Tag: Mobile POS (mPOS)

Star Micronics Introduces POSShield Protective Barrier for SMB Retailers and Restaurants

A professional, affordable, and adaptable sneeze and virus-protection guard designed for mPOS

Somerset, NJ – May 26, 2020 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is proud to announce the addition of the POSShield protective barrier to its product portfolio for SMB retailers and restaurants.

The POSShield, which acts as a sneeze guard and limits the spread of germs, is placed in between the cashier and the customer, and is comprised of a durable steel frame and a protective plexiglass partition. Measuring 30” wide and 33” tall, the POSShield is an ideal size for SMBs with limited counterspace, as each shield protects one cashier. Additional shields may be purchased to accommodate multiple cashiers. Designed for today’s businesses, the POSShield is adaptable and compatible with any existing POS or mPOS terminal.

The POSShield features a sturdy base plate with no countertop mounting or drilling required, making it easy to install and relocate. With a focus on mobility and reusability, the POSShield can be easily reinstalled for future use cases including flu seasons, changes in store setup, and more. The gap in between the sneeze guard and the countertop enables the safe passing and scanning of products and can be adjusted to fit a cashier’s needs. Payment pin pad terminals can be mounted to the pole if needed, and supplies are included to mount the shield to the countertop, if desired.

Learn More about POSShield

“We understand the needs of businesses everywhere are changing rapidly,” said Michael Hanson, Executive Vice President of Star Micronics. “The POSShield provides the professional and reasonably priced protection businesses and consumers need now, as well as the ability to be easily reused well into the future.”

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

May 26, 2020
How to Select the Best POS Hardware System for SMB Customers
As a reseller, your SMB customers rely on you to introduce them to affordable, yet high quality point of sale (POS) hardware systems that meet their exact needs and are built for the future. With so many options available on the market, it is wise to have a set of guiding principles to help you in your search for the ideal solution. Read on to discover five key considerations to keep in mind while helping your customers select the best POS hardware system.

Key Considerations: How to Select the Best POS Hardware System

1. A Full Solution Provider

These days, there are many moving parts involved in the POS and your customers don’t want a piecemeal solution from multiple vendors; they want a one-stop shop. With tablet-based POS growing in popularity, connectivity options between the POS terminal, receipt printer, and all peripherals is imperative. And depending on the industry, your customer may have more specific needs. For example, a café may have a need for not only a stationary POS, but a separate station for to-go orders that can accommodate online ordering and linerless labeling.

To best meet these wants and needs, choose a hardware manufacturer that offers everything from receipt printers and label printers, to all-in-ones and tablet POS stands. An added bonus is a manufacturer that can also provide a steady supply of authentic consumables like receipt paper, a variety of labels, and ink ribbons.

2. The Right Technology

Like we mentioned above, in the age of mobile POS (mPOS), technology really matters. It’s important to make sure that the hardware system you propose to your customer has the proper connectivity and interfaces to ensure every piece of the puzzle – from the tablet and the receipt printer to the cash drawer and barcode scanner – work together seamlessly.

Technology extends beyond hardware, though. It’s important to choose a hardware manufacturer that has software on their radar, as well. What does this look like? One thing to look for is a hardware provider that has an easy-to-integrate SDK for their product line, and it’s also important to look at what software integrations the provider has available. You’ll want to be sure to propose a solution to your customers that is already integrated with their POS software company, and choosing a hardware manufacturer with industry-leading integrations is a sure-fire way to do so.

Value-added technology can also provide great benefit to your customers. Some hardware manufacturers offer free marketing tools, like easy-to-use, cloud-based customizable receipt marketing, which can set the solution apart from competition.

3. Quality Counts

A wide product portfolio and robust technology features are great, but to be truly worthwhile they need to be reliable. Be sure to choose a reputable POS hardware supplier that thoroughly tests products and offers high quality options like fast and dependable printers, durable cash drawers with reinforced strength, and more. Make sure that the high-quality hardware is also backed by a strong included warranty, and the ability to purchase extended warranties for a hassle-free future.

4. Ready for Today and Tomorrow

Another important consideration is the lifecycle of the POS hardware solution you will be proposing. Will this solution work for a year or two, or is it designed to be compatible with POS trends years down the road? A good rule of thumb is to work with POS hardware manufacturers that offer a future-proof solution that will work for years to come no matter what POS trends come our way.

