The Business Solutions Network

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..

I hear it all the time from integrators and VARs: "IP cameras are too expensive for my customers." If you're only comparing the cost of one camera to another, that might be true. But as an integrator, you know that one piece of equipment does not make a total solution. This definitely holds true in the video surveillance world.  Continue Reading..

Just a quick post today to share the below comment by the RSPA in response to the buzz surrounding business practices in the payment processing industry. I'm happy to stimulate the conversation with this blog and will continue to participate in any way I can to help move this issue forward.  Continue Reading..

Today we began the week-long process of wrapping up our December issue. As part of the issue, we're including a special report on the topic of where retailers plan to focus their IT budgets in 2013. The data came from a survey that our sister publication conducts with its retailer audience each year.  Continue Reading..

I had a phone call this morning with ETA (Electronic Transaction Association) CEO Jason Oxman to get his response on my previous articles questioning the "dirtiness" of the processing industry. For those who don't know, the ETA is to the payments industry as the RSPA is to retail industry. So basically, I was talking to the right guy.  Continue Reading..

It's easy to look at certain recurring revenue opportunities and think that they just aren't worth you time. Sign one customer up for [insert product here] and you might be earning a few pennies per transaction. Is this really worth your time, particularly since you're so busy?  Continue Reading..