Point Of Sale, Payment Processing And Data Collection News From January 2015

By Bernadette Wilson

Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in point of sale and payment processing, Merchant Warehouse is now “Cayan,” NCR introduces solutions for data protection, sales, and compliance, and DENSO ADC introduces new handheld bar code terminals. Verifone announces a mobile point of sale (mPOS) payment terminal and Android mPOS, Heartland Payment Systems offers a merchant breach warranty, and Panasonic expands its retail technology solutions portfolio. In addition, Datamax-O’Neil introduces a portable label printer series, Merchant Link adds Verifone device support to EMV solutions, and WaveSoft Technologies transitions smartphones into mPOS.

Merchant Warehouse Is Now Cayan

Merchant Warehouse, a provider of payment technologies and processing solutions, has taken a new name: Cayan. After the company launched its Genius customer engagement platform, it wanted to rebrand to better reflect the company’s vision and direction. The company also launched a new website, www.cayan.com. 

NCR Introduces Solutions For Data Protection, Sales, And Compliance

NCR Corporation introduced new solutions and enhanced capabilities for 2015, including the following:

• NCR DataGuard is a software solution, initially available for use with Intel’s Data Protection Technology (DPT), for protecting consumer data as well as payment data. These solutions work together to separate processing of sensitive data from the operating system and CPU logically and physically. NCR DataGuard is managed through a centralized, cloud-based enterprise tool that allows users to carry out configuration, set security policies, receive alerts, and generate advanced reporting.
• NCR Sales Advisor for Windows 8.1 is a solution for fixed and mobile devices that allows brick-and-mortar locations to leverage multichannel assets such as a CRM (customer relationship management) database, inventory lookup, and mobile POS, providing a single service and sales platform. Features include expanded client profiles, guided selling tools, virtual product views, a cross-channel product locator, and management and delivery of offers. 
• NCR announced the inclusion of private and multitenant cloud capabilities for NCR Connected Payments customers in the U.S. NCR Connected Payments was developed to meet the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and EMV, and it also prepares for the acceptance of alternative payments. It enhances data and transmission protection, from PIN pad to payment processor, using P2P (point-to-point) encryption and tokenization. The NCR SaaS implementation also provides advanced security monitoring and vulnerability management that meets or exceeds what is required for PCI compliance.

DENSO ADC Announces New Handheld Bar Code Terminals

DENSO ADC announced new BHT-1300-CE wireless and batch 1D and 2D handheld bar code terminals. The devices feature the Windows Embedded Compact 7 operating system and DENSO’s Advanced Scan Plus CCD and area-imaging technology. The 2D models can read codes from any angle within 360 degrees. Preinstalled software includes a keyboard interface application, wireless setting tool, application launcher, and backup tool. Windows Embedded Compact 7 software development kits are available to allow creation of additional applications. Wi-Fi technology and network encryption protocols support secure data transmission, the device can connect directly via USB, and device cradles enable Ethernet, USB, or RS-232 communication. Terminals use long-life batteries, enabling up to 28 hours of continuous operation.

Verifone Announces mPOS Payment Terminal, Android mPOS

Verifone will release a new mobile point of sale (mPOS) payment terminal in late summer 2015. The device-independent PAYware Mobile e355 supports all major OS options, including Android, iOS and Windows. It accepts all payment types, including EMV, NFC (near-field communication), Apple Pay, and magnetic stripe. The terminal supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity, and an optional bar code scanner is available.

Verifone also announced its partnership with Samsung to provide Android-based mPOS solutions to multilane and enterprise retailers. The initial offering will be introduced later this year and features a rugged Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 8-inch tablet, support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity, and acceptance of all payment types. It offers enhanced security through Verifone’s point-to-point encryption, and Samsung’s Knox mobile device security is available for a separate licensing fee. Verifone’s Commerce Enablement platform will enable users to deliver value-added services, targeted marketing, and advertising content.

Both mPOS solutions support Verifone’s Secure Commerce Architecture (SCA) solution, which enables encrypted data to be transmitted from the POS terminal directly to the merchant’s processor, removing the integrated point of sale (IPOS) from the scope of EMV certification.

