Tag: Mobile POS (mPOS)

Star Micronics Unveils All-Steel mUnite Printer Shelf for Tablet Stands and Mounts

Designed for select tablet display stands and pole mounts, the recently launched mUnite Printer Shelf attachment offers an affordable and flexible solution for kiosk printing needs.

Somerset, NJ – April 3, 2023 – Star Micronics, a leading provider of point of sale (POS) and customer engagement technologies, has announced the release of its new all-steel mUnite Printer Shelf. Designed to provide an affordable and flexible kiosk printing solution, this printer shelf attachment is compatible with the mUnite Floor Kiosk Stand, Tri-Mount, and Mount 18 tablet display solutions.

The mUnite Printer Shelf allows businesses to easily set up self-service stations anywhere, providing customers with a seamless and convenient experience. With the ability to securely mount a thermal receipt printer on top of the shelf, users can easily print receipts or labels for customers below a tablet that is securely fastened onto the stand.

Constructed of durable steel, the printer shelf attachment offers a sturdy and long-lasting solution for printing needs. It is also easy to install, making it an ideal solution for businesses that need to set up a kiosk or self-service station quickly.

For more information on the new mUnite Printer Shelf, including technical specifications, please visit the Star Micronics website.

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Star Micronics, a world leader in point-of-sale (POS), has designated a portfolio of printing, secure cash management, self-service, and customer engagement solutions for any retail or hospitality establishment. Embracing the mPOS wave, Star’s SDKs allow developers to utilize Star printers in tandem with Android™, iOS, iPad®, and iPhone® devices to generate receipts, labels, Chit, and tickets. Star Micronics is always leading and always innovating, creating cloud-based printing solutions, including CloudPRNT and Star Cloud Services, with AOA support and MFi connectivity. Star also has a wealth of peripherals, including 2D barcode scanners, scales, tablet display stands, and more. Visit starmicronics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn to learn more.

Media Contact:

Christin Dorner

Star Micronics America, Inc.

cdorner@starmicronics.com

848-216-3318

April 3, 2023
Star Micronics Warranties and Product Protection
In today’s fast-paced business environment, having reliable point-of-sale (POS) technology is crucial to keep operations running smoothly. And when it comes to protecting your POS technology investment, Star Micronics is a trusted provider of top-quality hardware and warranties to ensure your devices are up and running whenever you need them. From printers and scanners to cash drawers and peripherals, Star offers a variety of warranties to protect your investment for up to five years.

In this article, we’ll explore Star Micronics’ warranties, including the necessary steps to make a warranty claim, applicable warranty periods by product type, and the benefits of their Swap-A-Star® and Extend-A-Star® programs.

Whether you’re a small business owner or a large retailer, read on to discover how Star Micronics can help you protect your POS technology investment and keep your business running smoothly.

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Star’s Standard Warranties

Star Micronics understands the importance of having reliable and high-quality point-of-sale technology for businesses. That’s why all their products come with standard manufacturer’s warranties with bumper-to-bumper coverage against defects in materials and quality to help ensure maximum uptime.

Having a standard warranty for Star Micronics products gives businesses the peace of mind that they are investing in technology that is backed by the manufacturer. This means that in case of any issues, companies can easily make a warranty claim and receive prompt support from the Star Micronics technical support team.

Additionally, standard warranties provide an added layer of protection for businesses that may face unexpected downtime or lost sales due to malfunctioning equipment. Ultimately, having a standard warranty for Star Micronics products is an excellent way for companies to protect their investment and keep their operations running smoothly.

Standard Warranty Periods by Product Type

View Star’s Standard Warranty

Star’s Supplemental Warranties and Programs

Star Micronics offers several programs to provide added protection for your POS technology investment. These programs include:

Swap-A-Star®
Swap-A-Star is a product replacement service program by Star Micronics that provides fast and hassle-free replacement of your Star printer or scanner in the event of a malfunction. With Swap-A-Star, you can avoid costly downtime and lost sales by receiving a replacement device as soon as within two business days.

Some of the benefits of Swap-A-Star include:

Quick and easy device replacement: Simply call or chat with a Star Micronics support team member to receive a replacement device as soon as within two business days.

Prepaid shipping label: Star Micronics provides a prepaid shipping label for returning the malfunctioning device.

Free shipping: Star Micronics covers the cost of shipping for both the replacement and malfunctioning devices.

No hidden fees: Swap-A-Star is a flat-rate program with no additional fees or charges.
Extend-A-Star®
Extend-A-Star is a supplemental warranty extension program that adds additional coverage beyond the standard warranty period. With Extend-A-Star, you can protect your Star Micronics printer or scanner investment for up to five years.

Some of the benefits of Extend-A-Star include:

Additional coverage: Extend-A-Star extends the warranty period beyond the standard coverage period, providing additional protection for your investment.

Peace of mind: With Extend-A-Star, you can have peace of mind knowing that your device is protected against defects and malfunctions for an extended period.

Priority support: Extend-A-Star customers receive priority support from the Star Micronics technical support team.

Easy enrollment: You can easily enroll in Extend-A-Star at the time of product purchase or within 30 days of purchase.

Overall, Swap-A-Star and Extend-A-Star are valuable programs offered by Star Micronics to provide added protection and support for their customers’ POS technology investments.
Supplemental Warranty Lifecycle
Before making a supplemental warranty claim, it’s important to follow these necessary steps:

Purchase Star Micronics product

Purchase and register any supplemental warranty within 30 days of purchasing the product

Make a warranty claim during the allotted time period
Upon purchasing a supplemental warranty, Star Micronics will send you an enrollment letter that includes important details regarding your warranty purchase. It is recommended to keep this letter for your records.

