Category: Product Updates

Calling All Hospitality ISVs: Provide a Reliable iOS Device for Receipt Printer Connection
The rise of mobile technology and its benefits include shorter wait times, more streamlined processes, and less double work for employees. This has caused technology preferences in the hospitality industry to shift away from stationary legacy systems and move towards mobile tablet and iPad point of sale (POS) solutions. Mobile solutions have also become an option for restaurant operators that need to upgrade their POS technology but don’t want to add more traditional terminals.Restaurants are turning to ISVs to enable them to use state-of-the-art mobile POS solutions to give them the receipt printing functionality they need at the table, at the checkout counter, car side, in outdoor dining areas, and anywhere else transactions can take place. However, upgrading a clients’ POS system with mobile capabilities is more than just integrating new hardware, it also means the addition of new elements that will keep printers connected and operational.

Star Micronics’ TSP143IIIU may be the answer you are looking for.

The Problem with Bluetooth and WLAN Connections

The main connectivity options restaurant clients usually consider for their receipt printer to device connections are Bluetooth and WLAN. Unfortunately, neither are a perfect fit for “always on” connectivity.

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth technology uses short wavelength UHF radio waves to connect to a mobile device or computer. Although Bluetooth is synonymous with hands-free connectivity or headsets, this technology uses the same 2.4 GHz frequency as Wi-Fi. Before a connection can be established, the devices need to “pair” and then a network made up of piconets (devices using Bluetooth) is established. The network is fluid as devices enter and leave the field.

What is WLAN?

A wireless local area network (WLAN) allows a mobile device to connect to a LAN through radio transmissions. WLANs usually follow IEEE 802.11 standards and are therefore compatible with almost every mobile device or computer.

The Benefits of a USB Connection from POS Device to Receipt Printer

A USB connection from device to printer may be, if not the best, then one of the best connectivity options for your restaurant clients. By nature, a USB connection reduces the time required to transmit data from the POS device to the receipt printer. This allows for lightning fast printing of order tickets and customer receipts in a restaurant environment. Because of this, your restaurant clients will experience a boost in customer satisfaction. Restaurants will also experience an increase in table turns due to staff’s ability to submit an order ticket and print the customer’s bill more quickly, ultimately boosting sales. Additionally, a USB connection is one of the most reliable, ensuring order tickets aren’t dropped or lost and causing an undue roadblock for your client when trying to deliver exceptional customer service.

The Star Micronics Solution

The issues your hospitality clients face with connectivity have occurred as shifts in the industry and technology innovations have forces receipt technology to evolve quickly over the last several years. Most recently, the popularity of iPad® and iPhone® solutions has increasingly demanded mobile and connected receipt printer solutions, but until now, there hasn’t been a solution that offers simple and reliable connection for iOS devices to a receipt printer. In light of these challenges, Star Micronics has developed solutions for clients who need to print receipts from Web-based applications and help hospitality customers overcome connectivity issues.

Why Choose the TSP143IIIU?

The TSP143IIIU builds on the success of Star’s TSP143ECO printer. The new model offers faster print speed, increased reliability and connectivity, power switch and serial number for asset management, and more, such as:
- Low operating cost
- High-speed printing, 43 receipts per minute
- Guillotine auto-cutter
- Revolutionary futurePRNT receipt design software
- Compatible with Star Micronics Cloud Services and AllReceipts™
Connectivity issues can derail any POS system, wreaking havoc on a client’s hospitality operation. A mobile solution and printer is only as reliable as its network, and Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections all have vulnerabilities that can cost clients time and money. Star Micronics’ new TSP143IIIU offers an answer to printer connectivity issues, by allowing iOS devices to tether directly to the receipt printer.

To discover more ways to provide a reliable connection, download the free eBook, “Calling All Hospitality ISVs: Provide a Reliable iOS Device for Receipt Printer Connection.”

Download eBook
June 28, 2017
4 Ways Mobile Label Printing Optimizes Order/Pick-up Applications in Restaurants

Numerous media outlets have written about hilariously misspelled names scribbled on coffee orders. Although it may be amusing to read about someone telling a barista their name is “Gunner” and being handed a cup that says “Goner,” handwritten labels can cause major headaches for restaurant employees.

