Point Of Sale, Payment Processing, And Data Collection News From August 2014
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in Point of Sale and Payment Processing, new products announced include mobile printers from Epson, 2D imagers from Datalogic, tablet POS software from pcAmerica, a heat-map analytic solution from Samsung Techwin America, a cross-platform mobile app from Future POS, a 3-inch mobile printer from Cognitive TPG, and a 2-inch printer from Bixolon. Datacap and APG Cash Drawer partner to enable ISVs to bundle payment with POS peripherals, and Ingenico Group, FreedomPay, and ScanSource join to release a point-to-point encryption (P2PE) payment solution. Also, Staples partners with ERI to offer a recycling service for old electronics.
Epson Offers New Mobile Printers
Epson has expanded its printer line with an ultra-compact receipt printer, as well as two new mobile printers. The Mobilink P20 for 2-inch receipts is designed with Epson’s ePOS-Print technology, which enables direct printing from any device running Apple iOS, Android, or Windows operating systems. It prints up to 100 mm/second, which translates to printing a 3.93-inch long receipt in just one second. The printer supports 802.11a/b/g/n with 2.4GHz/5GHz compatibility and Bluetooth 3.0 with enhanced data rate (EDR) supported. The Utility App enables automatic configuration for initial Wi-Fi setting and near field communication pairing technology.
Epson also announced the addition of two new printers to the company’s line of mobile POS (mPOS) devices. The TM-T20II and the under-the-counter TM-T70II are MFi (Made for iOS) compliant with Bluetooth and equipped with simple Wi-Fi setup capability.
Datalogic Introduces New 2D Area Imagers
Datalogic announced the availability of the QuickScan QBT2400 and QM2400 cordless imagers, the latest additions to the QuickScan 2D imager line of general purpose handheld scanners. The imagers read 1D codes, various 2D codes, and stacked codes such as the PDF417 code. They feature Datalogic’s Green Spot technology for visual good-read feedback; alternative battery recharging through USB/Micro USB cable; a user-replaceable lithium-ion battery; batch mode capability of more than 500 linear codes in memory; drop resistance to 5 feet; and an IP42 rating for water and dust resistance. The QBT2400 uses Bluetooth wireless technology and can be connected to any tablet using either iOS or Android operating systems via the Bluetooth HID profile. The QM2400 features Datalogic STAR2.0 Cordless System technology (433MHz only). This narrow band radio provides secure communication with no risk of interference with Wi-Fi infrastructure and has low sensitivity to obstacles like concrete walls or metal shelves.
pcAmerica Debuts New Tablet POS Software
pcAmerica, a developer of retail and restaurant POS software, recently introduced AutomationPOS. This software works on both Windows tablets as well as full-screen POS terminals and includes inventory tracking, customer profiles, employee security, and detailed reporting. Merchants can view online graphical dashboards via their phone, tablet, or desktop PC; the dashboards include key sales data and performance statistics. AutomationPOS accommodates a variety of peripherals including receipt printers, cash drawers, weight scales, PIN pads, and encrypted MSRs to securely process payments. Advanced features include a tax engine, customizable modifiers, and an item case breakout system.
New Samsung Releases Retail Heat-Map Analytic Solution
Samsung Techwin America has released a new retail analytic solution with a heat map feature. The SSM-VA10 is currently supported by Samsung’s SRM-4000 64-Channel Network Video Recorder and will be an analytic add-on for the Samsung Security Manager (SSM) Network Total Management software, which is available license-free for systems with 16 or fewer cameras. Using motion detection, SSM-VA10’s heat map analyzes movements in and through areas of a store and displays this information on screen by overlaying eight colors according to the level of density and activity in those areas. Managers also can view customers’ staying time by clicking on each grid of the display.
Future POS Develops Cross-Platform Mobile App
Future POS has developed a new mobile POS app that runs on iOS and Android, as well as Kindle and Windows Phone. To create the 100 percent cross-platform app, the company used a tool that allowed it to leverage the C code it developed in the Future POS front end. The app is running identically on iPods, iPad Minis, iPads, Android tablets, and Android terminals.
CognitiveTPG Offers 3-Inch Mobile Printer
CognitiveTPG has introduced the M320, a 3-inch direct thermal receipt and label printer. It is available with Bluetooth or 802.11 b/g wireless options. The printer is compatible with Windows and Android mobile devices, and iOS certification is in development. It features a 2500 mAh capacity Li-ion rechargeable battery, a rugged rubber-over-mold design, an IP54 rating for resistance to dust and water, and compatibility with multiple programming language emulations.
Bixolon Updates Thermal Printer, Announces New Mobile Printer
Bixolon, a manufacturer of POS, mobile, label and auto-ID printer solutions, announced an update to its flagship printer, the Bixolon SRP-350plusIII 3-inch thermal printer. It features print speeds of 300mm per second while maintaining image quality including true gray scale prints. Its all-in-one interface design includes USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with optional serial and parallel connectivity.
The company also released the new R210 2-inch mobile receipt printer. It is compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android devices, and features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility. It features high resolution printing of 203dpi and print speeds of 90mm per second.
Datacap, APG Cash Drawer Enable ISVs To Bundle Payment, POS Peripherals
Datacap and APG Cash Drawer partner to offer PaymentsDrawer for Mobile POS. The solution provides POS developers with access to payment processors and a variety of common POS peripherals (receipt printers, pole displays, PIN Pads, bar code scanners, scales, etc.) through one integration. ISVs can now bundle POS hardware as part of their offerings. It is configured and managed via Datacap’s cloud-based product management portal, PSCS. Interface options are available for Windows, iOS, Android, Java, and Web Services. Because the solution drives the peripherals directly, the POS application does not come into contact with cardholder data and is therefore removed from the scope of PA-DSS.
Ingenico Group, FreedomPay, ScanSource Power P2PE EMV Payment Solution
Ingenico Group has joined with FreedomPay and ScanSource to release the first Payment Card Industry (PCI)-certified, point-to-point encryption (P2PE) payment solution in North America. The solution covers electronic payments made by magnetic stripe, near field communication (NFC), and EMV — the global standard for interoperable, secure payments. This joint solution will be the first to provide PIN-debit and even hand-keyed transactions. It includes Ingenico’s On-Guard and the FreedomPay Commerce Platform. ScanSource will provide FreedomPay with product support, integration, staging, and deployment services around the solution.
Staples Advantage Partners With ERI To Provide Technology Recycling Service
Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, now offers a service for recycling old electronics. The program, offered in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), allows businesses of all sizes to recycle large volumes of electronics responsibly and securely. To use the program, you will order recycling boxes at www.StaplesAdvantage.com, ship back unwanted electronics to Staples, and receive a certificate of recycling stating electronics have been properly recycled. The certificate is accredited by the e-Stewards Initiative, a project of the Basel Action Network, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the responsible recycling of e-waste. ERI guarantees data destruction and compliance with state e-waste programs. The cost varies depending on the size of the box ordered: options range from a 9x5x3-inch box to a full pallet. Customized solutions are also available.