Author: Star Micronics

Star Software Update: Star Document Markup Language

Welcome to the Star Software Update, the regular series of blog updates where Star’s Integration Team informs you about the latest important Star Micronics software updates.

What’s New:

This month, the Star Micronics Integration Team is highlighting the Star Document Markup Language.

What is Star Document Markup Language?

Star Document Markup Language is a simple, easy-to-use markup language intended to provide the features typically required for point of sale (POS) printing.

Cloud servers based on the StarMicronics.CloudPRNT-Utility API package or tools based on it like cputil, can support the Star Document Markup Language.

Using the document markup system provides a balance between full bit-image based printing and plain text output, while being easier to use than direct device commands and far more adaptable to different output devices, like print width.

One benefit of markup is its ability to handle different print widths without compromising the receipt format. Use cases include printing order tickets in the restaurant kitchen, printing receipts for orders, or printing sticky labels to seal bags.

Star Document Markup Language is easy to read; take a look at the below example:

[align: centre][font: a]

[image: url ;

width 60%;

min-width 48mm]

[magnify: width 2; height 1]

This is a Star Markup Document!

[magnify: width 3; height 2]Columns[magnify]

[align: left]

[column: left: Item 1;      right: $10.00]

[column: left: Item 2;      right: $9.95]

[column: left: Item 3;      right: $103.50]

[align: centre]

[barcode: type code39;

data 123456789012;

height 15mm;

module 0;

hri]

[align]

Thank you for trying the new Star Document Markup Language

we hope you will find it useful. Please let us know!

[cut: feed; partial]

This will generate the following output on Star 58mm (2-inch), 80mm (3-inch) and 112mm (4-inch) printers:

Unicode Support

By using the Star Document Markup Language, you can avoid the difficulties of limited 8-bit text encodings by being entirely Unicode-based. Input data should be from a Unicode-compatible data file or strings.

Star TSP654II, mC-Print2, and mC-Print3 devices have native support for Unicode. When a device does support Unicode directly, the Star markup renderer will automatically handle the necessary conversion.

File Format

Markup source files are plain text files encoded as UTF-8, UTF-16, or plain Ascii data.

When opening a document, initially the start of the file will be checked for a Unicode BOM (Byte Order Mark) in order to recognize that the file contains UTF-16 (Big Endian or Little Endian encoded) or UTF-8 data. If no known BOM is found, then the file will be treated as a UTF-8 file unless it contains code points that are not UTF-8 valid, in which case it will be opened finally as plain 7-bit Ascii.

In addition, the extension of the text file written in the Star Document Markup format should be “.stm”. The cputil executable and also .NET API for StarMicronics.CloudPRNT-Utility packages recognize the Star Document Markup format by checking the file name extension. If the extension is “.txt” it will be recognized as a plain text file and will not be command parsed as the Star document markup.

Next Steps

Do you have questions or concerns about the Star Document Markup Language?

Contact Star Integration Now

March 30, 2021
2021 Cannabis Industry Predictions

As legalization expands to new regions and more products hit the market, the cannabis industry is booming. In a market that seems to experience major updates every week, what cannabis industry predictions are there for 2021? Read on to review what happened in the market last year and to expect to see this year.

The 2020 Cannabis Market

The cannabis market saw a lot of growth in 2020. In fact, US national cannabis sales increased 67% in 2020, the industry was worth $61 billion, and support for legal marijuana rose to an all-time high of 68%.

The cannabis customer base is also changing and growing– according to Eaze, the gender divide that used to exist is disappearing (especially in the baby boomer age group) and last year, nearly half of customers were female (compared to just 38% in 2018).

Legalization-wise, during the 2020 election Arizona voted to legalize recreational usage, Montana and New Jersey voted to legalize adult usage, and South Dakota voted in favor of medical and recreational usage.

2021 Cannabis Industry Predictions

1. More Legalization

The legalization of cannabis has become increasingly widespread, and that trend will continue in 2021.

According to Marijuana Moment, the states that are most likely to legalize recreational marijuana usage this year include Connecticut, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

Additional states are experiencing a buildup of momentum, but legalization is a bit less likely due to remaining opposition from some top leaders. These states include Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

In terms of medical usage of cannabis, a few states are slated to legalize this year, including Alabama, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

Source: Business Insider

2. Increased Sales

Related to increased legalization, one major cannabis industry prediction is increased sales. Did you know that on July 4, 2020 alone, more than $400 million worth of cannabis was sold? According to Linchpin SEO, the market has the potential to grow as much as $130 million per year in the near future.

Another contributing factor to the predicted increased sales is the fact that more and more businesses are selling cannabis products, and in particular, products containing cannabidiol (CBD). According to The Motley Fool,

“What Wall Street and investors seem to find most attractive about the rise of CBD is that it may appeal to consumers who might otherwise want nothing to do with the cannabis industry. Since CBD-based products typically contain no traces of, or minute amounts of, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid that gets a user high, consumers on the medical and recreational side of the equation tend to be more willing to try CBD-based products.”

Furthermore in 2019, CBD sales grew 71.3% in the natural channel alone to $91 million in sales, and sales grew an impressive 872% in the mainstream channel. Mainstream adoption is largely due to the 2018 Farm Bill which made it so that hemp is no longer a “controlled substance,” helping risk-averse retailers embrace selling hemp-derived CBD topicals. Many specialty retailers now carry CBD products, as well as larger chains like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Ulta Beauty, GNC, Urban Outfitters, Whole Foods, Target, and more.