Order online/pickup is a growing segment of the restaurant industry – so it’s important for businesses with these capabilities to make sure they do it well. Mobile label printing helps eliminate confusion while orders are prepared and picked up, and it helps speed up customer service by cutting down the time it takes an employee to locate an order.

Here are four advantages to using mobile label printing:

1. Order Accuracy. A mobile printer easily creates clear, easy-to-read order labels for takeout packages. This eliminates the need to write on each container or tape receipts to boxes so employees know which customer’s order they belong to. Printed labels will also cut down the amount of errors made while preparing each order and time spent deciphering handwritten names when a customer comes in to pick up their food.

2. Customer Service. Mobile label printing helps ensure that customers receive fast and efficient service. Take out and online orders can be prepared quickly and efficiently, and food is ready in a timely manner. When customers arrive to pick up their order, food and beverages can be located quickly so people can get home to enjoy their meals. Clearly printed labels eliminate the possibility that a customer will receive the wrong order or have missing items.

Star Micronics Label Solutions

From printing product labels in a warehouse to quickly attaching linerless labels to coffee cups in a café, Star Micronics understands labeling solutions aren’t “one size fits all.” Designed with the application and user in mind, Star Micronics offers label printers with the technology needed for today’s digital, fast-moving world, and label paper for virtually any business scenario.

Learn More

3. Branding. Your restaurant’s logo, address, phone number and website can be added to the label template, so each label is a consistent representation of your brand. Online orders and other to-go items that leave the restaurant with a customized label are an advertising opportunity that can help drive new and repeat business to your eatery. If takeout or delivery is a new part of your business, it’s a great way to get the word out that you offer this service.

4. Professional Appearance. Messy, handwritten labels don’t make a great impression. Take-out packaging that is printed with your restaurant’s logo, marketing messages, and contact info give orders a professional appearance. The online order/pick-up in store process will appear polished and smooth and your customers’ positive experience will encourage them to return.

To maximize the impact printed labels can have on your business, you need to use the right technology. Star Micronics’ SM-L300 portable receipt printer, for example, supports thermal receipt paper and lined or linerless MAXStick label paper, making it the perfect mobile label printing solution for restaurants. The SM-L300 also doubles as a fully integrated label printer for retail stores, restaurants, delivery, and warehouse applications.

Mobile label printing can help restaurant owners increase efficiency and accuracy, enhance customer service, and ensure that orders are prepared quickly and correctly. Printed labels eliminate errors made during preparation or pick-up due to misplaced receipts or an employee’s bad handwriting. Customers will appreciate professional service and a fast, high-quality experience, which will keep them coming back for more.

Click here to learn more about Star Micronics’ SM-L300 portable printer.

June 14, 2017
Star Spotlight with Erply

What does Erply do?

Erply is a point of sale and inventory management software that will track sales and inventory for retailers. Erply POS is a cloud-based solution that allows retail store owners and operators to manage their point of sale, and check-in on sales remotely from their tablet, computer, or smartphone. They offer fully integrated point of sale solutions for iPad®, Windows, and Android™, with dedicated POS hardware. Users can utilize Erply software to ring up sales, track customers, and manage inventory and employees from anywhere, anytime.

How is Erply working with Star Micronics?

Erply has integrated a number of Star Micronics’ printer peripherals including the all-in-one mPOP™, TSP100ECO thermal printer, SM-S230i, SM-T300i, SM-S220i portable printers, and more. Erply chose to work with Star’s mobile solutions that offer Bluetooth connectivity because they found it to be a great pair with Apple iPads. In addition to iOS, Erply has also found that Star Bluetooth printers to offer a simple set-up with Windows tablets. Erply partners with Star Micronics to provide a complete mPOS solution to retailers for any operating system.

What key benefits are Star mobile printers bringing to Erply customers?

