Are you a developer looking for a way to streamline your POS app development process? If so, you may want to check out the StarXpand SDK for React Native.
At its core, the StarXpand SDK is a suite of tools and resources that allow you to integrate Star Micronics’ printers, cash drawers, and other peripherals into your React Native app quickly and easily. With just a few lines of code, you can start printing receipts and managing other peripherals directly from your app.
So why choose the StarXpand SDK over other options? Here are a few key benefits to consider:
Easy Integration: The StarXpand SDK was designed to work seamlessly with React Native, so you can easily integrate it into your existing app without having to rewrite large portions of your codebase.
Extensive Documentation: Star Micronics offers extensive documentation and support for the StarXpand SDK, so you can get up and running quickly and troubleshoot any issues.
Flexibility: The SDK supports a wide range of receipt and label printers, cash drawers, and other peripherals, so you can choose the ones that work best for your business needs. This flexibility means you can avoid purchasing hardware that may not be necessary or compatible with your existing systems, saving you money and minimizing the risk of technical issues.
Save Time: StarXpand makes it easy to integrate Star Micronics’ printers, cash drawers, and other peripherals into your applications, reducing the need for additional hardware. A single React Native development allows you to build for both Android and iOS apps. You’d be able to run on both platforms using one codebase.
Save Money with StarXpand
One of the significant benefits of using the StarXpand SDK for React Native is that it can help you save money. By integrating Star Micronics’ printers, cash drawers, and other peripherals directly into your POS app, you can avoid purchasing additional hardware or using third-party solutions that may not be compatible with your existing systems. This can save you significant costs on hardware purchases, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Moreover, the flexibility of the StarXpand SDK means that you can choose the peripherals that work best for your business needs rather than being locked into a particular vendor or product line. This means you can optimize your hardware selection based on cost, functionality, and compatibility rather than being limited by a single provider’s offerings.
By leveraging the flexibility and customization options of the StarXpand SDK, you can create a cost-effective and reliable POS app that meets your specific business requirements.
Find Compatible Star Printers with StarXpand
Find out which Star printers are compatible with StarXpand here.
Whether you’re developing a mobile point-of-sale app, a restaurant ordering system, or any other app that requires printing capabilities, the StarXpand SDK for React Native can help streamline your development process and get your app to market faster. With Star Micronics’ industry-leading POS hardware and excellent technical support, you can trust that you’re choosing innovative and reliable solutions.
Learn More About the StarXpand SDK
Click here to learn more about the StarXpand SDK for React Native on our GSS. You’ll find in-depth technical details on all our printer SDKs, manuals, and more to help you get startedhere.
In today’s digital age, online ordering is more popular than ever, especially in the restaurant industry. DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats are just a few of the most popular online ordering platforms, and many restaurants are now using these services to reach a wider audience and increase sales.
But with the influx of online orders on top of in-person customers, managing things can become overwhelming.
That’s where proper thermal receipt printers come in.
Some thermal receipt printers are better for printing online orders than others because they connect to cloud- and web-based POS systems directly. They’re faster, more efficient, and easy to use. They print out orders as soon as they arrive, allowing the kitchen staff to fulfill them immediately.
Many of these printers are designed to work with a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and tablets, making them an ideal choice for online ordering.
So, how can restaurants use thermal printers with online ordering applications like DoorDash and Uber Eats? Usually, online ordering applications will suggest certain printers to use, or their software also comes with hardware. However, some people may need to purchase a thermal receipt printer on their own.
In any case, here are some tips on how to get started with the proper receipt printer to use with online ordering applications like DoorDash and Uber Eats:
1. Choose a Compatible Thermal Printer
To start, it’s important to choose a thermal printer that is compatible with the online ordering platform you are using. DoorDash and Uber Eats have guidelines for compatible printers, and it’s essential to make sure that the printer you choose meets these requirements. Some of the most popular printers used for online ordering include Star’s TSP100 and mC-Print3 series.
2. Connect the Printer and Set it Up
Once you’ve chosen a compatible printer, you’ll need to connect it to the online ordering application. This typically involves pairing the printer to the tablet or connecting it to the router of your restaurant. The application provider will provide instructions on how to do this. Still, if you have complications, you may also want to consult a professional to ensure the setup is done correctly.
3. Customize the Printer Settings
Finally, you can customize the printer settings to meet your specific needs. For example, you can adjust the font size, add your restaurant’s logo to the printout, and customize the order layout to make it easier for your kitchen staff to read and fulfill the orders.