Heartland Offers Merchant Breach Warranty

Heartland Payment Systems offers a comprehensive warranty that protects merchants in the event of a data breach — the first payment processor to do so. Heartland’s breach warranty is offered at no charge to its Heartland Secure merchants in the first year and can be extended for a monthly fee per device thereafter. Heartland Secure is a credit/debit card data-secure payment solution that combines EMV, Heartland E3 end-to-end encryption technology, and tokenization. The breach warranty provides that, if the encryption fails on a Heartland Secure machine, Heartland will reimburse the merchant for the amount of compliance fines, fees, and assessments the merchant must pay to the card brands, issuing banks, and acquiring banks.

Panasonic Expands Retail Technology Solutions Portfolio

Panasonic is announcing a number of new solutions expanding its retail technology portfolio:

• The Toughpad FZ-R1 is a 7-inch, all-in-one, mPOS tablet running Windows 8.1. It includes an integrated EMV reader with PIN pad, magnetic stripe reader, and NFC (near-field communication) compatibility.
• The Powershelf shelving solution combines electronic shelf labels (ESLs) with a suite of applications that enable users to ensure regulatory compliance, enable omni-channel marketing, and deliver targeted advertising. The solution includes battery-free, wirelessly powered ESLs with a built-in, beacon-activated advertising capability, inventory and price management software, and out-of-stock sensor technology. The solution can be installed on existing shelving units.
• The Panasonic Stingray III is an enterprise-grade POS device featuring an all-in-one, modular design and compatibility with a variety of Microsoft Windows operating systems. It features interchangeable touch screens, and it offers display options depending on the application, with 15-inch XGA (1024x768) and 17-inch SXGA (1280x1024). The screens can be tilted from 20 degrees to 90 degrees with a 15-degree lateral swivel, while a secondary screen, with an optional touch screen and customer-facing camera, is available to enable promotional video, advertising, or order confirmation to be displayed to customers. The device is compatible with existing Panasonic POS cabling and peripherals.
• Among security and surveillance options for retailers are the FacePro Facial Search and Recognition System and new ULTRA 360 panoramic dome cameras. FacePro Facial Recognition is a software-based solution that automatically performs identification of a person’s face using digital images captured by Panasonic i-PRO Cameras. ULTRA 360 cameras (WV-SFN480 indoor and WV-SFV481 outdoor) are based on Panasonic’s new 4K Imaging Engine and produce a 9-megapixel, 360-degree fisheye image — virtually the same resolution and coverage area as four conventional 720p security cameras. The cameras also offer advanced analytics.

Datamax-O’Neil Introduces Portable Label Printer Series

Datamax-O’Neil launched its new RLe Series of portable thermal label printers. The printers are compatible with Android- and Windows-based devices and support both 803.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth communication. They feature multiple language support, 8-hour battery life, and an optional multibay battery charger. Mobile device management (MDM) service tools RLe Series users can leverage include Infinite Skyz Mobile Device Manager and D-O Mobile Print. Standard features include compliance with MIL-STD 810F drop tests; dual-wall construction for printhead and platen protection; and recessed LCD screen and buttons.

Merchant Link Adds Verifone Device Support To EMV Solution

Merchant Link, a provider of payment gateway and data security solutions, has added Verifone device support to its TransactionLink middleware solution. TransactionLink removes cardholder data from integrated point of sale (IPOS) systems and enables customer-facing, EMV-capable Verifone payment terminals to prompt consumers through the purchase process while delivering the completed sale information back to the IPOS. Transactions are hardware-encrypted at swipe by Verifone SRED validated devices. The data is then tokenized using format-preserving tokens, which allows merchants to continue to perform cardholder analytics on purchase data.

WaveSoft Technologies Transitions Smartphones Into mPOS

WaveSoft Technologies introduces WaveTOUCH for restaurants. It combines the benefits of an open PC platform with widely available smartphones. The solution includes Windows-based WaveTOUCH Server software and free downloadable apps for Android and Apple devices. The WaveTOUCH app is designed for smartphones as a mobile solution, not as a desktop replacement, to enable servers to order food and process credit cards anytime, anywhere in a restaurant. Cloud storage is optional, but not required. By default, data is kept securely on premises, and as a true native Android and iOS solution, an Internet connection is not needed to operate WaveTOUCH apps. WaveTOUCH is available through a monthly subscription.

For more news and insights, go to BSM’s Point of Sale & Payment Processing Tech Center and Data Collection & Mobility Tech Center.