Some future-proof features to look for are:
- Flexible and modern connectivity options that mean the POS hardware can work with multiple operating systems and device types.
- Related to the first point, choosing hardware that can physically accommodate a wide range of POS options is a smart idea. For example, a tablet POS stand that allows tablets to be VESA mounted means even if the customer changes their tablet of choice down the road, their other hardware will still work.
- A sleek, modern, and functional style that will match the customer’s store aesthetic for a long period of time. An example of this is a tablet POS stand that features clean cable management, the ability to tilt to capture customer signatures, and space to be custom branded for marketing purposes.
5. The Price is Right

Last but not least, affordability is no doubt an important consideration when it comes to helping your customer choose the best POS hardware system. A good rule of thumb is to choose a hardware supplier that offers a variety of hardware in a range of prices. Keep in mind the hardware options with the lowest price tags may not be the most affordable in the long run. To ensure your customer is getting the most bang for their buck, be sure to deeply research quality, warranty options, and the ability to seamlessly work with the POS technology trends that will emerge in the years to come.

We hope that these tips help you identify the best POS hardware system for your SMB customers that feature the style, technology, and quality required – at an affordable price tag.

mUnite: A POS Stand Built for the Future

The Star Micronics mUnite tablet POS stand is a great example of a piece of dependable, stylish POS hardware that is designed to work well into the future. The mUnite – which is compatible with the Star Micronics mC-Print3 , mPOP™, TSP143III, and TSP654II – features:
- Universal VESA mounting
  
  mUnite Stand
- Hidden cable management
- Compatibility with any iOS, Android, and Windows tablet or touchscreen computer (device, enclosure, and printer not included)
- Easy-to-tilt functionality for customer interactions
- The ability to support a second screen to display price, marketing messaging, and more
Click here to learn more about the mUnite.

Star Micronics is proud to offer a full line of POS hardware for today’s businesses.

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May 14, 2020
5 Ways Ergonomic mPOS Solutions for Large Retailers Increase Sales and Boost Customer Satisfaction
Consumers, increasingly accustomed to online and mobile shopping experiences, have developed new expectations when shopping in physical stores. They expect sales associates to be able to access their purchase histories and other information so offers and services can be tailored specifically for them, making their shopping experiences more personalized and convenient. Smart retailers are looking for ways to meet these expectations, and go above and beyond to delight customers with in-store customer experiences unlike anything that online shopping could provide. For large retailers, mobile point of sale (mPOS) technology is a key enabler in providing these experiences.

Tablets used in mPOS applications should have a stylish, sleek design that demonstrates a modern and relevant brand. It’s more than just about appearance, however; mPOS solutions need to be ergonomic so sales associates can carry and use them throughout a shift without fatigue. Tablet solutions should also be versatile, empowering your staff with the information and applications they need to engage customers who are using smartphones in-store to research products or comparison shop.

There are five basic ways ergonomic mPOS solutions can help large retailers increase sales as well as customer satisfaction:
- Line busting
  
  The Star Micronics mPOP all-in-one is an ideal ergonomic mPOS solution.
- Staff empowerment
- Space saving design
- Fast and secure transactions
- Improved customer experience
Line Busting

Today’s consumers want what they want, when they want it — including a checkout process that is as easy in the store as it is online. Some shoppers will abandon their intended purchases rather than waiting on long lines. Furthermore, a study by Omnico Group revealed more than 77 percent of consumers say they are less likely to return to a store where they encountered long lines.

Mobile point of sale solutions help retailers better manage store traffic and shorten lines at stationary checkout counters. With mPOS, employees can use tablets to complete sales and process payments anywhere in the store, and will also have the ability to provide customer service outdoors at sidewalk sales or pop-up shops. Service on the spot, with less of a wait, makes the shopping experience more convenient and pleasant, and decreases the potential for customer dissatisfaction and lost sales.

Moreover, when mPOS gives customers the option to pay for merchandise at the point of decision, they are less likely to change their mind about purchasing your product — which can mean more revenue. Line busting supported by mPOS technology also simplifies another process that can negatively impact the shopping experience — merchandise returns. With mPOS solutions, retailers can accept returns in store aisles or use an mPOS solution to set up a temporary additional lane for returns at the customer service counter. This is an especially useful option during a period of high volume returns such as after the holidays. This also helps create a positive experience for customers, and perhaps, make them more likely to replace unwanted items with new merchandise and return to the store in the future.

Download the full eBook, “5 Ways Ergonomic mPOS Solutions for Large Retailers Increase Sales and Boost Customer Satisfaction.”

Staff Empowerment

Customers have high expectations about sales associates who assist them in brick-and-mortar stores. After all, if shoppers can go online to access their purchase histories, a list of items that they browsed, updates on their loyalty rewards, order status, and shipping information, why can’t in-store staff? Consumers also expect sales associates to have in-depth product knowledge, or at least be able to access information. If a shopper can look up information on his smartphone, the sales associate should be able to do the same.

mPOS technology puts all of this information at sales associates’ fingertips. Using their tablets, the sales staff is empowered to respond quickly to customers’ needs. They can provide immediate answers to questions about product prices and availability by utilizing mPOS devices to tap into the POS and inventory management systems. If the items they are looking for are out of stock, a sales associate can check availability at other stores or warehouses and have it shipped, saving the sale.