Online Ordering Solutions: A Quick Guide
Want to know which Star printers are compatible with some of the most popular online ordering applications?
By using thermal printers like Star’s TSP100 series for online ordering apps like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats, restaurants can streamline operations and improve efficiency. Orders will arrive faster, print in real-time, and be sent directly to the kitchen.
This lets kitchen staff start orders immediately and ensures customers receive their food quickly. Plus, the improved accuracy and organization of online orders with the proper printers can help reduce errors and improve the overall customer experience.
If you are a restaurant owner and want to start using online ordering applications like DoorDash or Uber Eats, purchasing the correct thermal printer for what you need can streamline operations and help boost revenue.
With the right printer and a little setup, start taking orders from popular online apps and expand your restaurant’s clientele. Just keep in mind you’ll be busy!
Star Micronics has the POS hardware and technology to help keep your business ahead.
How to Get Your Restaurant Ready for Online Ordering
Are you looking for a new way to grow your restaurant business? Accepting online orders keeps you relevant and competitive.
When people hear the term “artificial intelligence” (AI), it might conjure images of futuristic androids or sentient computers from movies such as I, Robot or AI. But while those things are still in the realm of science fiction, AI has become increasingly engrained in the modern technology we now use every day, from our smartphones to our point-of-sale (POS) systems. AI helps consumers and workers streamline their activities and increase productivity.
But what is artificial intelligence? The Oxford English Dictionary defines AI as “the development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.”
Before AI began to appear in retail technology, large-scale monitoring of employees, inventories, transactions, customer purchase histories, or sales was next to impossible due to limited data management and analysis capabilities. Now, your POS system can incorporate AI to generate smart reports and optimize your data into actionable insights.
Those insights may give you a potent competitive edge. In the recent results of 2022’s McKinsey Global Survey on AI revealed that the number of businesses using AI technologies since 2017 has more than doubled. On top of that, the companies that use AI for marketing and other purposes consistently outperform those that do not.
In fact, a recent blog posted by Techjury revealed that the AI market is projected to grow at CAGR of 38.0% from 2021 to 2030, and that 77% of the devices we already use feature one form of AI or another.
By integrating AI into day-to-day operations, companies can:
Boost efficiency by spending less time sifting through vast streams of data from a variety of disparate sources
Focus on what really matters for their business
Speed up time to action
So, what is artificial intelligence in the context of POS technology, and what does it look like for merchants?
AI Combines and Analyzes POS Data with Real-Time Reports
AI and POS software work together to create continuous intelligence. According to the Gartner Glossary of Information Technology, continuous intelligence is “a design pattern in which real-time analytics are integrated into business operations, processing current and historical data to prescribe actions in response to business moments and other events.” It provides decision automation or decision support.
This intelligence involves a variety of technologies, such as machine learning, event stream processing, optimization, and business rule management. Some of the technologies that can help generate better real-time data include:
Facial Recognition: This technology can generate customer profiles, enhance security, track behaviors, and make specific suggestions that improve sales by providing a personalized experience.
IoT-Enabled Sensors: The Internet of Things (IoT) enables communication and data exchange between objects with computer devices connected to the Internet. A smart POS system can utilize electronic shelf labels to track user behavior, update inventory, and complete transactions anywhere in the store through connected sensors. This function prevents long queues with smart scan technology during peak hours or end-of-season sales (EOSS). It also automatically alerts the inventory manager when items are nearly out of stock, prompting timely reorders and preventing disappointed customers.
With these AI technologies paired with traditional POS reports, merchants can take their data strategy to the next level by leveraging predictive analytics to enhance their insights into inventory management, customer marketing, and sales, creating actionable plans.
With more advanced, AI-based reports, you can create SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals and actionable plans. These reports provide managers and owners with information that uncovers deeper insights.
You can take it a step further with AI power that makes recommendations for you. Some AI programs give you insights and suggest the best responses.
Leverage smart insights to discover shopping patterns and preferences, which you can turn into successful sales strategies. For example, the information you gain can help you decide which products to place near each other and where to position the best or most profitable items for higher sales based on buyer behavior reports and foot-traffic heat maps.
Other SMART insights might assist with decisions and strategies, such as:
Generating loyalty programs for preferred customers who visit your store regularly
Placing additional staff in new locations for customer support
Creating electronic displays that change using facial recognition to show products and promotions tailored to a recognized customer’s profile
Optimize Your Business Operations with AI POS Software
Once you have SMART insights and create strategic responses, watch as your operations speed up and become more optimized. You’ll use your reports to take action to eliminate long checkout lines, reduce stock-outs, and enhance the customer experience in-store and online.