How To Create a Connected Workstation in 5 Easy Steps

Connected workstations are perfect for modern-day hospitality, retail, and restaurant businesses, offering a unique setup to optimize workflows.

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Invest in the Trusted POS Hardware Provider

In conclusion, investing in reliable and high-quality point-of-sale technology is essential for businesses of all sizes. And with Star Micronics’ comprehensive warranties and programs, businesses can have peace of mind knowing that their investment is protected against any unexpected defects or malfunctions.

Whether it’s printers, scanners, cash drawers, or peripherals, Star Micronics offers a range of warranties to suit different product types and needs. By following the necessary steps to make a warranty claim, businesses can receive prompt support from the Star Micronics technical support team and get their operations back up and running with minimal downtime.

Additionally, their Swap-A-Star and Extend-A-Star programs provide added protection and support for businesses looking to maximize their POS technology investment. Overall, Star Micronics is a trusted provider of warranties and programs that can help businesses protect their investments and stay ahead of the competition.

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March 30, 2023
Star Micronics Prepares Channel Partners for Future POS Industry Changes

As we face new challenges in the coming year, Star Micronics is ready to provide support to its channel partners with upcoming technology and solutions. Star’s Christophe Naasz, Director of Global Business Development, shares his insights on anticipated industry changes and top trends for 2023 and beyond in this Q&A piece.

What Changes Do You Anticipate the Payments Industry Will Bring to Channel Partners?

The buying and absorption of companies will slow down. When the interest rate was very low, we saw a frenzy in acquisition, but now that the market has gone down and the interest rate has gone up, many companies are now focused on their profit margin and reducing their debt level.

In addition, blockchain and decentralization in the payments industry need to be watched closely. Blockchain, mainly, as it could reduce the number of managed databases and multi-players of applications into one. Information related to billings, taxes, customer ratings, orders placed per day, and inventory can be stored and distributed across the blocks in the chain.

However, a Crypto wallet as a way of payment is still a long way. Software development and deployment will change dramatically in the short term, but Crypto payment will be much slower. Point-of-sale (POS) hardware will not be affected in the short term. People still pay by check, cash, debit, and credit card. A few will slowly move to Crypto.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently become a massive player in the POS market. A key benefit of AI POS systems is the ability to handle all kinds of payment methods instantly and efficiently, like online, mobile, chat or social media, and even facial recognition payments. However, when we think about AI in POS, we think about how AI can detect trends in products and sales, offer promotions, upsell, and adjust pricing suggestions as appropriate. AI POS systems are up to 20% more effective than traditional, AI-free marketing campaigns.

What Technology will Companies Need to Accommodate?

AI involves a lot of processing power that can only be done in the cloud. This means that all future POS software solutions must be hybrid or fully cloud-based. All hardware will need to be cloud-based compatible.

Will We Finally Go Back to Pre-Pandemic Business in 2023?

We are not there yet. We are in an adjustment phase. Low interest rates, excess savings, work from home, and pent-up demand for services and goods are all things of 2022. High interest rates, overstock, and requests to come back to the office are what we need to deal with in 2023.

Attendance at trade shows is still lower than in 2019, but decision-makers are back on the floor. However, vendors are reviewing the number of shows out there and are pickier about the ones they attend.

Star’s strategy has always been to offer the best hardware products in POS for SMBs. Our product reliability, customer support, and innovative product development have pushed our customers to request more and more products from us. We are now offering our customers all the accessories needed for the POS industry (except payment terminals). Star has become the one-stop shop for all: one vendor, one consistent support team, and one integration.

Star will continue investing in its people, partners, and new technologies. In 2021, we invested in a new partner program to allow our partners to stay competitive when selling our product line on any market. We want everyone to succeed.

Pre-pandemic, Star had begun to deploy new collaboration tools like Zoom and Teams, which allow us to communicate internally and externally through video conferencing. This new technology has worked wonderfully for us, and we decided to offer a hybrid work model.

Most of us work from home 2 to 3 days a week, but we request everyone to come to the office twice a week. We need to support and train our new employees, which can only be done in the office. We also need to keep the Star family environment that made us successful. We believe the social aspect of the office is vital to a company’s success.

What Challenges Are Star and Its Channel Partners Experiencing That They Expect Will Continue into the Next Year?

The main challenges we expect to continue to see are shipping Issues, staffing shortages, and costs. However, for Star, shipping issues are 95% solved. Even container pricing is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.

As for our staffing needs, we are fully staffed. The pandemic did not affect our employee retention rate. However, with a strong gross, we needed to hire. It took a few months to find the right people.

With shipping costs going down, product pricing should also come down. We believe inflation is a thing of the past, and pricing should stabilize or come down in the coming months — no need to hoard products anymore. Distributors have plenty of inventory. However, planning and forecast habits should be kept. A large inventory now does not mean it will stay that way in the future.

What Trends and Technologies Do You Predict Will Become Popular in 2023?

Ergonomics in POS is huge since retail space is at a premium. Most counter space should be used to promote and display products for sale. You do not want the POS to take over the counter. That is why Star offers stands designed to take up the smallest amount of space and integrate our peripherals. All-in-one is popular for its small footprint, but one of the caveats of that is that if anything breaks, everything needs to be changed.

Sustainability is also becoming more popular. Star is designing all new products to minimize their environmental impacts. We are reducing product consumption in power and media, eliminating liners from the back of labels, using standard plugs and power supplies, and continually developing built-to-last products.

