Category: Product Updates

3 Benefits of Cloud-Ready IoT and Mobile Devices
Business owners can monetize cloud-ready IOT data by using it to gain insights into their customers’ behaviors and to communicate with and engage them more effectively.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a vast network of connected devices in the physical environment that share information. The things can include RFID tags, customer traffic counting technology, printers, POS systems, digital signage, and customers’ mobile devices. IoT and mobile devices and sensors collect massive amounts of data about our habits—what applications we use the most on smartphones, the entertainment we are streaming, which retail brands we prefer and the items we purchase. Business owners can monetize this data by using it to gain insights into their customers’ behaviors and to communicate with and engage them more effectively. Retailers can also leverage the IoT to enhance in-store shopping experiences.

Here are three ways the IoT and mobile devices can help your business excel.
1. Device Management. IoT technology can help identify a problem before it starts. With devices that have the capability to communicate when they are in need of repair, shoppers never have to wait while a sales associate finds a replacement device. IoT devices are often able to communicate issues before they are apparent to the user, helping to minimize downtime.
Cloud-ready IoT and mobile devices can also be managed remotely. Business owners or managers can identify what and where the problem is while working at the store or from home, another store location or sitting on the beach via the cloud dashboard. Error status notifications can tell you in real-time what the problem is—whether a printer cover or cash drawer is left open or if a printer is out of paper or unplugged. Identifying and fixing the problem immediately helps improve efficiency and increase productivity, so you’re never wasting time hunting around for the problem.
1. Data Collection. IoT and mobile devices can collect and store important customer information. A cloud-ready device gives you the ability to transform shopping receipts into valuable digital transaction data. If you don’t have the time or manpower to analyze customer data on your own, data facilitation allows retailers to send digital receipt information to third-party partners or vendors who can offer a wide range of analytic and shopper engagement services. These third-party vendors can run loyalty programs and issue customer updates about new products and promotions. Through these services, retailers can gain unparalleled information about shoppers’ habits and promotional campaigns, including which ones are effective and which ones aren’t resonating, to ultimately increase ROI.
1. Data Utilization. Data collected by IoT and mobile devices and stored in the cloud can be used for other purposes, including digital signage. Digital signage is an interactive gateway that allows a business to communicate directly with a consumer, engaging them while they are in the store. Digital signage is easy to control and can be modified quickly, allowing it to be incorporated into virtually any environment. Depending on the setup and service you choose, you may be able to store your own graphics and update the signage as often as you want. This is especially useful during holiday shopping time, or if you want to promote doorbusters and flash sales during certain hours.
Cloud-ready IoT and mobile devices can help you gain important insights into your business, customers, and operations. They can help you identify a hardware problem in-store, even when you’re offsite, and collect data that can keep messaging and promotions relevant. Evaluate how your business is collecting and leveraging data to provide better in-store experiences. Are you doing what it takes to be competitive?
May 1, 2018
3 Things Cannabis Retailers Need to Know About Cannabis Receipt Regulations

Running a marijuana dispensary requires in-depth knowledge of the local laws and meticulous recordkeeping including retaining copies of each cannabis receipt.

Running a medical or retail marijuana dispensary requires in-depth knowledge of the local laws and meticulous recordkeeping including retaining copies of each cannabis receipt. As of April 2017, 29 states have legalized medical marijuana, which can be used to treat several illnesses, including multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, inflammation, pain, mental disorders and substance abuse, among others. In addition, 9 states have legalized recreational use. That means cannabis retailers are legally operating in more than half of the U.S.

Their businesses can be very different, however, depending on the states in which they are located. One difference is startup costs. For example, annual licensing fees range from $3,000 in Colorado to $75,000 Connecticut. States may also require a minimum of liquid capital, some places as high as $250,000, so it’s imperative you protect your investment with perfect recordkeeping of every transaction. Retaining a copy of every cannabis receipt ensures your dispensary follows state and local laws and protects your business in the event of an audit.

What should the receipt include? How can you prove your business is operating in compliance with state and local laws? The cannabis receipt provided to the customer proves you are collecting all the relevant taxes and dispensing marijuana legally.