Your actions will bring:
More efficient workflows that eliminate redundancies
Streamlined stocking and other in-store maintenance
Automation of previously manual, tedious processes, freeing your staff to devote more attention to customers
So, what is artificial intelligence when paired with POS solutions? It’s the key to true business intelligence.
Get Your AI from a Smart Provider
AI is readily available to merchants ready to invest in their businesses, streamline their processes, and take control of their data. It starts with understanding which AI technology is best for your business needs, gathering and analyzing your data to generate actionable insights, then optimizing your operations.
Get everything you need to utilize AI with your POS system from your trusted POS hardware provider. Star Micronics has been dedicated to innovation for more than five decades. To learn about the latest POS hardware options to improve your business, contact us today.
Check out Star’s full Product Catalog!
Discover the innovative technology solutions Star Micronics has to offer.
With the right point-of-sale (POS) tablet software and a well-designed tablet display stand, you can transform a simple tablet into an agile, versatile workstation. POS tablets are gaining traction in numerous industries, including restaurants, stores, boutiques, hotels, and entertainment venues. Their lightweight form, affordability, and ease of use make tablet-based POS solutions popular among small and midsize business owners. A recent study by Statista predicts that U.S. tablet usage will reach nearly 155.3 million units by 2025.
When compared to traditional PC-based systems, POS tablets offer a healthy ROI. Unlike legacy integrated POS systems or terminals, which can cost upwards of $5,000 per unit, tablet-based POS solutions are competitively priced, offering a range of low-cost hardware and software options. They take up less space and give your POS a sleek, modern look and feel.
Having the proper display stand to hold your tablet can not only provide a single secure workspace for your busy store or restaurant, but it keeps your tablet protected as well. Low cost does not mean the POS tablet has no value!
Let’s look at what makes a great tablet display stand:
7 Features to Look for in the Best Tablet Stand
The right tablet stand for your business operations will not only enhance and protect your tablet POS investment but also boost customer experience, enhancing your brand’s appeal. Designs vary, but market-leading tablet stands share fundamental characteristics and are easy to spot.
Secure Tablet Mounting
VESA mounting, an industry standard used by numerous industries and manufacturers, enables a tablet stand to accommodate virtually any type of tablet enclosure that holds the tablet and secures it to the stand. However, there are perfectly fine stands out there that do not use VESA. The key is that the attachment is 100% firm and secure. Otherwise, your valuables will end up on the floor.
Clean Cable Management
Sleek, aesthetically designed tablet stands route cables internally, making a favorable first impression and saving precious counter space.
They do more than make your POS station look clean, however. The best POS tablet stands help protect cables from spills, dust, or other accidents that could cause damage.
Enclosure Option
Tablets should be housed in protective enclosures that also look nice. A universal mEnclosure holds virtually any tablet and enables it to be mounted horizontally or vertically. This way, you can change your tablet without buying a new enclosure.
Compatibility with a Variety of Printers
Many shops and restaurants using tablets for their POS also use POS printers. The ability to support a variety of receipt and label printers increases your point-of-sale tablet stand’s functionality, keeping your tablet safe and protecting and housing your printer.
This adds to a stand’s overall versatility. With your POS hardware in one place, you and your staff manage multiple tasks from a single point of access. It’s better for security and better for the customer experience as well.
Sturdy & Made to Last
An all-steel tablet stand with VESA compatibility can reliably support and protect any tablet, future-proofing your investment.
Easy Installation & Readily Available Support
Installation and use should require minimal effort, with best-in-class technical support if needed via live chat and phone, giving you more time to focus on business priorities.
Business-Boosting Features
Optional configuration settings, combined with easy-to-tilt maneuverability and a customer-facing option, can boost your brand and customer experience. When customers see you have a neat and put-together POS, it gives them more trust in your business overall.
Star’s mUnite Tablet Display Stands
Star Micronics has created the mUnite series of tablet display stands and mounts, the latest addition to its acclaimed mCollection series. The stands and mounts are sleekly designed, highly configurable, and easy to set up and use.
A perfect choice for POS and self-service environments, mUnite stands and mounts include the following key features:
Universal VESA Mounting
Most mUnite stands use universal VESA mounting hardware to support all tablet and computer manufacturers, including the Star Micronics mPOS and mCollection lines. But there are a couple of fantastic tablet display stands that do not. Either way, the hold on your tablet is long-term.