3. A Broader Product Offering

Veryvell CBD sparkling water by Molson Coors (source: The Denver Post)

One cannabis industry prediction is that the number of types of cannabis products available on the market will increase substantially. On one hand, it’s likely that new strains will be created, and on another hand, particular products are projected to become more popular and readily available. For example, Molson Coors has already created a CBD-infused sparkling water to sell in Colorado. The drink, called Veryvell, contains zero calories and zero sugar and is available in three flavors: Focus (grapefruit tarragon), Mind & Body (strawberry hibiscus), and Unwind (blueberry lavender). On the edible front, it’s predicted that the variety of products available will increase.

How Resellers Can Cash in on Cannabis Point of Sale

The cannabis industry has become one of the fastest growing markets. Here’s how resellers can take advantage.

Download eBook

4. Diverse Customers

As time passes, the cannabis consumer base grows more diverse. Linchpin SEO predicts that there will soon be more older and female customers, as well as a greater mix of both recreational and medicinal cannabis users.

If you’re curious about the current breakdown of cannabis users by age, check out the below chart from Flowhub:

5. New Use Cases

During a time when cleanliness is on the forefront of many people’s minds, who could have guessed that cannabis could potentially be used as a health and safety product? According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health,

“Several cannabinoids have been found to have potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive pathogens such as MRSA isolates. Endocannabinoids have also been shown to be effective in eradicating biofilms.”

This is just one example of a new use case for cannabis and as legalization and research efforts continue, it’s predicted that even more will arise.

6. Banking and Finance Updates

One major cannabis industry growing pain that has remained is the issue of banking. However, changes could be made on that front this year. According to TRYM,

“All eyes are on the United States Senate this coming year. Many believe they will finally pass legislation to grant legal cannabis businesses access to banking and financing services. The cannabis industry’s ‘Essential’ designation is ironic when many have to lug around bags of cash, putting them into vulnerable and dangerous situations.

Opening up banking services alone will make a huge impact on the legal marijuana industry as a whole. Investment would flow in more, valuations might increase, and most importantly, marijuana business transactions will become much easier.

A cannabis company could seek bridge loans from the bank rather than taking hard money loans which come at increased risk and high interest rates. In the expanding legal marijuana industry, scaling is important to maintain market share. But scaling requires an injection of money that operators may not have.

The ability to turn to banks for traditional financing would help organizations of all sizes grow their business in the legal marijuana industry.”

As the cannabis industry continues to boom, are you searching for compliant, secure, and easy-to-integrate cannabis POS solutions? Star has what you’re looking for.

Explore Star Cannabis Solutions

March 23, 2021
6 Post-Pandemic Kiosk Business Ideas

For years now the self-service kiosk market has been growing but undoubtedly the COVID-19 pandemic skyrocketed its growth even further. According to Technavio Research, the self-service kiosk market grew 3.55% in 2020 alone, and it’s expected to grow by $2.29 billion USD during 2020-2024. As the world begins to recover from the unprecedented pandemic, you may be wondering what post-pandemic business ideas and self-service business ideas are emerging in the market. Read on to learn about some of the new ways kiosks are being used, from health and safety check-ins to kiosks for a good cause.

1. Health & Safety Kiosks

This first business idea is probably not a surprise. As the economy reopens, health and safety kiosks will be an easy addition to restaurants and retail stores. An example of this may look like a kiosk placed near the front door of establishments where customers can check their body temperature, and if applicable the kiosk can use facial recognition technology to detect if the customer is wearing a mask. Quatrefoil, a Ontario-based restaurant, uses a kiosk that checks both of those things and will display a green checkmark if requirements are met, while if the requirements are not met, a staff member is alerted to come provide assistance.

2. COVID-19 Test Distribution

Also health-related, another post-pandemic business idea is to use kiosks to distribute testing kits for COVID-19 – and more. In New York City, this is already happening. Vending machines from Wellness 4 Humanity conveniently provide at-home COVID-19 testing kits to the public, which can be more convenient than being tested at a pharmacy drive-through, especially for city dwellers. Kits currently cost $149 and can be paid for by credit or debit card only. These kinds of kiosks have lots of potential to distribute much more than just COVID-19 testing kits, like at-home tests for allergies, hormones, blood panels, and more.

3. Pickup Lockers

A heated pickup locker for food orders. (Image via Kiosk Marketplace/Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken)

You’ve probably heard of retail pickup lockers, like Amazon Hub Locker, a secure, self-service kiosk where customers can pick up or return Amazon packages at their convenience. Pickup lockers are for more than just retail, though. Restaurants like Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken are beginning to incorporate heated locker systems in their brick-and-mortar establishments to further build upon their contactless ordering options for customers. These heated lockers keep food fresh while also minimizing the physical contact between customers and employees, which not only provides a safety benefit during the pandemic, but will boost convenience and help line-busting well into the future.

4. Transportation

A common complaint regarding department of motor vehicle (DMV) offices is the chance of experiencing a long wait time. What better way to line-bust than with self-service kiosks? Currently approximately 45 DMVs in the US operate some sort of self-service technology, but the potential is huge for a number of government agencies. At self-service kiosks, DMV customers can renew drivers licenses, register vehicles, obtain license plates, take driving and CDL exams, and more. The process can be secure by using an access code or barcode from a renewal notice or license plate number and last four digits of a VIN, and language barriers become a problem of the past with multilingual on-screen instructions and audio.

Free Self-Service Kiosk Resources

The future of many industries lies with self-service solutions. That’s why Star Micronics is offering free online ordering resources for resellers and software developers who are helping customers future-proof their businesses with self-service solutions.