Equipping sales associates with mPOS means the best of both worlds for customers shopping in-store: they have access to the information they need to make their purchasing decisions as well as face-to-face service and interaction with friendly sales associates.

Reduced Footprint

In addition to better, faster, more customer-centric service, ergonomic mPOS solutions have another advantage: a small footprint. Unlike traditional POS hardware, these solutions can be used anywhere and, when set up as a stationary POS terminal, they are much smaller. Since they require less space on the counter, there is typically room to display impulse items or signage in an organized, aesthetically pleasing manner. An ergonomic mPOS configuration also will eliminate the need for multiple cables, which can detract from a store’s overall aesthetic appeal, as well as make it more difficult for employees to maneuver their way around the POS station.

Increased employee comfort and the potential for improved employee performance is another practical advantage of mPOS technology. For store associates, operating large or bulky POS equipment in a cramped area can be uncomfortable and may lead to mistakes or damaged merchandise.

Fast, Secure Transactions

A more organized checkout area, thanks to mPOS, can help sales associates total sales and serve customers more quickly. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of mPOS advantages when it comes to payments. Advanced mPOS solutions support a variety of payment types including quick, secure, contactless payments powered by near field communications (NFC) used in mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Google Pay. mPOS tablets and other devices can also accept EMV chip card payments that help protect against fraudulent payment card transactions.

An mPOS tablet can also include a scanner that enables sales associates to scan barcodes or QR codes from a paper or digital coupon, so discounts can be applied. When loyalty rewards programs are integrated with your POS system, this information will also be available to sales associates via mPOS devices, so they can communicate points totals or help customers redeem their points for rewards. mPOS solutions can also include mobile printers so customers can still receive a paper receipt — even a receipt imprinted with coupons, surveys or other messaging — from anywhere the transaction takes place on the sales floor.

Improved Customer Experience

Although there is competition from e-commerce and other channels, shoppers still primarily choose physical stores to make their purchases. The latest U.S. Census Bureau e-commerce sales statistics show e-commerce is less than 10 percent of total retail sales. The competition is primarily with other brick-and-mortar retailers who are also trying to provide an “online” experience to shoppers in their stores.

Using data collected from all channels, sales associates can engage customers with relevant suggestions based on past purchases, asking if they’ve seen a designer’s new line or if it’s time to upgrade an electronic device purchased at their store. Sales associates can also upsell or cross-sell, suggesting additional items that can complete a purchase, helping shoppers feel more pleased with their new merchandise — and increasing revenue for the retailer.

mPOS also helps retailers continue to fill their customer databases or customer relationship management (CRM) solution with information that helps them better understand their markets. This helps with merchandise replenishment and demand forecasting, which means customers are rarely disappointed because they can’t find what they’re looking for.

Discover the full multitude of benefits that ergonomic POS solutions provide large retailers.

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April 30, 2020
Contactless Payments: A Safer, More Efficient Payment Alternative
Social distancing and minimizing human contact are topics that are on everyone’s mind these days, and for good reason. Consumers and businesses alike are leveraging strategies to limit any possible exposure to outside germs – and one of those strategies is contactless payments.

Contactless payments – or processing transactions via the tap of a credit/debit card, smartphone, or smart watch – are undoubtedly an effective way to keep business flowing while keeping your employees and your customers safe. But an added bonus is that contactless payments are growing in popularity around the world and are sure to serve you well into the future. Read on to learn more about contactless payments, how to get started accepting these modern transactions, and additional tips on how to keep safe during this challenging time.

What are Contactless Payments?

Contactless payments can take many forms. According to Investopedia,

“Contactless payment is a secure method for consumers to purchase products or services using a debit, credit, or smartcard—also known as a chip card—by using RFID technology or near-field communication (NFC).

To make a contactless payment, tap your card near a point-of-sale terminal that is equipped with the contactless payment technology. Since contactless payments do not require a signature or a personal identification number (PIN), transaction sizes on cards are limited. The allowable amount for a contactless transaction varies by country and by the bank.

Contactless payment is also referred to as tap-and-go by some banks and retailers. Examples of non-credit or debit card contactless payments include transit cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Google Wallet.”

While these payments may seem like a recent trend, the technology has been in existence since the 1990s – however, at that time, only a small number of merchants used this payment method.

Benefits of Contactless Payments

Hygienic: Contactless payments are a cleaner alternative to paying with cash or using a pin pad on a credit/debit card terminal. Simply put, there’s less opportunity for contamination.