Please take some time to learn what Star is doing to help combat climate change and promote diversity in our Environmental Impact Report.

Star Micronics’ 2021 Environmental Report

Learn what Star is doing to help combat climate change and promote diversity in this environmental impact report.

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There is also a shift to a hyper-connected, smart world with the growing popularity of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT). Star is now the leader in providing cloud-connected peripherals to current POS solutions, allowing our customers to be confident that our products are future-proof.

Invested in Innovation

Star values our partnerships and is investing to help channel partners succeed. We are expanding our product lines and technology in the next year to keep up with changes. The world will shift, but we will be ready and continue to be your #1 go-to.

Interested in integrating with Star Micronics?

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March 22, 2023
Ascent Solutions and Star Micronics Revolutionize ERP for Salesforce Users

Ascent Solutions creates true point-of-sale (POS) software built on the Salesforce platform, complemented by Star Micronics’ WebPRNT technology and POS hardware.

Ascent Solutions is an exciting enterprise resource planning (ERP) software offering features to help businesses manage their inventory and sales processes. What’s impressive is that Ascent Solutions’ inventory management system is powered by Salesforce, a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform. So, businesses enjoy the best of both worlds: leveraging Salesforce’s powerful features for the front office (i.e., sales, service) with Ascent Solutions’ back office inventory management operations.

Companies can easily monitor inventory levels, automate inventory replenishment, and simplify order fulfillment processes with Ascent Solutions. And if you need data-driven insights, the software also offers real-time reporting and analytics to help you make informed decisions.

A standout capability of Ascent Solutions is its mobile functionality. The software comes with mobile apps that allow businesses to manage their inventory from anywhere, anytime. The mobile apps are packed with features like real-time inventory tracking, barcode scanning, and other tools to help businesses stay on top of their inventory management operations.

In addition to its inventory management features, Ascent Solutions offers various other tools called Apps 360, which help businesses streamline their sales processes, such as lead management, quote-to-cash, and order fulfillment.

Ascent Solutions software includes the option of a CD4 cash drawer and mC-Print3 receipt printer.

Ascent Solutions worked with customers across industries and identified a need for better payment management tools in brick-and-mortar locations that leverage Salesforce. To bring this solution to market, it’s partnering with Star Micronics, a leading provider of point-of-sale (POS) hardware solutions. This partnership continues to bring incredible results, as businesses can now enjoy the benefits of Ascent Solutions’ inventory management software with Star Micronics’ POS hardware, like the mC-Print3.

Star’s mC-Print3 thermal receipt printer is an excellent choice for businesses looking for a high-speed, compact, and feature-rich printer. The mC-Print3 offers various connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet (LAN), WLAN, and Lightning USB, enabling it to work seamlessly with devices like tablets, smartphones, and computers.

With Ascent Solutions integration with Star Micronics’ hardware, businesses can easily manage their inventory and sales processes, from the point-of-sale to the back-end inventory management system.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to speak with Bryan Hutchinson, CEO of Aethon Consulting, a premier partner of Ascent Solutions. We talked about his role at Ascent and how partnering with Star Micronics brings business owners using Salesforce one of the best POS solutions out there.

Can you tell me a bit about your background and role with Ascent Solutions?

I’m a businessperson turned programmer, which gives me the best of both worlds – the ability to see and understand, even define requirements, and execute them myself. As you said, I’m one of the top partners with Ascent Solutions, doing product implementations alongside CRM and financial implementations, providing that end-to-end, lead-to-financials business system.

What role in the market does Ascent Solutions fulfill, and how?

Ascent provides a flexible and robust ERP solution on Salesforce, and it’s so much more than just resource planning. It allows customers to mold it to their own business processes while enforcing the necessary rules in the backend.

Think about Quote, Ordering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Contract Manufacturing, Inventory Management, Warehouse Management, Demand Planning, Financial Management, and Integrations – it’s all part of the Ascent Solutions suite of applications on the AppExchange.

And what we, as partners, do is review a customer’s business processes, discuss pain points, KPIs, etc., and utilize the Ascent products as the backbone of that process.

What POS hardware does Ascent currently use from Star Micronics?

Currently, we’re using the mC-Print3 printer and CD4 cash drawer. We’re also exploring the mPOP® receipt printer/cash drawer combination, as its versatile connectivity and clean presentation are highly attractive.

What made Star so easy to partner with?

The Integration Team at Star was supremely helpful and always ready to hop on a call to help us troubleshoot. Star’s WebPRNT technology really worked out with our POS software because it works with Salesforce, a web-based platform. We also loved how the mC-Print3 offers free access to Star Micronics Cloud Services because it allows business owners to customize receipts and schedule promotional material.

Why would businesses want to use Ascent Solutions ERP software? What types of companies would benefit the most?

I help everyone, from small businesses to large enterprise organizations, begin to use the Ascent platform, from oil and gas industries to medical, third-party logistic companies to resellers, value-added resellers, and construction companies that buy, sell, and provide services. The range of customers is so vast because of how flexible and powerful Ascent technology is.

Visit Ascent Solutions’ website for more information, or check out the application on the Salesforce AppExchange.

Ready to learn more and take the next step?

Check Out Ascent Solutions ERP on Salesforce

March 1, 2023
Receipt Marketing: A Powerful Tool to Boost Your Business
Receipt marketing, or receipt advertising, is a strategy businesses can use to promote their products or services by printing marketing messages or offers on receipts. Receipts are a powerful marketing tool because they are something that customers will always receive after making a purchase. This means businesses can use receipts to promote their brand, products, or services and incentivize customers to return.

