Point Of Sale And Payment Processing News From January 2014
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in Point of Sale and Payment Processing news, POS-X rebrands, Wincor Nixdorf offers a mobile POS solution, Archelon has a new iPad enclosure design, and HP expands its digital signage display line. Also, Datalogic presents a new mobile computer, Honeywell introduces a new scanning and payment accessory for iPad mini, Toshiba announces the TCxFlight Mobile Solution, Mercury offers a mobile- and social-powered gift card, and Epson partners with Marlin Business Services to offer financing.
POS-X Showcases New Logo, Two New Products
POS-X recently presented its new logo, which is accompanied by completely redesigned marketing material, product packaging, and documentation. POS-X will continue its brand enrichment by introducing a variety of informative and educational material by way of video, white papers, and webinar sessions, which focus on the POS reseller. POS-X has also expanded its POS hardware portfolio with two new products. The first, the API Android POS Terminal, runs the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean platform and has a 15.6-inch widescreen touch display. Options include a rear VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) customer display, USB, and serial ports. The second product POS-X recently announced is a 2D bar code scanner that can be integrated with POS-X EVO TP4 POS terminals and EVO TM4 Touchscreen monitors. It can be mounted for fixed scanning.
Wincor Nixdorf Launches BEETLE Mobile Point Of Sale Solution
Wincor Nixdorf now offers the BEETLE mobile POS solution. The tablet, designed specifically for the retail environment, runs on both Windows 8.1 and Android platforms. It can be used as a mobile payment and customer service station and as a fully functioning fixed POS device in conjunction with peripherals such as cash drawers and scanners. It can also be linked to back office systems to carry out administrative tasks such as taking inventory or ordering. Custom-developed by Aava Mobile, the tablet features the Intel Atom processor. It integrates technology that supports both magnetic stripe and chip and PIN transactions to facilitate compliance with EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) requirements for domestic and international retailers.
Archelon Introduces New iPad Enclosure Design
Archelon Enclosures, a manufacturer of iPad and tablet enclosures for the retail and hospitality industries, introduced its iPad Air enclosure. The enclosure is custom-designed to fit the Apple device’s 9.7-inch display and 7.5-millimeter width. It includes the same security features as its predecessor, the Archelon EXO. Users can choose from wall mount, table top, secure flip, and floor stand designs. The enclosure includes a lock-and-key frame that keeps the tablet secure but accessible. Its tri-axial swivel allows movement in multiple planes, as well as landscape and portrait views.
HP Expands Digital Signage Display Line
HP expanded its retail solutions portfolio with a line of touch and nontouch digital signage displays (DSDs), as well as a new line of value-priced displays. The DSDs have been redesigned with LED backlights and front-of-screen features with 178-degree viewing angles, to enable retailers to showcase their messages anywhere in the store. The displays include automated content updating and the ability to display content in multiple languages. The touch-enabled displays include the 42-inch diagonal HP LD4245tm and 47-inch diagonal HP LD4745tm and offer full high-definition (FHD) quality resolution and integrated infrared (IR) multitouch capabilities. They also feature mercury-free display backlights, low-halogen components, and arsenic-free display glass. HP’s high-end commercial-grade LED backlit displays — including the 42-inch diagonal HP LD4235 and 47-inch diagonal HP LD4735 — feature networked management to enable efficient control by IT staff, lock-out features to prevent tampering, video over Ethernet (VoE) for simplified cabling, and a built-in basic USB media player. HP’s value-priced LED backlit DSDs — the 31.5-inch diagonal HP B321 and 42-inch diagonal HP B421—include a built-in USB media player and streaming networked video support.
Datalogic Offers New Mobile Computer
This spring, Datalogic will offer the Memor X3 mobile computer, the next generation of Memor mobile products. Updates include improvements in speed and battery autonomy, enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, and a 2.4-inch display. Features include 1D and 2D scan capabilities, an 806 MHz microprocessor, 512 MB of flash memory, and 256 MB of RAM. Laser models now feature scratch- and damage-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 2 scan windows. Additionally, an area imager option will be available for reading 2D codes, which is particularly useful in pharmaceutical applications. All Memor scan engines feature Datalogic’s Green Spot technology that provides visual confirmation of a good read.
Honeywell Debuts New Scanning And Payment Accessory For Ipad Mini
Honeywell announced the debut of the Captuvo SL62 enterprise sled, an encasement that transforms an Apple iPad mini into a tool for retail, hospitality, and field service associates. The sled helps employees look up inventory, scan bar codes, and process payments. It also gives associates access to transaction data via the Web or mobile apps. The sled is designed for all versions of the iPad mini, and it is equipped with Honewell’s Adaptus™ 6.0 imaging technology for bar code reading. An optional magnetic stripe reader enables mobile transactions, and the sled provides power to the iPad mini to reduce downtime.
Toshiba Announces TCxFlight Mobile Solution
Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions has announced a new hybrid mobile solution, TCxFlight. It combines a retail-optimized mobile tablet with a docking station. The mobile solution can function as a traditional point of sale or self-service kiosk, a manager’s workstation, or in a variety of mobile uses. It measures only 0.5-inch thick and has an 11.6-inch, full HD, 10-point multitouch display with front and rear integrated cameras. It features 128G of SSD storage, an Intel i5 processor running Windows 8, and full wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. The dual-purpose docking station provides both expanded connectivity for POS peripherals, as well as a secure charging station for the mobile device.
Mercury Unveils Mobile- And Social-Powered Gift Card
Mercury Payment Systems announced the launch of Mercury StoreCard, an all-in-one gift, rewards, mobile payments, and promotions card. Consumers can use the Mercury StoreCard as a gift card or a reloadable stored-value card to earn cash back loyalty rewards on every StoreCard purchase. The Mercury StoreCard can also be converted into a digital gift card via Apple Passbook or an Android marketplace app, allowing consumers to pay for purchases with either their physical card or smartphones, creating mobile payment convenience. Consumers can also use their smartphones to view their Mercury StoreCard’s balances, manually or automatically reload their cards, send custom-printed gift cards to their family and friends, and share promotional gift cards via social media.
Epson Partners With Marlin Business Services To Offer Financing
Epson announced a new financing program that provides leasing solutions, made possible through a strategic alliance with Marlin Business Services. Epson joined with Marlin after introducing its line of OmniLink smart solutions; however, the financing program supports all Epson solutions. The program features an Epson-focused microsite customized with Web-based tools, such as an online quoting and real-time, status-tracking application process, with an average two-hour turnaround time for approvals. In addition, Epson-dedicated Marlin representatives are available by phone or in person at customer meetings to customize options for qualified borrowers.