If you are considering opening a marijuana dispensary or you want to make sure your business is operating in compliance with your state’s laws and make sure you are correctly formatting and recording cannabis receipts, your point of sale (POS) system is the perfect tool to manage this requirement.

1. Check the Specific Requirements in Your State

Understand your state’s tax laws to ensure you are charging the correct amount. For example, in California, retailers charge a consumer-excise and sales tax, while in Colorado, cannabis is subject to different taxation, whether it’s classified as medical or retail marijuana. It’s important to stay up to date on changing tax laws to ensure you are collecting the correct percentage. Failure to comply could subject your business to fines and added scrutiny.

2. Manage Copies of Cannabis Receipts

Use your POS system to send a backup copy of each cannabis receipt to the cloud or store the backup offsite. If you are issuing receipts with carbon copy paper, staple or clip the receipts together. It’s also a good idea to keep important financial records, licensing information and other sensitive financial paperwork in a secure place outside of the dispensary. Retain all records for a minimum of three years in case of an audit.

3. Include All Required Information on the Cannabis Receipt

Although the exact information you include will depend on your state’s laws, most receipts will include store name and address, the category of taxable products or product category name/product name. Receipts should also include a code or other identifier for the product’s taxes. There may be additional requirements, however. In Oregon, it’s required to list the sale subtotal before tax, amount of state tax, local tax, total sale amount and identifying receipt number. A disclaimer stating that receipts are required for customer tax disputes is also required.

The cannabis industry is promising for dispensaries, but it is tightly regulated by the states where marijuana has been legalized. Give your business the best chance for compliance and success with a POS system equipped with state-of-the-art printers to meet regulatory requirements while providing convenient customer experiences at the checkout.

Contact the experts at Star to learn more about ideal solutions for the cannabis industry.

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

April 20, 2018
The Ultimate Guide to Building Your iOS POS System

iOS POS systems look sharp sitting on a counter or mounted on a wall, so it’s no wonder why retailers and restaurants are drawn to these sleek setups for their establishments. Whether you need fixed terminals or a mobile solution, an iOS POS system can fulfill all your needs.

Are you in the market for a new iOS POS system? If so, keep these points in mind while you’re shopping around.

1. iOS Device

If you’re using an iPad or other iOS technology you already own, make sure it has the most recent update that the hardware will support. If you have older devices, make absolutely sure the POS software you want to run supports your hardware — before you invest in it. A better strategy is to choose your POS software first — find a solution that offers features and functionality you need to run your business — then select the hardware. All iPad POS solutions aren’t the same. Look for options such as clock in/out, split checks, payments, scheduling and inventory tracking that can help you run your business.

2. iPad Enclosure

Star Micronics mUnite Stand

Although iOS POS systems are feature-rich, they aren’t ruggedized devices. An iPad or iTouch is a consumer-grade device, nowhere near tough enough for retail and restaurant workplaces. iOS devices that get wet or hot will have functionality issues, so protecting your technology with a specialized enclosure is imperative to staying online. iPads left unattended are targets for loss and theft, so opt for an enclosure that allows you to secure the device to a wall or counter. Some enclosures can be fitted to stands that flip and swivel into a customer-facing position, so shoppers can sign for credit card transactions or add a tip.

3. Peripherals

iOS POS systems differ from more traditional POS solutions when it comes to peripherals. If you need a 2D barcode scanner, scale integration, receipt printer and customer display, make sure your solution has options to keep everything connected. Printing receipts from an iOS POS system can present a particular challenge for merchants. A great solution is Star Micronics’ TSP654II AirPrint, the First Receipt Printer on the market with AirPrint™ Certification. TSP654II printers allow merchants to print from their iOS devices without installing specific printer drivers.

