Tag: POS Scales

4 Essential Features of a Frozen Yogurt POS Solution
It’s flavorful, colorful, and just healthy enough to not feel guilty about indulging in it. That’s right: we’re talking frozen yogurt. Specifically, we’re talking frozen yogurt point of sale (POS) and how to choose a frozen yogurt POS that goes the extra mile for your business.

You’re likely well aware of the popularity of frozen yogurt shops; it’s estimated that 121 million servings of frozen yogurt are served each year in the United States! And while it’s good news that so many people love the tasty dessert, it can also be intimidating to think about the best way to go about differentiating your frozen yogurt shop from the competition.

In addition to choosing a strategic location, creating an attractive aesthetic, offering high-quality flavors and toppings, and effectively marketing your business, did you know that a well-thought-out POS can be a stable foundation to a successful, differentiated frozen yogurt shop? Read on to discover the 4 essential features of a frozen yogurt POS solution.

Feature #1: Scale

Arguably one of the most important features of your frozen yogurt POS is your scale. Why? Simply put, accuracy is money!

To ensure you are charging the correct amount for the frozen yogurt that you sell, selecting an NTEP-certified scale is a must. The NTEP Certificate of Conformance “indicates that the device manufacturer has demonstrated the ability to meet applicable requirements for commercial weighing and measuring equipment in the United States as specified in Handbook 44: Specifications and Tolerances and Other Technical Requirements. NTEP certification is required in most states in the United States.”

Second most important to accuracy is connectivity. What good is a scale if it doesn’t connect to the rest of your POS? Be sure to choose a scale that connects to your software and operating system. It is also helpful if your scale features multiple interface options such as Bluetooth, Serial, and USB. Additionally, it’s wise to choose a scale that directly connects to your POS so that there is no risk of human error in entering numbers incorrectly from the scale to the POS.

Finally, let’s be real: frozen yogurt can easily become messy. Choose a scale that has an available protective shield to defend it from spills.

Star’s mG-Scales

Legal for Trade, NTEP-Certified
Multiple Interfaces (Bluetooth, Serial, USB)
Support for Windows, Android, iOS
Available with Protective Shield

Learn More

Feature #2: Receipt Printer

Your customers want to eat their frozen yogurt before it melts. One way to help them do that is by utilizing a fast, high-quality, and easy-to-use receipt printer. A reliable and high-performance printer means your employees can complete transactions more quickly, and customers can get to enjoying their treats in a jiffy.

On a more technical front, it’s crucial to choose a printer with the connectivity options to meet your needs. Some good connectivity options to look for are Bluetooth, USB, Lightning, and LAN. And by choosing Star’s mC-Print2 or mC-Print3, you’ll get the added benefit of SteadyLAN® technology. This world-first solution provides both power and direct, reliable Ethernet connectivity to iOS, Android, and Windows devices via the printer, and all through one cable. You can say goodbye to downtime and low-signal frustration with SteadyLAN!

Two more aspects of a receipt printer to look for are a splash-proof design and marketing capabilities. By choosing a splash-proof printer, you know your POS hardware is safe from any spilled frozen yogurt mishaps. And some receipt printers, like the mC-Print Series, includes free receipt marketing software so that you can promote upcoming sales, special flavors, and more right on your receipt, where customers are sure to see it.

Feature #3: POS Software

Just like sprinkles make the perfect accompaniment to frozen yogurt, choose a printer that pairs well with your favorite frozen yogurt POS software!

If you’re currently shopping around for frozen yogurt POS software – or considering making a switch – here are some good features to look for:

Weight-based pricing

Inventory management and detailed sales reporting (so that you can know which flavors and toppings sell fastest, when to replenish, profit margins, real-time sales, etc.)

A simple checkout process and easy training (for part-time and seasonal staff)

A prominent customer display system (CDS) for transparent transactions

The opportunity for customer information capture for marketing activities

Offline transaction processing

Employee timekeeping

Pay-as-you-go pricing (if you are a seasonal business)

Secure payments (EMV-ready for chip and pin payments)

Handheld, mobile POS capabilities for peak business hours

Feature #4: Sleek Design

Frozen yogurt shops are known for their design. You know the look: a well-lit, happy space, with bright colors and the undeniable feeling of childhood-like joy. What’s one thing that can completely kill the mood? Outdated POS hardware.

Alpine Chill Yogurt Shop, Alpine, CA

Magical Yogurt, Lumberton, TX

Choose a POS that is as sleek as the rest of your business. Not only will this create a cohesive feel, but this optimized design will help you create a memorable experience and hopefully stand out in your customers’ minds.

Star’s mUnite Stand

The easiest way to create an attractive POS area is by choosing a clean, sleek tablet POS stand. Look for a stand that features hidden cable management that routes cables through the stand arm (like the Star mUnite). Another key feature that cannot be overlooked is choosing a stand that includes universal VESA mounting, meaning it can support any iOS, Android, and Windows touchscreen device. An added bonus of a stand with VESA mounting capabilities is that it is future-proof and can save you money: if you change your tablet down the road, the same great stand will still work.

We hope that these frozen yogurt POS tips were useful. Need some help choosing your frozen yogurt scale? Download our free Scale Buyer’s Guide now!

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March 5, 2020
3 Ways to Help Your Customers Increase Restaurant Foot Traffic
There are over 660,000 restaurants in the United States alone. That’s a lot of competition, and you may find your restaurant customers are facing related challenges: how do they differentiate themselves and grow sales? In a society filled with so many options for nearly every type of cuisine, and with seemingly limitless dining options available through smartphone apps, how do you help them increase foot traffic in their restaurant?