In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of receipt marketing and provide some tips on how to implement a successful receipt marketing campaign.

The Benefits of Receipt Marketing

Increased Brand Awareness

One of the primary benefits of receipt marketing is that it helps increase brand awareness. Printing your company logo, tagline, or website on your receipts reminds customers about your brand every time they look at it. This repetition can help your brand stick in the minds of your customers and encourage them to return to your business in the future.

Increased Customer Loyalty

Receipt marketing can also help to increase customer loyalty. Offering discounts or promotions on receipts can incentivize customers to return to your business. This can lead to repeat business and increased customer loyalty. Customers appreciate getting a little something extra, and the personal touch of a promo or discount on their next purchase can make them feel valued and appreciated.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Another benefit of receipt marketing is that it is cost-effective. Receipts are something that your business already prints, so there are no additional costs associated with creating new marketing materials. This can make receipt marketing an attractive option for companies looking to promote their brand without spending much money.

Tips for Implementing a Successful Receipt Marketing Campaign
Keep it Simple – When designing your receipt marketing campaign, it’s essential to keep it simple. Customers will only spend a few seconds looking at their receipts, so make sure your message is clear and concise. Keep your design clean and easy to read, and focus on promoting one or two key messages.

Offer Incentives – To make your receipt marketing campaign more effective, it’s a good idea to offer incentives to customers. This could include discounts, free gifts, or the opportunity to join a loyalty club. By providing customers with an incentive, you can increase their chances of returning to your business.

Track Your Results – It’s essential to track your results when running a receipt marketing campaign. Doing so lets you determine what works and what doesn’t and make adjustments as needed. This could include changing the messaging or design of your receipts or adjusting the incentives you offer.
PromoPRNT Receipt Marketing Tool

PromoPRNT from Star Micronics is an innovative online tool that allows businesses to create and print custom coupons, surveys, and other promotional material directly on their receipts. With PromoPRNT, companies can easily create customized promotions and engage customers, all while improving their overall brand image.

The tool is entirely free and can be accessed through a web browser, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. The models that can currently access PromoPRNT are the TSP143IV, mC-Print2, and mC-Print3 receipt printers.

PromoPRNT offers a wide range of customization options, including adding logos, images, and text. Businesses can create coupons for discounts on specific products or services and surveys to gather customer feedback. The tool is easy to use, and companies can make them in just a few minutes.

Using PromoPRNT, businesses can increase customer loyalty, drive sales, and gain valuable insights into customers’ preferences and behaviors. It’s a powerful tool that can help businesses improve their marketing efforts and drive growth.

Take Advantage of Receipt Marketing

Receipt marketing is a powerful tool businesses can use to promote their brand, products, and services. By printing marketing messages or offers on receipts, companies can increase brand awareness, customer loyalty, and cost-effectively engage customers. When implementing a receipt marketing campaign, it’s essential to keep your design simple, offer incentives, and track your results to ensure campaign success. Doing so can drive sales and build lasting relationships with your customers.

The Value of Receipts: Printed and Digital

There’s no getting away from it: receipts hold great value and are an irrefutable part of everyday life.

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February 21, 2023
Cater to Your Business Needs with POS Accessories from Star Micronics: A Comprehensive Guide

As the retail industry continues to evolve and change, point-of-sale (POS) hardware and technology have become increasingly crucial for businesses to maintain a competitive edge. POS systems help companies streamline their operations, manage inventory, and process transactions, all while providing a seamless customer experience. But sometimes, it’s necessary to add accessories to make the POS system exactly how a business needs to operate at its best.

Star Micronics has a wide range of POS accessories designed to complement their cash drawers, kiosk and receipt printers, and more, enhancing the functionality of a business’s POS.

The little things can mean a lot!

Let’s look at some of the most popular Star POS accessories:

Popular POS Accessories by Star Micronics

1. Receipt Printer Accessories

Star Micronics provides a variety of receipt printer accessories designed to complement its extensive line of acclaimed POS receipt printers. These accessories include external power supplies, splash-proof covers, wall-mount brackets, and more. External power supplies are a convenient way to power the receipt printer and can be particularly useful in situations where outlets are limited or hard to reach.

Splash-proof covers provide an added layer of protection to the printer, making it more durable and long-lasting. Wall-mount brackets are also available for businesses that require a more permanent and secure installation for their receipt printer. By using these receipt printer accessories, businesses can improve the functionality and convenience of their POS system, making it easier to manage transactions and provide a seamless customer experience.

2. Kiosk Accessories

Star offers accessories designed to be used with its extensive line of kiosk printers. These include bezels, paper roll holders, LED presenters, and near-end sensors. With these kiosk printer accessories, businesses can create customized and efficient kiosk systems that meet their unique needs and preferences.

3. Portable Printer Accessories

For businesses that require a mobile POS solution, we offer a range of portable printer accessories. These include charging cradles, portable battery packs, belt clips, and shoulder straps, to name a few. These accessories help to ensure that your mobile POS solution is always running at top performance, no matter where you are.

4. Barcode Scanners

Barcode scanners are a must-have for businesses that sell products with barcodes or have large inventories. We offer a line of high-speed 2D barcode scanners that work fast and are highly accurate. They’re available in various models, including desktop, USB handheld, and wireless Bluetooth.

5. POS Scale Accessories

For the highly accurate mG-S8200 POS scale, Star offers an extended platter to measure more items at one time. The extended platter is NTEP-certified and extends the platter to 8.5 x 9 inches. Plus, it’s reliably made from brushed stainless steel to last.