One of the biggest benefits of the Star mobile printers is the ability for retail employees to carry their printer and iPad around larger stores to answer customer questions and complete a sale in-aisle. In many cases, Erply sees their retail customer utilizing the belt clip included with all Star portable printers and using MSR readers to process the credit card payment on the spot. This solution helps reduce lines in larger and busier retail environments and creates a better experience for both retail employees and the shopper.

“We found that Star Micronics’ Bluetooth printers offer one of the easiest set-ups that we have. We’re most confident in setting up Star printers with iPads and other mobile devices. Because of Star’s cross-platform availability, Star mobile printers are the easiest solution for us to recommend to customers.”

– Cameron Neelis, Technical Support Specialist, Erply

May 31, 2017
Star Micronics’ ETA TRANSACT 2017 Recap

Star Micronics recently exhibited new mPOS technology at the ETA TRANSACT show in Las Vegas from May 10th through the 12th, and would like to thank all of those who visited our booth. For those who couldn’t make it to the show this year, we want to provide a brief recap of what you missed and where to find more information on Star Micronics’ peripherals.

New mPOP™ peripheral options!

Star Micronics showcased our popular all-in-one mPOP™ peripheral for mobile point of sale that combines a cash drawer and 2-inch receipt printer. This year, Star has decided to make our mPOP even better with more functionality for mobile point of sale. We’ve added optional peripheral support for a customer-facing line display, 2D bar code reader, three scale options, and an extra cash drawer to our mPOP. This allows users to transform their mPOP into a complete point of sale hub, making it a more versatile option for mobile POS.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCgc7c2OSEk]

Faster, Easier, Better!

Throughout 2016, Star Micronics began rolling out our TSP100III series of thermal printers – the faster, easier, and better solution for POS receipt printing. At this year’s TRANSACT show, Star Micronics debuted our TSP100IIIU! The TSP100IIIU is Star’s intuitive “plug and play” USB printer for iOS, Android, and Windows. With faster print speed, easier connectivity, and better features, the TSP100IIIU is guaranteed to make a splash in the point of sale world. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y40VyDkFPLc

SM-L300: Receipt, Label, & MAXStick® Portable Printer

Star’s new SM-L300 Bluetooth low energy (BLE) portable printer offers ultimate versatility for any mPOS application! The SM-L300 portable printer allows users to connect to any Apple iPad®, iPhone®, or iPod touch® BLE compatible device without having to pair to it, making it the perfect solution for any BYOD (bring your own device) environment. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJdLcSYOgGE

Booth Partners

Star Micronics is always happy to feature a number of our software partners in our tradeshow booths. At this year’s TRANSACT show, Star hosted Biztracker, who demoed their solution with a Star TSP650II receipt printer. Doublebeam showcased their solution on Elo’s I-Series and Wallaby flip-stand along with a Star TSP700II receipt and label printer. We also provided demos of Star Cloud Services’ free digital receipt and customer engagement solution through Vend’s retail software and a Star TSP100IIIBi receipt printer.

Star Cloud Services is offered for free with any Star Micronics receipt printer and allows users to offer digital receipts to their shoppers through the AllReceipts™ app. Learn more: https://www.starcloudservices.com

Star Sightings

Star Micronics spotted several of our printers around the show floor! Thank you to Paradise POS, Pioneer Solutions, MS-Cash Drawer, USAePay, and POS Portal who showcased Star technology in their ETA TRANSACT 2017 booth!

Star thanks everyone again for taking the time to visit us and learn more about our point of sale peripherals at ETA TRANSACT 2017. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

May 23, 2017
Star Spotlight with Auto-Star

What does Auto-Star do?

Auto-Star began developing point of sale and retail management technology in 1982 and has worked to provide a top-of-the-line solution for grocery, pharmacy, and natural health markets. Auto-Star’s POS solution is designed to help increase operational efficiency along with customer service levels. They strive to put the customer at the forefront of every transaction, while making an intuitive solution for end-users. They currently have thousands of happy customers all over North America and the Caribbean.

How is Auto-Star working with Star Micronics?