Fast: A major benefit of contactless payments is how speedy they are because no PIN is required, and your employees don’t need to manage cash transactions. By speeding up transactions, you can successfully line-bust and keep your customers happy.

Improved customer experience: Like we just mentioned, contactless payments create a streamlined, easy, and quick experience – something consumers are sure to love.

Secure: While some people are under the impression that contactless payments are not as secure as a chip card transaction, contactless payments provide the same EMV security provided by chip cards.

How Popular are Contactless Payments?

According to a 2018 report, in the US 26% of all consumer transactions (that’s 50 billion purchases!) are made with cash, but contactless payments are building in popularity around the world and the US is bound to follow the global trend. For example, contactless payments account for approximately 20% of all transactions in Australia, Canada, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

It seems the US is already on that path – TD Bank has seen a surge in contactless transactions following the coronavirus outbreak, and it’s likely that consumers will continue paying for their purchases in this quick and easy way well after the pandemic has ended.

Star Micronics has the POS hardware you need to enable modern payments including contactless, pay-at-the-table, and more.

How to Implement Contactless Payments

Are you ready to get started with contactless payments, if you haven’t already? Here’s what you need to know.

Most banks offer contactless credit and debit cards, as well as the terminals that are required for, and equipped for, processing contactless transactions. These terminals have a contactless payment symbol to show customers that contactless payment methods are accepted, but you may also communicate to your customers that you accept these payments in person, through social media or email, by placing a sign at the point of sale, or via receipt marketing.

Some retailers set a low limit for contactless systems to prevent fraud, but some do still allow large transactions, with a required signature.

When it’s time to pay, customers hold their card, smartphone, or smart watch 1” to 2” from the contactless symbol on the terminal. When the payment has been accepted, the terminal will alert the customer with a beep, green light, or checkmark.

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

More Ways to Stay Safe

Clean your POS: Consult your various hardware manufacturers regarding safe cleaning protocols.

Leverage online ordering: As dine-in service and brick-and-mortar options have essentially come to a standstill, it’s a great time to leverage online ordering if you haven’t already. Click here to discover tips on how to do just that. Have you been wondering if you’re ready for online ordering? Don’t worry, we have the answer.

Offer curbside pickup: Take your exposure limitation even further by offering curbside pickup. Click here to discover how your restaurant can implement curbside pickup.

Communicate with your customers: Last – but certainly not least – always communicate with your customers. Even though consumers are following quarantine and social distancing policies, they still desire to be in the loop with what you’re doing as a business, so be sure to keep them in-the-know with any relevant specials or safety procedures.

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

What can Worldnet’s Omnichannel Integrated Payments do for you?

Worldnet is proud to offer a simple omnichannel integration that brings your eCommerce, Back Office and Cardholder Present payment solutions together, and presents all that data directly into your software solution, ERP, or CRM system.

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April 23, 2020
How to Plan for an Effortless POS Deployment
These days, while the state of business and the world at large comes with a lot of uncertainty, one thing that is sure to be a constant in the future is mobile point of sale (mPOS). Many business owners may have some downtime on their hands and it’s natural for them to plan for when their doors reopen. A modern POS that’s ready for the future may be a part of those plans.

You can help your customers hit the ground running by having a healthy knowledge of what it takes to plan for an effortless POS deployment. Every business has specifics needs, and POS is certainly not “one size fits all,” but in today’s blog post we’ll explore the fundamentals of how to offer your customers a solution that will work for them well into the future.

POS Deployment Step 1: The Meat and Potatoes

First, you must consider the “meat and potatoes” of the POS deployment. What does this include, you might wonder? Hardware, software, and scalability are all good concerns to keep in the front and center of your mind as you help customers plan POS deployments.

Hardware Considerations:

Printer: A good starting point is to make note of which kind of POS printer(s) your customer needs. Is a desktop thermal receipt printer required? Or maybe an impact kitchen printer? Or mobile printers, for on-the-go transactions? From there, you can assess and compare printer options, keeping in mind connectivity, reliability, print speed, aesthetics, and more.

Cash Drawer: All cash drawers might seem similar, but they’re not. An important question to ask yourself is what size of cash drawer your customer needs – do they experience a lot of cash transactions, or mostly credit card and mobile payments? From there, it’s important to consider how many bills and coins they’d like to store in their till, as well as if they need to store checks/coupons, which would require a cash drawer with media slots, and if they plan on supporting a POS terminal or tablet POS on top of the drawer, which would require a drawer with added built-in strength. Design should also be on your list of considerations – your goal is to have your customer’s cash drawer seamlessly and cohesively fit in with the rest of the POS.

