Distribution Solutions Conference
International Foodservice Distributors Association
October 19-21
Baltimore

NACS Show 2009
National Association of Convenience Stores
October 20-23
Las Vegas

BAI Retail Delivery Conference & Expo
Bank Administration Institute
November 3-5
Boston

IH/M&RS
International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show
November 7-10
New York

Synergy 2009 Customer Conference
Retalix
November 8-11
Dallas

Fall 2009 Self-Service Expo
KioskCom
November 10-11
New York

NRF 99th Annual Convention & Expo
National Retail Federation
January 10-13, 2010
New York

RSPA Inspire 2010
Retail Solutions Providers Association
February 7-10, 2010
Cancun, Mexico

Connect 2010
Radiant Retail User Conference
February 24-26, 2010
Atlanta

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Janam’s Gun Loaded with Microsoft Mobile

Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY) has armed its XG100 rugged gun-shaped mobile computer with the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 operating system. Now offered with Windows Mobile 6.1, the XG100 meets mission-critical requirements in either Windows CE or Windows Mobile environments, thereby providing flexibility to software developers and solution architects, the company noted. Designed specifically for scan-intensive, extended shift use in warehouses, loading docks, and distribution centers, the XG100 delivers the full suite of advanced features such as 1D/2D barcode reading, Cisco CCX V4 certification, and 802.11b/g WLAN capability. It lists for $1,995.

“Combining Windows Mobile with the XG100’s long list of winning features and its exciting price point delivers the value proposition that is unmatched in the rugged gun-shaped mobile computer category,” declared Harry Lerner, CEO at Janam. “We’re excited to once again offer our customers the right product at the right price.”

Notably, Janam’s XG100 has its battery positioned inside the pistol grip, which lowers the product’s center of gravity and makes it light and balanced in the hand, maximizing worker comfort and productivity. This also creates space for the most powerful standard battery in the industry, according to the vendor. In addition, the XG100’s sleek upper body and wide profile allows for larger keys without adding unnecessary weight or bulk. Finally, the XG100 integrates an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tag into the body for enhanced asset protection.

Janam’s XG100 Rugged Mobile Computer

POS Pair Fingers Prints

Biometric fingerprint sensors from DigitalPersona, Inc. (Redwood City, CA) have been added to the latest POS workstations from NCR and Panasonic System Solutions. Both POS providers now offer heavy-duty “U.are.U” fingerprint readers as an option, allowing users to log in without the need for swipe cards, tokens, or passwords. NCR has embedded the solution into its NCR RealPOS 70XRT, while Panasonic has outfitted the Stingray JS-950.  

Founded in 1996, DigitalPersona previously integrated its biometric fingerprint sensor modules with POS equipment from IBM, Micros, and Posiflex Business Machines (as well as computers from HP and Dell), and supports ISVs and VARs with associated Software Development Kits (SDKs). Greg Egan, NCR’s VP for Retail and Hospitality Solution Management, pointed to “mainstream capability” and the “wide range of choices in biometrically-enabled application software,” while Sam Miyakodani, Panasonic Group Manager, cited interest in biometrics from top-tier customers.

DigitalPersona also expanded its suite of enterprise security software with its new DigitalPersona Pro ID Server, which enables Microsoft Windows-based PCs and notebooks to recognize thousands of users in Active Directory solely by their fingerprint, thus shifting authentication responsibility to the corporate network. ID Server makes true “touch-and-go” authentication possible for log-in to Windows, Active Directory-managed networks, shared-account kiosks, and a wide range of business applications, including Citrix or legacy green-screen and Web or cloud-based (e.g., Internet Explorer 8 and Firefox 3.5), said the company. Targeted at call centers and hospitals in particular, ID Server has been released as an add-on for DigitalPersona Pro 4.4 at the list price of $3,995.

U.are.U 4500 Biometric Reader from DigitalPersona

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PARTNER PROGRAMS

Synnex Seeks SaaS Success

Synnex Corporation (Greenville, SC) wants to help you resell Software-as-a-Service. The Synnex SaaS portal, launched during the distributor’s national sales conference last week, aims to provide one-stop online shopping for the entire SaaS procurement process. Capabilities include: quote on demand (generated with MSRP and associated cost), centralized contract creation and customization, aggregation of hosted solutions, and multiple “bill to” options (including automated capture of customer usage). In addition, Synnex has assembled its dedicated SaaS support team.