Clean Cable Management
mUnite stands hide wires and cables within their sleek housing while routing power supplies under the counter, maximizing valuable countertop real estate.
Easy to Tilt for Customer Interactions
mUnite stands have excellent maneuverability, making them adaptable to numerous settings and easy to tilt for order review, signature capture, and additional functions.
Supports Two Screens
Many mUnite stands can support additional customer-facing displays as well as horizontal and vertical tablet views, extending and enhancing the mUnite experience.
Discover mUnite
Take back your counter with Star’s sleek and functional mUnite stands. Their clean designs keep your tablets connected and optimized while hiding cables, wires, and power supplies. Enhance your brand and delight customers with purpose-built, aesthetically pleasing mUnite tablet stands.
Discover which tablet stand by Star is right for you:
Your clients are facing some of the most severe challenges they’ve ever encountered. Overhead and labor costs are rising, online competition has increased, customer loyalty is fleeting, and labor is hard to find. Merchants committed to business growth need new solutions to overcome these hurdles – and they need value-added resellers (VARs) and other point-of-sale (POS) solution providers to provide guidance and technical expertise to implement them successfully.
Connected workstations that feature terminals or tablets and stands, printers, scales, and online ordering integration increase productivity and efficiency to help merchants future-proof their IT investments.
Providing and adding value to these solutions can also strengthen relationships with your clients and boost your bottom line as you help them use technology to navigate these challenges and achieve success.
But first, what exactly is a connected workstation?
A connected workstation is a grounding place where POS software connects with multiple hardware devices to create cohesive workflows. Employees or customers can enter and manage orders, purchases, payments, inventory, and more.
In an era where customer expectations and industry demands are continuously evolving, the value of a connected workstation cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in boosting productivity, optimizing workflow, and, ultimately, driving business success.
The Value of a Connected POS Workstation
Connected workstations have become increasingly vital in the retail and hospitality industries as they greatly help streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. By integrating various devices and applications in one area, businesses can create a seamless, data-driven environment that enables real-time communication, improved order accuracy, and efficient inventory management.
Furthermore, a connected workstation offers a centralized platform for staff to access crucial information, empowering them to make better-informed decisions and provide exceptional service.
Future-proofing these POS or back-of-house workstations can help combat the most significant struggles faced by the hospitality industries:
Online ordering management
Labor shortages
Delivery automation
New payment methods
Let’s dive into each of these issues:
Online Ordering and Delivery
Online ordering and delivery have become necessary to compete in the hospitality industry. By implementing these solutions, your clients can improve cash flow; however, it requires a range of new software and hardware solutions for effective management.
A backend-connected workstation, including printing solutions for labels and receipts for third-party delivery services, can help a restaurant organize these operations, ensuring every customer receives accurate, on-time orders. Additionally, a solution like CloudPRNT gives employees managing online orders and delivery the freedom to print from any location in the restaurant by communicating directly with web-based POS applications.
Find out more about the benefits of creating connected POS workstations by downloading the rest of our free ebook:
The Future-Proof Technology You Need To Create Connected Workstations For Your Industry
Discover how future-proof technology can create optimized workstations to keep your business ahead of the competition.
The retail industry has been through some crazy ups and downs since the global pandemic began. Between the labor shortage, supply-chain issues, and the stock market crash, it’s a wonder how retailers can keep up with consumers at all. And now that we’re in the thick of the holiday season, there’s been mixed reporting on how this season will compare to last season. Business owners want to know: will holiday shopping be different this year?
“After nearly three years of suppressed behavior resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, people are primed to go all out to celebrate for the holidays. In the survey, 55 percent of US respondents say they are excited about holiday shopping, and most people have the savings to spend.”
So, there is good reason to believe this holiday shopping season will be as busy as ever. Because of this, retailers and other business owners need all the help they can get during this stressful but rewarding time.
Where the Point-of-Sale Comes In
One of the most central areas in any retail store is the point-of-sale (POS). This is typically the final stop on the customer’s journey before leaving. The POS is where the payment process begins and ends, and the entire customer experience there must be seamless. Otherwise, retailers risk never seeing that customer again.
Read on to find out how the POS can help retailers better prepare for the holiday season.
How the POS Can Help the Holiday Rush
An increase in sales is, of course, the goal of any retailer. But what happens when you expect a steep rise in sales while simultaneously experiencing a labor shortage?