Growing a restaurant business during this digital transformation doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a few key ways you can help your restaurant customers increase foot traffic – and lucky none of them are too complex. They do, however, require an understanding of the restaurant’s specific needs and target audience. Read on to discover how to help grow your customers’ business through leveraging online ordering, delivering a top-notch experience to diners, and growing a digital presence.

Browse Star’s Restaurant and Kitchen Solutions

1. Help Them Leverage Online Ordering

In the last decade, nearly every aspect of the world has gone online – you can buy almost anything online, you can hail a cab from your smartphone, and you can do the majority of your banking from a mobile device – and the restaurant industry is no different.

Online ordering for food is a huge market. For instance, did you know that digital ordering and delivery have grown 300% faster than dine-in traffic since 2014? Simply put, to keep up and grow restaurant foot traffic, your customers need to be active on at least one online ordering platform. Taking advantage of the millions of people using online ordering is a great way to expand your restaurant customer’s clientele from those who already know and love the restaurant, to brand new diners.

It might sound like a complicated process but helping your restaurant customers get online can be simple. First, the restaurant should choose whether they want to be present on an online ordering app (like Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) or if they’d like to have an online ordering system integrated into their website – or both. When choosing a service, restaurants should consider the ability to customize and brand their system, the ease of integration, any associated fees and costs, and whether marketing support is offered.

Another important component of online ordering to think about is the technology behind the solution. By choosing an online ordering service that is integrated with Star Micronics, you can rest assured you have reliable, easy-to-use, and high-quality hardware on your side. For example, CloudPRNT technology (which is available on the mC-Print2, mC-Print3, TSP654II, TSP743II, TSP847II, and SP742) allows the printer to directly communicate with the online ordering service server, meaning there is no need for an additional tablet, software, or SSL certificate at the local level. The printer simply automatically retrieves and prints online orders from any service integrated with Star’s communication protocol. CloudPRNT is compatible with receipt, label, linerless label, and kitchen printers, meaning the options for streamlined printing are endless.

Discover how Star helped one Asian fusion restaurant group leverage online ordering and save nearly $10,000 along the way.

2. Give Them the Tools They Need to Deliver a Top-Notch Customer Experience

“Have it your way.” Does that slogan ring a bell? Like one notorious QSR brand once said, to grow restaurant foot traffic, establishments should encourage customers to enjoy their dining experience on their own terms. One good reason for this is that if you aren’t offering a personalized, convenient experience, someone else most certainly is.

So, what does a top-notch customer experience look like? Here are a few examples:

Convenience: We are living in the era of convenience. Diners want to order exactly what they’d like, in a quick and seamless fashion. To cater to this preference, your restaurant customers should consider implementing self-service kiosks, which not only provide a positive guest experience but also have been shown to increase profits. Another modern convenience that diners are coming to expect is mobile payment opportunities, such as paying at the table.

Reliability: Downtime is a bad time. If your systems go down thanks to an unstable network connection, that means lost time, lost money, and potentially lost business, which is the opposite of what your restaurant customers are looking to achieve. Avoid the stress of downtime by helping your customers choose reliable, connected restaurant point of sale (POS) hardware. For example, Star’s mC-Print2 and mC-Print3 includes SteadyLAN™ technology, which provides wired Ethernet service to an iPad connected to a networked printer via the Lightning cable. A stable connection means more money, more happy customers, and more restaurant foot traffic!

Know Your Audience: To grow and strengthen your audience, you must know your audience. By adopting a loyalty program, restaurants can put valuable diner data to use and reward diners at the same time. With a loyalty program, restaurants can see which diners come in the most, what they order, and more. Restaurants can then use this valuable data for marketing purposes; for example, on their receipts, restaurants can promote happy hour specials for the days that get little foot traffic to supplement those low-volume days. With Star’s PromoPRNT, restaurants can create custom promotions from templates that get printed on the bottom of the receipt, improving customer acquisition, engagement, and retention.

mUnite 3 stand and dash drawer, part of the modern mCollection

Aesthetics: Last but not least, aesthetics play an important role in building restaurant foot traffic. First impressions really do make a difference, and if restaurants create a memorable ambiance, diners are likely to tell their friends about it both in person and through photos posted to social media. According to Westchester Magazine, successful restaurant design includes many things: “the bar, playlist, tabletops, menu, hostess desk, and everything else you see, hear, taste, and smell.” Be sure to choose a stylish, modern POS system to complete the look. Star’s mCollection includes a full lineup of receipt printers, scales, cash drawers, stands, and more – all designed for the modern mobile POS environment.

3. Encourage Them to Grow A Digital Presence

In addition to offering online ordering, in order to grow its foot traffic, your restaurant customer should also be sure to maintain an active website and social media accounts. A website can be useful for customers to browse a menu in advance, share the restaurant with friends and family, check business hours, and more. Social media is useful in several ways: it can give restaurants a public personality, provide diners with a “behind the scenes” look at food preparation, and promote upcoming specials. In a nutshell, the average American spends 5.4 hours a day on their smartphone. Take advantage of it! Catching a person’s attention online can certainly lead that person through a restaurant’s doors.

Together, offering online ordering, delivering a stellar dining experience, and maintaining an active digital presence can help your restaurant customers grow their foot traffic. Contact Star Micronics now to learn more about how we can help you make your restaurant customers’ goals come to life.