Visit Self-Service Toolbox

5. Reception

As people become more comfortable traveling again – and more workers remain remote – self-service kiosks that aid in reception will be very helpful to countless sectors. One example of this is a Zoom product that “enables a contactless, virtual receptionist in its newly introduced Zoom Rooms product to help organizations safely re-enter the office and sustain an ‘everywhere workforce.’” To use the solution, users can customize the “Start Meeting” button on a device in their building that is set up with Zoom Rooms for Touch to connect visitors with a receptionist. This kind of self-service check-in service could be useful for countless types of business and medical offices, hotels, and more.

6. Kiosks for a Good Cause

The Marla Aaron jewelry vending machine that benefits restaurants and those in need. (Image via Marla Aaron)

Kiosks aren’t just about line-busting, boosting profits, and increasing convenience – they can give back, too. Self-service kiosks can be a great way to increase awareness of fundraising campaigns and make it easier for busy citizens to contribute to a cause. Take, for example, the kiosk that is a part of the “Take a Seat for Restaurants” campaign. The campaign is a part of jeweler Marla Aaron’s plan to contribute to the World Central Kitchen, a popular food-related charity that pays local restaurants to make meals for those in need. Aaron sells small 2” sterling silver chairs for $250 each from her brick-and-mortar locations, her online store, and a self-service vending machine based in New York City that changes locations to maximize its awareness (and more installations are coming!).

The number of post-pandemic self-service business ideas is limitless. Whether you’re looking to implement a self-service solution for a restaurant or for a charity – or anything in between – you’ll likely need a built-in receipt printer. Look no further than Star Micronics. We proudly offer a wide range of thermal kiosk printers that can print receipts, labels, tickets, and more, and are ideal for a variety of applications and industries.

Looking to implement a post-pandemic business idea involving self-service kiosks?

Explore how Star can help you build a solution.

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March 16, 2021
5 Tips for a Buy-Online-Pickup-in-Store (BOPIS) Strategy
Buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS) is a hot retail trend that’s here to stay. In fact, according to a Signifyd study of 250 decision makers at retail companies with more than $100 million in annual revenue, 44% viewed BOPIS as a competitive necessity. Another 38% said BOPIS was key to bringing shoppers into the store, where they tend to make additional purchases. BOPIS is appealing to many consumers, too – 63% of shoppers say they would like to be able to use curbside pickup and 56% want merchandise delivered to the trunk of their cars, according to NRF.

More BOPIS benefits to retailers include:

Extra purchases from customers: As mentioned above, when shoppers come to your store to pick up their order, they are likely to browse the store and purchase additional items, or remember something they forgot to place in their order and buy it at your brick-and-mortar location.

Lower shipping costs: Simply put, it’s cheaper for you to operate a BOPIS strategy than to ship products directly to a customer’s door – plus it’s a fast and free option for the customer, too!

Better inventory management: With BOPIS, you don’t need separate online and in-store inventory systems. Orders can be fulfilled from both your distribution center or your store shelves – whichever is faster – giving you access to more inventory at any given time. By combining both systems, you can have better insight into your business’s real-time stock.

Now that we’ve discussed why BOPIS is worthwhile, let’s dive into some tips for your buy online, pickup in store strategy. These tips are helpful whether your business is new to BOPIS or looking for ways to improve your current BOPIS strategy.

5 Tips for a Buy Online, Pickup in Store (BOPIS) Strategy

Tip 1: Prep Your Website and/or Mobile App

Your website and mobile app should be the hub for your buy online, pickup in store strategy. Make sure your BOPIS offering is clear and easy to find for website and app visitors. On your website and app, be sure to explain how your store’s BOPIS strategy works, and include detailed instructions for both the online order placement process as well as the pickup process at your store.

Once you have that landing page created for your BOPIS offering, be sure to link to it from any other relevant pages and feature it front-and-center with special seasonal promotions (for example, save 5% on back-to-school or holiday BOPIS orders).

The Star Micronics POSShield is an effective and portable sneeze guard for retailers.

Tip 2: Plan and Announce Your Health and Safety Precautions

Safety is at the top of everyone’s minds these days. On your online materials and in-store via signs make sure you communicate your health and safety considerations, such as how your store is minimizing exposure for both its customers and its employees.

Curbside health and safety measures could include tactics like employees directly placing orders in customers’ trunks. For the shoppers who pick up their orders in-store, you should consider implementing a sneeze guard and antimicrobial covers for surfaces like door handles, checkout counters, and bathroom surfaces.

Tip 3: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Communication every step of the way is key for a successful buy online, pickup in store strategy.

When an order is placed, send an immediate confirmation email, text, and push notification to shoppers including clear directions to the store, an estimated pickup time, where to pick up the order whether it’s designated parking spots or a pickup counter inside the store, and what forms of identification may be needed.

Looking to strengthen awareness of your BOPIS offering? Consider promoting it to your in-store shoppers on the bottom of your receipts. You may have in-store shoppers that are unaware that you offer BOPIS, and what better place to advertise it than on the bottom of the receipt that goes directly into every shopper’s hand? With Star Micronics PromoPRNT, you can even create custom promotions on your Star printer, for free.

Tip 4: Have a Top-Notch Inventory System

Having a seamless, real-time look at your inventory is important. If customers place BOPIS orders only to find out that their items are actually out of stock and unable to be picked up, they will not be satisfied and are unlikely to try to use your service again. Avoid this potential issue with a high-quality inventory system. Look for a tool that allows you real-time inventory and analytics on order statuses and workflows, what is needed and where, and how quickly an item can get to the store where it is needed.

Tip 5: Leverage Cross-Selling Opportunities

As we discussed above, offering BOPIS to your customers creates a fantastic opportunity for cross-selling. Many customers will browse your store when they come into pick up their order, and be sure to take advantage of that!