Peripherals/Accessories: Once the printer and cash drawer are squared away, it’s time to plan for peripherals and accessories. If your client is opting for a tablet POS, be sure to offer a stand that has both a clean design and useful features like universal VESA mounting so it can accommodate any tablet and the ability to rotate to capture customer signatures. For many businesses, a customer display is also important to prominently display an order’s total price and scanners are a must for ringing up products. If your customer is a cannabis dispensary, jeweler, grocery/deli, frozen yogurt shop, or even a farmer’s market stall, it’s important to offer POS scales that are legal for trade, easy to connect with other POS components, and portable.

Software Considerations: Do a deep dive into your customer’s daily functions and goals for what they want to do in the future. For example, while a good place to start is modernizing a retailer’s main POS terminal, does the customer also want to complete transactions and look up inventory while on the sales floor? Or if your client is a restaurant, in addition to a POS and kitchen printer, would they like to incorporate online ordering or self-service kiosk technology into their establishment? Make sure you offer software that can handle it all and provide an easy, one-source solution for the customer.

Scalability: An important factor to consider when planning both POS hardware and software initiatives is scalability. Does your customer operate just one store? Or perhaps a handful of stores? Or maybe even an entire franchise? Be sure to select hardware and software that is easily scalable, no matter what size business you’re assisting.

POS Deployment Step 2: Affordability

An inevitably important factor in your customer’s POS deployment considerations is price – and who can blame them?

It’s important as a solution provider to offer products that can accommodate a variety of budgets, but one thing to keep in mind is that the cheapest option may not be the most affordable in the long run. It’s also smart to research the warranties and reliability of products, as replacing cheap but unreliable products will likely end up being considerably more expensive than investing upfront in a quality solution backed by a strong warranty.

POS Deployment Step 3: Select a Dependable Supplier

Your suppliers matter! Choose a supplier with attentive, solution-focused sales and integration teams that will help you not only find the right solution but ensure it will work for your customer’s specific business needs. Some factors to look for when choosing a hardware or software supplier are:

Robust Support: Choose a supplier that has a live support team, online resources, frequent and useful software/firmware updates, and more.

Industry Knowledge: Another must-have is a supplier who has a healthy amount of industry knowledge as well as the ability to act as a trusted advisor, not a product-pusher.

Multiple Integrations: Choose a supplier that is integrated with industry-leading hardware/software manufacturers so you know that your customer’s solution of choice will work with the tech you offer.

POS Deployment Step 4: Look to the Future

If your customer could look into a crystal ball and see five years into the future, we’d bet that they’d like to see themselves keeping up with the latest trends in the most affordable way possible. Do that by choosing a future-proof POS deployment in the present!

While choosing a future-proof solution today might mean a higher price tag up-front, it will serve your customers over time and they can rest assured it will be integrated with any future solutions that they choose to deploy.

As we mentioned above, reliability is also a critical consideration for the future. Don’t roll out a POS deployment that will leave your customers with unexpected downtime, maintenance expenses, and replacement costs.

Last but not least, we understand the POS is just one part of a business. Marketing is also surely a priority to your customers – and did you know that the POS can play a part in that? Some receipt printers, like Star’s, feature value-added receipt marketing software which means your clients can grow their sales and customer base by simply using the tools they already have.

We hope that these POS deployment tips are helpful as you help some of your customers plan for the future during this time of uncertainty. Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

Star Micronics Product Catalog

Explore POS printers, label printers, kiosk solutions, and accessories for retail, restaurant, self-service, and more.

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April 13, 2020
The Best New Star Technology in 2020
It’s 2020 and it should come as no surprise that point of sale (POS) technology is advancing rapidly. But which POS trends are predicted to be hot this year?
- Cloud POS: According to Finances Online, the cloud POS market penetration rate is expected to hit 44% this year, up from 35% in 2018 and 39% in 2019.
- Self-Service: In 2019, the self-service market was valued at $28 billion USD, and by 2025 it’s expected to reach $68 billion USD. Needless to say, self-service kiosks will be popping up left and right this year.
- Mobile Payments: It’s estimated that by the end of 2020, nearly 1 in every 2 dollars spent online will come from purchase made using mobile devices. That’s a lot of mobile payments!
Download Free eBook: MPOS: How it’s Revolutionizing Payments

So, what’s Star doing to keep up with these emerging trends? Read on to discover the best new Star technology this year.

SteadyLAN®

The foundation of each of the above POS trends is a stable connection. For cloud POS to reliably operate, a strong network connection must be present. A self-service kiosk that’s out of order is a nuisance to customers and a waste of money to business owners. Mobile payments don’t exist without a solid connection.