6. Cash Drawer Accessories

Star Micronics offers a range of cash drawer accessories to complement its line of ultra-secure cash drawers. These accessories include till covers, till inserts, and mounting brackets. Till covers are designed to protect the contents of the cash drawer, while till inserts help to organize coins and bills, making it easier to count and balance the drawer.

Mounting brackets are also available to ensure that the cash drawer is securely attached to the counter or terminal. In addition, Star offers cash drawer cables that can connect two drawers to nearly any printer, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer. By using these cash drawer accessories, businesses can improve the security and efficiency of their cash-handling operations.

7. Customer Displays

Customer displays are a great way to enhance the customer experience at the point of sale. Star offers a range of customer displays that can be easily connected to any POS system. These displays are designed to be easy to read and provide customers with clear information about their purchases.

Accessorize Your POS with Star

Star Micronics is committed to providing high-quality, reliable POS accessories to businesses of all sizes. Our products are designed to be easy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy, and are built to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. Whether you’re looking for a new cash drawer, barcode scanner, or any other POS accessory, Star Micronics has you covered.

The Ultimate Guide to Accessorizing
the Point of Sale

Whether you are a reseller equipping customers with bundled, out-of-the-box solutions or an ISV striving to integrate with the accessories business owners need, POS peripherals aren’t always a walk in the park. Good news: it doesn’t have to be this way.

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February 13, 2023
What is Artificial Intelligence, and How Does it Impact Your Point-of-Sale?
When people hear the term “artificial intelligence” (AI), it might conjure images of futuristic androids or sentient computers from movies such as I, Robot or AI. But while those things are still in the realm of science fiction, AI has become increasingly engrained in the modern technology we now use every day, from our smartphones to our point-of-sale (POS) systems. AI helps consumers and workers streamline their activities and increase productivity.

But what is artificial intelligence? The Oxford English Dictionary defines AI as “the development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.”

Before AI began to appear in retail technology, large-scale monitoring of employees, inventories, transactions, customer purchase histories, or sales was next to impossible due to limited data management and analysis capabilities. Now, your POS system can incorporate AI to generate smart reports and optimize your data into actionable insights.
Those insights may give you a potent competitive edge. In the recent results of 2022’s McKinsey Global Survey on AI revealed that the number of businesses using AI technologies since 2017 has more than doubled. On top of that, the companies that use AI for marketing and other purposes consistently outperform those that do not.

In fact, a recent blog posted by Techjury revealed that the AI market is projected to grow at CAGR of 38.0% from 2021 to 2030, and that 77% of the devices we already use feature one form of AI or another.

By integrating AI into day-to-day operations, companies can:

Boost efficiency by spending less time sifting through vast streams of data from a variety of disparate sources

Focus on what really matters for their business

Speed up time to action

So, what is artificial intelligence in the context of POS technology, and what does it look like for merchants?
AI Combines and Analyzes POS Data with Real-Time Reports

AI and POS software work together to create continuous intelligence. According to the Gartner Glossary of Information Technology, continuous intelligence is “a design pattern in which real-time analytics are integrated into business operations, processing current and historical data to prescribe actions in response to business moments and other events.” It provides decision automation or decision support.
This intelligence involves a variety of technologies, such as machine learning, event stream processing, optimization, and business rule management. Some of the technologies that can help generate better real-time data include:

Facial Recognition: This technology can generate customer profiles, enhance security, track behaviors, and make specific suggestions that improve sales by providing a personalized experience.

IoT-Enabled Sensors: The Internet of Things (IoT) enables communication and data exchange between objects with computer devices connected to the Internet. A smart POS system can utilize electronic shelf labels to track user behavior, update inventory, and complete transactions anywhere in the store through connected sensors. This function prevents long queues with smart scan technology during peak hours or end-of-season sales (EOSS). It also automatically alerts the inventory manager when items are nearly out of stock, prompting timely reorders and preventing disappointed customers.

With these AI technologies paired with traditional POS reports, merchants can take their data strategy to the next level by leveraging predictive analytics to enhance their insights into inventory management, customer marketing, and sales, creating actionable plans.
AI-Based POS Reports Create Actionable SMART Insights

With more advanced, AI-based reports, you can create SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals and actionable plans. These reports provide managers and owners with information that uncovers deeper insights.

You can take it a step further with AI power that makes recommendations for you. Some AI programs give you insights and suggest the best responses.

Leverage smart insights to discover shopping patterns and preferences, which you can turn into successful sales strategies. For example, the information you gain can help you decide which products to place near each other and where to position the best or most profitable items for higher sales based on buyer behavior reports and foot-traffic heat maps.
Other SMART insights might assist with decisions and strategies, such as:

Generating loyalty programs for preferred customers who visit your store regularly

Placing additional staff in new locations for customer support

Creating electronic displays that change using facial recognition to show products and promotions tailored to a recognized customer’s profile
Optimize Your Business Operations with AI POS Software
Once you have SMART insights and create strategic responses, watch as your operations speed up and become more optimized. You’ll use your reports to take action to eliminate long checkout lines, reduce stock-outs, and enhance the customer experience in-store and online.

Your actions will bring:

More efficient workflows that eliminate redundancies

Streamlined stocking and other in-store maintenance

Automation of previously manual, tedious processes, freeing your staff to devote more attention to customers

So, what is artificial intelligence when paired with POS solutions? It’s the key to true business intelligence.
Get Your AI from a Smart Provider

AI is readily available to merchants ready to invest in their businesses, streamline their processes, and take control of their data. It starts with understanding which AI technology is best for your business needs, gathering and analyzing your data to generate actionable insights, then optimizing your operations.