Consider using online purchasing data from your BOPIS orders to successfully cross-sell when shoppers are visiting your brick-and-mortar location. One example of this is offering personalized coupons for customers to use in-store for products that may be of interest to them according to their online shopping history.
Star Micronics Retail Solutions

From liner-free label printers for BOPIS orders to sneeze guards and receipt printers for in-store shoppers, Star has the wide variety of solutions you need to compete in today’s retail landscape.

Explore Solutions

Examples of Buy Online, Pickup in Store Strategy Successes

Looking for some buy online, pickup in store strategy inspiration? Check out a couple of sample successes below:

Home Depot

Home Depot has a great landing page for its BOPIS offering that clearly explains its BOPIS process – and according to CEO Craig Menear, the store’s online customers choose to pick up orders in-store more than half the time!

Petco

When it comes to enticing customers to take advantage of your buy online, pickup in store strategy, Petco is very successful. The first thing you see when you visit their website (both on the homepage hero image and in a text banner at the top of the page) is a BOPIS promotion.

Star Micronics has the POS solutions it takes to make retailers stand out – online, brick-and-mortar, and everywhere in between.

Download our Retail Brochure to browse our receipt and label printers, online ordering technology, health & safety solutions, and more.

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March 11, 2021
Star Micronics and Tikt Team Up to Create a Contactless Restaurant Experience

Tikt by retailcloud creates a contactless customer experience for restaurants with the help of Star Micronics printers

Somerset, NJ – March 4, 2021 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies is proud to announce that retailcloud has added support for Star’s mC-Print3 for their new Tikt solution. Tikt allows restaurant customers to scan and see the menu, order their food, and pay their bill on their mobile device to create a truly contactless experience.

Tikt helps upgrade your customer experience, reduce the workload on your servers and you by allowing guests to connect directly to your kitchen and order right from their own devices while seated in your restaurant. Tikt works with any point of sale system and can add to overall profitability – especially during the global pandemic.

Star’s mC-Print3 with CloudPRNT is used with Tikt to send orders directly from the mobile device to the kitchen. The CloudPRNT technology works with the online ordering service to store and create print jobs, and communicate status with the printer. Cloud ordering services post orders using a JSON format while the Star CloudPRNT printer pulls these orders on a defined interval.

“Tikt takes diners to the next step, allowing them to scan a QR Code and connect directly with servers and the kitchen; while improving the overall service quality that servers can provide the guest,” says Kevin Colaco, President of retailcloud. “It also allows restaurants to operate more efficiently, ultimately improving turnover and increasing upsell opportunities.”

March 4, 2021
4 Self-Service Market Predictions in 2021
As businesses and consumers become more aware of and more familiar with what is needed to continue doing business in the new normal, a brighter light is emerging at the end of the tunnel in terms of the coronavirus pandemic – vaccines are becoming more available and the processes needed to get them into people’s arms more efficient. From a technology perspective, you may wonder which solutions that picked up steam during the past year will continue to gain momentum in the future.

One technology that has taken flight during the pandemic – and has immense potential for years to come – is the self-service market. As the economy reopens and shutdowns become less restrictive, early adopters of self-service kiosks are coming back with revamped versions of their previous kiosk’s solutions, while new adopters are considering the latest trends in the self-service market.

Read on to explore which industries are experiencing self-service market solution changes and key self-service technology predictions.

Which Industries are Experiencing Self-Service Market Changes?

Let’s take a closer look at which industries and solutions have been affected and needed some fine-tuning during the pandemic, and which were introduced as brand-new alternatives to existing technology.

Healthcare and Service Providers: In the healthcare and service provider sectors, a few self-service trends have emerged. These industries have begun to require a more powerful queue management system, as well as additional features such as temperature screening, AI-powered engines, and expanded access control solutions like printing name badge labels for visitors who were cleared during the screening process.

Banking: ATMs have recently gotten a facelift by providing additional human interaction. While ATMs are of course still a self-service solution, intelligent ATMs are pairing their automation power with a human touch by providing teller-customer communication through a speaker. The teller can answer questions, print full transactions, account details, and more.

Retail and Hospitality: With the proliferation of online ordering, the buy-online-pickup-in store (BOPIS) model has become more popular than ever for restaurants and retailers. In some cases, it has even helped to keep businesses afloat that would not have delivery options otherwise. One popular update to the BOPIS model is the introduction of virtual lockers to pick up small-sized orders. The virtual lockers offer many options including the ability for consumers to obtain printed receipts at the locker (or virtually) instead of having to go inside the store.

Self-Service Market Technology Predictions

When we look into the future of the self-service market, many of the trends we expect to see revolve around creating fully contactless processes and transactions, improving on user experience, expectations, and their perception of feeling safe. These trends include:

1. QR Barcode Scanning / Cell Phone-Mirroring Screens

With QR barcode scanning and cell phone-mirroring kiosk screens, customers can turn their own smartphones into a remote kiosk navigation tool and can even complete payments on their own devices.

2. Touchless Touch Screens

These screens are quickly becoming part of the new standard for self-service kiosks. By using infrared (IR) and even sonar-based technologies, touchless touch screens allow users to interact without touching them, and in some cases they even allow gesture interactions.

3. New Biometric Tools

Biometric tools have been on the market for years but are experiencing updates. For example, Amazon One, available at select Amazon Go stores, uses the latest biometric technologies to allow users to pay with just a wave of their hand. Replacing fingerprint scanners that required direct contact with contactless palm scanners is something we expect to see more of in the self-service market.