4. Aesthetic Appeal

Star Micronics mPOP

One of the iPad’s main selling points is the tablet’s stylish design. If you selected an iOS POS system, chances are you care about how it looks. Don’t cover up a glossy iPad with a clunky enclosure or pair it with nondescript peripherals. Make sure your enclosure and peripherals enhance the iOS POS system and are as chic as their surroundings. Star Micronics offers mPOP™, Mobile Point of Purchase, the first hybrid for tablet POS that combines a cash drawer and printer peripheral. The unit’s ergonomic but fully integrated design works with the tablet or mobile device of your choice, so you can have a mobile solution without compromising space, quality design or functionality.

iOS POS systems can be a great choice for your store or restaurant if you strategically design a system that will meet your business’ needs, withstand a harsh commercial environment and complement your brand with the look you want. Work with an experienced POS solution provider to help you incorporate those elements into your solution — and more— to help you get the most out of your investment.

Free iOS Resources

It can be tough to find truly Apple-compatible hardware for point of sale use. Star Micronics offers the largest range of Apple compatible printing products and Apple certified POS hardware. Developer friendly, Star was the first provider of SDK for iOS and is currently the only provider that offers iOS development support for scales, cash drawers, and kiosk printers. Help your customers future-proof their Apple POS solutions with Star Micronics.

Visit iOS Toolbox

March 27, 2018
4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Cinema Kiosk

Discover four ways to get the most out of your cinema kiosk.

Kiosks are integral to the cinema experience, especially for theaters with a small staff. A kiosk can be used to purchase tickets, retrieve tickets bought online, and to place concession orders. These machines are especially important to movie-goers who arrive at the theater with just a few minutes to spare—they can bypass the line to purchase tickets or snacks and still find a seat in the theater before the previews start.

But don’t take our word for it—market research shows that given a choice, people actually prefer the do-it-yourself route. One published study found that 89 percent of 1,000 people surveyed would “sometimes” or “always” choose a self-service kiosk over a full-service option. These kiosks are typically easy to use and engage cinema-goers during the ordering process.

A self-service kiosk is a win for your customers and your concession stand—these kiosks encourage larger orders by giving customers extra time to look through the menu and discover new items they would like to try.

Is your cinema kiosk reaching its full potential? Consider these four things:

1. Thermal printer support: A cinema kiosk should be equipped with a heavy duty thermal printer. The kiosk will need to produce tickets in the fastest way possible, and a thermal printer can do just that. The printer should also offer a jam free system. Having the receipts cut before the customer receives the ticket prevents the kiosk from jamming.

2. Bar code scanner: Movie theaters offer their own loyalty programs, but what good is being a member if you can’t scan your card at the cinema kiosk? Some cinema kiosks activate by touch screen or credit card swipe, while others require scanning a loyalty card. Your customers love freebies and accruing points towards free movie tickets, so don’t make them wait on the full-service line to get their rewards.

3. Integrated speakers: A cinema kiosk should also include a set of integrated speakers to talk customers through the ticket buying and checkout process. This is especially important for people who aren’t familiar with self-service kiosks and need some additional direction and patrons who have vision issues and can’t read the screen clearly.

4. Card Payment Acceptance: If your full-service lines accept credit card payments, your cinema kiosk needs to accept them too. Not everyone carries cash, so make sure your kiosk is equipped with a card reader and payment processing platform.

Star Micronics’ kiosk printers give the added benefit of Star Cloud Services (SCS). With SCS the printer has a lot more to offer the seller and consumer. Engage Now is a service that prompts the consumer to rate their experience with the kiosk. The managers also get the ability to check the status of their equipment to make sure everything is running smoothly. There are still a number of tools available when using Star Micronics Cloud Services.

Cinema kiosks are the preferred method of ticket ordering, pickup and payment for many theater goers who want to control the process or skip the line because they’re short on time, or they don’t want to wait on line. Ordering snacks and drinks at the kiosk is a great way to generate additional sales, as people have a little extra time to peruse the menu at their own pace. A self-service kiosk serves a very specific purpose, so make sure it’s equipped with the features that will people through quickly so they can enjoy the show.tun

October 30, 2017
Star Micronics adds CloudPRNT Support for TSP700II, TSP800II, and SP700 Printers

Somerset, NJ – June 26, 2017 – Star Micronics, leading provider of point of sale and proof of transaction technology, is proud to announce that they have added CloudPRNT support for their TSP700II and TSP800II thermal printers and SP700 impact printer. These Star printers will retrieve and print orders from any online ordering service integrating Star’s communication protocol.