The right technology can help short-staffed retailers survive the holiday season and thrive in it. After all, making a positive, lasting impression on shoppers by providing a flawless customer experience will pay off well into the future, not just this winter.
Online Ordering
When a store is short-handed, it’s especially important to streamline and quicken transactions. Being able to rapidly process a purchase or retrieve a buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS) order means more sales and happier customers at the end of the day.
If your store isn’t already online, it should be. Shipping to customers can keep your brick-and-mortar location flowing smoothly. Even if you don’t ship to customers, having the option to place a BOPIS order can not only make your shoppers’ lives more convenient but lighten the load of your salesfloor staff so they can focus on more important initiatives like customer service and swiftly processing the remaining in-store purchases.
You can streamline your online ordering operations even more by utilizing technology like linerless labels to keep everything organized. Ideal for quickly and efficiently labeling orders, these peel-and-stick labels eliminate the pesky, messy traditional label liners and can easily be removed and reapplied. It may be wise to have a linerless label printer around.
Self-checkout kiosks can really be a “two birds, one stone” solution for the holidays: they can alleviate your limited staff’s workload while also giving customers the option to pay at their own pace and without having to worry about coming in contact with another person. And shoppers love them, too. In the 2022 Digital-First Customer Experience Report, 81% of surveyed consumers in the US and UK expect more self-service options. And we already know people have been using self-checkouts much more since the start of the pandemic. They’re more comfortable with self-service than ever, and the technology will only get better from here.
Mobile Payments
Even if you are still experiencing long lines in your brick-and-mortar, there’s a solution for you: mobile payments. With a mobile card reader and portable receipt printer, your staff can ring card- or mobile wallet-paying customers up anywhere in the store. Another “two birds, one stone” solution is mobile payments, which can allow staff to provide customer service or restock shelves while having the technology on hand to ring up any purchases nearby customers may have.
We must remember that we are still coming out of the grip of a global pandemic. You can make holiday shoppers feel safe and confident by incorporating a variety of health and safety solutions into your brick-and-mortar store. Examples of these solutions include a sneeze guard at the POS and customer service counters, readily available hand sanitizer, and antimicrobial covers on door handles, bathroom surfaces, and more.
Receipt Marketing
With everything going digital, it’s easy to forget the power of a simple sales receipt. Receipts are prime real estate for advertising to customers. It goes directly into their hand after they’ve already made a purchase, making it more than likely that they will return. Despite popular belief, many people still do look at their receipts. Having promotional material right on the receipt raises the chances that high-quality customers will take notice.
From the Blog: How a Paper Receipt Benefits ROI and the Customer Experience
With so much competition, it’s important to not only boost cost efficiency but also optimize the experience customers have from the moment they enter the door up until the transaction is completed. Discover how paper receipts can help you achieve all of that – and more.
Star’s Retail Solutions Will Have You Holiday-Ready
Whether you are a retail store looking for products to help you this holiday season or you are a reseller hoping to offer your retail customers a relevant solution, Star has the hardware you need for a complete POS solution.
Kiosk Printers
Printers are an integral part of self-checkouts. Star is proud to provide a range of reliable self-service kiosk printers with a variety of print widths and connectivity options. Learn more >
Tablet Stands
Star Micronics is proud to offer both function and style with its mUnite tablet display stands and mounts, built to accompany our vast array of printers, cash drawers, scales, and peripherals. These all-steel stands, kiosks, and mounts are compatible with any tablet manufacturer and any of our tablet enclosures, including the popular Universal mEnclosure. Learn more >
CloudPRNT
Star makes online ordering easy. By choosing a printer equipped with CloudPRNT technology, you can print online orders automatically – no extra tablet needed. Learn more >
Portable Printers
Looking to line-bust? Star’s portable printers are what you need. With Bluetooth, Apple BLE, and USB connectivity, these on-the-go printers print receipts and labels. Better yet, they have rugged housing and feature a long battery life, as well. Learn more >
Star Micronics Cloud Services
With Star Micronics Cloud Services, developers and business owners can monitor connected Star devices in real-time, collect crucial data, and create customized receipts, tickets, and labels. Add promotional material to receipts and schedule holiday sales. Update firmware offsite. Star Cloud Services makes it easier than ever for merchants to elevate their brands. Learn more >
Receipt Marketing is Easy with Star Cloud Services
Adding promotional content to receipts with Star Cloud Services is a simple, free way to get messages out to highly engaged customers. These cloud-based services allow receipt promotions to be set up and scheduled beforehand, automatically printing on certain days or times.