4. Self-Cleaning Technologies

When touching is unavoidable, what could be better than a self-cleaning kiosk? Ultraviolet C (UVC) technology, which uses ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate germs, allows this to become a reality by ensuring the touchable areas of a kiosk are cleaned and ready for the next customer after each use. As more users become aware of the benefits that UVC technology offers, it may become something they expect in all self-service kiosks which will in turn encourage a stronger adoption of it within the self-service market.

The possibilities for the self-service kiosk market are truly endless, as the need for self-service has become more relevant and diverse than ever before. We’re excited to watch the market evolve.

Star Micronics Self-Service Solutions

Looking to expand your self-service offering? Star Micronics is proud to offer a wide variety of thermal kiosk printers capable of printing receipts, labels, tickets, and more. Ideal for virtually any self-service application, the printers include features like:

A variety of paper sizes (2”, 3”, and 4”)

Compact or modular footprints

Multiple optional accessories like bezels, presenters, large paper roll holders, and more

Interfaces like serial, USB, parallel, and Ethernet

Operating system support for Windows, Linux, Android, Mac, and iOS

StarPRNT emulation, allowing software developers to take advantage of all of Star Micronics’ technology like StarPRNT SDKs and its powerful line of drivers

A dedicated integration team ready to help you build the right solution for your needs
Kiosk Printer Wizard

Star Micronics offers a full variety of self-service kiosk printers – but deciding which one fits your needs can be easy. This wizard will help you select the right printer for your specific use case, based on desired paper size, interface, footprint, operating system, accessories, and more factors.

Find your Kiosk Printer Now

Featured Kiosk Printers

SK1-211

2” Kiosk Printer
Compact and Lightweight
Supports Receipt, Ticket, or Label Media

SK1-311

3” Kiosk Printer
For Banking, ATMs, and More
Supports Receipt, Ticket, or Label Media

TUP900

4” Wide Format Kiosk Printer
Looping Presenter
Easy Paper Width Adjustments

Want to learn more about Star’s self-service kiosk printing solutions?

Download Brochure
March 4, 2021
Restaurant Guide: How to Offer Curbside Pickup
Curbside pickup is here, and it is here to stay. In fact, according to Technomic’s 2020 Delivery and Takeout Consumer Trend Report, 66% of consumers anticipate continuing to use curbside pickup after dine-in services resume. Simply put, if you haven’t started offering curbside pickup, now is the time to do so, and we’re here to help. Read on to explore our guide on how to offer curbside pickup.

Why Offer Curbside Pickup?

Needless to say, the restaurant industry has been hit very hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a lot of emphasis specifically on restaurants in terms of the spread of the virus. To protect the public, restaurants worldwide faced multiple shutdowns, reduced hours of operation, and regulations on when alcohol can be served (which was especially hard on restaurant revenue, since alcohol makes up a significant amount of restaurant sales). Unfortunately, as of the end of 2020, 17% of restaurants have closed due to the pandemic.

One solution to help both existing restaurants trying to maintain or increase sales, and new restaurants opening during the pandemic, is curbside pickup. For a part of 2020, because so many restaurants had to close dine-in service, takeout and delivery where the only options, and both offer different benefits to businesses. While delivery can increase a restaurant’s visibility and is a very convenient option for customers, curbside pickup and takeout services can potentially help restaurants boost profits and help customers save money by avoiding additional fees and tips.

6 Crucial Technologies for Successful Curbside Service

Ignite your curbside service’s full potential with these six crucial technologies.

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How to Offer Curbside Pickup: What Technology is Involved?

Rest assured that with the right tools, curbside pickup is an easy solution to provide. Read on to learn more about what online ordering technology is beneficial to a curbside pickup strategy, as well as other useful curbside pickup tools and tips including mobile printing for curbside receipts, tamper-proof labels, and marketing suggestions.

Online Ordering Technology

The right technology can take a restaurant’s curbside pickup strategy from blah to whoa. While of course customers can still call in their orders, online ordering makes the process more convenient and cuts down on any inaccuracies during order-taking, which in turn makes customers happy and restaurants more profitable.

As online ordering booms, so do the number of services available for it. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is that you will need both an online ordering software application and printers within the restaurant that are integrated with your software and can print kitchen tickets, labels, and receipts.

Implementing a curbside pickup strategy that runs like a well-oiled machine likely means you’ll achieve repeat customers and increased revenue. Some key features to look for in your online ordering software and hardware are:

Accurate Pickup Time Estimations: The time required to prepare an order often varies. Sometimes there are not as many orders being placed and meals can be prepared quickly, but other times like during peak times of the day, there can be a delay between when an order is placed and when the kitchen staff can prepare it. Boost customer satisfaction by choosing a service that prioritizes accurate pickup time estimations.

Customizable Digital Menu: Be sure to choose an online ordering application that allows you to easily create a customized, user-friendly online menu landing page.

Automatic and Robust Printing: Automatic printing is key to a successful online ordering and curbside pickup strategy. Online ordering printers, like Star Micronics printers, automatically print an order in the kitchen once it is placed, avoiding unintentionally skipped orders or orders completed out of sequence. Printer manufacturers like Star Micronics can also provide a robust lineup of printing solutions for all of your restaurant’s needs, including impact kitchen printers that produce kitchen tickets which remain intact even in the heat, and linerless label printers that print labels which are repositionable and boost order accuracy up to 99%.

Easy Installation: Implementing your curbside strategy doesn’t need to be complicated. Be sure to choose a software provider that helps you get up and running quickly, and printers that work out of the box with your chosen software. Also be sure that each provider offers top-notch customer service and technical support should you need assistance at any point.