Auto-Star has been working with Star Micronics for a number of years with both their end-user customers and their reseller partners. They chose to add support for Star Micronics printers because they are fast and reliable for end-users and are easy to operate. In addition, Auto-Star has added support for Star Cloud Services’ free digital receipt solution using the AllReceipts™ app. Auto-Star customers already using Star Micronics’ TSP100ECO printers can now experience the added benefit of providing a digital receipt solution to their shoppers.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvaW4ObiVVk]

What key benefits is Star Cloud Services bringing to Auto-Star customers?

Auto-Star customers were looking for a digital receipt solution for a number of years. With Star Cloud Services and AllReceipts, Auto-Star found a solution that was quick and easy to integrate with no need to update or change hardware. Star Cloud Services’ digital receipt and customer engagement tools are available to use on any Star receipt printer for free. This gave users the ability to add the digital receipts functionality to their current solution for no additional cost.

“The Star Cloud Services’ digital receipt solution with AllReceipts offered a very simple set up for both Auto-Star and our end-user customers. Our customers were able to see the benefit of it right away.” – Josh Wintoniak, Sales Manager, Auto-Star

May 3, 2017
Solutions for Printing from Web Browser-Based Applications: WebPRNT
Receipt technology has advanced dramatically in the last several years. Previously, in every transaction, a customer would pay for their purchases at the POS terminal and accept a printed sales receipt as a proof of purchase in case they needed to make a return or exchange. Mobility, however, has revolutionized POS and changed the process of providing a customer with a receipt.

Star Micronics has developed a variety of printing solutions for mPOS, including two that facilitate receipt printing from Web-based applications via HTTP(s) and from a project on an Android device or iOS hardware such as iPad®, iPhone®, or iPod touch®. These solutions, WebPRNT and PassPRNT solve common problems merchant often encounter with mobile printing.

Print from a Web Browser-Based Application with WebPRNT

WebPRNT, which enables device-agnostic receipt printing technology, supports HTTP(s) requests used in Wed-based applications. It facilitates printing on any Star Micronics WebPRNT-enabled printer – including receipt, label, and kitchen printers – from any local device running a Web-based application.

This low cost, versatile solution to printing from Web browser-based applications allows users to print high-quality POS receipts with professional, crisp graphics on Star’s line of WebPRNT-compatible printers.

How It Works:

You can use any device you want when you download WebPRNT, so businesses can eliminate the need to spend money on upgrading their current hardware. This solution enables local printing from a device with a browser to a compatible WebPRNT printer (desktop or mobile) on the same network.

WebPRNT is easy to read, maintain, and modify for developers. It works with XML tags or a JavaScript software development kit (SDK) that is integrated into the Web application’s code. This functionality can be extended to Bluetooth printers by using the WebPRNT Browser with no changes to the Web code. In addition to Web-based applications, Star’s WebPRNT also supports HTTP(s) requests from native applications.

One advantage of integrating WebPRNT is that the application the engineer or developer creates can give a retailer more complete control of printing, such as the ability to adjust the formatting, operate the cash drawer, or check the status of the printer. It also enables additional, innovative features to be added to the print application including digital receipts and other cloud services.

WebPRNT technology is available with several of Star Micronics’ printers including the TSP650II WebPRNT, SP700 WebPRNT, TSP700II WebPRNT, TSP800II WebPRNT, as well as any of Star’s Bluetooth printers using WebPRNT Browser.

Why Choose WebPRNT:
- Easy to use. WebPRNT eliminates time spent downloading software and installing drivers. The app enables printing from any local device hosting a Web-based application (e.g., Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari) to a Star WebPRNT-enabled receipt printer.
- Affordable. WebPRNT enables printing from any application or operating platform without the need for expensive, multi-platform development costs.
- Compatible. WebPRNT allows users to print from their application to a WebPRNT-enabled receipt printer from any device, regardless of its operating platform.
To learn more about WebPRNT and find out if your Star Micronics receipt printer supports WebPRNT, please visit https://starmicronics.com/WebPRNT.

Download our eBook: Solutions for Printing from Web Browser-Based Applications on iOS, Android, and Windows
April 26, 2017
Star Spotlight with Shift4

What does Shift4 do?