To greatly strengthen network connection in iPad POS, Star is proud to introduce SteadyLAN®. This unique, patent-pending new Star technology makes unstable Wi-Fi signals a thing of the past. Available on certain mC-Print models and designed for iOS, Android, and Windows devices provides direct cabled control of the printer and attached peripherals, as well as Ethernet provision to the tablet, from the wired Ethernet port of the printer.

For locations where Wi-Fi connectivity is not possible or unreliable, this new technology is a world-first, providing the stability of a cabled LAN connection for tablet POS systems. By connecting the SteadyLAN-compatible printer to the Internet via wired LAN and connecting the printer and a tablet with a Lightning-USB or USB-C® cable, the device can use the Internet without Wi-Fi communication. At the same time, the tablet can communicate with the printer via USB or LAN and can be charged from the printer.

Click here to learn more about SteadyLAN

A Full Kiosk Lineup

Kiosk printers aren’t a new edition to Star in 2020 – we have been offering a robust lineup of self-service printing options for quite some time – but what is new and hot this year are our second generation of compact SK1 kiosk printers.

The new kiosk printers, the SK1-211 and the SK1-311, ship standard with StarPRNT emulation, which will allow software developers to take advantage of the full stack of Star Micronics technology, such as the StarPRNT SDKs and Star’s powerful line of drivers. Software developers that have already integrated Star products can now easily swap or extend their applications from a desktop printer to a kiosk printer.

When used with Windows drivers, StarPRNT emulation also enables developers to take advantage of PromoPRNT, Star Micronics’ cloud-based marketing tool which allows for custom-designed promotions to print on the bottom of receipts.

These new kiosk printers are exciting for a few reasons: Not only are these new products faster and more reliable, the addition of the modern StarPRNT emulation will allow easy integration of kiosk solutions into any environment already featuring Star printers.

Star offers even more kiosk printers than the SK1 series. Click here to browse all available kiosk printers, including open-frame printers, housed printers, wide-format printers, and more.

mPOP™ Flat Bill

You may already recognize our sleek, all-in-one mobile point of purchase, the mPOP. But did you know that this year we have released a new and improved mPOP for SMB retail, the mPOP Flat Bill?

The new mPOP with Flat Bill cash management stacks the till, providing a total of 4 slots for bills, and 4 or 6 adjustable spaces for coins.The individual tills offer 2Bill-2Coin slots, with the top till easily sliding back to expose the bottom till section.

Just like the original mPOP, the mPOP Flat Bill also features:
- Bluetooth and USB connectivity
- Compatibility with any iOS, Android, or Windows device
- Easy “drop-in and print” paper loading and cable management
- Compatibility with Star peripherals ( 1D barcode scanner, 2D imager, digital customer-facing display)
- Optional mUnite POP solution stand
Click here to learn more about mPOP

mUnite

A new decade calls for business owners of all kinds to make the switch to a sleek, modern POS, and our mUnite stands make that easier than ever.

Designed to accompany the mC-Print3, mPOP, and TSP143/TSP654II, the mUnite tablet POS stands are the perfect solution for businesses on the hunt for a clean POS which frees up valuable counterspace.

With clean cable management and a sleek, unified design, mUnite stands bundles all devices together into one visually cohesive solution, and are:
- Built of durable steel
- Compatible with any tablet manufacturer (universal VESA mounting)
- Easy to set up
- Available in black or white to match existing POS systems
- And more!
Click here to learn more about mUnite

The new Star technology featured in this blog post is just a portion of Star’s many offerings. To learn more about our full product lineup and see how our various technologies can be bundled into one cohesive, streamlined solution, explore our Product Catalog.

Product Catalogue
February 20, 2020
The Evolution of Printer Software Technology to Cater to mPOS

Point of sale (POS) is no longer limited to the traditional, fixed model. Merchants have tried and proven the benefits of mobility. They can complete payment transactions in-aisle or tableside, and set up additional checkouts for line busting. In addition, they can enhance the customer experience at their establishments by providing sales associates and wait staff with information on products and menu items, promotions and sales, and even the customer’s purchase history or loyalty program activity.

While POS has gone mobile, so have label and receipt printers, as well as the point of sale systems they operate with. Mobile printers or mobile point of sale systems can help reduce labor time and costs of in-aisle and shelf labeling. Mobile point of sale also provides mobile receipt printing both in-store and beyond, at pop-up shops, and other outdoor sales and dining venues.

Today’s mPOS solutions can be both lightweight and easy-to-use, are capable of printing receipts and labels with a variety of media, and can even assist businesses with their marketing strategy. Mobile POS peripherals can connect with mobile devices such as tablets or mobile phones using cabled, Bluetooth, or wireless network connection. They can also receive print jobs directly from the merchant’s network, or third-party online ordering and scheduling applications.

