Is your restaurant or retail store ahead of the technology curve?
Be honest – is it even close?

In this day and age, customers expect to see their favorite restaurants and stores using technologies similar to the ones they use on a daily basis. That’s why today’s top retailers and restaurateurs are turning to tablets and Apple iPads to run their businesses.

In 2014, this concept of mobile point of sale (POS) is very flexible. Mobile elements, such as mobile POS devices and mobile POS printers, can be mixed and matched with your existing assets to accommodate your specific business and/or budget needs. Mobile POS can include:

• A mobile device secured on a stand, integrated with a stationary printer and cash drawer
• A mobile device integrated with a magnetic stripe reader and a portable printer

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Wasp has announced the release of their MobileAsset v7 and MobileAsset.EDU. Wasp’s fixed asset tracking solutions include all the features a business or educational institution needs to account for its valuable assets.

Wasp’s MobileAsset v7, designed for IT departments, and MobileAsset.EDU, dedicated for K-12 and higher education institutions, are the most convenient and competitive tracking solutions available. The MobileAsset.EDU edition is the first of its kind, with two available options, Professional and Enterprise; while the MobileAsset v7 is available in three editions: Standard, Professional, and Enterprise.

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KoamTac has announced the release of its new KDC20 miniature laser barcode scanner at CONNECT 2014, KoamTac’s annual partner conference. The KDC20 is the company’s most cost-efficient, stand-alone Bluetooth scanner. Equipped with a convenient swing-out USB connector, the scanner conserves consumer resources by eliminating cables and enabling the use of off-the-shelf multi-USB charging solutions.

Highly configurable, the new device includes four buttons: scan, up and down (for controlling Bluetooth connections and remotely activating soft keyboards), and a delete key. Customizable features available include, a vibrating option and an optional backup battery for the real time clock. The scanner is certified by Apple for use with iOS devices, as well as, compatible with Android, Blackberry, Mac, and Windows devices

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CAEN RFID has announced the release of the new qIDmini, a keyfob sized Bluetooth UHF RFID reader of its easy2read family.

The qIDmini (Model R1170I) has an integrated antenna suited for short to medium range applications and, thanks to the Bluetooth communication interface, it is a perfect UHF RFID add-on for any Bluetooth enabled host such as a PC, a smartphone, a PDA or a tablet. The reader is compatible with Windows XP/7, Windows CE/Mobile, Android, iPhone and iPad.

It can operate both in wired mode, using a USB cable, or in wireless mode through the Bluetooth interface. The reader can also operate in “Batch Mode”, allowing to store EPC codes into the internal memory when the communication link (USB or Bluetooth) is not available.

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Archelon, a manufacturer of iPad and tablet enclosures for the retail and hospitality industries, is keeping pace with dynamic technology with the introduction of its sleek iPad Air enclosures.

Archelon’s iPad Air enclosure is custom designed to fit the Apple device’s 9.7-inch display and 7.5-millimeter width. It includes the same security and protection as its predecessors, the Archelon EXO. Users can choose from wall mount, table top, and secure flip designs. The enclosure includes a lock and key frame that keeps the tablet secure but accessible as needed. Its tri-axial swivel allows movement in multiple planes: up-and-down, side-to-side, as well as landscape and portrait views.

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With the wide acceptance of smartphones and tablets, more and more businesses are looking to leverage iPhones, iPads, and iPods for a variety of data collection and tracking needs. One of the main challenges encountered when using an iOS device is being able to scan barcodes and read the magnetic stripe on credit/debit cards. While there are scanner apps to use a camera as a barcode reader, businesses that will have a consistent scan volume or need for accuracy will find this to be slow and cumbersome. This is where a dedicated scanner sled is the perfect solution.

The range of sleds currently available can provide 1D or 2D scanning and some models add MSR and RFID reading. The chart below is a simple breakdown of the various sleds, their capabilities, and which iOS devices they are compatible with. No matter what your needs are, there is a scanner sled that can meet them.

For additional assistance finding the right sled for your business, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

MMF, a leading supplier of cash drawers and accessories, has chosen Star to help strengthen its mobile POS (mPOS) cash management solution. Star’s DK-AirCash units will enable wireless control of MMF cash drawers, including the Advantage ADV-INABOX Drawer as well as the VAL-u Line Series drawers.

MMF’s Advantage ADV-INABOX Drawer is a robust printer-driven 24V Cash Drawer with Star Interface Kwick Kable bundled all INABOX. This package also comes standard with the patented LockIt feature, a hidden locked compartment beneath the currency till for safe storage of larger bills. In addition to its Advantage ADV-INABOX Drawer, MMF’s VAL-u Line Series 13” x 16” and 13” x 13” drawers (Electronic 24Vdc version) offer customers a cost-effective and compact cash management solution with durable construction and high-quality standards.

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Mobile POS has seen a boom recently due to the simplicity and low cost investment involved in getting a functional POS system off the ground. Leading the way in mobile POS is Vend with their app that turns your iPad into a fully functional POS system.  Setting up shop in a physical location or on the go has never been so easy!

With any type of retail transaction their is always a need for some kind of receipt be it via an email or a physically printed copy. Vend has always supported a variety of desktop receipt printers but with their recent update you can go completely mobile with the Star SM-S220i.  The SM-S220i is the perfect compact mobile printer to provide your customers with a printed receipt no matter where your point of sale may be. Quickly pair the printer to your iPad running Vend software and you’ll be printing receipts in no time!

For more information or to start building a Vend mobile POS system. contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Expanding the field for mobile point of sale solutions, Star Micronics is excited to introduce its DK-AirCash accessory for enabling secure cash payments in mPOS. Traditionally, cash drawers are controlled manually (key operated) or by a wired connection to a PC or through a wired connection to a printer. The DK-AirCash enables the control of the cash drawer either directly through an Ethernet, Bluetooth and now MFi certified Bluetooth connection. Star’s DK-AirCash makes “wireless” operation of an existing hard-wired cash drawer possible.

With MFi certification from Apple, Star’s DK-AirCash is compatible with popular Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in addition to devices running on Android and Windows platforms. Now available in MFi certified Bluetooth, Star’s DK-AirCash is a cost effective way to upgrade your cash drawer’s compatibility for mPOS. Join the mPOS revolution with Star’s DK-AirCash!

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Now you can make your Square Register system even more mobile with support for two mobile receipt printers from Star: SM-S220i and SM-T300i.

Square has updated its iOS app with new features for all of Apple’s mobile devices as well as added some iPad-specific improvements. You can download the new version now directly from Apple’s AppStore.

• For iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch: Record and track all kinds of payments, including checks and gift cards.
• For iPad: Reconcile your cash drawer quickly and easily with cash management, Connect a Bluetooth printer to wirelessly print receipts from Star MFi certified portable Bluetooth receipt printers.

For assistance finding any hardware for Square Register, contact us at Barcodes Inc.