Star’s CloudPRNT technology provides benefits to both restaurants and retail stores alike by eliminating 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.

Star’s TSP700II label and receipt printer will allow pizzerias or coffee shops to accept and print an online order receipt or label to stick directly on the pizza box or coffee cup for take-out or delivery orders. For industries outside of food service, the TSP800II wide-format (4” wide) thermal printer will allow delivery services to print labels on the go directly through the cloud from a smartphone or mobile device.

Finally, the SP700 is Star’s most durable printing solution for kitchens. It is designed specifically to work in environments where heat and humidity can erode the type on the kitchen order. Paired with Star’s CloudPRNT communication protocol, restaurants can receive and print online orders directly to the SP700 kitchen printer to be prepared for pick-up or delivery.

These CloudPRNT supported printers also offer an intelligent interface to support POS functionality along with the online order system. The TSP700IIcloudPRNT and TSP800IIcloudPRNT are also compatible with Star Cloud Services, allowing users to offer their customers digital receipts through the AllReceipts™ app, and to engage with their customers for free.

September 27, 2017
What to Expect from Star Micronics at VARTECH 2017

VARTECH 2017 is almost upon us and Star Micronics is gearing up for another great show lineup. VARTECH is unique as it provides value-added resellers the opportunity to rub elbows and build relationships with hardware manufacturers and software solution providers. Star Micronics is looking forward to connecting with our current and potential reseller partners and demonstrating the kind of value Star printers and customer engagement solutions can provide.

What resellers can expect:

Star Cloud Services

You can expect demonstrations of our Star Micronics Cloud Services applications such as AllReceipts®, Micro Receipts, and Receipt Flip. All of our Star Cloud Services applications are tailored to drive customer engagement and boost customer loyalty. They are also designed to provide our reseller partners with the opportunity to help merchant clients gather big data, run loyalty campaigns, and provide better customer experiences.

Faster, Easier, Better – TSP143IIIU

Your customers can use the new TSP143IIIU receipt printer to connect simply and directly to an iOS device while simultaneously charging the iOS device as well!

SM-L300 + Cradle

With the SM-L300 + Cradle, empower your client base to easily switch from desktop to mobile mode. The new cradle is designed to hold the SM-L300 with or without a belt clip. It doesn’t hurt that this little printer + cradle looks great on the go or on the counter with its small footprint and modern design.

Portable Printers

Get up close and personal with a wide variety of our portable printers at VARTECH 2017, including the SM-S230i, SM-T300i, SM-T400i, and SM-L200.

mPOP™ + Peripherals

With our support for the new peripheral options for the all-in-one mPOP™, Mobile Point of Purchase, you can help your customers transform their mPOP into a complete point of sale hub with optional 1D or 2D barcode reader, scale options, a customer-facing line display, and a port for an external cash drawer.

CloudPRNT

With CloudPRNT, restaurants’ online orders will be sent directly from your online ordering service to the kitchen. This cuts out any need for additional hardware to send online orders to the printer. What’s more, this product allows payment providers to deploy a very simple payment solution with printer receipts at any mobile point of sale location.

SP742: The Ideal Kitchen Receipt Printer

All of your restaurant customers need this printer. The SP742 is specially designed for use in hot and humid environments. Because of this, it is the ideal printer for kitchen order printing. On top of its rugged design, its speed, reliability, and embedded power supply, make this receipt printer a must-have.

In addition to these extraordinary solutions, Star will also be featuring these solutions at VARTECH 2017:
• BSC10
• Label/Sticky Printers (TSP743II, TSP847II, SM-L300, TSP654IISK)
• SK1-21, SK1-31, SK1-41, TUP900, TUP500

We’re excited to see all the great education sessions and events on the VARTECH 2017 agenda, scheduled for Sept. 18 and 19 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida. You can contact us to reserve a spot on our calendar for a meeting or one-on-one demo of our products.

We look forward to seeing you at VARTECH!