Here are some examples:
Using the POS for Holiday-Preparedness is Clear
Though it’s always insanely busy, retailers should not be worried about the retail holiday season. If steps are taken ahead of time, and they’re utilizing every resource, including their point-of-sale system, merchants and business owners can absolutely keep up with consumers during every holiday shopping season!
The Value of Receipts: Printed and Digital
There’s no getting away from it: receipts hold great value and are an irrefutable part of everyday life.
In a world where consumer attention spans are shrinking, and store competition has never been more cutthroat, retailers need to find new ways to make their customers want to return to their stores again and again. One way to do this is by introducing a self-service kiosk in stores.
Many reports have found that customers want more self-service options as they shop, especially as technology improves. Self-service kiosks allow customers to quickly get the information they need and make purchases without waiting on any service staff, but there are more benefits, and they all lead to more sales.
5 Ways A Self-Service Kiosk Can Boost Retail Sales
The following five ways a self-service kiosk can boost retail sales will show how these changes can help retailers compete in today’s market.
1) Help with Labor Shortage
Self-service kiosks can help retailers bypass much of the pain of the ongoing labor shortage. They reduce the overhead costs of labor and allow shoppers to interact with products without a salesperson’s assistance. This also allows retailers to give better customer service since the kiosks can provide in-depth product knowledge and personalized recommendations.
All items are neatly organized onscreen and show whether they’re in stock, saving employees time and energy going back and forth to check on supply or answer customer questions. Self-service kiosk software can answer most questions right on the spot. Then, in-store employees have more time to help shoppers with other needs.
2) Decreased Wait Times
Long wait times are a major reason retailers lose sales, but self-service kiosks can help. By allowing customers to serve themselves, they help shorten the wait time and create an experience where the customer is in control. Some self-service kiosks require a clerk to monitor, but one employee may be all you need to serve many customers at once with multiple kiosks around. An example of this we see every day is at the grocery check-out.
3) Increased Upselling
The use of self-service kiosks can also increase upselling. POS software for self-service kiosks can show customers other items they may like as they ring up current selections, often resulting in greater sales. The shopper might have been looking for a sweater, but after viewing more products in the clothing department, they may buy a jacket or pair of pants as well. With the help of self-order kiosks, retailers can track what each customer is looking at so that staff members know to suggest other items that are likely to sell.
4) Real-time Analytics
This brings us to our next point: self-service kiosks can track customer behavior in real time. Having up-to-date analyses of your customers is critical in decision-making and marketing. The data from POS software on self-service kiosks can help you make more strategic decisions about your store. For example, email campaigns can be optimized based on customer browsing behavior and buying trends tracked within the software.
On the other hand, for retail managers, these tools can provide a wealth of insights into customer demographics and a breakdown of how different people browse your store. Inventory is tracked automatically, and merchants can see which items are selling better and at what times. Self-service kiosks can help retailers get to know their customers based on purchases, so knowing what items are popular and what to stock more of is easier than ever. Self-ordering kiosks also allow customers to complete simple tasks like signing up for rewards programs or redeeming coupons on the spot.
5) Increased Customer Satisfaction
Self-service kiosks work great because they’re easily accessible to most consumers. Most people are comfortable using a touchscreen to navigate through a platform. The kiosks cut back on lines, getting rid of awful waiting times. They also create a welcoming environment by providing instant gratification, and they offer personalized services to each customer that makes them feel valued.
Customer satisfaction inevitably rises with less waiting time and more personalized shopping experiences. When shoppers are happy with their experience, they are much more likely to return for repeat purchases and recommend the store to friends and family members. All of this leads to increased sales.
Self-Service Kiosks Boost Sales
With all the above benefits, it’s easy to see how self-service kiosks can boost retail sales. Using technology to help customers ring themselves up and browse through store selections isn’t going away. Self-service is growing. How are you incorporating it into your own business to stay competitive?
Star has all you need for self-service kiosk printing and more!
SaaS, HaaS, and On-Premises: Different Go-to-Market Models for Software Developers and ISVs
Independent software vendors (ISVs) and developers devote time, attention, and resources to developing applications that address their markets’ challenges and pain points. An ISV’s success depends on achieving those objectives. However, it’s equally important to determine the best way to deliver software to consumers and take it to market.