From a printer software perspective, however, mPOS has created new challenges. With merchants using a variety of devices for POS functions, printing is no longer as simple as plugging in a printer that’s designed to work with the POS terminal to print receipts and other materials such as labels, tags, forms, or coupons.

As your mobility initiative grows, you may encounter challenges to printing what you need, when and where you need it. Here are three common challenges merchants face with mobile printing and the solutions that will help you overcome them.

Download the Full eBook: “How Printer Software Technology is Evolving to Accommodate mPOS”

Challenge 1: Printing from an iOS, Android, or Windows Native App

With most legacy applications, many POS printers and printer brands could be used by just installing the right Windows driver. Since iOS and Android operating systems do not have a print engine to support drivers, the printer functions need to be integrated inside the POS software, thus limiting the choice. Fortunately, these companies have usually integrated the best of breed printers which make for an easy choice.

Solution: SDK Integration

A software development kit (SDK) helps software engineers or developers to speed up the process to support special features (like printing) in software applications. The printing SDKs needed to create applications are usually available for developers to download from the printer hardware manufacturer. For example, iOS applications traditionally use Objective-C or the Swift programming language, while Android uses Java.

An advantage to SDK integration is that the application your software engineer or developer creates can give you more complete control of printing, such as adjusting print formatting, controlling the cash drawer, or checking the status of the printer. It also enables additional, innovative features to be added to the print application such as digital receipts and other cloud services.

Another huge advantage is that an SDK provides a foundation for developers to build on. Without it, each developer would have to build the basics themselves, which can be especially complicated when working with multiple printers.

The modern SDKs provided by printer manufacturers are designed to be powerful while also being simple to integrate – adding printing capabilities may only require a few lines of code.

Solution: AirPrint®

Star Micronics’ AirPrint technology allows retailers to continue to use the simple print method that they are used to. Apple has certified Star Micronics’ TSP654II AirPrint as the first and only AirPrint receipt printer, and has also certified the Star Micronics TSP847II AirPrint, which can print labels, tickets, forms, barcodes, and graphics. Modern and flexible, this new technology is beneficial to integrators as well.

For ISVs, using Star Micronics’ AirPrint technology is the easiest and fastest way to integrate a printer with Apple software. The TSP654II AirPrint and TSP847II AirPrint work immediately after setup and are the perfect fit for the occasional print job. With Star Micronics’ Apple-certified printers, Mac and iOS developers now have another option in addition to the StarPRNT SDK, giving them more flexible printer control.

Learn More About Star Micronics StarPRNT SDK

Challenge 2: Managing Online Ordering and Scheduling

Online ordering and scheduling have made a huge splash in the global marketplace. In particular, the hospitality, salon/spa, medical, and service industries have been highly effected. Customers choose to order food and schedule appointments online primarily for convenience. Online ordering and scheduling help to simplify the process, ensure accuracy, keep costs transparent, reduce human error, and more.

This new wave of Cloud-based orders and requests presents a new set of challenges to those in effected industries – and all of those challenges revolve around having a reliable, functional mPOS and chit printer. Businesses need a printer that can promptly receive and alert staff to online orders and requests, and that is compatible with today’s modern, ever-changing online applications.

Solution: CloudPRNT

Star’s CloudPRNT technology is the answer to online ordering and scheduling pain points. A remote printing technology specially designed for Web-based POS printing, CloudPRNT is scalable, quick to integrate, easy to deploy, and even allows Cloud-connected control of peripherals.

Platform-independent, CloudPRNT is compatible with the industry’s top online ordering and scheduling applications. CloudPRNT, which automatically detects and pulls Web-based orders and requests, requires no SSL certificate, has no exposed network ports or special firewall settings, and is compatible with any programming language or operating system.

Challenge 3: Printing from a Web Browser Application

Advanced Web standards, such as HTML5, give developers the ability to build Web-based applications with nearly the same level of features as native (local) applications. Web applications have the added advantage of allowing live, automatic updating so that customers always have the most up-to-date version of the software since the application lives in the cloud.

If the POS software is Web-based, the issue isn’t which mobile device the application is running on. Most Web-based solutions are device agnostic: if the device can connect to the Internet, it can usually use the application. In this case, it’s necessary for the printer to receive data directly from the Web-based application.

Solution: WebPRNT

Star’s JavaScript-based WebPRNT technology allows complete control of any Star WebPRNT Ethernet interface printer. Developers can use Star’s JavaScript library and Builder API to integrate a Web-based application with a WebPRNT printer. In addition, this functionality can be extended to Bluetooth printers by using the WebPRNT Browser with little to no changes.

