SOLUTIONS GUIDE SPONSORED BY PRODUCED BY

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1 technology SOLUTIONS GUIDE Tackling Next-gen payment What s top of mind for most retailers? A POS that can enable the organization to accept new mobile payment options, and that will take the EMV migration in stride. In fact, both retailers and suppliers agree that the ability to accept mobile wallet has had a significant impact on POS software purchasing decisions, as has EMV-readiness and overall payment security with the October 2015 deadline quickly approaching. Frankly, the October 1 deadline for compliance with the EMV mandate is on every retail IT professional s radar for The fast-approaching liability shift will place the responsibility for fraud conducted in-store squarely on the shoulders of those retailers that are not compliant by the 4 deadline. In addition to smart card compliance, savvy retail execs are earmarking pricing intelligence, mobile, and other next-gen innovations to the top of their to-do lists. With the state of POS evolving on a constant basis, every retailer even the most forwardthinking and technological savvy can benefit from exploring and putting a plan in place to tackle payments in With data breaches on the rise, security is top of mind for retailers. What steps do you recommend retailers take to better secure the POS? Gregg Brunnick: It is important that retailers secure the entire POS environment. As more businesses outsource server and software services to cloud vendors, customer data is being moved to off-premise data centers. Retailers should look for partners that offer integrated solutions and consider the security of new interfacing technologies. Setting up secure payments with NFC mobile payment, as well as EMV chip cards, will help to reduce data breaches at Gregg Brunnick Director of Marketing, Business Systems Division Epson Doyle Ledford Vice President of Sales Posiflex Stephen Briscoe Senior Director, Retail Managed Services Randy Hems Vice President Engineering UTC Retail SPONSORED BY PRODUCED BY

2 the POS. While this is no guarantee a breach won t happen, leveraging proven solutions and system providers along with integrated system testing will become more important than ever in better securing the POS. doyle Ledford: Many steps from simple to more involved. First, invest in POS that s adaptable and ready to accept future upgrades, like the acceptance of a variety of EMV devices. In terms of compatibility, does the system have enough ports to plug in thirdparty peripherals? And, do those peripherals have the ability to address security concerns? Can you upgrade to an encryption-capable MSR? Does that MSR include a biometrics reader, to ensure user security? Does the terminal feature powered USB ports to plug in a variety of security-related devices? It all starts with a POS device that can embrace new add-ons (built-in or third party), as well as a software partner taking measures to ensure data is secured on the software side. Security is not simply the hardware, payment processor, or software provider s responsibility. A retailer should work with all of its partners to ensure that they re providing an environment as safe and secure as possible to transact business. randy hems: The PCI DSS 3.0 standard is definitely a solid starting point for any retailer. But, many retailers are also moving beyond just basic payment security considerations and looking to incorporate EMV and P2PE into their strategies. Another consideration is the deployment of thin POS devices that don t store any data, thus centralizing all customer and transactional information, or creating a personal cloud. This approach allows the retailer to be in full control of its own destiny, as opposed to a true SaaS solution, and limits copies of the data on a retailer s network. Unfortunately, breaches will continue. So, minimizing the scope of data security requirements the retailer has to manage limits the risk of sensitive data getting accessed. POS hardware has greatly evolved over the past several years. How do you think mobile devices and cloud solutions will impact POS hardware in the future? Access to real-time data is the game changer. Retailers should be looking for features that allow them to capture data in real time that they can leverage for meaningful and actionable insight to better serve the individual customer. POS has evolved from a cash register to a terminal with a keyboard, a two-line display, and a built-in printer (ECR) to an intelligent touchscreen device and a separate printer. So, POS has a history of evolution, but the root of functionality has not gone away with new technology. Doyle Ledford, Vice President of Sales, Posiflex Stephen Briscoe: I believe mobility and cloud solutions will vary sector by sector. In some sectors they may substantially replace traditional POS deployments, and in other instances mobile devices could purely augment existing systems to improve the customer shopping experience. I have seen instances of retailers holding off on replacing the traditional POS technology and taking a wait-and-see approach to these new technologies. The potential impact of technology convergence makes flexibility and business agility imperative for retailers today. Hems: Mobile devices and cloud-based solutions offer a large pool of options for the retailer to choose from when deploying something new. However, neither is a solution on its own and there isn t one solution out there that fits all. The retailer needs to clearly define the problems within its business that it hopes to solve. Since the lifecycle of a mobile device is shorter than a traditional POS device, the retailer should also be sure to pick a software solution that doesn t tie it to just one hardware platform. Additionally, with cloud-based solutions, the retailer has the option to deploy thinner POS hardware at the store. This can be both a cost savings on the original purchase, as well as with the on-going maintenance and support of the device. Gregg Brunnick, director of marketing, business systems division, Epson Ledford: POS hardware will not go away, but will evolve to embrace these technologies. A va- 20 J A N U A R Y R I S N E W S. C O M