Are your customers ready for online ordering? Find out now!

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January 30, 2020
Star Micronics to Unveil New mPOS Solutions at NRF 2020

Additions to the mCollection, SteadyLAN, kiosks, hospitality solutions, and more to be demonstrated at booth #5419

Somerset, NJ – Jan. 6, 2020 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is excited to attend NRF 2020 where it will demonstrate the latest additions to its mCollection, cutting-edge solutions for retail and hospitality, and leading self-service kiosks at booth #5419.

Star is excited to unveil two new mCollection products at NRF 2020: a new model of mPOP^TM featuring a Flat Bill cash drawer, as well as SteadyLAN, an industry-first technology for tablet POS which provides reliable power and network access through one cable connection. The mCollection also includes a variety of mPOS solutions including the mC-Print2 and mC-Print3, as well as mUnite stands, mG-Scales, and peripherals such as barcode scanners and customer displays. PromoPRNT, Star’s value-add receipt marketing tool, will be demonstrated along with these technologies.

In addition to Star’s newest technologies, there will be three mock stores in Star’s booth: two retail shops featuring Star’s mPOP, mUnite Stands, mC-Print2/mC-Print3, cash drawers, and mobile printers; and a coffee shop featuring Star’s TSP654IIBi, mG-Scales, cash drawers, mUnite stands, and self-service kiosks.

Several Star partners will be featured in its booth, including Elo, eMobilePOS, Erply, ImageHolders, Kiosk Group, nCLOSE, PredictSpring, Sitoo, Sophatar, SuiteRetail, and Vend. A variety of giveaways will be available in the booth, including bags of coffee, custom-designed tote bags, and gloves.

“The Star team is looking forward to both reconnecting with current partners, and building new connections, at NRF 2020,” said Christophe Naasz, Director of Business Development at Star. “We’re excited to show the industry our latest mPOS solutions which are paving the way for retailers in the new decade.”

January 6, 2020
Coming Soon: Star at NRF 2020!
It’s hard to believe, but another year, another decade, and another NRF are upon us! NRF 2020 Vision: Retail’s Big Show “is the centerpiece of NRF Retail Week, where the entire industry unites to get a whole new perspective. NRF convenes the largest community of movers, shakers and industry makers who come together to see beyond what is, to reveal what could be. NRF 2020 is where visionary talent meets visionary tech and the latest and greatest becomes the here and now!”

The Star team is excited to head back to NRF in 2020, and will be located at booth #5419. Read on to discover what will be in store with Star this year, from our new mPOS technologies to our rooftop party.

Star Solutions at NRF 2020

Get hands-on experience with Star’s latest mPOS technology in our NRF “main street,” featuring a café, retail store, and bath and body shop. With sleek tablet solution stands, easy-to-integrate printers, certified scales, and much more, Star is bringing big things to the big show in the big city!

mUnite Stands

POS Enclosure

Universal VESA Mounting

Hidden Cable Management

For mC-Print3, mPOP^TM, and TSP143III/TSP654II

Supports Any iOS, Android, and Windows Tablet or Touchscreen Computer

mC-Print3 (with NEW Technology Features)

Sleek, Compact, Connected

Simple User Experience

Easy to Integrate through Common SDK

Bluetooth, USB, Lightning, LAN, CloudPRNT

IPX2 Splash-Proof Design

Coming Soon: Printer Will Deliver Power and Ethernet to iPad!

Self-Service Kiosk Printers

Available in Compact and Modular Designs

High Print Speed

2”, 3” and 4” Paper Widths

Available with StarPRNT or ESC/POS Emulation

Wide Variety of Accessories Available

PromoPRNT

Make Custom Promotions from Templates

Manage Promotions from Anywhere

Increase Customer Retention

Make Each Customer Visit Unique

Featured In-Booth Partners

Elo’s product portfolio includes a broad selection of interactive touchscreen displays from 10-70 inches, all-in-one touchscreen computers, OEM touchscreens and touchscreen controllers and touchscreen monitors. Elo’s touchscreens can be found in in gaming machines, interactive kiosks, hospitality systems, point-of-sale terminals, wayfinder displays, interactive retail displays, transportation applications, and more.

Erply’s cloud-based, full-featured point of sale solution has helped them become a recognized leader in the retail POS space. Erply POS serves retailers large and small, and they’re well-known for their comprehensive POS features, world-class API, highly secure servers, personable customer support, and mobile applications.

imageHOLDERS designs and manufactures tablet enclosures, iPad kiosks and innovative mPOS solutions which allow your business to engage customers and drive sales. Their patent pending design process means we are the only company in the world who can securely display any Windows, Android or iOS tablet, giving your business the freedom to choose a device that best suits your needs.

Kiosk Group is a privately-owned, Maryland-based company that many leading companies, organizations, and government agencies trust and rely upon for interactive kiosks. Kiosk Group has developed both hardware and software for hundreds of interpretive exhibits, transactional kiosks, sales exhibits, and training programs.

nCLOSE manufactures custom Point of Sale (POS) protective enclosures to house and protect tablets and mobile credit card readers. With nCLOSE, rest assured that your Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 is in the exact same place you left it, when you turned your back to help a customer.

PredictSpring is the unified commerce platform to connect consumer and store associate experiences. PredictSpring innovative technology powers Modern POS, mPOS, Clienteling, and Native Mobile Apps for brands and retailers.