“We view SaaS as a strategic opportunity for meaningful, incremental sales for our VAR community as the environment for how we procure software shifts from the traditional on-premise offering to the cloud environment,” stated Peter Larocque, President of U.S. Distribution, Synnex Corporation. “When we developed the Synnex SaaS portal, our goal was to make it as easy as possible for our solution providers to buy all of their SaaS applications from one source and to be able to provide one consolidated bill to their end customers. We accomplished this goal with this tool.”

In addition, Synnex announced the formation of FlexSource, which will provide turn-key logistics support for large customers. This full-service offering will address all aspects of the logistics lifecycle, including transportation management, inventory optimization, complementary product matching, reverse logistics asset refurbishment and disposal, business process outsourcing, and strategic procurement. According to Larocque, the new division seeks to replicate the success that Synnex has enjoyed with Concentrix Corporation.

Peter Larocque, President of U.S. Distribution, Synnex

Seiko Taps Telpar

Telpar (Dover, NH) will distribute printer products from Seiko Instruments USA (Torrance, CA) throughout the Americas and Caribbean. As an authorized distributor, Telpar will handle the following Seiko Instrument product lines: MTP, STP, LTP, and CAP series of thermal printer mechanisms, the DPU and MPU series of portable printers, the DPU-D series of panel mount printers, and the KPU-S and APU series of kiosk printers. Available in two, three, and four-inch print-width configurations, Seiko’s products address receipt, self-service, and medical markets.

Vicki Pillsbury, Director of Telpar, commented, “We are delighted to be appointed as an authorized distributor of Seiko Instruments’ range of printer solutions. We partnered with Seiko Instruments because their products are well engineered, reliable, and have an excellent reputation in the marketplace. These products complement Telpar’s product line.” Telpar, part of Peak Technologies, supplies printer solutions to resellers and system integrators, kiosk designers, manufacturers and OEMs, and federal and local governments, as well as Fortune 1000 companies.

“Appointing Telpar is another win-win situation, as they offer the consultative sales approach and have dedicated engineering expertise in mechanical, electrical, and application software areas,” suggested Thaddeus Szymanski, National Sales Manager, Seiko Instruments USA. “The value-added services they can offer their customers allow them to respond to challenging applications, selecting the correct product for the solution.”

APU-9000 Kiosk Printer from Seiko Instruments

Code Corner

Wavelink Corporation (Midvale, UT) released Terminal Emulation 7.2, the newest version of the industry’s most widely deployed software for extending mission-critical applications to mobile workers. Wavelink TE 7.2 improves the user interface, streamlines the addition of voice features, provides advanced scripting tools, and adds Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) support. It provides the only complete client-side voice solution, through Wavelink Speakeasy, for accessing host-based applications, according to the developer, and can accept multiple input sources such as barcode, voice, RFID, and keyboard entry. The new release features an updated Screen Reformatter that makes it even easier to voice-enable text and input fields and redesign user interfaces for specific applications. This includes advanced formatting features such as double-height and double-width characters, as well as improved undo/redo handling. An enhanced Script Editor adds menu bar, tool bar, and status bar to the user interface to help navigation. The new Script Editor Debugger quickly identifies potential errors and takes the administrator to the error location, with detailed help information made available. Both the updated Screen Reformatter and Script Editor are available as stand-alone products via ActiveSync or Motorola’s Airbeam, it should be noted. Wavelink Terminal Emulation has more than three million clients deployed in mission-critical supply chain environments for thousands of companies, including most of North America’s top retailers. “We have maintained and grown our customer base by continually improving and adding new features that provide ease of use and improve user productivity,” commented Mikkel Storm, Senior Product Manager at Wavelink. Customers with maintenance agreements receive Wavelink Terminal Emulation 7.2 as an upgrade. It can also be purchased through Wavelink’s partners.

[Editor’s Note:  Wavelink also announced that Wavelink Terminal Emulation has been chosen to be pre-licensed and pre-loaded on the new MC9500 Mobile Computer from Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions, continuing the long-standing relationship between the two companies.]

STARTS & STOPS

3M: Throw Away Your Silly Glasses

3M’s Optical Systems Division (St. Paul, MN) has developed new field-sequential 3D optical film for handheld devices--enabling true “auto stereoscopic” 3D viewing on mobile phones, gaming gear, and other handheld equipment. This 3D film can be easily integrated into the backlight module, according to 3M. Furthermore, the film only requires one LCD panel and operates at the refresh rate of 120 Hz.

Backlight module assembly is nearly identical to existing systems, allowing for simple integration at the assembly stage. Basically, the standard optical film stack is replaced with reflective film, custom light guide, and 3D film. By using directional backlight technology, left and right images are focused sequentially into the viewer’s eyes, enabling full-resolution display of the panel.