Shift4, the first card-present payment gateway and the largest independent payment gateway in North America, is now launching their mobile point of sale system. Shift4 decided to take a different appraoch in building their mPOS solution and wanted to put a focus on the enterprise market. Shift4 offers specific solutions to hospitality, retail, food and beverage, eCommerce, and most other industries which are scalable from a single store to an international enterprise with franchise and company-owned locations.

How is Shift4 working with Star Micronics?

Shift4 is a software-as-a-service provider that was seeking the perfect hardware to compliment their solution. They decided to go with Star Micronics base on their reliable and advanced printer models. Shift4 has integrated throughout Star’s entire line of point of sale peripherals including desktop thermal and impact printers, portable printers, and the all-in-one mPOP™ peripheral. Shift4 currently supports Star Micronics’ SM-S220i, SM-S230i, and SM-T300i portable printers, the TSP650II BTi and WebPRNT thermal printer, the SP700 impact kitchen printer, and the mPOP™.

What key benefits does the mPOP™ bring to Shift4 customers?

Shift4 values customer communication and keeps in close contact to make sure that all of their customers are satisfied with their solution. The mPOP offers a compact solution that can work with any mobile device. Having the printer and cash drawer combined into one peripheral is a huge benefit in the mPOS space, and it is simple to operate.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-0tK2zvRSE]

“In mobile point of sale, it’s important to have a solution that is versatile and doesn’t take up a lot of space. The mPOP combines the cash drawer and receipt printer into one compact form factor that it perfect for mPOS needs.” – Jeremy Fried, System Architect at Shift4.

April 5, 2017
Star Spotlight with Vend

What does Vend do?

Vend is America’s leading retail POS software, inventory management, ecommerce & customer loyalty platform for iPad®, Mac, and PC. Vend has customers in over 150 countries and prides itself on providing seamless point of sale solutions for retail, food and beverage, coffee shops, and more. Vend’s ecommerce and sales operations features make it easy for retailers to provide the perfect shopping experience for any customer whether in-store or online.

How is Vend working with Star Micronics?

Vend works with Star Micronics’ printer peripherals to bundle a sleek, yet reliable point of sale solution for any retailer. With certified support for Star’s TSP100 and TSP650IIBTi desktop printers, SM-S220i portable printer, and all-in-one mPOP™ peripheral, Vend offers solutions for large or small retail environments. Vend has also recently added support for Star Cloud Services’ free digital receipt solution and customer engagement tools. Star Cloud Services, along with Star’s AllReceipts™ digital receipt app, allows retailers to offer their shoppers the option to claim a digital copy of their receipt and gives them the ability to later engage with their customers through the app.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ajYCfnAIc]

How is Vend working with the new Micro Receipt?

Star Cloud Services recently released a new feature called the Micro Receipt. The Micro Receipt allows retailers to print only the AllReceipts QR code on the paper receipt, saving up to 80% on paper compared to the original. While only the QR code and optional store name and time stamp will appear on the paper receipt, once scanned within the AllReceipts app, the customer will have gained access to the full, itemized receipt in the app. Vend is the first to integrate the new Micro Receipt, allowing their retailers to get a longer lifecycle out of every Star Micronics printer.

“We think there is great potential to introduce this new solution, specifically the Micro Receipt, to our customers,” says PE Perruchot de la Bussiere, General Manager of Channel and Business Development for Vend. “With this innovative solution, we will be able to work with resellers and find new customers together.”

March 8, 2017
Star Spotlight with Appetize

What does Appetize do?

Appetize is a modern enterprise point of sale platform that is specific for sports and entertainment, education, and professional industries. Designed from the bottom up with multi-site and multi-business units in mind, Appetize is deployed in over 15,000 business units with the most complex setups. Offered with a full site of features, Appetize offers a simple solution for mobile ordering and accepts payment methods of cash, credit, EMV, NFC, Apple Pay, RFID, Bluetooth, and many more.

How is Appetize working with Star Micronics?