Sitoo is a world-leading cloud-based Mobile Point of Sales (mPOS) for global retailers. With a razor sharp focus on the digitalization of brick-and-mortar retail, Sitoo makes the physical stores a natural part of the omnichannel shopping experience – helping retailers sell everywhere and fulfill anywhere.

Sophatar is a Silicon Valley based Software Company providing innovative solutions for higher customer engagement in retail, hospitality and enterprise markets, including digital signage. The solutions utilize a software-as-a-service business model and run on commercially available hardware.

SuiteRetail’s SuitePOS is a single fixed-lane and mobile point-of-sale app for in-store check-out and clienteling. SuitePOS functions without any compromise to CRM, marketing, inventory and financial integrations.

Tulip’s powerful, yet simple-to-use mobile apps enable store associates to easily look up products, manage customer information, check out shoppers, and communicate with clients. The end results are amazing customer engagements, great customer experiences and higher sales.

Vend enables retailers to accept payments, sell in-store and online, manage their inventory, reward customer loyalty, and report on their business in real time. Launched in late 2010, Vend is now used in over 20,000 stores across 140 countries and is continuing to grow at a rapid pace.

Star’s Rooftop Party

Soak in the beautiful New York City view at Star’s rooftop party! Join us for a night filled with valuable networking, an open bar, and a spread of light snacks.

When: Sunday, January 12, 2020, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Where: Monarch Rooftop, 71 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001

Who: You and your guests are welcome to join the event!

See you soon at NRF 2020!

Discover Star’s Retail POS Solutions
December 12, 2019
Star Software Update: Introducing the CloudPRNT SDK
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.

In this edition:

Introducing the CloudPRNT SDK! Now it’s even easier to integrate your favorite CloudPRNT features

Read on to learn what this month’s update entails.

CloudPRNT SDK

Release Date:

Already released, on November 11, 2019.

What is CloudPRNT?

Star CloudPRNT is a REST-based protocol which allows web servers to remotely control and receive events from Star point of sale (POS) peripherals which are CloudPRNT-compatible. CloudPRNT enables server-side control of document printing, barcode scanning, keyboard input, display update, and other peripherals (such as scales) depending on model.

CloudPRNT is suitable for remote printing applications, such as kitchen delivery order printing, warehouse pick ticket printing, etc., where low latency is not strictly required. It is also suitable for lower latency applications, such as traditional POS, with full peripheral control.

This can be very useful for web-based applications, but can apply to any thin client-style environment. CloudPRNT can also simplify the installation, setup, and daily usage, as it eliminates the need to manage IP addresses or custom firewall/tunneling rules at the local site.

In addition to simplifying connectivity, CloudPRNT provides a mechanism to allow client and server to negotiate compatibility and capability information. This allows a server to format its output appropriately to fit the client device.

At this time, several Star models are available with CloudPRNT compatibility:

TSP654II, TSP743II, TSP847II, SP742, with HI0x interface board fitted

mC-Print2

mC-Print3

About the SDK

CloudPRNT is an openly documented JSON/REST-based HTTP protocol, and therefore it is not necessary to have an SDK in order to implement a CloudPRNT-compatible service.

CloudPRNT servers can be created using any server-side technology that can be used to implement web services. Many server-side technologies are used such as PHP, Node.js, ASP.Net, ASP.Net Core, JSP, Python, Lua, and more.

In order to provide maximum benefit to developers, this SDK is not a CloudPRNT server implementation (although sample servers are included), but a set of helper functions, that can be extended as needed and incorporated into as many server-side systems as possible.

SDK Helper Features

This SDK provides functions to assist with:

Status decoding

Print job media format negotiation

Print job conversion, so that the server may generate print jobs in a single media format, which are converted in case that format is not supported by the client device

SDK Integration

For integration purposes, the SDK provides the following:

.Net API: A .Net Standard 2.0 compatible library, which can be installed via NuGet into any .Net 4.6 or later, and .Net Core 2.0 or later project. This API provides job format conversion, status decoding, and ready-made classes for serializing/de-serializing CloudPRNT JSON messages.

CPUtil: A stand-alone command line tool that can be integrated with any server-side development system that can invoke local processes. This tool can be provided as native binaries for Linux x86, Linux x64, Linux Arm, Mac OS x64, Windows x86 and Windows x64 servers (it is not necessary to install the .Net Framework or .Net Core runtime). environments in order to use it.

Sample Projects: Examples of very simple CloudPRNT servers, implemented with a variety of server-side technologies. These samples serve as both examples of implementing the CloudPRNT protocol and how to integrate either the API, or cputil in each environment.

Star Document Markup: A simple, unified printer markup language that can adapt to any Star printer regardless of emulation, print width, or print method. It is a higher-level language that abstracts away the need to know printer-specific escape sequences. It does this by providing easy to use tags for various POS printer functions such as cut, alignment, image printing, and text formatting. Using the document markup system provides a balance between full bit-image based printing, and plain text output, while being easier to use than printer-specific commands. In order to take advantage of the markup language you must use it in conjunction with cputil.

Next Steps

Developers interested in the CloudPRNT SDK should reach out to the Star Integration Team to discuss the integration process specific to their development environment.

Please click here to learn more about the CloudPRNT SDK.

Contact Star Integration Now
November 26, 2019
The Ultimate List of Must-Have Cannabis POS Hardware

The cannabis industry is booming – and it’s expected to continue doing so. According to Grand View Research, the global legal marijuana market is expected to reach $66.3 billion by the end of 2025, and each year brings new legalization across the world.