September 14, 2017
Star Micronics RSPA RetailNOW 2017 Recap

RSPA RetailNOW 2017 has just come to an end and Star Micronics would like to thank all of those who visited our RetailNOW 2017 booth! We always enjoy connecting with customers and partners, and forming new relationships at industry events. In case you missed it, here are a few highlights from the show.

mPOP™ + Peripherals

The mPOP™ + peripherals drew quite a crowd. Not only is our ISV partner list growing in support of this sleek hardware bundle solution, the growing number of peripheral options available for the mPOP is making this point of sale powerhouse even more desirable. Now, the mPOP is available with an optional 2D barcode scanner, scale, customer display, and external cash drawer. These peripheral options broaden the type of transactions merchants will be able to process and help increase transaction volume as well.

TSP143IIIU: Faster, Easier, Better

Our TSP143IIIU drew interest due to its effortless connection with mobile devices and the fact that it simultaneously charges any iOS device connected to it through the USB port. With enhanced features, faster print speed, and effortless connectivity, the TSP143IIIU is ready to shake up the point of sale world.

SM-L300 Portable Printer

The SM-L300 was a show stopper. VARs were intrigued with its ability to connect to any iOS device without needing to pair. It’s the perfect mobile solution for any environment that uses multiple devices for mobile printing.

Star Micronics Cloud Services

Star Micronics Cloud Services also made an RSPA RetailNOW 2017 appearance, featuring the AllReceipts® digital receipt solution as well as the versatile uses of Micro Receipts and Receipt Flip. This was a big hit with VARs who were lined up, ready to listen to the finer points of mobile receipt management and customer engagement empowered by Star Cloud Services and ISV partners.

Booth Partners

Star Micronics is always happy to feature several software partners in our tradeshow booth. ISV partners featured in the Star Micronics booth this year included Tapingo, Greenbits, TouchBistro, Vend, eMobile POS, Appetize, Total Merchant Services, Weigh ‘n Pay, and CAP Software.

On a busy show floor, it can be a challenge to see all of the demonstrations and learn about all of the products you want to, so we are extending an invitation to give us a call or arrange for a demonstration. To learn more about our point of sale solutions, visit our website.

September 14, 2017
Star Spotlight with Green Bits

What does Green Bits do?

Green Bits is an inventory and point of sale system for recreational cannabis retail. Unlike a standard point of sale system, Green Bits is directly integrated into their customer’s state seed-to-sale tracking system. Green Bits is designed from the ground up to integrate seamlessly into any store’s workflow and is built for speed, simplicity, and security.

How is Green Bits working with Star Micronics?

Green Bits has added support for Star Micronics TSP650II BTi receipt printer and Value Series CD3 cash drawers. With Green Bits being an iPad-based software, the Bluetooth receipt printer allows customer to print receipts without needed a physical, wired connection. Green Bits customers find the Bluetooth connection between the iPad and receipt printer to be very strong and easy to troubleshoot should any issues arise.

What key benefits do Green Bits and Star Micronics bring to the cannabis retail market?

Green Bits currently runs over 50% of cannabis retail stores in Washington and also supports Colorado and Oregon, all of which use Star Micronics’ TSP650II BTi printer with a CD3 cash drawer. As recreational cannabis legalization continues to grow, Green Bits and Star Micronics will continue to dominate that market. The bundled solution allows retailers to keep track of their sales and analytics by budtender in one, easy-to-use platform. The wireless connection between the device and printer also helps to reduce clutter, making it easier for retailers to increase their impulse sales at the POS.

August 18, 2017
What to Expect from Star Micronics at RetailNOW 2017

It’s that time of year for retail and point of sale industry professionals to gather at RSPA RetailNOW 2017! It’s the only show that focuses strictly on technology providers (resellers, software vendors, payment professionals, manufacturers and distributors). This year, Star Micronics (booth #707) is looking forward to realigning our strategy and efforts in producing top-quality POS printer peripherals, reuniting with our partners to provide solutions for new and emerging markets, and reengaging with new technology and opportunities.

Here’s a sneak peak of what you can expect to see at the Star booth at RetailNOW 2017:

mPOP™ Your Way!

Star Micronics has officially released support for new peripheral options for our all-in-one mPOP™, Mobile Point of Purchase. Transform your mPOP™ into a complete point of sale hub with optional 1D or 2D bar code reader, scale options, a customer-facing line display, and external cash drawer.