“Mobile device capabilities have been significantly enhanced in recent years with the emergence of new applications and features like touchscreens and streaming video,” noted Jim Bauman, VP of 3M’s Optical Systems Division. “3M has enabled these new capabilities, and is now enabling the next generation of advancement with features like 3D viewing. Our 3D optical film solution is designed to enhance communication and interaction by providing an immersive, compelling visual 3D experience for mobile devices.”

3D Optical Film for Mobile Devices Eliminates This Look

AVE Offers POS Maintenance for $10 Per Month

AVE Investments (Osage Beach, MO) has announced it will provide on-site maintenance in the Continental U.S. for “all major POS brands” for $10 per month per register, with an annual contract. This includes four-hour response time for diagnostics (on-site or over the phone), overnight replacement of peripherals, software load of POS hard drives when the “Gold Drive” is maintained at AVE, and overnight shipment of computer with software load to store. Service will be provided by AVE’s network of 1,200 qualified POS technicians, according to Ted Ave-Lallemant, President of AVE, supported by the company’s fleet of custom installation coaches. Ave-Lallemant has been involved in the POS channel for 25 years.

“POS service and maintenance is a mature industry,” observed Ave-Lallemant, “and the major POS manufacturers are being forced to take less profit on hardware costs and to make it up in service and maintenance. In reality, the variety of devices and components in stores is the same across POS brands, so the parts inventory, distribution network, and field technician capabilities are common and shared. Retailers deserve more value from their maintenance dollars.”

AVE Investments, under its pcCashdrawer product family, also has introduced its POSmicro “green” computer, which incorporates Intel’s 1.6-GHz Atom fanless processor in an effort to reduce space requirements and lower power costs. With two LAN adapters, in addition to four USB and two RS-232 ports, the computer can run both as POS device and server. It comes with an MSRP of $499 and three-year replacement warranty. “We have lowered our costs by bringing much of the manufacturing in-house,” Ave-Lallemant said.

POSmicro with Atom Processor and Two LAN Adapters

Key Advertiser Links

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

POS & Auto ID Distribution
BlueStar
ScanSource

POS & Peripherals
FEC USA
Logic Controls
POS-X

Barcode & Mobile Printers
Datamax-O'Neil

Cash Drawers
MMF Cash Drawer

Data Collection Terminals
CipherLab
Datalogic Mobile
Honeywell Scanning & Mobility
Janam Technologies
Motorola

Integrated Payment Solutions
Datacap Systems

Keyboards
Cherry Electrical Systems

MICR Check Printers/Self-Service Kiosks
Source Technologies

Receipt Printers
Bixolon America
Star Micronics

Retail Software
InfoTouch

Screen Protection
3M Optical Filters

Thermal Printers
Seiko Instruments USA

Video Surveillance & Access Control
ScanSource Security

INSTALLATIONS

A Cloud-Shaped Data Warehouse

Dollar General has signed 1010data (New York) to host its enterprise data warehouse and provide front-end analytical tools and related support companywide. Under the multi-year contract, Dollar General will employ 1010data’s hosted Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for all data warehousing needs for its operations, which includes more than 8,500 stores, nine distribution centers, and corporate office in Goodslettsville, TN. The discount retailer currently generates over five billion records of data annually and has accumulated over 70 billion records of historical and operational information. After conducting extensive testing and an ROI (Return on Investment) evaluation, Dollar General selected 1010data to replace its existing Oracle and HP platform.

“1010data’s ability to deliver and support our business requirements from raw source data with no pre-preparation of the data is impressive,” emphasized Ryan Boone, SVP/CIO of Dollar General. “Performance was a key factor in our choice of 1010data over other viable solutions. 1010data’s ability to execute concurrent and complex queries was another compelling factor. We have already improved our reporting and analytics throughout the company, and we look forward to developing additional applications utilizing the support of our 1010data environment.”

“Our solution provides Dollar General with one place of truth where all their most detailed source data is hosted for all users to access with permission over the Internet,” remarked Jim Mattecheck, VP of the Retail Solutions Group at 1010data, which was founded in 2000 by pioneers of large-scale data systems on Wall Street. “Data General is the first major retailer to embrace an outsourcing strategy for its enterprise data warehouse. This landmark decision signals the fundamental shift in how retailers are thinking about the value of their data and the business opportunities provided with insight on demand. We are honored to be part of Dollar General’s business strategy.”