Whether you’re in the business of opening a cannabis business yourself or are looking to provide cannabis point of sale (POS) solutions to your customers, it’s important to understand the critical role cannabis POS hardware has and how to determine which products are right for your business.

Why Star for Cannabis?

Before we dive into the list of must-have cannabis POS hardware, let’s explore Star’s qualifications in the cannabis industry, and why you can trust our knowledge in the space.

Star is the top POS hardware provider in the cannabis industry. A true one-stop shop, we provide all the hardware solutions a dispensary could need, from front of house dispensary sales to labeling and weighing product during curation. Additionally, Star has integrations with approximately 85% of all cannabis POS software on the market today.

The Star team has a distinct understanding of the need for cannabis dispensaries to keep extremely detailed records –including inventory and movement of the product. We also understand that cannabis dispensaries tend to have a very clean and modern aesthetic, and have designed our products to fit that sleek standard.

Must-Have Cannabis POS Hardware

Now that we’ve covered Star’s qualifications and position in the cannabis industry, let’s get started with the ultimate list of must-have cannabis POS hardware. It’s important to note that while Star offers an entire portfolio of cannabis POS hardware, we don’t want to box anyone in, and this list can be referred to as a vendor-neutral guide, as well.

Receipt Printers

Receipt printers are extremely important in the cannabis market. When it comes to cannabis, proof of legal purchase is key – and there’s no better way to provide it than with a receipt printer. In some places, like Canada, it is illegal to possess cannabis deemed illicit, and without proof of purchase, all cannabis is assumed to be illicit. Carrying that illicit cannabis could result in a $5,000 fine or a five-year prison sentence! In the US, laws vary greatly by state and must also be carefully obeyed.

Along with providing proof of purchase, it’s important to note that depending on your region, receipts must also contain other information, like store name and address, product category/name, and the appropriate tax code/identifier.

Star’s Pick: mC-Print3

When you choose a sleek, modern, and connected printer, like the Star mC-Print3, legality and stylishness coexist to strengthen your brand.

Click here to learn more about the mC-Print3.

Label Printers

Next on our list is another kind of printer: the label printer. An important part of seed-to-sale tracking, printed labels have an important role in the entire cannabis production and retail process. Seed-to-sale tracking is a key requirement in cannabis regulatory models, and refers to the process of tracking plants and their byproducts from planting all the way through to the plant’s sale. Star is proud that its label printers are used by many cannabis ISVs for proper labeling during this process.

Star’s Pick: TSP743II

Label printing is made easy with the Star TSP743II, which features fast printing speed, high reliability, web and cloud connectivity, and more.

Click here to learn more about the TSP743II.

Custom Cannabis Labels

As mentioned above, labels are incredibly important for the cannabis industry. Star currently offers cannabis labels pre-printed with official, state-required universal symbols. These pre-printed cannabis labels are available in various sizes for all recreational markets.

Click here to learn more about Star’s media.

Scales

Yet another critical piece of cannabis POS hardware is the scale – but not just any scale will do. First, you must ensure the scale you are considering is legal to use in your state and NTEP-certified. Being certified means that the scales are ensured to charge the correct amount for the product being weighed. Another great feature to look for is a scale that is integrated directly into the POS. Why? Reduced risk of human error that is associated with standalone scales that cannot integrate with the POS.

Star’s Pick: mG-Scales

All three scales in the mG-Scales series are NTEP-certified and offer software support for Windows, iOS, and Android, making the process of adding a scale to an existing system a simple process. They are certified to sell cannabis in Washington, Alaska, and California, and come with a waterproof and dust-proof cover. Each scale has the ability to connect through three types of interfaces including Bluetooth BLE, USB, and Serial. The scales can be powered through an outlet or by battery to allow for portable use.

Click here to learn more about Star’s mG-Scales.

Successful Software Needs Successful Hardware

That’s where Star comes in. CDG proudly integrates its software tools with a variety of Star hardware including the all-in-one mPOP®, TSP654IISK linerless label printer, Value Series Cash Drawers, and more.

Download Brochure

Cash Drawers

Chances are you’re aware that the cannabis industry is currently predominately powered by cash. While marijuana is legal in many parts of the country, it remains illegal under federal law, which means dispensaries’ access to credit card processing options is slim. Thus, a reliable, high volume cash drawer is key!

Star’s Pick: Star CD3-1616

A part of the Star Value Cash Drawers line, the CD3-1616 is affordability meets performance. With a size of 16” x 16”, this cash drawer can accommodate a high volume of cash, is made of durable steel, and is available in black or white to match the existing POS. The CD3-1616 can accommodate Canadian and United States currency types, and includes a bottom exit cable.

Click here to learn more about Star’s CD3-1616.

Scanners

Scanners are an important part of the entire seed-to-sale process, from back-end warehouse operations, to scanning products at the point of purchase. Important features to look for are connectivity options and a design/color that matches the existing POS, if applicable.

Star’s Pick: 1D/2D Imager

These scanners are available in black or white, feature USB connectivity, include the cable, and more.

Click here to learn more about Star’s accessories.

PromoPRNT

Just like other businesses, cannabis dispensaries need to advertise, but what sets them apart is that they must adhere to strict advertising laws. For example, in multiple states including California and Colorado, over 70% of cannabis advertisement audiences must be over the age of 21.

An easy way to ensure marketing efforts are being communicated only to the intended audience is by printing those promotions on your receipts. With Star’s cloud-based PromoPRNT tool, dispensaries can create custom promotions from templates which increase customer engagement and retention, and can be used to promote sales, new products, loyalty programs, and more.

