Aldata Solutions Inc.: New to the industry, Atlanta-based Aldata, is bringing its supply-chain and category optimization product from the grocery arena into c-stores. Roger Lamb, senior sales executive, says the $100-million-a-year public company has been around since 1988 and sees North America as a potential growth [image-nocss] market. Its suite of products allows for assortment optimization and tracking items from manufacturer down to the store, which is helpful with tracking food product in cases of food safety or tampering.
Cybera: The Franklin, Tenn.-based network provider noted its ability to offer secure communication lines. In addition to its retailer client-base that focuses on communicating securely to its stores, recent customers have been suppliers like Greensboro, N.C.-based Gilbarco Veeder-Root, which recently agreed to use Cybera's secure network to enable its help desk to connect with remote Gilbarco systems. It does so without entering the payment areas affected by the Visa-backed payment card industry (PCI) standards, said Dan Glennon, senior vice president of marketing and strategy for Cybera. To further ensure system uptime, Cliff Duffey, CEO and president, said they've developed a wireless back-up system to kick in if problems with the initial system arise.
Corporate Safe Specialists and FKI Security Group (also known as Fire King): Posen, Ill.-based Corporate Safe Specialists Inc., a provider of cash management products and services, has merged with its portfolio company, Fire King, New Albany, Ind., according to Pfingsten Partners, which owns both companies. Ed McGunn, president and CEO of Corporate Safe will stay on to help develop the newly merged entity's line of intelligent safes and services.
Gilbarco Veeder-Root: The Greensboro, N.C., pump and point-of-sale (POS) manufacturer announced enhancements to its Passport POS product that included remote access as well as partnership capabilities with loyalty and other third-party providers. Engineers developed the loyalty interfaces using standards from the Petroleum Convenience Alliance for Technical Standards (PCATS). Meanwhile, the company also featured its Wisdom product, which helps retailers monitor environmental control and heating and cooling equipment at the store. Other Gilbarco updates include new ties to the national, "Amber Alert" missing-child messaging network, as well as the national expansion of its multi-media partnership with Outcast Media Inc., Santa Monica, Calif.
Heartland Payment Systems: The Princeton, N.J.-based company focused its show-floor message on its SmartLink ProDistributor product, which is backed by a partnership with Houston-based fuel-management provider FuelQuest. Michael Youngkin, network product director for Heartland said the solution combines Heartland's SmartLink secure network and connectivity platform with the inventory control and planning of FuelQuest's ForeSite technology. The system minimizes PCI compliance issues by separating the way transaction data moves through the platform, Youngkin said. The larger vision is to pull together information coming from the numerous electronic devices at the store to better maintain and manage store-level operations, simplify the wiring clutter that can develop under the counter and ultimately create efficiencies that will improve the bottom line.
Hughes Network Systems: Expanding from its roots in satellite-based communication networks, the Germantown, Md.-based company has grown to provide digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 and cable options to give customers a range of broadband data solutions. Timothy Tang, director of vertical solutions for Hughes, said its history of supporting a variety of customer segments, including individual residences, is an advantage to supplying secure data lines to a fragmented industry like the convenience-retail channel.
Hypercom: The Gig Harbor, Wash.-based maker of personal identification number (PIN) pads and card-swipe devices showed a new product at the show in its L5200 line. Capable of end-to-end encryption, the device has a contactless reader option, a 4.3-inch color screen and "privacy shield" to help keep customers keep PIN numbers a secret.
LIFT Retail Marketing Technology Inc.: Taking their upselling solution from behind the counter to the front, founders of this Atlanta-based firm have developed an interactive element to their hardware-software system. Designed to provide scripts for cashiers to read for upselling purposes, the system uses a touch-screen interface to give customers the ability to answer satisfaction surveys, sign up for loyalty programs or purchase promotional items themselves, according to Wells Burke (pictured, right, with PDI's Greg Gilkerson), president and founder.
Kickback Rewards System: The Twin Falls, Idaho-based loyalty provider announced at the show that Houston-based ConocoPhillips signed up for its coalition services, allowing operators flying the Phillips 66, Conoco and 76-branded retailers a turnkey loyalty solution. Consumers can earn and redeem points for fuel and merchandise purchases at participating gas stations, c-stores and other coalition retailers, said KickBack CEO Pat Lewis. The program's flexibility allows participating retailers to identify their most loyal customers and engage them through customized offerings, he said.Outsite Networks Inc.: Officials with the Norfolk, Va.-based company showed attendees a new iPhone and iPad application or "app" that will allow customers to access location, store information and loyalty points. In addition, Bo Sasnett, vice president of sales and marketing for Outsite, said the app will also allow customers access to information from non-competing retailers, noting how the range will expand the app's use.
PDI: The Temple, Texas-based technology provider touted the growth of its enterprise solution within the industry, as well as the community-building power of its new website, pdiconnections.com. Since they started the site last year, it has gained traction, especially over the past six months, with users actively conversing about ways to maximize the use of their PDI solutions.
Retalix: The Isreali-based company announced a major rollout in China, where one of the largest petroleum companies there, PetroChina, completed the installation of their POS and fuel-management solution to 16,000 sites. Officials said it was the largest deployment of a single Retalix solution in the world.
Tidel Engineering: The Carrollton, Texas-based company announced the availability its newest Sentinel cash-management system, the Tidel Sentinel SCD-3 (Sentinel Control Device with 3 vaults). New features are an additional side storage vault for securing the change fund, auto-locking doors on side and bottom vaults, an open-door alarm (the alarm sounds if a door is left open longer than a preset time), open-door alarm reset (alarm can be reset for a second cycle) and two "anti-fish drop" chutes and vaults. Ed Grondahl, executive vice president of global sales said, "Our customers have asked us for an additional storage vault to secure the store manager's change fund and eliminate the need for a second safe in the manager's office."
VeriFone: The San Jose, Calif.-based company was showing its retrofit solution for operators wanting to have four-color television displays in the pump. James Hervey with VeriFone said the devices can be much more affordable than purchasing new dispensers and can add life to current equipment. The company also showed its integration to vending-machine devices on the pump island.
ZBD Displays: Shelf tags with display screens were a prime focus for the Skokie, Ill.-based device provider. The wireless-controlled screens can show brand logos, price and other black-and-white visuals for customers to view while shopping. The tags came in three sizes and could be easily changed by entering in the proper information to the wireless controller, said Tony Pusateri, vice president of business development for ZBD.
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