The Software as a Service (SaaS) model is an increasingly popular choice. Grand View Research predicts the SaaS market, valued at $165.9 billion in 2021, will grow at an 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2028 to reach more than $382 billion, while overall software growth predicts a 4% CAGR in the same timeframe.
The benefits to users, developers, ISVs, and their partner channels are driving SaaS growth faster.
The Benefits of SaaS vs. On-Premises
SaaS has several advantages over on-premises software delivery for users. Compare the two options, point-by-point:
Maintenance: When a business buys a software license and uploads an application onto an on-premises server, that business is responsible for software maintenance, patches, and updates. With SaaS, the vendor typically handles software maintenance at no added cost, making it easier on customers.
Upfront costs: SaaS usually offers users more flexibility with lower upfront costs. It’s perfect for businesses just starting, or those looking to reallocate funds to other focuses like R&D. Users often pay for the first month to begin using the software, plus a one-time integration or onboarding fee. SaaS pricing models often enable lower costs than paying for the software outright.
Free trials: One SaaS business model example allows ISVs to use a product-led marketing strategy. Users can try the software risk-free to ensure it meets their needs and provides value – and when it does, they can subscribe with just a few clicks. This option isn’t possible with on-premises software.
Flexibility: Technology is advancing at a fast pace. So much so that it’s hard for some on-premises software users to get their money’s worth from a license before the application is outdated. SaaS software vendors can add features and update their software with the times, allowing users to take advantage of the latest and greatest tech.
Remote access: SaaS products usually reside in the cloud, allowing users to log in and use them from internet-connected devices. On-premises software requires a VPN or other means of securely connecting to the server to use it remotely.
SaaS Business Model Benefits ISVs & Channels
The SaaS business model also has benefits for ISVs and their channels. SaaS solutions are already provisioned. In many cases, users can install them on their own and get up and running in minutes, saving your team time.
SaaS products also typically reside in a multitenant, cloud environment, helping keep your costs low and allowing you to scale up or down easily. Developing via microservices architecture in the cloud also makes it simple for you to create and test new features. You can have multiple instances and migrate incrementally to minimize risk and disruption.
Additionally, ISVs and their channel can benefit financially by the ability to build a steady, monthly recurring revenue stream (MRR) from SaaS subscriptions. With a solution customers love, MRR will build as sales reps close additional deals. It’s a much easier path toward growth than making one-time sales, and it helps level out cash flow.
Keep in mind, however, that some markets prefer on-premises software. Examples include embedded point-of-sale (POS) software, MedTech solutions that must be installed in healthcare facilities, and railroad or intermodal transportation signaling. The key is to know your market and the delivery method they require.
SaaS with HaaS: Bundle Software and Hardware
Another option ISVs should consider, particularly for complex business applications, is to take your software to market by bundling it with hardware. Users appreciate simplicity. Bundling eliminates the need for them to find hardware certified with your solution that provides them with the necessary functionality. They also have the assurance that everything works together the way it’s supposed to out of the box.
Moreover, depending on the business model you choose, you may be able to offer users Hardware as a Service (HaaS) as well as SaaS. This may be even more attractive to customers as they “lease” your software and your integrated hardware, sparing them the hassles of seeking out and buying any hardware. Bundling HaaS and SaaS can bring you considerable revenue you can rely on.
If the bundle is relatively easy to deploy and set up, you could consider selling directly. However, if it requires IT expertise, you may benefit from selling the bundle through a channel that can provide the end user with the proper service and support. Another option is to work with a value-added distributor that bundles solutions for ISV and hardware partners. In either case, partnerships are vital to raising brand visibility and increasing SaaS or on-premises software sales. Make sure you and your partners are on the same page with sales goals, responsibilities, pricing, and margin to build a mutually beneficial relationship.
How Does Inflation Factor in Your Decision?
If you’re about to launch a new solution in an uncertain economy, it’s wise to factor that into your launch strategy. An economic downturn may make pricing models for SaaS or HaaS solutions more attractive to end users because it allows them to upgrade or refresh their technology without significant capital expenditure. It can enable them to make IT a manageable monthly operating expense, which can have tax benefits.
Suppose your application is designed to save money, such as offering automated processes that help decrease labor hours, incorporate self-service, or solve other pain points in your market. In that case, more businesses could choose your solution because of an economic downturn based on the ROI.
Also, remember the software delivery cost to your organization, whether SaaS, a HaaS bundle, or on-premises, and choose to take your application to market most cost-effectively and successfully.
As always, making an informed choice that’s best for your business and market makes all the difference.