Get everything you need to utilize AI with your POS system from your trusted POS hardware provider. Star Micronics has been dedicated to innovation for more than five decades. To learn about the latest POS hardware options to improve your business, contact us today.

Check out Star’s full Product Catalog!

Discover the innovative technology solutions Star Micronics has to offer.

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January 26, 2023
GitHub & Star Micronics: The Benefits for POS Software Developers

If you’re a point-of-sale (POS) software developer, you may already know Star Micronics puts all its code onto GitHub. It may have even helped you at one point. Maybe you’ve also helped Star by posting your thoughts there and sharing some great ideas. Or perhaps you’re just starting out and want to learn more about what I’m referring to.

Either way, it’s helpful to know about Star and GitHub. As someone new to software development, I wanted to learn more about GitHub – a decentralized, open-sourced platform where developers can publicly post their code and get feedback – and why Star puts its SDK codes on there to help ISVs, software developers, and the tech community in the point-of-sale (POS) space.

Recently, I spoke to Mark Rasho, Joshua Ventocilla, and Oreoluwa Akeredolu from Star Micronics’s Integration Team to get more information about Star on GitHub.

Visit Star on GitHub

Here’s how the conversation went:

Most of our technology providers already know what GitHub is, but for people new in the space, what is GitHub, and how do you use it?

Mark: So, as far as what GitHub is, I’ll leave that to Josh and Oreo, but I do know the platform is used by developers a lot. They create code in there. If they see any problems with software, they’ll solve them. Guillermo Cubero, our Product Integration Specialist, was the one pushing for us as a company to get on GitHub because he found it useful.

Then Star Micronics started putting our SDKs on GitHub, our CloudPRNT, Native iOS, and Android, so it’s important. It is something a lot of developers use. It’s basically a platform where you can communicate with developers, ask questions, get questions answered, and support each other. So, it’s like a developer community app, right guys?

Oreo: Yep.

Josh: Yep. That’s correct. I mean, essentially, in the world of development, this is an essential tool to use. GitHub is one of the bigger Git that they have – there are many different types of Git – GitLab is one of them, I use that also, but GitHub is one of the bigger ones. As far as development goes, it’s like a portfolio, in a way, for a developer to have. It’s where all the code source is pushed. You can edit it.

Also, the great thing about it is you can have other developers collaborate with your code source in case someone needs to edit or improve features on it. They can ask to edit it or suggest edits, and you can approve that. So, it’s one of the most important tools for a developer to have. As Mark mentioned, Star Micronics must be on it because nearly all of our clients who are developing applications use it. We refer them to our GitHub and they can review our code or our SDKs whenever they need to.

Mark: And to give you a scope of how big GitHub is, there are over 94 million developers on it, and over 4 million organizations use it (at the time of this post), so it’s huge.

How does GitHub work? Is it kind of like Wikipedia for code? Say, Josh writes code and puts it on there. Can anyone go on and edit it, or do you need to approve it as the original poster?

Josh: Good question. It’s open source, so almost everyone has access to it. If I were the owner of a code and someone wanted to edit it, depending on how I had the setting (whether public or private: if it’s public, anyone can see it; if it’s private, it’s only allowed by me, or whoever I choose to see it) so, if someone wants to edit that, they’d have to request approval for it. Then, the original poster can review the updated code, see how it works, and if they approve it, it becomes part of the code.

Is the original code still on there?

Josh: Yes. Think of it like the base of a car. It needs wheels. So, if I start with the frame of a vehicle and someone wants to add a wheel they made, they will request to add it. Then, I would need to approve their wheel. Once I approve it, you will have both the frame and the wheel together. You can add to or edit the original code, but it needs to be approved.

Mark: It may not be maintained by the original person who put the code up there, but it’s still there. And viewers can see the changes.

GitHub is safe to use, right?

Josh: Absolutely! It allows developers to collaborate on projects. It lets you upload your codebase so other developers may use what you’ve built. It’s also a platform for sharing self-made projects or projects you’ve worked on. It’s like a portfolio of work, but everyone can build upon it.

So, it definitely sounds helpful and valuable to software developers. But how would you describe the benefits of Star Micronics being on GitHub? Not only the benefits for us as a company but for ISVs and technology providers as well?

Mark: One benefit developers get from our GitHub page is that they can see our source codes and read and participate in discussions about them. So they can reach out to us, ask us questions, or ask about specific features. And, as a company, we get a lot of ideas from that.

We may make changes because of a discussion with a developer, or maybe a developer has an idea – hey, I want to do this, I want to do it in a different way – and that can give us some ideas, too. We can make changes and get feedback from developers, which helps us improve our source code. Many benefits come from these discussions and input from other users.

Oreo or Josh, have you had any situations where a developer brought ideas to you?

Oreo: Yes! One of the greatest benefits we get from GitHub is the ability to fix bugs. While we release our SDKs for iOS, Android, Windows, and others, there are different ways to create applications on those platforms.

Here’s an example using one of our recent SDKs, the React Native SDK. Most people use Expo, which is like a wrapper to ensure the application works on iOS and Android. However, with our React Native SDK, it wasn’t working with Expo. That was a bug that needed to be fixed, and it was a developer in the community who brought it to our attention. After seeing that on GitHub, we tested it on our end and worked with the developers at Expo to create a solution that everybody could use. Then we published that update on GitHub and let everyone know that the bug was fixed.