3 riety of devices can work with the cloud today, and mobile devices have become an extension of a POS device, which can input orders, ring a sale, or check inventory via the cloud. POS has evolved from a cash register to a terminal with a keyboard, a two-line display, and a built-in printer (ECR) to an intelligent touch-screen device and a separate printer. So, POS has a history of evolution, but the root of functionality has not gone away with new technology. We will see a mix of mobile and connected POS terminals because some may feel more secure with a traditional POS and wired network, while some like the flexibility of WiFi. Software will either be terminal resident, or be pared-down with main processing and data collection in the cloud, and certain POS functionality may be accessible through the customer s mobile devices. Essentially, POS, in some form or another, will remain integral to the transaction and will continue to evolve to meet merchant and customer demand. Brunnick: Cloud computing and mobile devices are game changers in the POS space, changing the way businesses will have to think about POS technology. New smart platforms are evolving that contain enough computing power and services to become a complete POS system supporting a wide range of connected mobile devices. Future successful POS systems will become gateways capable of communicating real-time data from the cloud. Hardware providers need to remove the technical barriers and enable retailers Traditional POS systems do not meet the needs of today s consumer. Future systems will deliver an enhanced shopping experience by providing associates with more product knowledge, the ability to locate inventory anywhere within the enterprise and facilitate same-day store pick-up or even same day delivery. and operators to easily migrate current legacy POS systems to cloud POS. With the increasing use of mobile devices, consumers expect greater convenience and retailers should be able to react in real time to customer preferences, inventory, staffing, loss/prevention, and merchandising. POS hardware will continue to advance so retailers can run the businesses in the cloud and focus on customer service and merchandising instead of data management issues. Apple Pay has officially been released and retailers have been quick to sign up. How will this and other NFC technologies impact the future of POS? Stephen Briscoe, senior director, retail managed services, Ledford: POS, in various forms, continues to be the backbone of the transaction. An operation may have traditional POS terminals, peripherals, tablets, digital displays, and customer-accessible kiosks all part of the POS ecosystem. Apple Pay becomes another part of that ecosystem. POS systems need to be designed to anticipate new technologies. It s a natural evolution, on-going since the days of simple cash registers, evolving to ECRs, to PCbased POS systems, now with continued evolution and a focus on the payment function of POS. The transaction doesn t go away. Briscoe: There is no question that consumer use of Apple Pay and other electronic wallet solutions will be increasingly adopted in the future. However, with Apple Pay currently being limited to iphone 6 and other electronic wallet providers fighting for market share, consumer acceptance & adoption rates are currently difficult to predict. With retailers focusing on what customers want, when they want it and where they want it what features should they be looking to incorporate into the POS to better serve the customer? Retail is constantly changing. With so many things currently in flux, it s important that retailers look for POS devices that enable future capabilities and can be upgraded via firmware or software updates, instead of component changes or full-scale replacement. Randy Hems, vice president engineering, UTC Retail Briscoe: Traditional POS systems do not meet the needs of today s consumer. Future systems will deliver an enhanced shopping experience by providing associates with more product knowledge, the ability to locate inventory anywhere within the enterprise and facilitate same-day store pick-up or even same day delivery. 22 J A N U A R Y R I S N E W S. C O M