Appetize works with Star Micronics’ printer peripherals including the TSP650IIBTi desktop receipt printer and the SM-S230i portable receipt printer. Appetize has Star printers in nearly all of their enterprise locations. To name a few, Appetize and Star provide POS solutions for the Golden 1 Center (home of the Sacramento Kings), U.S. Bank Stadium (home of the Minnesota Vikings), over 40 Live Nation properties, and many more.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IC6lc75xpA]

How has Appetize teamed up with Star and Elo?

Appetize is also bundling their point of sale solution and Star peripherals with the Elo I-Series. This bundle appears mostly in bar, concession, and restaurant environments where hardwired functionality is needed.

The Appetize, Star, and Elo bundle provides a simple, fully integrated POS that includes a touch screen monitor for Android. This solution, with the I-Series flip-stand, can transform into a fully functional self-service kiosk, or used as a traditional point of sale system.

“We work with Star because it combines the best of modern and enterprise on the hardware side,” says Kevin Anderson, Chief Strategy Officer at Appetize. “When it comes to printers and the types of environments that Appetize is typically in, which is high pressure and high volume, we need a hardware that is reliable”

February 22, 2017
Star Micronics Cloud Services Introduces the Micro Receipt

Star Micronics Cloud Services (SMCS) is proud to introduce the Micro Receipt service, available to use with the AllReceipts™ or Itemize app.

What is the Micro Receipt?

The Micro Receipt is a printed 2D barcode (QR code) paper receipt. This QR code can be scanned by any smart phone using the AllReceipts or Itemize app to claim a digital copy of the full length, itemized receipt. The Micro Receipt allows retailers to create a reduced paper receipt, printing only the store name, time stamp, and the AllReceipts QR code.

Who can use Micro Receipt?

The Micro Receipt is an additional service offered by Star Cloud Services. Star Cloud Services is free to install for any retailer using a Star Micronics thermal receipt printer. SCS can either be easily downloaded with the Star futurePRNT Windows driver or integrated with the StarPRNT SDK for iOS and Android. In addition to the Micro Receipt, Star Cloud Services offers a full suite of digital receipting and customer engagement tools.

Star has made it easy for retailers to know which point of sale software has certified Star Cloud Services. Simply look for the “Star Cloud Services Certified” logo on any POS software page or on the Star Micronics Software Partners page.

Benefits for the Retailer

Retailers are now looking for an eco-friendly and simple alternative to offering lengthy paper receipts. The Micro Receipt allows retailers to reduce the paper size of the receipt up to 80% from its original length. With the Micro Receipt, retailers can actually include more information on the receipt while saving on paper! In addition to the transaction information, SCS allows retailers to utilize the back of the digital receipt with its Receipt Flip service. Receipt Flip enables users to include coupons, promotions, terms and conditions, and more on the back side of the digital receipt. Once the receipt is scanned in the AllReceipts app, the shopper can use the Flip feature to access these promotions or conditions.

Retailers can now include store information, coupons, promotions, terms and conditions, bar codes, and more, all while saving on paper!

Benefits for the Shopper

People are beginning to be less accepting of lengthy paper receipts. It’s no secret that long paper receipts can be obnoxious and inconvenient for the shoppers. Often times, shoppers are opting to received email receipts as opposed to the standard paper receipt. The only problem with email receipts is that they are not anonymous. Once a retailer has your email address to send a paper receipt, they can then access more of your personal information, or spam your inbox with unwanted emails.

Star Cloud Services digital receipts are 100% anonymous for the shopper, and the AllReceipts digital receipt app doesn’t require users to give any personal information upon download. With the customer engagement tools such as Receipt Flip and Engage Now, customers can choose when they want to engage with the retailer, rather than being bombarded with emails.

In addition, users only need to scan their receipt once in the AllReceipts app, and the receipt is kept as a digital copy forever. You never have to worry about misplacing or accidentally throwing away a receipt! On the flip side, if the shopper does need to hold on to the paper receipt, the Micro Receipt takes up significantly less space in they shopper’s purse or wallet due to its vastly reduced paper size.

To learn more about the benefits of the Micro Receipt, please click here.

January 31, 2017