Click here to learn more about PromoPRNT.

Tablet POS Stand

As we discussed above, dispensary aesthetics are extremely important, not only from a branding and customer experience perspective, but also to legitimize the business to outsiders and newcomers. A great place to tie in style is at the POS, and an easy way to do that is by incorporating a sleek, space-saving POS stand into your arrangement.

Star’s mUnite tablet POS stand could be right for you. Made to be used with any iOS, Android, and Windows tablet or touchscreen computer, the mUnite features universal VESA mounting, hidden cable management, and is meant to be used with the mC-Print3, mPOP^TM, and TSP143III/TSP654II. Note: device, enclosure, and printer not included.

Click here to learn more about the mUnite.

Kiosk Printers

Dispensaries are sometimes limited to how many people they can allow inside at one time because budtenders need to be able to pay special attention to customers, and make sure they are recommending the right products. Some dispensaries are using kiosks to allow waiting customers to pick out what they want on screen, take the slip to the budtender, and simply just collect and pay for their items.

Star’s Pick: SK1-311

The SK1-311 kiosk printer is the best of the best. Compact and lightweight, it features a fast printing speed, supports receipt, ticket, or label media, and has many available accessories to choose from. An added bonus, the SK1-311 is available with StarPRNT emulation, meaning easy integration of kiosk solutions into any environment already featuring other Star printers.

Click here to learn more about the SK1-311.

Final Words

At Star, we’re proud to help dispensaries become more compliant in their operations. This compliance helps to change the perspective on the industry as a whole, getting everyone one step closer to federal legalization, and legal credit card payments. And of course, it is important for cannabis customers to receive printed receipts of their purchases to prove that their marijuana was purchased legally, and to receive applicable promotions.

We look forward to continuing to lead and innovate in the cannabis industry by developing sleek, feature-packed products designed to make every aspect of a dispensary’s operation streamlined, legal, and fruitful.

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

November 19, 2019
Star Software Update: Peripheral Usage for mC-Print (WebPRNT) and Scale Data Output Utility
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.

In this edition:

Peripheral Usage for mC-Print2 and mC-Print3 (WebPRNT)

Scale Data Output Utility

Read on to learn what each update entails.

Peripheral Usage for mC-Print2 and mC-Print3 (WebPRNT)

Release Date:

This update was released on October 2, 2019.

What’s Included?

WebPRNT Browser has been updated to support the mC-Print2 and mC-Print3 when using a USB connection. Now you can use Bluetooth or USB!

In addition, both printers can now use their peripherals with WebPRNT and WebPRNT Browser. Now customers have the flexibility to choose a wired or a wireless connection when using the mC-Print Series with WebPRNT. Peripheral support includes Star’s 1D and 2D barcode scanners, as well as the customer line display.

Scanners are often used in point of sale (POS), while line displays are more commonly used in grocery, as well as self-service. A good example of this is a frozen yogurt shop displaying the price and weight for the customer at checkout.

Next Steps

Customers wanting to use the mC-Print Series with a USB connection should update the WebPRNT Browser app through the Google Play Store.

To use the peripherals, please update the printer’s firmware to V2.1. Firmware can be updated through Stars mC-Print Utility, also available on the Google Play Store.

Scale Data Output Utility

Release Date:

The tool was released on September 30, 2019.

What’s Included?

The scale data output utility is a tool for Windows customers and developers alike to easily read scale input without complicated software. This is the first release, so the version number is 1.0.

For software that do not directly integrate with a scale, this tool can be used to read the weight and copy it directly into a text box into the POS software.

Potential industries that can take advantage of this update include cannabis, frozen yogurt, jewelry, deli, candy shop, bulk fruits/nuts in a grocery store, and more.

Next Steps

No firmware update is needed. To download the tool, please visit the Star Global Support Site.

Contact Star Integration Now
October 22, 2019
POS Scales: What You Need to Know
Thinking of adding or replacing a POS scale in your store (or product offering line)? Scales are used in a variety of businesses, including: cannabis (production and dispensaries), grocery/deli, jewelry, yogurt shops, spice shops, pharmacies, candy/chocolate stores, coffee shops that sell beans by the pound, and more. They’re important for shoppers and business owners alike, ensuring the correct amount of goods is being sold – no more, no less – at the correct price.

There are a couple important things to keep in mind when it comes to POS scales. First, all scales are not created equal – to get the most out of your investment, you need to carefully align your scale to your business use case. And second, you need to have your scale(s) certified, and calibrated and maintained by a certified service company.

Does that sound daunting? Don’t worry – below we’ll teach you how to choose a POS scale, as well become informed on scale regulations in your state.

Download Now: Scale Buyer’s Guide

How to Choose a POS Scale

Accuracy

First and foremost, it’s important to choose a scale that aligns with the product that will be measured. The below scales offer an option for nearly any business:

The mG-S322: This scale is accurate down to the hundredth of a gram, and is used in highly sensitive realms, like pharmacy and cannabis. Included with the scale is a windshield for even the most demanding scientific environments. It is legal to use in all states where cannabis is legal.

The mG-S1501: This scale is really the jack of all trades. It’s a versatile scale which measures down to the tenth of a gram, and also has four other units of measure. If you’re not sure which unit you will be measuring, this scale can adapt. Also, it is legal in some states for cannabis but it can only measure in certain amounts of weight.

The mG-S8200: In the market for grocery, deli, or frozen yogurt? This is your scale! The mG-S8200 is a conventional scale that can weigh goods up to 18 pounds, but can also measure down to the gram.