4 Hems: Up to now, omnichannel functionality has tended to be very software driven, both from a functionality and channel integration standpoint. However, for a successful omnichannel strategy, retailers also need access to accurate real-time inventory information across the enterprise. This may require the retailer to review its POS solution s capabilities and to assess any changes that need to be made to the communication infrastructure. From a hardware standpoint, retailers may want to consider a second display for the customer to see pictures of merchandise or a store listing. Mobile devices can extend this functionality out onto the store floor and can be an integral part of an omnichannel strategy. Brunnick: Access to real-time data is the game changer. Retailers should be looking for features that allow them to capture data in real time that they can leverage for meaningful and actionable insight to better serve the individual customer. Features and hardware that enable cloud services without the need for legacy POS integration and the ability to control peripherals from any mobile device play an important role. Retailers should implement an integrated POS system with features that allow them to deploy flexible configurations, such as highly efficient checkout throughout a store environment, in-store kiosks, mobile POS or pop-up stores, or store-within a-store concepts. In addition to looking to identifying systems that deliver all the functional capabilities necessary to support current and future operational requirements, i would recommend looking very closely at hardware that takes advantage of the most up-to-date remote diagnostics capabilities. For retailers about to embark on a new POS hardware deployment, what advice would you provide? Hems: Retail is constantly changing. With so many things currently in flux, it s important that retailers look for POS devices that enable future capabilities and can be upgraded via firmware or software updates, instead of component changes or full-scale replacement. Since requirements for, and advantages of, direct Internet connectivity will continue to increase, look for solutions that provide multiple interface connectivity. Of course, all infrastructure requirements to support these new features are just as important to evaluate as the new POS hardware itself. Brunnick: Retailers should look at completely integrated solutions that have the built-in intelligence required to address new innovations, particularly related to security and new payment methods, as well as the need for Stephen Briscoe, senior director, retail managed services, sophisticated analytics. They should leverage proven solutions from reputable providers and consider platforms that can act as a hub or gateway for critical functions. Retailers should ensure that they select proven solutions from established providers given the risks associated with new technology systems as the responsibility of fraud shifts more toward them. Ledford: Be open-minded. Consider an investment strategy that addresses both current and future requirements along with emerging technologies. Don t focus strictly on price without giving thought to total cost of ownership. Think about how emerging technologies can be embraced to protect your POS investment for the future. Don t forget the environment in which these technologies will be implemented and invest in a system that can endure to deliver maximum uptime. Select products with demonstrated reliability track records and vendor partners who offer comprehensive care programs. Regardless of new technology trends, reliability never falls out of importance or fashion. Think about how emerging technologies can be embraced to protect your pos investment for the future...select products with demonstrated reliability track records and vendor partners who offer comprehensive care programs. Regardless of new technology trends, reliability never falls out of importance or fashion. Doyle Ledford, VICE president of sales, Posiflex Briscoe: From a technical perspective, in addition to looking to identifying systems that deliver all the functional capabilities necessary to support current and future operational requirements, I would recommend looking very closely at hardware that takes advantage of the most upto-date remote diagnostics capabilities. From a support perspective I recommend involving the internal store support team as early as possible as part of the decision making process. RIS 24 J A N U A R Y R I S N E W S. C O M

5 COMPANY NAME/ WEBSITE RELEVANT PRODUCT/SOLUTION KEY CLIENTS APG Cash Drawer Bluetooth Device for Cash Drawers, Stratis Integration System, Series 4000 Cash Drawer Advanced Auto Parts, Lowe s, McDonald s AVE Investments dba pccashdrawer iregister, possign, pcmonitor, posportable Benjamin Moore Paint Stores, Chanel USA, Party City Epson SEE AD ON PAGE 21 OmniLink Smart Solutions, Mobilink Handheld Printers Fujitsu Fujitsu TeamPoS 7000 All-in-One J2 Retail Systems, Inc. PC-based touchscreen POS terminals for Retail, Leisure, Hospitality and Education vertical markets Estee Lauder, Red Robin, Vancouver Island University NCR Corporation NCR RealPOS XR7 Lindex, Shell, Tesco Panasonic foodservices Panasonic Stingray III PAR PAR SureCheck Wegmans Posiflex SEE AD ON PAGE 23 Point of Sale Hardware: KS7215, KS7715, XT4015 and XT5315 Hooters, NBC Universal Stores & Concessions, Thorntons Inc. Source Support Services SEE AD ON PAGE 25 In-Store Technology Support, Maintenance-as-a-Service (MaaS) Rubbermaid, Seagate, Super Micro UTC RETAIL SEE AD ON PAGE Integrated POS Series, 1100 and 4100 Distributed POS Series, and the 2100 and 3100 All-In-One POS Series AMC Theaters, Lowe s, Perry Ellis Verifone MX Solutions CVS, Kohl s, GNC 26 J A N U A R Y R I S N E W S. C O M