POS technologies gaining ground: Sektor vendors

Digital signage, printers, POS becoming more popular

Vendors who showcased point of sale (POS)-related wares at Sektor’s recent roadshow in Auckland, say newer technology in the industry is gaining popularity locally.

Among these is digital signage, says Panasonic business development manager Steve Munns. The company used the roadshow to promote this technology, along with Toughbook laptops, IP surveillance and POS products.

“We see more of an uptake in digital signage this year, particularly in retail, as the price points become more affordable and as retailers want to find different ways of conveying advertising messages.”

Munns contends one of the Toughbook models, the CFH1, which is aimed at health providers, is a growing category because it can increase healthcare staff’s productivity and assist with accurate record keeping for patient management.

Epson business manager Joe Bizinger says the vendor is also targeting the health sector with two newly-launched printers. One, the TM-C3400, was developed for use in Japanese hospitals and is being used for blood sample labelling and prescription printing.

“Part of the issue with pre-printed label stock is if there is a legislation change then all the label stock has to be thrown out and new labels produced. Pharmacies are excited because they can print everything on a blank label including the logo and contact details.”

The second device, the TM-C610 coupon printer, is aimed at supermarkets and retailers.

“There is predictive software that sits between the terminal and the back office system. Once the product gets scanned, the predictive software checks if there is a special and will automatically print off a coupon.”

Eftpos New Zealand marketing manager Alan Sharpe reveals it is working with Mastercard to have the Contactless IP-based Eftpos platform used by retailers and at stadiums during next year’s Rugby World Cup.

The devices include a touchscreen and eliminate the need to enter a pin or swipe a card.

“It is a tap and go transaction. We have got one of these working in a store in Wellington now and plan to have more at stadium sites. We are looking to take this technology and provide it back to Sektor for them to offer to resellers.”

HP product manager Blair McKenzie says point of sale customers are looking for stability.

“A lot of retail point of sale customers don’t want a lot of change happening in a short period of time. What HP is doing is designing products like the rp5700 [point of sale system] which has a five-year life cycle.”