The Star mG-Scales Series

Connectivity

Next thing to consider? Connectivity options. Look for a scale that comes with multiple interfaces, like serial, USB-B, and Bluetooth BLE (all three of Star’s scales come with all of these options). For legacy POS, make sure a serial interface is also present (again, Star’s scales have that).

Having a variety of connectivity options all on the same scale is important because you know you won’t need to replace the scale anytime soon, and you can maximize your return on investment (ROI). Running a legacy POS but want to move toward a more modern POS? Having a serial interface can help you easily swap your old scale out without purchasing any other hardware. Plan on moving to a tablet-based Bluetooth connection in the future? Your scale is ready whenever you are, and BLE can provide you with a low-energy portable option.

Software Support

Next on your checklist is software support. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your scale supports Windows, iOS, and Android. Having this support helps you prepare for the future of retail, where everyone uses a tablet instead of a PC. And you guessed it: all three of Star’s scales support all three software.

Power Options

When it comes to power, you need to ask yourself, “Where will my scale be used?” A traditional power supply is great for traditional brick-and-mortar stores, with standard POS.

However, it’s a good idea to choose a scale that also comes with a battery option, like Star’s. A battery-operated scale is a great choice for farmer’s markets, food trucks, and more, because while typically businesses need to bring a generator to power their POS, with a battery-operated scale they no longer need to. Some extra benefits that a battery-operated scale can offer is a clean, wire-free footprint, and the ability for software to still work even in the case of a power outage.

Important POS Scale Regulations

State-Specific Regulations

Now on to the fun important stuff. It’s extremely important to remember that nearly every state requires a State Certified Technician do scale installation, calibration, and registration.

So how do you get started? First thing’s first: contact your local Weights and Measures office to get information and first steps on how to get your scale ready for use legally.

State requirements can range from only getting the scale inspected after installation, to requiring you to file a request to have a certified installer come to your store to calibrate and lock your scale, followed by a Weights and Measures employee coming to examine the scale and issue a one-year seal (if it passes the examination). In those cases, if the scale fails the examination, a technician must return, redo the process, and then the scale must be re-examined. Long story short, do not try this yourself – be sure to choose a trusted technician! Our Scales Support webpage can help you find a nationwide partner.

Registration

In most states, registration with the Weights and Measures office needs to be done by a certified company. This registration usually expires each year, and gives the Weights and Measures office permission to come and test the scale without notice. If the scale fails the test the store can be fined, so be sure to use a certified company for all of your scale registration, calibration, and maintenance needs.

Calibration

Again, in the vast majority of cases, calibration should be completed by a certified company. Not only will choosing a certified company give you peace of mind, it can also save you serious money. To legally calibrate the scale, extremely precise weights, called F1 Class weights, must be used. These weights can cost nearly $5,000 and need to be kept in a special box with records of usage, maintenance, and more. Why go through the hassle of owning the weights yourself when a service company already has them?

Maintenance

For proper maintenance, a service company should be used once a year to ensure that the scale is still properly calibrated. Hiring a service company for maintenance gives store owners ease of mind that everything is working properly.

Star’s NTEP Certification

Star is proud to offer NTEP-certified scales – which means all three of our scales are legal for trade. In fact, when the scales were first released, Star was the first company to meet the new 2019 NTEP certification! Again, be sure that whatever scale you choose is NTEP-certified, or else it is not legal for trade.

How to Start Planning Your POS Scale Project

Ready to jump into your scale project? It’s best to start planning as soon as possible, so you know what process lies ahead. As a quick summary:

Choose a scale with the accuracy you need,

Choose a scale with future-proof connectivity options,

Choose a scale with flexible power options,

And be sure to stay compliant with your state’s requirements by working with a certified service company to register, calibrate, and maintain your scale.

Visit Star’s Scales Support webpage to browse certified nationwide partners, as well as state-specific requirements.

POS Scales
October 10, 2019
Buyers Guide: 5 Things to Consider When Purchasing a Scale

Any retail, restaurant, or hospitality venue that sells items by weight needs a scale to protect their customers and business. Point of sale (POS) scales are used by different types of merchants that charge for their items by weight, including supermarkets, jewelers, coffee shops, self-service restaurants and buffets, butchers, candy stores, and more. Whether you’re dealing in pounds of fruit or ounces of gold, scales measure the weight of a customer’s purchase, calculate the price accurately, and help track inventory.

On the surface, the scale’s operation seems relatively straightforward: weigh the items, print tags, and move on to the next customer. This deceptively easy process is backed and regulated by the science of weights and measures, a battery of federal and local laws, inspectors, and several government agencies dedicated to calculating weights and prices correctly. Although it may seem like overkill, these safeguards protect you from over- or under-charging customers and the fallout that comes from making these types of errors.

If you’re in the market for a new scale, consider your products and how accurate the scale needs to be, where it will be set up, and how often it should be calibrated. States monitor merchants with scales for accuracy, so know the local laws in your area to help ensure your POS scales are always in compliance.

No matter what type of business you operate, purchasing a NTEP-certified scale should be nonnegotiable. A retailer that is caught using a non-NTEP-certified scale may be subject to heavy fines, seizure of the illegal scale, or work shutdown. You should never purchase a scale that doesn’t have this important designation, but that doesn’t mean that every scale automatically goes through the process. NTEP certification was developed by the National Conference on Weights and Measures.