Affordability: At a time when profitability can make or break a restaurant, it’s important to choose an affordable online ordering/curbside pickup solution. For example, UBMe software is available with an affordable monthly rate and a Star Micronics online ordering printer is a simple one-time fee. The best part is that when combined, these technologies can help restaurants see large increases in revenue by providing a seamless, customer-friendly online ordering and curbside pickup solution.

The UBMe online ordering platform is affordable, intuitive, and allows for restaurant customization.

Other Useful Curbside Pickup Tools and Tips

Curbside Receipt Printing: While most online orders are paid online with a credit card, sometimes customers want to pay curbside. In that case, it’s important to be prepared with a reliable portable receipt printer that is compatible with Bluetooth, iOS, and Android, and includes a magnetic stripe reader (MSR).

Tamper-Proof Labels: Take your curbside pickup game to the next level and put your customers’ minds at ease with tamper-proof labels that seal food bags and drinks, and provide visual evidence of tampering.

Marketing: Be sure to spread the word far and wide that your restaurant offers curbside pickup. You can post about it on your social media accounts, send emails to your existing customer base, and even promote it for free on your dine-in and delivery receipts with Star Micronics PromoPRNT.

UBMe and Star Micronics: Making Curbside Pickup Easy

Recently, UBMe and Star Micronics partnered up to provide restaurant owners online ordering and automatic printing of orders.

The partnership consists of UBMe’s technology and custom menu landing page where customers can easily place and a Star Micronics mC-Print3 that automatically prints an order in the restaurant kitchen once the order is placed.

Together, UBMe and Star Micronics are proud to offer an affordable, easy-to-use, and customer-friendly online ordering/curbside pickup solution.
Interested in learning more about UBMe and Star Micronics’s curbside solution?

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About UBMe

UBMe’s powerful online ordering and curbside communication platform for restaurants allows restaurant owners to increase their sales and revenue. With advanced patented technology, exceptional customer service, and expert marketing strategy, we help increase restaurant profits. What makes UBMe’s technology special: Upon arriving at the restaurant, customers can “check-in” using the free UBMe app to privately message staff. The customer can let staff know they arrived, chat with other customers, leave comments, pay for additional items, all while practicing social distancing.
February 25, 2021
Celerant and Star Offer Safeside Tactical a Solution to Increase Profits and Effortlessly Meet Federal Regulations

In December of 2012, Safeside Tactical began as a small storefront in a rural Virginia community. Safeside Tactical is a family-owned, federally licensed manufacturer and firearms dealer specializing in clothing, ammunition, and firearms sales. Quickly growing out of its humble beginnings, Safeside Tactical drew in more business every day, to the point where customers lined up at the doors before opening hours. Due to their success, they moved to a larger location to meet increasing demand.

In 2015, Safeside Tactical was expanded to a second location, consisting of 65 employees. This location allowed the business to offer more, including a variety of sporting goods equipment and gear, indoor shooting ranges, axe-throwing, security services, and even firearm and self-defense training courses. Safeside Tactical also created an eCommerce site to maximize customer reach and increase profitability.

The Challenge

When Safeside Tactical’s second location opened, they utilized QuickBooks as their business software solution. However, they soon found that QuickBooks didn’t meet all of their business needs. Because of this, Safeside Tactical had to use multiple systems to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations along with basic bookkeeping. It was cumbersome to manage basic business functions such as online reservations, scheduling, inventory, and more.

The Solution

Migrating from QuickBooks, Safeside Tactical opted for Celerant POS software, bundling it with the TSP143III receipt printer from Star Micronics. Unlike QuickBooks, Celerant’s customized solution enabled Safeside Tactical to manage all business functions from one cohesive system.

Functions such as customer database management, return authorizations, inner-store transfers, and eCommerce with in-store pickup options became a breeze with Celerant. With their new software solution, Safeside Tactical could even automatically update COVID occupancy rules on the website.

Equipped with PromoPRNT software, the Star Micronics TSP143III receipt printer allowed Safeside Tactical to create coupons and special offers throughout the year, an especially attractive option during the holiday season. PromoPRNT also gave Safeside Tactical the ability to advertise special events such as legal seminars that their customers could attend.

With PromoPRNT, Safeside Tactical customized receipt promotions by including advertisements for the retail store to those who visited the gun range and advertisements for the gun range to those who shopped in the retail store. This increased awareness of both locations and maximized profitability.

The Results

Key benefits of Safeside Tactical’s migration to Celerant and Star Micronics printers include improved compatibility and reliability.

Safeside Tactical also benefitted from PromoPRNT’s remote management feature. With the ability to manage all printers from one dashboard, staff didn’t have to worry about forgetting to change images or promotions. Because of PromoPRNT, Safeside Tactical could confidently include dated and time-sensitive promotions.

As a business that offers multiple gun range locations and brick-and-mortar retail stores, Safeside Tactical experienced simple retail management with Celerant’s inclusive software. The bundle of Star receipt printers and Celerant’s software also allowed Safeside Tactical to roll out disposable printed lane passes amidst COVID to avoid multiple customers reusing the same lane card.

Overall, the excellent combination of Celerant POS software with Star Micronics’s TSP143III printers provided Safeside Tactical with a solution that served them in a way QuickBooks alone couldn’t. With the ability to manage multiple storefronts, create revenue-boosting promotions, and carry out necessary business functions with ease, Safeside Tactical improved business operations tenfold.

Recommended by Star: TSP143III with PromoPRNT makes the perfect solution.

Download the full success story to learn more about how Safeside Tactical leveraged Star and Celerant for improved compatibility, reliability, and marketing.

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February 16, 2021
The Restaurant of the Future: What it Looks Like and Why It’s Successful

As the new year begins, restaurateurs and their loyal customers wonder what the restaurant of the future will look like as the industry continues to adapt to changes brought on by the ongoing pandemic. Shifting consumer trends and attitudes have changed the trajectory of the industry in mere months.