The Star Empower Program helps channel partners boost profit while offering top-of-the-line POS solutions for today’s market.
Star Micronics began its widely successful Star Empower Program to better serve its resellers and distributors after the Covid-19 pandemic put a wrench in global commerce. The groundbreaking program helps channel partners keep their competitive edge without sacrificing the high-end point-of-sale (POS) solutions they deserve.
Program benefits at a glance:
Steep discounts
Marketing and integration support
Priority access to new products
Read on for more!
The Empower Program benefits partners according to their business models and helps businesses increase margins and boost growth. Partners are also provided access to the Star Partner Portal, where they can:
The Loyalty Program, an extension of the Star Empower Program, allows partners to engage in exclusive marketing and business development assistance, furthering their bottom line. With marketing support from Star, these benefits can increase partners’ brand visibility and overall revenue.
Perks include lead referrals, tradeshow sponsorship, MDF incentives, priority access to new products, and more. Members also enjoy access to Star’s vast network of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Value-Added Resellers (VARs).
The Star Empower Partner Program offers the following benefits:
Product discounts and priority access
Sales and marketing support
Sponsorship at tradeshows
Development resources from Star’s dedicated Integration Team
Deal Registration
Star Micronics Partner Portal access with a custom dashboard
Star believes community empowerment is the best way to create win-win outcomes and stay competitive.
“The program captures our ‘Always Leading, Always Innovating’ spirit and increases synergy with our channel partners, enhancing product value and restoring channel integrity while rewarding our loyal partners’ commitment to our success.”
Mike Hanson, Executive Vice President at Star Micronics America
Star will feature its extensive line of innovations at VARTECH 2022 in Orlando, FL, including the latest mPOP® & TSP143IV solutions.
Somerset, NJ – August 31, 2022 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point-of-sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is excited to show off its latest technology at BlueStar’s VARTECH 2022 show, held in Orlando, Florida, September 12-13, at the Rosen Shingle Creek.
The VARTECH conference is the prime opportunity for value-added resellers to cultivate thriving and rewarding business relationships with hardware manufacturers and software solution providers. Despite current supply-chain issues, Star Micronics has worked hard to meet market demand, assist channel partners, and provide innovative benefits to many retail verticals.
Star has launched a variety of modern POS and self-service solutions since the last VARTECH conference and will be showcasing:
The return of the mPOP® with new direct iOS connectivity for all-day use.
The acclaimed TSP143IV in two models; the TSP143IVUE with Android Open Accessory (AOA) support and a USB/LAN dual interface, and the TSP143IVUW with USB-C and dual-band WiFi connectivity.
A kiosk printing solution that uses repositionable linerless label paper, the SK1-311 SK.
Three models within the mG-T series of POS scales, the mG-T12, mG-T30, & mG-T60; ideal for shops, grocery stores, and farmer’s markets.
The extensive new line of mUnite modern tablet display stands and mounts.
New WiFi-loving models of the popular mC-Print2 & mC-Print3 series; two thermal printing solutions from the state-of-the-art mCollection®.
A wide variety of popular accessories, consumables, and portable thermal printers.
Want to see Star outside of the tradeshow floor? Star will host a Sunday night reception from 6 – 9 pm with a Star Patio Soiree under the beautiful Floridian stars! They’ll also participate in Monday’s International Food Fest by the Ice Wall with light-up cornhole. On the final night, Star will be jammin’ in the Bob Marley VIP section upstairs during the Universal City Walk Block Party. The fun will be had by all!
“Star Micronics has been investing in several areas to help channel partners succeed. Following our ‘Always Leading, Always Innovating’ decree, this includes diversifying and expanding our product offerings and bolstering our supply chain operations and sourcing. Globally, Star has been strategic, expanding manufacturing capacity aggressively… Star is dedicated to providing our channel partners with a full solution suite.”
Mike Hanson, Executive Vice President of Star Micronics America
Star Micronics, a world’s leader in point of sale, has designated a portfolio of printing, secure cash management, scanners, scales, stands, and customer engagement solutions for any retail or hospitality establishment in POS and mPOS environments. Embracing the mobility wave, Star’s complementary SDKs allow users to utilize Star in tandem with Android™, iOS, iPad®, and iPhone® devices to generate receipts, Chit, and labels for its printers. In addition, Star Micronics is always leading and innovating, enabling web-based printing solutions, including remote cloud printing, wireless cash drawer solutions, proximity-based printing, and secure cash management. For more information, visit www.starmicronics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