Look for a scale with a NTEP Certificate of Conformance (CoC), which means the scale can be used in a commercial setting to sell products by weight. Every NTEP-certified scale will have a CoC number that an inspector uses to verify that the scale meets the agency’s testing standards. Only a NTEPcertified scale, when properly inspected and calibrated, is “legal for trade.”

What else should you think about when you’re shopping for a scale? Here is a quick preview of the five things to put at the top of your list.

1. State Regulations

Across the US, every state has its own agencies and departments that regulate scales and inspect them for accuracy. Some states may require a yearly inspection, while others are inspected less frequently.

Although every industry is different, some require a higher level of accuracy than others. One of the most talked about industries right now is cannabis retail, which relies heavily on scales for its products. Medical marijuana retailers and dispensaries are legal in more than half of the US, and although they sell products by weight, you can’t expect the same regulations that apply at a salad bar to also work for medical uses. In fact, the standards and regulations for cannabis scales vary by state, so choose the scale that will keep you in compliance and accurately serve your customers.

2. Environment

Like any POS component, harsh environments demand more rugged scales. The unit that looks pretty sitting on a counter is not going to cut it in a busy warehouse or inside a cold storage facility. Before purchasing a scale, decide where and how it’s going to be used, so you can choose one that’s tough enough for your business.

3. Applications

Before you purchase POS scales, identify how they’re going to be used and what you need to weigh. Are you dealing with fresh produce, bulk candy and meat, or items like mail and packages? Are most of your products heavy or light? Large or small?

Star Micronics scales have the option to be powered by electrical outlet or battery for additional flexibility and portable use. This feature is especially valuable if you need to take the scale to farmer’s markets, street fairs, or pop-up stores.

4. Connectivity Options

Adding a scale doesn’t mean you need a whole new POS system, so check your current system and see what connectivity options it has and go from there. Look at the operating system and make sure you choose a scale that’s compatible with what you already have. Star Micronics scales offer software support for Windows, iOS, and Android, so adding the scale to an existing system is easy. The scales have a triple interface, and connect using Bluetooth BLE, USB, and Serial. Everything you need to get started comes in the box, including a waterproof and dustproof cover, power cable, and USB cable.

5. Industries

For industries that deal with products by weight, including cannabis, retail, jewelers, restaurants, and pharmacies, a properly calibrated, NTEP-certified scale ensures you are not over- or under-charging customers. These POS components also assist with inventory tracking at your store or restaurant. Running a business that charges based on weight is impossible without a properly-calibrated scale, so make sure you choose the one that best takes care of your needs.

It’s important to pay attention to the accuracy class. Always choose a scale that’s the correct accuracy class, because a candy store doesn’t need to adhere to the same levels of compliance required for medicinal purposes.

Leverage Agency Expertise for Installation Compliance

Once you have selected the scale of your choice, consider who will be in charge of installation, calibration, and getting the NTEP seal with your local measurement organization. You may think this is an easy DIY-job, but doing this by yourself is not recommended. If you try calibrating scales yourself, and they fail any tests administered by government agencies, you will be penalized with fines. Click here to learn more about Star’s nationwide scale installation partners.

Ready to learn even more about how to select the right scale for your business? Download our full, free eBook now!

August 13, 2019
What to Expect from Star at RetailNOW 2019
It’s hard to believe it, but it’s almost time for RSPA RetailNOW 2019! RSPA is the only association dedicated to connecting players in the point of sale technology industry, and we’re excited to attend. The show, which is being held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, will take place July 28^th through the 31^st.

So – what’s new with Star this year at RetailNOW? We’re glad you asked. Check out the featured products and services below that we’ll be demonstrating:

PromoPRNT

PromoPRNT allows retailers to automatically create printed promotions in addition to receipts. These incentives and bonuses are delivered directly to shoppers’ hands, boosting customer retention and notifying customers of new deals and promotions.

mUnite Stands

Built to accompany the mCollection line of mPOS printers, cash drawers, scales, and peripherals, these durable steel stands are compatible with any tablet manufacturer, are easy to set up, and come in either black or white to match existing POS systems.

mCollection

A collection of durable, stylish printers and accessories designed to be easy to use. The collection also provides easy integration for ISVs through Star’s SDK software.

CloudPRNT

A modern way for users to print to Star printers directly through a cloud service. CloudPRNT eliminates the need for an extra tablet to send an online order to the printer. Instead, the ordering service will be able to communicate directly to the printer.

We’ll also be highlighting solutions from some of our partners, including:
- Zuza on mPOP: Zuza works with hundreds of processors and ISVs making its sales channels one of the fastest growing in the industry.
- Vend on mC-Print2 and mC-Print3: Vend is the retail management software that’s taken retail to the cloud.
- OrderOut on mC-Print3: OrderOut integrates third party food delivery platforms directly to a restaurant’s Point of Sale and kitchen printer.
- eMobilePOS on TSP654II BTi: A pioneer and leader in mobile POS, eMobile offers full-featured mobile POS software for Android, Apple iOS, and Windows smartphones and tablets.
- eTouchMenu and Kiosk Innovations on SK1-21 and SK1-31: eTouchMenu is a pioneer in digital menu technology, transforming traditional paper menus into immersive digital menu experiences. Kiosk Innovations is a self-service interactive kiosk manufacturer that designs and fabricates bill pay financial kiosk, retail kiosk, check-in kiosk, ticketing kiosk, and more.
- Cravrr on mG-S8200: Cravrr is an Android-based POS that helps customers to digitize their restaurants.
See you at the show!
July 18, 2019