So, different people use the code in different ways. On GitHub, you can bring up a bug, and we’ll take a look at it, fix it, and update it. That way, everybody can use the solution Star provides however they want to on every platform and framework. That’s one importance of GitHub.

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So, GitHub helps make our codes more accessible to people.

It allows ISVs and technology providers to communicate with us directly to solve problems for more people.

Oreo: It also makes the developmental process easier because, on the GitHub discussion page, people already put examples of how they got specific things to work. For example, the TSP100 is a graphic-only printer, and the TSP650 supports text. That’s one thing you can find on our GitHub: how to print an image to the printer.

While we have examples in the SDKs, some developers still have issues. However, there’s a good chance someone has already posted a solution on GitHub. So when you have an issue, you don’t have to start racking your brain because someone else has already posted what you need. You just had to look at it and implement it into your application. Having that community on GitHub reduces development time.

Is there anything new coming to GitHub that you may know of?

Oreo: Well, we had the StarPRNT SDK, and now we have the StarXpand SDK. Both SDKs are on GitHub, but we also explain how to upgrade from StarPRNT to StarXpand on GitHub. So, having that easy transition on there is new. The StarXpand supports more frameworks, and there are examples of how to upgrade on GitHub so that most of the functions don’t break when you do so.

Josh: And to add to that, there are how-to’s on GitHub in terms of installations. So, for anyone who wants to go break it down, there are step-by-step instructions on how to use our code.

So GitHub makes things smoother, so developers don’t waste their time.

Josh: It’s a collaborative platform for almost everybody to use our code. And in the process, as we go through trials and tests, it also helps to improve our code.

Would most developers know to go to GitHub for Star SDKs and APIs?

Oreo: Usually, when we’re on an initial call with an ISV, we provide them follow-up messages with links to GitHub. We can also send ISVs links to issues that have already been resolved on GitHub.

So, it’s part of the onboarding process.

Oreo: Yes. We let them know we have GitHub when we bring them on board.

Mark: As soon as Star Micronics began on GitHub, we migrated our SDKs and APIs over to its one central location where everybody has access. We duplicated what we have on our website onto GitHub, where most developers would go anyway.

GitHub sounds like it’s been an enormous help to Star.

Mark: Huge.

My final question is: for anyone thinking about integrating with Star Micronics or anyone about to start that process, is there anything important you want them to know about GitHub and Star?

Mark: We want to let everyone know to please reach out to the Integration Team with any questions, big or small. Instead of ISVs & developers spending time trying to figure something out, our Integration Specialists like Josh and Oreo may already have the answer. Going to our team first will speed up development time, and when you speed up development time, it drops the costs a lot more for the developer and the ISV, and it just makes the process smoother.

So, please always reach out to Star. We’re always available, and we respond immediately (during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 pm to 5 pm EST). We are here for the ISVs. Star’s Integration Team is here to make their job simpler and more cost-effective and to integrate them with our hardware as quickly as possible. So, please remember to reach out to us for any reason.

Think of Star’s Integration Team first because this is what it’s here for.

Josh: To add something, I recommend looking over our SDKs to see what compatible languages we have written up before developing. Sometimes we don’t have some of the language ISVs use. So that slows down the development process because now they have to review our SDKs and then translate them into their language.

By visiting GitHub, developers can get an idea of “if I’m using JAVA, can I do that with this SDK.” Because there are so many different languages, we may only have options for some of them. GitHub is the go-to platform for seeing what languages we support. If people do that, then development would be a lot smoother.

Mark: For example, we noticed that React was the trend many developers were going to, so we decided to develop React. And we will keep incorporating other programming languages as long as people are using them.

We get those trends from GitHub, from ISVs asking us questions, and that’s how we decide what to come out with next.

Can’t wait to see what that’ll be! Thank you so much for talking to me today. I really appreciate your knowledge.

Mark: Anytime. And, thank you for listening!

Oreo: Thanks, Brittany.

Josh: Always a pleasure. Thanks!

Check out another article:

Independent software vendors (ISVs) and developers devote time, attention, and resources to developing applications that address their markets’ challenges and pain points. An ISV’s success depends on achieving those objectives. However, it is equally important to determine the best way to deliver software to consumers and take it to market.

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January 3, 2023
7 Features to Look for in the Best Tablet Stand

With the right point-of-sale (POS) tablet software and a well-designed tablet display stand, you can transform a simple tablet into an agile, versatile workstation. POS tablets are gaining traction in numerous industries, including restaurants, stores, boutiques, hotels, and entertainment venues. Their lightweight form, affordability, and ease of use make tablet-based POS solutions popular among small and midsize business owners. A recent study by Statista predicts that U.S. tablet usage will reach nearly 155.3 million units by 2025.

When compared to traditional PC-based systems, POS tablets offer a healthy ROI. Unlike legacy integrated POS systems or terminals, which can cost upwards of $5,000 per unit, tablet-based POS solutions are competitively priced, offering a range of low-cost hardware and software options. They take up less space and give your POS a sleek, modern look and feel.

Having the proper display stand to hold your tablet can not only provide a single secure workspace for your busy store or restaurant, but it keeps your tablet protected as well. Low cost does not mean the POS tablet has no value!

Let’s look at what makes a great tablet display stand:

7 Features to Look for in the Best Tablet Stand

The right tablet stand for your business operations will not only enhance and protect your tablet POS investment but also boost customer experience, enhancing your brand’s appeal. Designs vary, but market-leading tablet stands share fundamental characteristics and are easy to spot.