Dollar General Spits Out Five Billion Data Records Annually

Smoke Signals at ECR Software

Smoker Friendly has rolled out the Catapult POS solution from ECR Software (Boone, NC) for 85 of its privately-owned retail locations across the U.S. Further, Smoker Friendly, one of the country’s largest cigarette and tobacco purveyors, affiliated with The Cigarette Store Corporation, has endorsed ECRS as the exclusive preferred POS provider for all of its dealer and licensee locations. Based in Boulder, CO, Smoker Friendly currently operates more than 600 stores.

With mounting regulations faced by tobacco retailers--most significantly, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or S-CHIP, which levies an excise tax on tobacco to fund health insurance for children lacking coverage--Smoker Friendly considered its choice of POS to be mission-critical. The ECRS Catapult system has helped them streamline operations and efficiently deal with industry rules, inventory management, manufacturer buy-downs, pricing, and transaction security, according to the two parties. In addition, ECRS Catapult’s multistore capability allows Smoker Friendly to manage all outlets from one, centralized location. Peter Catoe, ECRS President/CEO, told RRN.Com that S-CHIP legislation, passed in April 2009, has had an enormous impact on this market sector.

“We researched POS and inventory management systems for over two years before settling on Catapult by ECRS,” explained Ben Chaney, Smoker Friendly’s CFO. “We felt that Catapult provided the most robust functionality compared to competition in this marketplace. Catapult has allowed us to provide flexible pricing to our customers and has helped eliminate thousands of dollars in unnecessary inventory. Based on current S-CHIP legislation, flexibility and inventory management are keys to operating our business.”

POS Must Deal Where the S-CHIP Falls

Channel Factoid

More than half (55%) of entrepreneurs have an optimistic outlook on near-term business prospects, up from 45% in March 2009, according to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, the semi-annual survey of U.S. business owners. One quarter (26%) report expanding opportunities for their business, up from 15% one year ago, but six in ten (63%) do not think the worst of the U.S. economic woes are over, and nearly one in six (17%) say they risk going out of business in the next six months because of the economy. “We see two clear stories being told by business owners,” related Susan Sobbot, President of American Express OPEN. “Many small businesses are seeing signs of improvement, yet other firms are still struggling to keep their enterprise afloat.” Among those businesses reporting growth opportunities for their firms, 44% say these opportunities come as a result of less competition. The ability to renegotiate equipment leases and supply contracts (13%) and lower real estate costs (12%) also contributed to these firms’ growth mindset. Overall, when asked for the primary way they address cash flow issues, 32% of business owners said they use personal or private funds, up 9% from March. Half (49%) say they are not willing to take on financial risk right now to grow their business.

ALLIANCES

Cybra’s China Syndrome

Cybra Corporation (Yonkers, NY), with its partner Key West Technologies (West Palm Beach, FL) has entered into an agreement with the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Transportation to jointly develop, manufacture, and market “smart” shipping containers to track and monitor goods throughout the supply chain and create an unprecedented level of visibility in maritime shipping. The joint venture, which falls under the Ministry of Transportation’s Waterborne Transportation Institute, will be named Beijing Smart Shipping Technologies Co., Ltd. PingXian Hu serves as Director General of the Waterborne Transportation Institute.

Underlying technology will include Cybra’s EdgeMagic RFID Control Software and Globe Tracker’s Global Tracking and Monitoring Data Exchange Network, as well as additional intellectual property developed under the joint venture. (Globe Tracker serves as one of the business management and technology consulting arms of Key West Technologies.) By harnessing RFID and specialized sensors, the new company’s products will let shippers track their goods “by the minute, and more importantly, show the condition of goods in transit,” according to the principals. Stated Harold Brand, Chairman/CEO of Cybra, “We believe that our abilities to commercialize products will be of great benefit to shippers and insurers who would be willing to pay the premium for this added value.”

At the signing ceremony in Beijing, Jim Davis, Senior Partner at Key West and CEO of Globe Tracker, displayed an early prototype Beijing SST tracking device developed by Key West and its technology partners that includes ultra-low-power Wi-Fi technology from GainSpan Corporation (Los Gatos, CA). “China will very likely continue to lead the world in exports for some time and we hope that through our continued efforts, this joint venture will play the leadership role in end-to-end supply chain tracking, monitoring and management,” Davis said.

Jim Davis, Key West Technologies/Globe Tracker, PingXian Hu, China Waterborne Transportation Institute, and Harold Brand, Cybra Corporation (from Left to Right)