Faster, Easier, Better – TSP100IIIU

The TSP100IIIU is a game changing USB POS receipt printer! Its the first of its kind to be able to connect directly to an Apple iPad® or iPhone® using an Apple Lighting cable for reliable communication between the printer and device, and simultaneous device charging.

SM-L300 Portable Printer for Receipt, Label, and MAXStick®

The SM-L300 is Star’s latest addition to their line of Bluetooth low energy (BLE) portable printers. This 3-inch, lightweight portable printer features an adjustable multi-paper width and an optional charging cradle. The SM-L300 supports thermal receipt paper and linel, linerless, and MAXStick® labels, making it the perfect portable printer for on-the-road or mobile receipt or label printing.

Come see our POS printer peripherals with the following software solutions:

CAP supplies specialty retailers with custom tools and software, as well as any hardware they may need. CAP’s retail software solutions are suited to a variety of businesses in a wide range of verticals such as specialty boutiques, small grocery, convenience stores, apparel, and more. CAP Software solution will be shown on Star’s mPOP.

PopScrap is a global scrap metal compliance specialist and U.S. based recycling software prodiver to the international scrap, waste, and recycling industry. Weigh & Pay’s software solution will be shown on Star’s mPOP with new scale option.

TouchBistro offers a POS specifically for restaurants that is easy to use and learn, helps increase staff performance, drives greater operation efficiency, and improves customer experience. TouchBistro will be shown on Star’s TSP100IIIBi printer.

Green Bits is designed specifically for the cannabis retail market and is designed from the ground – up to integrate seamlessly with your store’s workflow. The Green Bits solution will be shown on a Star TSP100IIIU printer.

Total Merchant Services offers payment processing and more to help business grow. Groovv POS includes everything merchants need to manage, grow and optimize their business, all in a compact point of sale system that’s easy to set up and free to use. The Groovv POS solution with be shown on Star’s mPOP with a Samsung tablet.

Appetize Point of Sale technology brings value to hundreds of enterprise businesses in sports and entertainment, education, convention centers, dining, theme parks, and more. The Appetize solution with be shown with a Star TSP700II printer with Elo’s I-Series and Wallaby flip-stand.

eMobilePOS is a next-generation POS solution for retail and restaurants that is EMV ready for tablets and smartphones. eMobilePOS will be shown with a Star Micronics SM-T300i portable printer.

Vend offers point of sale solutions for retail that works on Mac, iPad, and PC. It includes everything you need to run your business from POS, to eCommerce, to hardware, and more. Vend will be shown with a Star TSP100III printer and Star Cloud Services digital receipt and customer engagement tools.

Visit us at booth #707!

July 27, 2017
Star Spotlight with Thirdshelf

What does Thirdshelf do?

Thirdshelf is a loyalty marketing software for independent retailers that helps to drive sales with customized loyalty programs and automated customer communications. They help these independent merchants grow the value of every customer relationship through analytics and converting transactional data from the point of sale. The Thirdshelf loyalty software is 100% branded to the retailer and is completely digital with no cards, dongles, or extra hardware required.

How is Thirdshelf working with Star Cloud Services?

Thirdshelf and Star Cloud Services have worked together to develop an offering where they can take transactional data from a Star Micronics receipt printer, regardless of the point of sale system that the printer is tied to, and convert data into powerful analytics and automated marketing to bring shoppers back into the store. Through this offering, retailers can create and send personalized email and SMS offers to their shoppers and learn how to accurately measure their customer relationships.

How will Thirdshelf and Star Cloud Services impact the future of retail?

“There’s a big shift happening in retail today,” says Rami Karam, Co-Founder and CEO of Thirdshelf. “Retail is beginning to move away from a transactional-oriented view and more toward a relationship-oriented view.”

Online customer data is very prevalent in today’s retail market, which has previously been less important for in-store shoppers. With more online merchants opening traditional brick and mortar stores, they’re bringing more of this customer data to the forefront of traditional retail. Thirdshelf, teaming up with Star Cloud Services, allows brick and mortar retailers to manage these loyalty programs and marketing through transactional data, just as they would in a digital store.

July 11, 2017