The world is in the middle of digital transformation and many restaurants have recognized that. The shift toward online services won’t pass with the pandemic – from QR codes to digital marketing campaigns, future success depends on how well restaurants adapt to changing consumer trends. Read on to discover how and why digital, self-service, and contactless technology will be a part of the successful restaurant of the future.

Self-Service

One technology that is sure to be found in the restaurant of the future is the self-service kiosk. Although self-service kiosks used to mainly be found in large restaurant chains, in recent years the technology has become accessible to small business owners as well. Self-service kiosks offer the ability to shorten lines and free up staff to provide an even better customer experience and handle more pressing tasks that can’t be done by machine.

Kiosks, tableside tablets, and other self-ordering point of sale (POS) devices allow customers to personalize their orders and forced modifiers prompt them to add side dishes or increase their drink size. While these additions cost only cents to customers, that profit adds up over time for the business.

Self-service can create sticky business, as well. Easily being able to customize meals encourages diners to come back again and again, allowing restaurants to improve loyalty while addressing the needs of the modern guest.

The benefits of self-service extend to health and safety, too. Social distancing is made simple when customers complete their transaction at a kiosk or by themselves at their table. An added bonus is improved order turn times, as orders get submitted straight to the kitchen versus having to go through the added step of being submitted by a waitstaff member.

The benefits of the customization that self-service allows for continue. Many self-ordering solutions include the ability to build customer profiles to help staff predict their needs and tailor every experience like they’re a welcome friend. With the right online ordering platform, guests can quickly log in to reorder favorites and this information gives restaurants valuable access to data they can incorporate into targeted marketing campaigns to increase revenue (or contact trace, if needed).

Online Ordering: Delivery and Curbside Pickup

With dine-in services being limited around the world, many people are turning their focus to off-premises ordering channels instead. Delivery and takeout systems are growing; they helped restaurants survive the past year and recent additions like drive-throughs and curbside pickup are likely to stick around now that restaurants have recognized the resulting ROI. According to Restaurant Business Magazine, 60% of business owners report that opening up delivery channels produced incremental sales.

To make the most of the online ordering trend, restaurants should optimize their online ordering platform and streamline operations so they’re ready to handle the influx of business that will flock to the new off-premises channels. Advanced restaurant technology can do just that, improving communication between the front- and back-of-the-house but also from customer to employee. In fact, the best POS systems submit orders directly to the kitchen display system (KDS) and improve order accuracy for enhanced guest satisfaction. Linerless labels, which contain order details and can be easily applied to (and repositioned on) online orders, can also greatly improve order accuracy.

In the restaurant of the future, technology and manual labor work together to create a streamlined ecosystem of shared responsibilities. Restaurants may assign available waitstaff to direct traffic for a new curbside service or reorganize the seating area to become a zone for socially distanced takeout orders. Advanced POS systems incorporate seamlessly into operations to make life easier, customers happier, and staff more productive.

6 Crucial Technologies for Successful Curbside Service

Ignite your curbside service’s full potential with these six crucial technologies.

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QR Codes and Digitization

Contactless technologies will likely remain a pillar of restaurant businesses when dine-in services open again at full capacity. Over half of U.S. restaurants already use QR-code menus (Beaconstac, 2020) to provide patrons convenience, personalization, and enhanced safety along with the comforts of sitting down at a restaurant. Meanwhile, servers can use their time to improve the customer experience by chatting with patrons, cleaning and sanitizing, and more.

So, how do QR code menus work? First, place the QR code on each table, the host stand, storefront windows, or as part of the décor – anywhere that is accessible to guests from their seats so they can easily review the menu and enter their orders from their smartphones. Patrons can also complete their transactions at their tables, with faster, secure payment methods that work via mobile menu. By providing in-house, EMV-enabled devices that can take NFC, mobile wallet, tap and swipe payment method, every customer will be satisfied.

How is all of this possible? With eatOS or similar technologies, you get a POS device that can handle all of these new sales channels and extra traffic without any added effort from your team. Get all of the convenience of cutting-edge digital solutions to common industry problems and see the benefits of implementing online ordering, QR codes and other contactless service options in your restaurant.

Future of Food Service

The restaurant of the future is digital. Long after the threat of COVID-19 has passed, these trends will likely continue to evolve along a similar trajectory with technology unburdening manual labor, cutting costs, and improving profits, all in one fell swoop. As customers come to rely more and more on a touch-free experience, their favorite businesses will have to adapt to become more efficient. In 2021, that means shifting services to the digital world.

POS systems are getting faster, more accurate, more capable, and more profitable as consumers come to prefer self-service and automation. As the new year unfolds, the restaurant industry will continue to digitize with the aid of contactless technology that puts them online and launches them toward greater success. Self-service technologies, like kiosks, combined with online ordering platforms, QR codes, and other contactless technology solutions are bringing restaurants all over the world into the future.

Looking for a cloud-based restaurant management and payment processing ecosystem?

Looking for a cloud-based restaurant management and payment processing ecosystem?

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About eatOS

At eatOS, we build cloud-based technology solutions exclusively for restaurants.

Our experience in the restaurant industry and specialized teams help us understand the complexity of running a restaurant. These tools allow us to build a customizable solution to help restaurants adapt to the industry’s needs.

Our cloud-based platform works on both iOS & Android, giving restaurants flexibility. Our management solutions simplify operations regardless of restaurant size. Guest engagement features improve the overall guest experience and reduce friction in the operations for staff.

