The Business Solutions Network

It's common in the retail IT VAR world to meet resellers who are second or third generation veterans. VARs who started attending industry events as children. VARs who have experienced a lot of change over the years.  Continue Reading..

As the holidays draw near, I thought I'd keep things a little light today and put together a "Best of" article. Below, you'll find commentary on some of our 2012 blog posts that come to the top of my mind, for various reasons (positive and negative).  Continue Reading..

VAR and integrator readers of Business Solutions magazine who are outside the video surveillance space often ask me how easy or difficult it is to install the latest IP video cameras. To answer the question, I've been playing around with some Axis IP cameras.  Continue Reading..

Since I’ve been beating the “IP video surveillance should be on your line card” drum for the last year, I’m always happy to come across proof that we’re on the right track. A couple of weeks ago, IMS Research, the leading analyst firm when it comes to the security industry, issued a press release regarding its new report “Security Systems Integration – World – 2012,” which...  Continue Reading..

Last week I fielded a call from a reader, Steve Norell, of US Merchant Services, who was responding to my past articles regarding the "dirty" nature of the payment processing industry. Up to that point, the best ideas I had heard regarding ways to clean things up came from the ETA and RSPA. Both point to ongoing education and certification of members.  Continue Reading..

VAR and integrator readers of Business Solutions magazine who are outside the video surveillance space often ask me how easy or difficult it is to install the latest IP video cameras. To answer the question, I requested a bunch of cameras from Axis Communications, who came through in a big way.  Continue Reading..

A while back I wrote an article entitled "The Shocking Truth About Retailers & PCI" in which I shared the results of a retailer-focused survey. The gist was that retailers, particularly in the SMB space, apparently have a low level of knowledge concerning PCI and its related terms and concepts. This, despite mandates and requirements going back years. Shame on them, right?!  Continue Reading..

Unless you're new to Business Solutions magazine, you know we've been on a crusade the past 18 months or so educating VARs and integrators on the great opportunity that is IP video surveillance. Some have embraced our recommendation, others have been skeptical and are holding off.  Continue Reading..

I shouldn't be surprised. I recently read that small business owners interested in NCR Silver could pick up the bundle at Staples for $499. According to the company's press release, "The bundle includes a receipt printer, credit card reader, cash drawer for NCR Silver, and the NCR swivel stand for an iPad. The cost also includes a free 30-day trial of NCR Silver."  Continue Reading..

We recently surveyed our readers, asking what they'd like to see added to the magazine. The overwhelming response was for the addition of product reviews. So, the January 2013 will feature our first set of reviews and each month we'll look at another set of products.  Continue Reading..