Learn More About WebPRNT

Want to learn about the last 3 challenges? Discover how to successfully market to target audiences, continue to use legacy applications with newer hardware, and more in our free eBook.

Download eBook

February 13, 2020
Star Micronics to Unveil New mPOS Solutions at NRF 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Star Solutions at NRF 2020

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

mUnite Stands
- POS Enclosure
- Universal VESA Mounting
- Hidden Cable Management
- For mC-Print3, mPOP^TM, and TSP143III/TSP654II
- Supports Any iOS, Android, and Windows Tablet or Touchscreen Computer
mC-Print3 (with NEW Technology Features)
- Sleek, Compact, Connected
- Simple User Experience
- Easy to Integrate through Common SDK
- Bluetooth, USB, Lightning, LAN, CloudPRNT
- IPX2 Splash-Proof Design
- Coming Soon: Printer Will Deliver Power and Ethernet to iPad!
Self-Service Kiosk Printers
- Available in Compact and Modular Designs
- High Print Speed
- 2”, 3” and 4” Paper Widths
- Available with StarPRNT or ESC/POS Emulation
- Wide Variety of Accessories Available
PromoPRNT
- Make Custom Promotions from Templates
- Manage Promotions from Anywhere
- Increase Customer Retention
- Make Each Customer Visit Unique
Featured In-Booth Partners

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Star’s Rooftop Party

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

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

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

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

See you soon at NRF 2020!

Discover Star’s Retail POS Solutions
December 12, 2019
Cashless Society: The Pros and Cons
You’ve probably heard the term “cashless society” popping up in the news lately. But what exactly is a cashless society, and what does it mean for businesses and consumers?

Simply put, “cashless” not only includes debit and credit cards, but mobile wallets, electronic payment apps (like Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo), and cryptocurrencies.

Who is cashless?

According to Square, half of consumers used their card for an $8 transaction in 2015. Four years later, the transaction size has dropped dramatically, with half of consumers using their card for a $4.50 purchase in 2019.

In fact, nearly one-third of Americans have stopped using cash for typical weekly spending, and on an international level, in Sweden only 15% of retail sales are made in cash, and some banks no longer handle cash at all.

Who is NOT cashless?

Philadelphia was the first major city in the United States to ban cashless retail, and at the time this was written, New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, and Chicago are currently considering similar policies.

On a state level, New Jersey and Massachusetts have banned cashless retail stores and restaurants.

So, why the debate? Let’s explore the benefits – and risks – of a cashless society.

Pros

A cashless society could:
- Boost Business Operational Efficiency: By presenting the opportunity for smoother, faster, and automated transactions and bookkeeping, businesses could complete customer transactions and back-office bookkeeping faster.
- Strengthen Security: If a digital wallet falls into the wrong hands, it can be simple to shut down, and some cashless features (like biometric authentication) can enhance security.
- Increase Convenience: Cashless payments (clearly) eliminate the need to carry cash, and digital payments can be made with a simple tap or wave of a smartphone. Additionally, cashless technology can create an easier currency exchange during international travels.
- Lower Crime: A cashless society could potentially lower crime rates as there would be no tangible money to steal. Cashless transactions could also mean less money laundering because of a consistent paper trail would automatically be created.
Cons

On the other hand, a cashless society could also:
- Exclude Populations: For many individuals, cash is still king; 4 million households in the United States (or 6.5% of all households) were unbanked in 2017. A cashless society could exclude significant populations, like the elderly and low-income individuals, from being potential customers.
- Create Security Risks: We know we just discussed security benefits, but there are also potential security risks to going cashless. For example, if someone’s phone is stolen, hackers could crack the PIN and access the victim’s mobile wallet(s). It’s likely that cybercriminals are working on specific hacking strategies in anticipation of a cashless, card-less future. Additionally, more cashless transactions means the potential for even more exposed personal information to possible data breaches, and for small businesses that could be a major risk: 43% of cyber-attack targets are small businesses.
- Present Technological Problems: Simply put, technical difficulties (such as internet outages) could leave users with no access to money.
- Increase Fees: According to XpressMoney.com, “Every time you pay by card, intermediaries charge a transaction fee. These fees would become unavoidable in a cashless society. On the other hand, most ATMs don’t charge you to withdraw cash, and you don’t pay any fees when you buy something with it. There’s no imminent danger of cash completely disappearing from circulation. However, both governments and consumers need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of a cashless society, as advances in technology mean we’re increasingly relying on digital forms of payment.”
Because Star Micronics is always leading and always innovating, our team likes to keep a finger on the pulse of the latest industry trends and keep you posted on how they could potentially affect your business.

Take a moment to tell us your thoughts on a cashless society in the comments below.

Contact Star Integration Now
August 22, 2019