Our technology gives restaurants the ability to engage with their community in new and innovative ways and automate operations from payroll to inventory management. eatOS point of sale handles all the busywork and allows restaurants to focus on their customers.

At eatOS our main priority is helping restaurateurs succeed. We strongly believe in giving our clients the ability to simplify management, exceed customer expectations, and provide a true cloud-based POS solution. Using these three values at the core of our focus to bridge the gap between the community and technology.

February 11, 2021
Technology for Retail Stores: What’s New in 2021
Needless to say, the retail industry faced monumental changes during 2020. Many brick-and-mortar locations closed their doors, and omnichannel retailing and health and safety quickly became the focus of the industry. As we enter 2021 and the world continues to slowly reopen and move further into the “new normal,” what technology for retail stores can be expected to make a splash in the industry? Read on to find out.

Online Ordering / eCommerce

It comes as no surprise that online ordering will continue to be pivotal to retailers around the globe. In fact, 69% of Americans have shopped online and that percentage is expected to hit 91% by 2023. And did you know that shopping app downloads reached 2.8 million on Black Friday 2020, a new single-day record?

As shoppers everywhere continue to enjoy the convenience and extra level of safety that comes with placing their orders online, it’s more critical than ever for online ordering software to be an important piece of technology for retail stores. Some online ordering features retailers should look for in a POS application include:
- Secure payment technology, automatic tax calculation, automatic carrier shipping rates
- Customer account creation and customer profile abilities
- Inventory management
- Sales analytics
- Web and mobile applications
- Professional, attractive online store layouts that are easy-to-brand
- Marketing tools like social media integration and search engine optimization
- And more
Equally important to having the right eCommerce software is having the right eCommerce hardware. Using a POS printer like the mC-Print3 with CloudPRNT technology can greatly streamline omnichannel retail operations. CloudPRNT technology enables printing directly through a cloud service by working with the online ordering service to store and create print jobs and communicate status with the printer. This seamless online order fetching makes it so that retailers can automatically receive online orders without the need for an additional tablet, software, or SSL certificate. And better yet, the mC-Print3 features USB hub functionality, allowing for connecting peripherals like cash drawers, customer displays, scanners, and more. There’s no reason for omnichannel retailing to cause complicated logistics for business owners!

Buy-Online-Pickup-in-Store (BOPIS)

Another retail trend related to eCommerce is buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS). While the same POS software mentioned above can likely field BOPIS orders, the technology that retail stores may need for BOPIS may be slightly different.

While many online orders are paid for by credit card, retailers may still experience some shoppers who wish to pay with cash. In that case, a space-saving, all-in-one POS featuring a small cash drawer – like the Star Micronics mPOP™ – may be ideal. A thermal printer (like the Star Micronics TSP654IISK) capable of printing linerless labels – which are repositionable, residue-free, and can improve order accuracy up to 99% – may also be helpful in preparing BOPIS orders for customer pickup. Last but not least, if a store is offering curbside payments, portable receipt printers with magnetic stripe readers (MSR) can allow employees to complete transactions at the customer’s car, eliminating the need to run back inside and ultimately saving the business time and money.

Did you know that 85% of shoppers said they have made additional in-store purchases while visiting stores to pick up their BOPIS orders, and 15% of them say they make those additional purchases “somewhat frequently?” Because of that, it is worth noting that if a retailer experiences a high volume of BOPIS orders, it may be useful to invest in a higher-volume cash management solution. Star Micronics proudly offers three lines of cash drawers with a variety of features, sizes, and price points, to meet any retailer’s cash management needs.

Health and Safety Products

While recent events have undoubtedly expanded the eCommerce market, brick-and-mortar is here to stay. In fact, according to Tinuiti,

“Last year, real estate experts predicted that digitally native brands would open 850 brick-and-mortar stores in the next 5 years, with New York being the most popular destination. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly slowed the openings of new brick-and-mortar stores, we’re still seeing offline experiences from previously online-only brands, and will continue to in 2021.”

Star Micronics POSShield Sneeze Guard

While physical retail locations will remain, so will health concerns. Businesses can put their employees’ and customers’ minds at ease by deploying the right health- and safety-focused technology for retail stores. One tool is a sneeze guard, or a plexiglass divider placed at the point of sale to limit the spread of germs. Not all sneeze guards are the same, and retailers may find a lightweight, portable guard (like the Star Micronics POSShield) that doesn’t require any drilling or mounting is a more convenient choice for both their short-term and long-term needs.

Another simple yet effective health and safety tool is antimicrobial covers. This film, which is safe to use and easy to apply, reduces germ transfer on high-touch surfaces like door handles and push bars, checkout counters, restroom surfaces, elevator buttons, and more. Antimicrobial covers can help build consumer confidence in a retailer, as the film is printed with an eye-catching message conveying that it limits the spread of germs. This message lets customers know the store is doing what it can to protect the public health.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Purchasing products online isn’t the only web-based tool making a splash in the retail industry. A Nielsen survey has revealed that consumers listed augmented and virtual reality as the top technologies they’re seeking to assist them in their daily lives, with 51% saying they would be willing to use AR to evaluate products.

And AR isn’t just for big name brands. In 2020, Shopify launched Shopify AR, a toolkit for small- and medium-sized businesses to create immersive AR experiences showcasing realistic and interactive versions of products to shoppers. AR helps shoppers get a better understanding of a product’s size, scale, and details, and apparently digitally “trying it on” works – Shopify reported that interactions with products having AR content experienced a 94% higher conversion rate than products without AR.

For eCommerce, brick-and-mortar, and everything in between, Star Micronics proudly offers a complete range of POS technology for retail stores.
February 4, 2021