Secure Tablet Mounting

VESA mounting, an industry standard used by numerous industries and manufacturers, enables a tablet stand to accommodate virtually any type of tablet enclosure that holds the tablet and secures it to the stand. However, there are perfectly fine stands out there that do not use VESA. The key is that the attachment is 100% firm and secure. Otherwise, your valuables will end up on the floor.

Clean Cable Management

Sleek, aesthetically designed tablet stands route cables internally, making a favorable first impression and saving precious counter space.

They do more than make your POS station look clean, however. The best POS tablet stands help protect cables from spills, dust, or other accidents that could cause damage.

Enclosure Option

Tablets should be housed in protective enclosures that also look nice. A universal mEnclosure holds virtually any tablet and enables it to be mounted horizontally or vertically. This way, you can change your tablet without buying a new enclosure.

Compatibility with a Variety of Printers

Many shops and restaurants using tablets for their POS also use POS printers. The ability to support a variety of receipt and label printers increases your point-of-sale tablet stand’s functionality, keeping your tablet safe and protecting and housing your printer.

This adds to a stand’s overall versatility. With your POS hardware in one place, you and your staff manage multiple tasks from a single point of access. It’s better for security and better for the customer experience as well.

Sturdy & Made to Last

An all-steel tablet stand with VESA compatibility can reliably support and protect any tablet, future-proofing your investment.

Easy Installation & Readily Available Support

Installation and use should require minimal effort, with best-in-class technical support if needed via live chat and phone, giving you more time to focus on business priorities.

Business-Boosting Features

Optional configuration settings, combined with easy-to-tilt maneuverability and a customer-facing option, can boost your brand and customer experience. When customers see you have a neat and put-together POS, it gives them more trust in your business overall.

Star’s mUnite Tablet Display Stands

Star Micronics has created the mUnite series of tablet display stands and mounts, the latest addition to its acclaimed mCollection series. The stands and mounts are sleekly designed, highly configurable, and easy to set up and use.

A perfect choice for POS and self-service environments, mUnite stands and mounts include the following key features:

Universal VESA Mounting

Most mUnite stands use universal VESA mounting hardware to support all tablet and computer manufacturers, including the Star Micronics mPOS and mCollection lines. But there are a couple of fantastic tablet display stands that do not. Either way, the hold on your tablet is long-term.

Clean Cable Management

mUnite stands hide wires and cables within their sleek housing while routing power supplies under the counter, maximizing valuable countertop real estate.

Easy to Tilt for Customer Interactions

mUnite stands have excellent maneuverability, making them adaptable to numerous settings and easy to tilt for order review, signature capture, and additional functions.

Supports Two Screens

Many mUnite stands can support additional customer-facing displays as well as horizontal and vertical tablet views, extending and enhancing the mUnite experience.

Discover mUnite

Take back your counter with Star’s sleek and functional mUnite stands. Their clean designs keep your tablets connected and optimized while hiding cables, wires, and power supplies. Enhance your brand and delight customers with purpose-built, aesthetically pleasing mUnite tablet stands.

Discover which tablet stand by Star is right for you:

Explore mUnite Stands & Mounts

December 21, 2022
The Tech Needed to Create Connected Workstations in Your Industry
Your clients are facing some of the most severe challenges they’ve ever encountered. Overhead and labor costs are rising, online competition has increased, customer loyalty is fleeting, and labor is hard to find. Merchants committed to business growth need new solutions to overcome these hurdles – and they need value-added resellers (VARs) and other point-of-sale (POS) solution providers to provide guidance and technical expertise to implement them successfully.

Connected workstations that feature terminals or tablets and stands, printers, scales, and online ordering integration increase productivity and efficiency to help merchants future-proof their IT investments.

Providing and adding value to these solutions can also strengthen relationships with your clients and boost your bottom line as you help them use technology to navigate these challenges and achieve success.

But first, what exactly is a connected workstation?

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What is a Connected Workstation?

A connected workstation is a grounding place where POS software connects with multiple hardware devices to create cohesive workflows. Employees or customers can enter and manage orders, purchases, payments, inventory, and more.

In an era where customer expectations and industry demands are continuously evolving, the value of a connected workstation cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in boosting productivity, optimizing workflow, and, ultimately, driving business success.

The Value of a Connected POS Workstation

Connected workstations have become increasingly vital in the retail and hospitality industries as they greatly help streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. By integrating various devices and applications in one area, businesses can create a seamless, data-driven environment that enables real-time communication, improved order accuracy, and efficient inventory management.

Furthermore, a connected workstation offers a centralized platform for staff to access crucial information, empowering them to make better-informed decisions and provide exceptional service.

Future-proofing these POS or back-of-house workstations can help combat the most significant struggles faced by the hospitality industries:

Online ordering management

Labor shortages

Delivery automation

New payment methods

Let’s dive into each of these issues:
Online Ordering and Delivery

Online ordering and delivery have become necessary to compete in the hospitality industry. By implementing these solutions, your clients can improve cash flow; however, it requires a range of new software and hardware solutions for effective management.

A backend-connected workstation, including printing solutions for labels and receipts for third-party delivery services, can help a restaurant organize these operations, ensuring every customer receives accurate, on-time orders. Additionally, a solution like CloudPRNT gives employees managing online orders and delivery the freedom to print from any location in the restaurant by communicating directly with web-based POS applications.

Find out more about the benefits of creating connected POS workstations by downloading the rest of our free ebook:

The Future-Proof Technology You Need To Create Connected Workstations For Your Industry

Discover how future-proof technology can create optimized workstations to keep your business ahead of the competition.

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Rising Stars Podcast
December 14, 2022